Itinerary
|
Day 1
Nairobi Nairobiis the least expensive arrival city for flights with a full range of hotels and local attractions. Dubbed the “Safari Capital of the World,” cool, clear and cosmopolitanNairobiis the natural departure point for most safari itineraries. A city of contrasts, it is simultaneously the largest, the youngest, the most modern, the highest (1700m) and the fastest growing city inEast Africa. High-altitudeNairobienjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year round. There are ATMs and banks to stock up on cash, great restaurants, and malls where you can purchase any forgotten items. In the event of serious illness, all travellers are covered by Flying Doctors Insurance. This covers the cost of emergency air evacuation service needed to fly back to Nairobi for treatment. This insurance does not cover the cost of medical treatment. You will receive a private airport transfer to/from the airport. The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel is situated in the centre of the bustling city of Nairobi, in Kenya, and has grown over time with the city. Surrounded by private tropical gardens, the 168 guest rooms are comfortable and with all the necessities of home. Dining is offered at a number of onsite restaurants, and the breakfast buffet is especially delightful. Spend some time getting to know the city, and then escape to the tranquility of the hotel. At your pleasure enjoy the wonderful swimming pool facilities, the health club and a relaxing spa. Overnight at Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. |
 Nairobi |
 Fairmont Norfolk Hotel |
|
|
|
Day 2
Nairobi Private guide and driver for the day in Nairobi. Stop in for a visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage at the Nairobi Game Park headquarters. The elephants are fed from 11am to noon. Visit these and other endangered animals like the black rhino. Enjoy a visit to the Giraffe Center where you can hand-feed the giraffes. Then stop at the Karen Blixen house - made famous in the film "Out ofAfrica". If you are interested in the local jewelry you can visit the Kazuri Bead Factory, it's an all-woman craft workshop that is renowned for making fabulous clay beads and jewelry. Overnight at Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. |
 Feeding Time! |
 Giraffe Manor |
|
|
|
Day 3
Laikipia Laikipia District is located on the Equator in the central region of the country. The district has two major urban centres: Nanyuki to the southeast, and Nyahururu to the southwest. Its capital is the town ofNanyuki. Centered around the original Laikipia National Reserve, this area has become a sanctuary for elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and a wealth of plains game, including many endemic northern species. Laikipia has become a focus for many conservation efforts. This morning you'll meet up with your guide and head off to Laikipia. The drive from the urban center of Nairobi, through the fertile highlands, the semi-arid frontier of Kenya is breath-taking and great way to see the countryside. The drive will be about an 4 to 5 hours. Time permitting, there are many optional activities. Depending on which lodge you're staying at, activities range from nature walks to cultural village visits. Some of these can be prebooked through your destination specialist while others can be booked directly with the lodge upon arrival. A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Tented Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury. Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features39 luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager's house of this once colonial farm, and offers both regional and international cuisine. Also within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching. Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena. |
 Sweetwaters Tented Camp |
|
|
|
Day 4
Laikipia Game viewing in Laikipia private reserve with your skilled guide. You can stop for a visit at the chimp sanctuary. Drives are typically done in the morning at 6:30am for a few hours, and 3pm for a few hours, since the animals are most active at dawn and dusk. Includes game reserve fees. Time permitting, there are many optional activities. Depending on which lodge you're staying at, activities range from nature walks to cultural village visits. Some of these can be prebooked through your destination specialist while others can be booked directly with the lodge upon arrival. Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena. |
 Laikipia Giraffe |
|
|
|
Day 5
Naivasha Naivasha is one of our favorite places to pause on safari. Lush, cool and relaxing, it is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13 km across but its waters are shallow and thick with hippo. Hell'sGateNational Park,LongonotNational ParkandMountLongonotare nearby attractions. Boat tours on the lake are popular to observe birdlife and hippopotamus behavior, or exploreCrescentIslandon foot. Your guide will drive you from Laikipia to Lake Naivasha, through the rift valley. This drive will take about 5 hours. Includes a boat trip to visit Crescent island in Lake Naivasha. A short boat trip from the mainland out into the lake gives you access to the unique Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Crescent Island is a peninsula or island, depending on the lake level, joined to the mainland by a causeway. A wide variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora lives quite freely without the threat of predators. You will have the opportunity to spend some time walking around at your own pace, enjoying this peaceful Island.
Among the resident birds are fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, black crakes and a variety of herons. Hippos also live in the lake. A number of mammals can be seen grazing in the surrounding lake environs, such as zebra, impala, buffalo, giraffe, Kongoni and, at night, hippos. Like an African castle in the sky, Sopa Lodge Naivasha spins wondrous safaris from natural treasures below the golden Kenyan sun. It is situated on the southern shores of Naivasha, the largest freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. Let this dazzling resort of 21 cottages prepare you for mouth-dropping silence. Feast on the succulent meats and preparations of the hotel’s talented chefs. Allow your eyes to indulge in the scenery and wildlife that draws so many to visit this hotel, built for open views of nature’s activities at their most untouched. Make sure to wander around the compound. You will be enchanted by the fine architecture, cathedral ceilings, and grand windows. Stroll around the gardens, and take a swim. It’s hard to leave this heavenly escape. Overnight at Sopa Lodge. |
 Naivasha |
 Sopa Lodge Naivasha |
|
|
|
Day 6
Masai Mara Masai Mara is the northernmost portion of the larger Serengeti ecosystem and features the best game viewing in the region. The small size funnels animals into a tight space, and park rules allow for off-road driving which means that guests can venture into plains covered with hundreds or even thousands of animals. Take an optional hot air balloon ride over the plains, with the opportunity for amazing pictures of the animal herds below. Your guide will drive you from Nakuru to Masai Mara. This drive will take about 5 to 6 hours. In rainy season drive times may be longer (April/early May and Nov). If you like, stop for refreshments and souvenir shopping at roadside stands along the way or head straight to the park. Enjoy game viewing as you enter Masai Mara and drive to your camp. This afternoon's game viewing will be exciting as you are searching for game with your private guide and driver. The leopard is difficult to see as it moves fast and is very shy. If you're lucky there is a good chance to spot them around water holes or up in a tree after a long, hot day. Kensington Mara West Camp has been revamped and relocated to what is surely one of the best views in East Africa. Perched elegantly on the Ololoolo escarpment, forming the western boundary of the Masai Mara Reserve itself. This is the authentic Out of Africa experience where much of the original film itself was filmed & produced. The camp borders the remote and beautiful western edge of Masai Mara National Reserve. Kensington Mara West provides nature lovers with deluxe accommodations while experiencing the sights and sounds of an unforgettable African safari. Tents offer rustic charm surrounded by grassy fields. Chalets are perched in secluded spots on an escarpment edge overlooking the vast plains of the Masai Mara Game Reserve, giving tremendous views and a sense of private exclusion. Overnight at Kensington Mara West. |
 Masai |
 Leopard |
 Mara West Outdoor Dining |
|
|
|
Day 7
Masai Mara Masai Mara is named after the traditional inhabitants (Maasai) and the Mara River. At some point during your stay in the Mara, you'll drive by the river, which is a great place to spot wildlife. This area is a photographer's delight where with any luck you'll be able to take amazing pictures of the hippos and elephants in the water. On today’s afternoon game drive the choice is up to you: search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover something different. Masai Mara not only has a rich mix of animals – it also has an incredible array of bird life with almost 450 different species. Overnight at Kensington Mara West. |
 Hippo |
 Bateleur or Short Tailed Eagle |
|
|
|
Day 8
Nairobi Your guide will drive you from Masai Mara to Nairobi, with short stop-overs for refreshments and souvenirs. Be aware that during this commute you will drive across some unfinished patches of road. This drive will take approximately 6 hours. Includes opportunity to visit local handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs. Before leaving that night, stop by the Kensington office for free use of Internet, lounge, showers and drinks. If you like, we can make reservations for dinner at a local restaurant as well. Please let us know in advance and if you are vegetarian. You will receive a private airport transfer to/from the airport. Depart from Nairobi international airport - end of itinerary. Overnight at Depart. |
 Masai Market, Nairobi |
 Nairobi Office Lounge |
|
|
|
Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
|