19 Days Best of Kenya: SAFARI NAIVASHA, NAKURU, BOGORIA, MASAI MARA, SAMBURU, MARSABIT, LAIKIPIA, AMBOSELI, TSAVO, MOMBASA, DIANI TRIP

19 Days Best of Kenya: SAFARI NAIVASHA, NAKURU, BOGORIA, MASAI MARA, SAMBURU, MARSABIT, LAIKIPIA, AMBOSELI, TSAVO, MOMBASA, DIANI TRIP

With a landscape and wildlife as varied as it’s people, it is impossible to exhaust your destination options in one visit. However, you can have a varied experience that takes you through The Great Rift Valley Lakes, takes you to the center of wild action in the parks and give opportunities to see some very unique wildlife while interacting with a people that have overcome many odds to rise again and shape a brighter future for themselves.

DAY 1 – Marsabit

Pick up from your hotel in the morning and we head North of Kenya. On the way on days with clear cloud you have fantastic views of Africa’s second highest mountain; Mt. Kenya. We will have a stop over at the equator mark as we cross from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. We drive past the green slopes of the Mountains all the way to Marsabit, home to Ahmed, Kenya’s famed Elephant that received round the clock presidential protection for the magnificence of her tusks weighing about 70kgs each. Marsabit is a truly unique area as it is the one county that boasts all the climatic conditions of Kenya. We check in into Marsabit National Park doing a game drive all the way to Lake Paradise. We spend the night in the Park.

DAY 2 – Marsabit and Samburu

After breakfast we head out to Korr for a cultural experience. We experience the ways and livelihoods of the Rendile people, also known as the people of the stick of God. With a culture so elaborate that it covers both major and minor ceremonies, with a clear place in the society for every age group, it is a delight getting to interact and get to appreciate their ways including their priced animal; the camel.

Later on drive on to Samburu. Short evening game drive enroute to our hotel.

DAY 3 – Samburu

Morning and evening game drives in Samburu, one of Kenya’s most unspoilt wilderness area, is famous for hosting the rare five of Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, The Gerenuk, Grevy Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe. Leopards, Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Hyena, Common Zebra, Jackals, Wild dogs and Crocodiles on the Ewaso Nyiro River are among the other species you see. In the afternoon, we have a chance to visit the Samburu cultural settlements for a comparison of the two nomadic communities, Rendile and Samburu, going all the way to their traditional settlements, the Manyatta. Overnight in Samburu.

DAY 4 - Nanyuki

Depart after breakfast for Ol Pajeta Conservancy arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent in the Park with opportunities to see the big five, visit the Chimpanzees as the only place where these close relatives of the human species are found in Kenya, visit the last remaining two Northern White Rhinos and appreciate how effectively this park has managed to integrate conservation with wildlife management. Dinner and overnight in Nanyuki.

DAY 5: Nakuru

After an early breakfast drive to Lake Nakuru National Park through Nyahururu with a brief stopover at the Thomson Falls. Check in at hotel. Lunch and head out for a game drive through the park with hundreds of Bird species, White and Black Rhino, Buffaloes, Leopards, Lion, Giraffe, Water Buck, Zebras, Warthogs, Thomsons Gazelles and Impalas. Enjoy sunset views at the Baboon Cliff or Lion Hill. Dinner and overnight at hotel/lodge.

DAY 6: Lake Bogoria
Leave with a morning game drive enroute to Lake Bogoria. With its hot springs and geysers, the lake is a perfect algae growth zone and hence ideal for the flamingoes that literally paint the lake pink, to the extent of the horizon. They gather here in their hundreds of thousands and at times a million plus. Overnight in a Lake Elementaita hotel. 

DAY 7: Naivasha
Depart to Lake Naivasha.  Visit the Crescent Island for a game walk. Proceed to hotel and check in. Lunch at hotel. Optional afternoon visit to Hell’s Gate National Park, gorge exploration or biking. Naivasha being home to many flower farms producing export quality flowers, is every flower lover’s haven. A study or recreational visit can be arranged in advance. Back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at a Hotel/lodge.

DAY 8: Masai Mara
After an early breakfast depart from Naivasha and drive to the Masai Mara arriving at the lodge/camp in time for lunch. Check in. Late afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at a camp or lodge.

DAY 9: Masai Mara
Whole day spent exploring the Mara plains to experience the Mara magic! You enjoy a morning and an afternoon game drive with a picnic lunch break in between. This reserve is Kenya's premier reserve and is famed for its astounding concentration of wildlife with the wildebeest migration mainly in July through to October being such a highlight. The Mara however offers rewarding safari moments all year round. It is possible to spot the big five of Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard in one game drive. See the Crocodiles of the Mara River and Hippos. On this day you have a chance to experience the hot air balloon ride over the Mara plains or go for an escorted walk within designated areas at an extra cost.

Dinner and overnight at a camp or lodge.

DAY 10: Nairobi

After breakfast break camp/check out and drive as you watch out for game. We have a chance to hang out with the Masai people, the indigenous community that have lived side by side with the wild animals in Masai Mara for centuries. We get to appreciate their ways of life and livelihoods. It is our perfect opportunity to be part of the community initiatives within the locality. Stop over at Narok to buy souvenirs or just for a snack break and lunch before proceeding on to Nairobi. Overnight at Nairobi hotel. End of safari.

DAY 11: Nairobi
After breakfast depart for Amboseli  National Park set at the foot of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. Given clear skies you will get an opportunity to view the peaks of Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park has a prolific population of Elephants. Arrive at the camp in time for lunch. You will have lunch then an afternoon game drive follows. Sundowners with cocktails, champagne or mock tails and soft drinks on observation hill can be organized at an extra cost. Later you can have Dinner and overnight at the hotel/camp.

Day 12: Amboseli

You are taken for a morning and an afternoon game drive in this second most popular park in Kenya. Here you have a good opportunity to see some of the 'Big Five' and a variety of other game with the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro at the background.

A visit to the Maasai village in the afternoon is an enlightening affair, bringing us face to face with the people that have partly ensured the survival of the Wild ecosystem in Amboseli, sharing their space with the wild animals for centuries.

Day 13: Amboseli – Tsavo West – Tsavo East

You will depart from Amboseli after breakfast and proceed to Tsavo West. Immediately commence on your game drive getting to the Shetani Lava Flow and the magnificent Mzima Springs that suddenly brings so much life to an otherwise dry and patched section of our wide African Savanna. 

 Lunch will be had enroute. Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel/camp in Tsavo East.

Day 14: Tsavo East                                                                                                                                                         

On this day, you will undertake a morning game drive after breakfast. You will also get to visit the Kanderi Swamps and Aruba Dam areas where high concentration of animals are found as well as birds. The Elephant Den, Mudanda Rock, Yatta Plateau and Lugard falls are some of the other attractions.  After lunch depart for Mombasa arriving in the evening.

Overnight at Mombasa hotel.

Day 15: Mombasa

On this day you do a tour of Mombasa city going Fort Jesus, Mombasa Old Town, Mama Ngina drive, The Mombasa Tusks and the Marikiti Market. Later in the afternoon visit Haller Park and Mamba village. The evening can be spent with dinner at The Tamarind Dhow or the Moorings floating restaurant or optionally enjoy a quiet dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Mombasa.

Day 16 : Diani
Leave after an early morning breakfast or with take away breakfast pack for a full day visit to Wasini Island and Kisite Mpunguti Marine park for snorkeling and swimming with the Dolphins. You enjoy a sea food themed lunch in Wasini Island. Just before departure, you visit the Shimoni caves.  Overnight at hotel in Diani Beach, Africa’s best beach stretch.

Day 17: Diani
After breakfast you visit the Kaya Kinondo cultural village and forest that boast the sacred shrines of the Mijikenda people, tens of indigenous trees and their traditional homesteads. Afternoon at Leisure at Beach Hotel, you get to enjoy a pampering in the hotel Spa or fitness and wellness center and swimming at the beach. Overnight at the resort.

Day 18: Diani
Half day at Leisure at Beach Hotel, swimming and beach moments.  and later depart to the Airport to board your flight to Nairobi or back home.

Day 19: Diani
Half day at Leisure at Beach Hotel and later depart to the Airport to board your flight to Nairobi to fly back home.