Day 1
Mercoledì: Nairobi – Maasai Mara
At 07:30 hrs, collected from your Nairobi hotel/Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Commence your safari, driving due west out of Nairobi, ascending to the edge of the Great Rift Valley, for a dramatic and panoramic descent, down the Great Rift Valley escarpment, to the floor below.
Make a photographic stop at a view point, before the descent. Continue the descent, passing through Mai Mahiu and Narok Town.
Arrive in time for lunch at the Lodge.
Afternoon game viewing drive in the Kenya's most popular Reserve.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Offering superb plains scenery, unmatched safari activities and diverse wildlife, Masai Mara National Reserve is considered Kenya’s best park and one of Africa’s highest wildlife density region for predators. The reserve covers 583 square miles (1510 square kilometres) of outstanding wilderness in South West Kenya.
The location, wildlife, activities and comfortable moderate climate puts Mara at the top of the list, even for the most discerning traveller to Kenya. When the public reserve was first established, it covered 645 square miles (1672 square kilometres). Strategically, the size of the reserve was later reduced in 1984 to accommodate Maasai cattle grazing on their ancestral lands.
Although the decrease in land area may be considered a let-down for wildlife conservation and protection at its infancy, the animals and habitats of the reserve found new allies to ensure their survival for generations to come. Many private conservancies have been introduced to protect the land that surrounds the reserve, thereby providing more area for wildlife. The lands not only protect habitats for resident species, but also preserve a critical part of the route used by wildebeests and zebras during the Great Migration that traverses the Masai Mara via the Serengeti National Park. Recognized as one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet, the migration is a continuous route that is followed by an over 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras, gazelles and elands. In their never-ending pursuit for the finest grazing and watering grounds, the gnu relocate on an almost constant basis. The perseverance of these wildebeests is demonstrated in their ability to mate while on the move, and many cows are pregnant during part of the migration. Additionally, even the youngest wildebeest calves are expected to keep up with the herd. Standing and walking within minutes are critical to its survival.
Day 2
Thursday: Maasai Mara
Morning and afternoon game viewing drives in the extensive Maasai Mara Game Reserve, if lucky, opportunity to see the big five in one day!!!
In consultation with your drivers / guides, there is an option of a full day game viewing drive with packed lunches, this allows you time to explore greater areas of the reserve without the need to return to the Lodge for lunch.
All meals and overnight at the lodge.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, The migrators of Masai Mara National Reserve are present from approximately late June – early August until end of October – early November. But the Mara offers year-round game viewing. The reserve and surrounding conservancies offer diverse resident species experiences. Frequently to be seen are impalas, topis, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalos, warthogs and other grazing herbivores. With so many prey animals, Masai Mara is a veritable bonanza for large predators, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles and other stealthy, powerful hunters. The abundance of terrestrial animals is enhanced by the presence of more than 450-winged species, including 57 birds of prey. Masai Mara Game Reserve offers varied tour activities to explore the plains landscape and see incredible animal behaviours. The adjoining conservancies offer distinct activities that are not allowed in the reserve. Game drives in the reserve are perfect for those who seek to be immersed in Kenya’s bush country and see larger animals.
For guests interested in observing the nocturnal animals, these are available in the form of night game drives in some of adjoining private conservancies. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is recognized for an enormous diversity of flora and fauna, and some small details are missed during game drives. Most conservancies offer bush walks for an intimate look at the micro-ecosystems of the area. To complement these walks or a general visit to the Mara, a balloon safari experience, for a bird’s-eye view of the area, is a memorable experience.
Lastly, the Maasai community is key to the advancement of wildlife management in the area. It is hence recommended for one to take time learning more about these noble people by visiting one of their villages for a life-changing cultural experience in. understanding their modest and simple lives.
Day 3
Friday: Maasai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Breakfast at the Lodge.
Depart and drive towards the shores of Lake Naivasha to arrive in time for lunch at the Resort.
In the afternoon head out for a 1 Hour boat ride on the Lake.
Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Lake Naivasha, Resting at an elevation of 1890 meters is the serene freshwater Lake Naivasha, a superb oasis for a safari holiday. Just beyond its shores are papyrus swamps, acacia woodlands, forests and unique geologic features that are remnants of the area’s volcanic past. The nutrient-rich soil is fertilized by an abundance of water, including the Gilgil and Malewa Rivers, to create an ecosystem that is known around the world for a diverse avian presence, as well as terrestrial game animals. Lake Naivasha is a RAMSAR site, a designation that reflects the ecological importance of the wetlands around the lake. More than 450 distinct birdlife species have been identified, and the resident avi-fauna are joined by migratory species from October to March. The lake, high cliffs and forests are home to spectacled weavers, red-billed firefinches, grey-backed fiscals, grey-capped warbler and many other interesting and colourful aerial creatures. The most prominent, though, are the cormorants and pelicans while the African fish eagles are the most majestic of the raptors. As you tour through the acacia forests, you may sight hawks, cuckoos, woodpeckers, shrikes and other birds, and a solo giraffe may peer through the thorn-leaves branches out of curiosity. The papyrus swamps are where you find jacanas, herons and kingfishers.
Lake Naivasha is one of the primary drinking holes for buffalos, zebras, elands, impalas, waterbucks and other grazers, as well as a favourite place for hippos to cool themselves during the day. Take a night game drive on one of the surrounding private conservancies like Loldia and Oserian, and you will see these incredible animals slowly emerge from their wallowing sites in the lake to grass along the shores. On your game drive, you may also see the other plains and forest fauna including the elusive leopard.
Day 4
Saturday: Naivasha – Nairobi – Amboseli
Early breakfast at the Resort.
After breakfast, depart Naivasha and commence your drive to Amboseli National Park passing through Nairobi.
Continue due South of Nairobi on the Nairobi/Mombasa road for the first 125 KM (2 hours' drive) before turning due West towards Mount Kilimanjaro. The drive thence is through typical African savanna country dotted with local homesteads and colorful Masai herdsmen grazing their cattle.
Arrive in time for lunch at the Lodge.
At 15:30 hrs depart for your first game viewing in Amboseli National Park, which is one of the best in Africa to spot large herds of Elephants up close, with the immense grandeur of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, as a picturesque background.
If weather permits, you will get a chance to watch the vibrant sunset over Mount Kilimanjaro – a spectacular scene to capture through your lenses.
At sunset, exit the park and return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Amboseli National Park, The Amboseli ecosystem covers more than 3,000 km² in southern Kenya. Nowhere else in Africa can one find such a unique combination of topography, geological history, hydrology and culture.
Despite its moderate rainfall, it has a system of underground water tables fed by Mount Kilimanjaro, which sustains a spectacular variety of birds and mammals.
During the 1950s, many foreign visitors, including several film production companies, visited Amboseli to enjoy the spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli, on the border with Tanzania, was established as a reserve in 1948 and designated a National Park in 1974.
The park, famous for its safaris, encompasses all five major wildlife habitats (grasslands, acacia woodlands, rocky thornbushes, swamps and marshes) and covers part of the now-dry Pleistocene lake basin. The road between Nairobi and Arusha provides access to this National Park, situated about a 4-hour drive from Nairobi towards Tanzania.
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular destinations as it is home to the country’s largest population of elephants, as well as buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, gazelles and other antelopes. Hippos are the silent guardians of the pools and marshes, which are often swarmed by animals seeking relief from the midday heat, as well as by the numerous species of birds that inhabit the park.
Day 5
Sunday: Amboseli – Nairobi – Depart
Early morning Breakfast at the Lodge.
After Breakfast depart for a brief game viewing drive in Amboseli National Park.
Early in the morning is the perfect time to capture the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro – weather permitting!! At Amboseli Sopa Lodge the mountain is revealed with all its splendor from the restaurants viewpoint while having Breakfast!!!! – weather permitting.
At 09:00 hrs, return drive to Nairobi to arrive at approximately 14:00 hrs.
Drop off will be at the Airport for your departure flight/respective hotel. (Transfer 03/04 hrs. prior to departure)
