Jewels of Kenya

GTL 13 - 9 Days Jewels of Kenya

Areas of Interest: Amboseli National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tree Hotels, Aberdare Ranges, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, Nakuru National Park, Nyahururu Falls / Thomson Falls, Mau Escarpment, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara National Reserve.

Activities: Scenery, Lodge Stay, Game and Bird Watching, Ethnic, Culture, Traditional Dances (Optional), Photography, Relaxation, Visit the Local Manyatta(village) (optional at extra cost), Early morning Balloon Safari with Champagne Breakfast in theMara Park (optional at extra cost), Equator Stop

Country: Kenya

This safari takes you to the first ever National Park in Kenya, Kenya’s central highlands, the barren northern frontier of Samburu, the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley (Lake Nakuru), then South over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya’s greatest concentration of game - the Masai Mara. Kenya’s rift valley escarpments offer some of the most breath taking views whilst the backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli offers stunning photograph opportunities on clear days.

To see Kenya route map click here

To see East Africa route map click here

Day 1 – Amboseli National Park
We depart Nairobi in the early morning and drive south through Masai country to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a stopover lunch at the lodge we proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge in the evening for a cool sun downer.

The waters from melted snow drain down Mt. Kilimanjaro under lava flows and surface in Amboseli, creating a green belt of swampland amidst dusty plains. Here, hippo, elephant and bird life can be seen against the backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped mountain.

Day 2 – Amboseli National Park

The day is spent viewing game and bird life with game drives in the morning and afternoon. We have sufficient time for relaxation at the lodge, complete with the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

At 329 sq km Amboseli is a small park and lacks the profusion of animal species found in the Mara, but the landscape provides limited cover so we have better chances of seeing some of the larger predators. Buffaloes, lions, gazelles, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, Masai Giraffes, zebra, baboon, and waterbuck are all present in the park.

Day 3 – Aberdare Ranges

We proceed out of the national park and drive via Nairobi to the Aberdares to enjoy the experience of staying in a Tree Hotel or lodge overlooking floodlit waterholes where wildlife visits regularly. As dusk ensues, we enjoy a relaxing sun downer whilst viewing the game as they gradually approach the waterhole – a truly magical experience. A hearty dinner and pleasant sleep follows thereafter.

Over 40 species of wildlife inhabit the Aberdare mountain ranges, hiding in the heavily forested slopes and in the upper moor lands. The Aberdares is noted as a rhino sanctuary but keep an eye out for the elusive rare bongo, which is best, spotted in the upper bamboo zone and hypericum scrub.

Day 4 – Samburu National Reserve After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival by lunchtime and an afternoon game drive returning in time for a sun downer and dinner at the lodge. The following day will be spent relaxing and leisurely exploring the Samburu National Reserve.

Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings, some large enough to be called mesas. This reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched doum palms and taut thorn trees give an unusual look to the region. The light and vast openness creates a lonesome panoramic beauty and the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here.

Day 5 - Samburu National Reserve

Full day exploring the reserve through morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight and dinner back at the lodge.

The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here.

Day 6 – Nakuru National Park
We head off after breakfast for Lake Nakuru via the Nyahururu Falls arriving in time for lunch, after which we proceed for a game drive in the National Park returning in time for sunset and dinner at the lodge.

The Nyahururu Falls also known as Thomson Falls was named after Joseph Thomson who walked from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880s; these falls are shaped by the waters of the Ewaso Narok River and plunge over 72m into a rift, spraying the dark forest below.

Nakuru National Park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and you will find white rhino at the southern end. The park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here.

Day 7 - Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve across the Rift Valley floor arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. We then proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge for a delicious sundowner, and dinner at the lodge or luxury tented camp.

The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. Wherever you go in the Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great numbers. It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but are still reasonably common.

Day 8 - Masai Mara National Reserve

The day shall be spent game viewing, in the early morning hours and in the evenings as this is when we have the best chances of seeing wildlife. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on a sun downer back at the lodge.

The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.

Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips can be arranged at our office upon booking.

Day 9 - Nairobi

We enjoy a final morning game drive before returning to Nairobi.

Price: Please Enquire
Local Payment: Please Enquire

RESERVATIONS:
Payment for the total price is due in advance; 50% deposit on booking and the balance not later than 42 days before arrival. Unless otherwise agreed in advance, the right is reserved not to execute any services if payment has not been received accordingly.

CANCELLATION FEES:
This will depend on when we receive the cancellation notice (in writing); earlier than 42 days to arrival 25% between 41 and 22 days prior to arrival - 35% between 21 and 8 days prior to arrival - 50% between 7 and 3 days prior to arrival - 75%; less than 72 hours prior to arrival (and no-show-up) - 100% of PRICE

LIABILITIES:
Gametrackers and its agents, act only as the agent of the passenger in all matters relating to accommodation, meals, tours and transportation of any type, and shall not be liable for inconvenience, omission for service, injury, delay, loss or damage from any cause and in any matter howsoever, including weather, machinery breakdown labour disputes, civil disturbances and Government orders. Gametrackers is insured against legal liabilities arising from injuries which may be incurred by passengers in its own vehicles, in which case all claims are subject only to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Kenya. Gametrackers reserves the right to employ sub-contractors to carry out all or any part of the services agreed to be supplied and in the exercise of such right, the clause relating to liability as an agent shall apply. Gametrackers reserves the right to employ sub-contracts to carry out all or any part of the services agreed to be supplied, and in the exercise of such right, the clause relating to liability as an agent shall apply. Gametrackers reserves the right, should conditions necessitate and without notice, to change any route or arrangement, to offer substitutes of equal value, to cancel the operation of any tour, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a tour member at any time, in which case an equitable amount may be refunded.

INSURANCE:
Clients are required to take out adequate personal insurance to cover death, injury, medical expenses, damage to or loss of baggage and consequential loss arising from any eventuality. It is mandatory that each client obtains adequate personal travel insurance to cover such personal risks as illness, personal injury or death, loss of baggage and compensation or refund for discontinuation of safari due to circumstances beyond the control of the Company, though not limited to force majeure circumstances only, during the period of their safari otherwise the Company does not accept liability. Flying Doctors Service cover is also mandatory for rapid evacuation from the scene of an accident or emergency to a hospital otherwise the client is responsible for his evacuation by air or otherwise.

N.B.
1. We do International/Domestic air-ticketing and train bookings.
2. Reconfirmation of flights
3. Aircraft Charters
4. We book balloon safaris [US$385 per person].