Wildlife Explorer

GTL 14 - 10 Days Wildlife Explorer

Areas of Interest: Aberdare Ranges, Mount Kenya, Samburu National Reserve, Nyahururu Falls / Thomson Falls, Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara National Reserve, Mau Escarpment, the Great Rift Valley, Wildebeest Migration (Seasonal)

Activity: Scenery, Lodge Stays, Game and Bird Watching, Ethnic, Culture, Traditional Dances (Optional), Photography, Relaxation, Equator Stop

Country: Kenya

This safari takes you to Kenya’s central highlands, to the barren northern frontier of Samburu, to the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley - Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and 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 tree hotels which overlook waterholes offer great wildlife viewing in the evening.

To see Kenya route map click here

To see East Africa route map click here

Day 1 - Tree Hotel

We depart Nairobi early and drive to Mount Kenya or the Aberdare Ranges to a Tree Hotel or lodge which overlooks floodlit waterholes frequented by wildlife. 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 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.

Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the creation of the Rift Valley and in this splendid high elevation scenery of mountain forest, moorland and glaciers, you will meet with colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo.

Day 2 - Samburu

After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival around lunch hours and an afternoon game drive returning in time for a sun downer, night wildlife viewing and dinner at the lodge.

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. 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 and the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here

Day 3 - Samburu

The following day will be spent relaxing and leisurely exploring the Samburu National Reserve.

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 4 - Mt Kenya

We enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Samburu reserve then depart for the Mt. Kenya Safari Club to enjoy the facilities or take an optional tour to the nearby Sweetwaters Reserve. The reserve is home to Chimpanzees; alternatively you could explore the Mount Kenya National Park.

Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the creation of the Rift Valley and is thought to be older than Mount Kilimanjaro; geologists believe it previously stretched at least 1500m above its present height of 5199m (17,057ft). The Kikuyu people settled in the central highlands some 300 years ago called the mountain “Ngai” (God) who they believed lived on the top of Mount Kenya.

Day 5 - Lake Baringo via Lake Bogoria

Morning drive via the Nyahururu Falls down to Lake Bogoria and later to the beautiful lake Baringo where we enjoy an evening bird walk. Accommodation and dinner in the comforts of a 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.

In the spectacular Lake Bogoria; hot springs and geysers are the main attractions. The lake has been called ‘the new home of the flamingo’ with a nomad population of up to two million birds. For the bird enthusiasts, Kesubo swamp located north of the park is home to more than 200 species of birds.

Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s small Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed acacia forest. Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are effortlessly seen from the shore, as is a magnificent display of water birds. This is Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different species native to the country and more than 450 sighted here. A bird watcher's haven but beware, this is malaria land so it is best to come prepared with plenty of mosquito repellent

Day 6 - Lake Nakuru

We enjoy a morning boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile, and fish eagle. We then drive along the floor of the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru and the Nakuru National Park for lunch at the lodge and an afternoon game drive.

The 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 the park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the night at the lodge.

Day 7 - Masai Mara National Reserve

After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve through the Great Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. 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 Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland and one glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife. 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 & 9 – Masai Mara National Reserve

The following days 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.

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 10 - Nairobi

After a final early morning game drive we then head off for Nairobi arriving by mid afternoon.

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].