Kenya Wildlife Safari

Kenya Wildlife Safari
2019

Nairobi, then 8 game drives in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha & Masai Mara; Stay in superior Nairobi hotels & safari lodges, Post-tour extension to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Overview

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Style	Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
Departures		Group Size	18 travelers max
Themes	Active, Nature & Wildlife
Activity Level	Recreational
What to Expect	This fast-paced, partially escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations, sometimes on bumpy unpaved roads and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
Already booked?	Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more.

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Savvy travelers and novices alike include Kenya on their list of dream destinations, and for very good reason. Kenya is blessed with an abundance of spectacular wildlife and lavishly gorgeous, incredibly photogenic landscapes. Everywhere you go, from the teeming cities to the plains of the Masai Mara, the people are friendly and welcoming. Tourist infrastructure is amazing, often offering white glove service where the basics of running water and electricity appear impossible to find. Game reserves are magnificent, filled with all manner of wildlife, beautiful lakes and beaches, and sweeping vistas that seem to go on forever.

With more than 50 parks to choose from in Kenya alone, it's hard to decide where to go. But everyone agrees that the Masai Mara and Samburu parks are must-visit sites. Our Kenya Wildlife Safari includes them both plus a lot more! And like all Friendly Planet tours, you'll enjoy the best of Kenya at prices that are as amazing as the country itself. Want even more iconic Africa? Extend your stay with a post-tour to the majestic Victoria Falls.

To enhance your visit to Kenya and make it more complete and memorable, we offer exciting optional excursions. These are available through your guide or tour manager and must be purchased locally. See our detailed itinerary below for full descriptions of each excursion. More information, including updates on pricing and availability, will be included with your travel documents.

Package includes

Flights
Coach
Transfers
Hotel
Meals
Guides

Round trip airfare from New York to Nairobi, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
All intra-Africa land transportation and transfers
8 nights' accommodations at superior Nairobi hotels and safari lodges plus day-use room on day 10
22 meals: 8 full buffet breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, including a welcome dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant
Comprehensive sightseeing tours and game-viewing drives by local English-speaking guides
All-wheel drive (4x4) safari vehicles with guaranteed window seat and access to roof hatch, maximum 6 guests per vehicle
Experienced driver/guide

Optional add-ons

Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast
Post-tour extension to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Why you'll love it

Set out on eight incredible game drives in search of the “Big 5” and more.
Fall in love with the orphaned elephant babies of Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphans' Nursery and learn how these adorable creatures are cared for before being released back into the wild.
Learn about the production of handmade beads at the Kazuri Bead Factory, which employs local women and single mothers.
Tour the Karen Blixen Museum, previously home to the author whose memoir inspired the Oscar-winning film, Out of Africa.
Hand-feed endangered giraffes at the Langata Giraffe Center.
See the efforts to save chimpanzees from extinction at the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon boat ride on the beautiful freshwater Lake Naivasha, admiring the rich, natural scenery that surrounds you.
Indulge in an array of exotic meats at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

Itinerary at a Glance

1 Depart USA
2 Arrive Nairobi
3 Nairobi
4 Samburu Game Reserve
5 Samburu Game Reserve
6 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
7 Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha
8 Masai Mara National Reserve
9 Masai Mara National Reserve
Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast, $430
10 Masai Mara & Nairobi/Depart Kenya

Victoria Falls Post-Tour Optional Extension

11 Nairobi & Victoria Falls
12 Victoria Falls
13 Victoria Falls
Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park, Botswana, $195
14 Depart Victoria Falls

Videos

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Nairobi, Kenya

Day 2 Arrive Nairobi

Upon arrival in Nairobi, following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.
This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

Tamarind Tree Hotel Dinner

Day 3 Nairobi

Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Discover how local women make handmade beads at the Kazuri workshop
Visit the Karen Blixen Museum
See the endangered Rothschild's giraffe at the Langata Giraffe Center

Tamarind Tree Hotel Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphans' Nursery, where young orphaned elephant babies are hand-raised until they are released back to their natural habitat in the Tsavo National Park. Here they are able to mingle freely with the wild community.

After a lunch break, continue to the Kazuri Bead Factory Store, where the guide will explain the hand-making process. Founded in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood, the factory started as a tiny workshop experimenting in making handmade beads, only employing two Kenyan women and today has grown to employ many other women, most of them single mothers. Then, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, which is the former home of "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen and served as the farm house for her 4500 acre farm from 1917-1931.

Later, visit The Langata Giraffe Center, established to protect the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. There are also several warthogs which roam freely with the giraffes. Guests may feed the giraffes from a raised feeding platform. Return to the hotel for remainder of the day at leisure

Day 4 Samburu Game Reserve

Travel north to the remote Samburu Reserve arriving at the lodge for lunch
Enjoy an afternoon game drive and dinner at the lodge

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, travel north to the remote Samburu Reserve. This is the homeland of the nomadic Samburu people, whose culture attaches great value to tending their livestock of cattle, sheep, goats and camels as their main economic activity. The Samburu peoples' dress is dramatic with bright reds, braided hair and skin daubed in red ochre.

Samburu is rich in species not seen in southern Kenya's more famous parks, such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and gerenuk. You'll also have a good chance of spotting lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. The semiarid landscape is dramatic, with the rugged outcrop known as Mt. Ololokwe a prominent feature. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon, depart on a game drive returning to the camp as the sun sets.

Day 5 Samburu Game Reserve

Morning game drive
Lunch, followed by some free time to relax
Early evening game drive

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy another day of game viewing drives in the Samburu Game Reserve during two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography. Guided by your expert driver, search for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area.

Day 6 Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at your camp
In the afternoon, visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary followed by a game drive
This evening, sit by the lit waterhole to view the animals

Sweetwaters Serena Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart for the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy is situated on the equator, in Kenya’s Laikipia District, between the foothills of the Aberdares and the snow-capped Mount Kenya. The conservancy hosts a large variety of animals, including Grevy’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, cheetah and more. After lunch, visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary followed by a game drive. In the evening sit by the lit waterhole to view the animals.

Day 7 Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha

Early this morning, travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
Stop for a picnic lunch, continue to Lake Naivasha arriving at your lodge
Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha, dinner and overnight

Naivasha Sopa Lodge Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Early this morning, travel to Lake Nakuru National Park. Travel south through the town of Naromoru and then head west via Nyahururu (still known to many as Thompsons Falls). This park is a rhino sanctuary, offering the rare opportunity to see these endangered animals. It's also home to rare Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo, leopards and lions. Stop for a picnic lunch. Drive to Lake Naivasha arriving at your lodge. Check in and then enjoy an afternoon boat ride, dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, head out for the Masai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy lunch en route to the Masai Mara
Take your first game drive in the Masai Mara on the way to your camp

Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, head out for the Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Every year, between July and September, millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate into the Mara in search of water. The timing of this phenomenon varies, depending on the rains, but they usually start heading back to the Serengeti in October.

Whether you see the migration or not, the grassy plains and lush landscape offer a huge variety of game including lions, cheetahs, buffalo and abundant bird life such as ostriches, cranes and storks. Enjoy lunch at your lodge, then relax until later this afternoon when you'll take your first game drive through this haven of wildlife.

Whether you see the migration or not, the grassy plains and lush landscape offer a huge variety of game including lions, cheetahs, buffalo and abundant bird life such as ostriches, cranes and storks. Stop for lunch at a lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive through this haven of wildlife, arriving at the Mara Intrepids Camp as the sun sets.

Day 9 Masai Mara National Reserve

Morning game drive, or take an optional hot air balloon safari
Lunch at the lodge, followed by some free time to relax
Late afternoon game drive

Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today you will take two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography.

You'll have the choice for an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon safari, which provides a thrilling opportunity to soar high over the plains for animal viewing from above. Whether you go by air or land, you will enjoy searching for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area accompanied by your expert guide, who will amaze you with his ability to spot game hidden in the bush.

Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast, $430

Take to the sky over herds of wildlife in the Masai Mara game reserve, flying in a hot air balloon. The balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the reserve and offers a bird's eye view of the plains below. After an hour or so in the air, your safari finishes with a champagne breakfast in the bush. This is certain to become a once in a lifetime experience you will remember long after returning from Kenya! Flight may not operate if weather conditions are not suitable. ($450 if purchased locally)

Day 10 Masai Mara & Nairobi/Depart Kenya

Depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi
Enjoy a farewell lunch at a local restaurant
Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight
Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning
If continuing on the Victoria Falls extension, overnight in Nairobi

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, transfer to your day-use room to relax and freshen up before your return flight. Finally, bid farewell to Kenya as you transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning

Victoria Falls Post-Tour Optional Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. You'll return to the U.S. 4 days after the return dates shown.

Day 11 Nairobi & Victoria Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls
Remainder of the day at leisure

A'Zambezi River Lodge, Elephant Hills Resort or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. You'll soon discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the greatest natural wonders—and the largest curtain of falling water in the world! Located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls consists of numerous falls separated by islands in the river below. The Zambezi River spills more than 2 million gallons per second over the Bakota Gorge, casting multiple rainbows and resulting in an awe-inspiring display of raw power unrivaled by other natural wonders. The tremendous roar of the water and the ever-present cloud of spray give the falls their local moniker, "Smoke that Thunders."

Check into your award-winning safari lodge, located high on a plateau bordering the Zambezi National Park. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure at one of the hotel swimming pools or game-viewing platforms. Elephants, buffalo and other wild animals often graze on hotel lawns.

Day 12 Victoria Falls

Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

A'Zambezi River Lodge, Elephant Hills Resort or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Your exploration of the falls begins with a guided tour of the Zimbabwe side.

Later today, experience the glorious falls from an up-close vantage point as you set sail on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Be on the lookout for hippos, monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles that frequent the waters and the surrounding areas.

Day 13 Victoria Falls

Day at leisure or partake in an optional full day excursion to Chobe National Park

A'Zambezi River Lodge or Elephant Hills Resort Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent natural wonder on your own on the well-marked trails through the rain forest that wind up to and around the falls. The trails allow for excellent picture-taking from a variety of vantage points (be sure to protect your camera if it's not waterproof). There are a wide range of optional excursions available locally on request basis including game drives, walking safaris, bungee jumping, and more. We recommend the full day tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park, Botswana, $195

Take advantage of an optional full day excursion to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, renowned for its large elephant population. Begin the day with a safari boat cruise on the Chobe River. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge and end the day with an afternoon game drive in an open vehicle. This excursion requires a passport and double Zimbabwe visa.

Day 14 Depart Victoria Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya
Check into your overnight return flight home
Your memorable African adventure ends as you touch down tomorrow morning in New York

Breakfast

Hotels

Tamarind Tree Hotel

First Class

Tamarind Tree Hotel is ideally located just 5 kms to the southwest of Nairobi near iconic Carnivore Restaurant. The hotel offers easy access to all parts of the city, its national park, as well as to the country’s many diverse attractions via the neighboring Wilson Airport and Southern Bypass. The nearby Langata and Karen suburbs are among the liveliest and most popular in Nairobi with world-class shopping malls and excellent restaurants.Tamarind Tree Hotel's outstanding leisure facilities and genuine service ensures that all our guests experience the very best of Tamarind hospitality.

More information

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

First Class

Located 345 kilometers north of Nairobi, this tented lodge offers 28 modern and newly refurbished tents with a private view over the wildlife-rich riverbanks. All the tents are large and spacious under palm-thatched roofs with netted screens. This allows for the river breeze to keep them cool and give you stunning views of Samburu.Behind the bar, surrounded by a shady sunbathing area, is our freeform swimming pool - a soothing drop of blue in this otherwise arid land

More information

Sweetwaters Serena Camp

First Class

The exclusive Sweetwaters Serena Camp is a tented camp located in a private conservancy with a higher wildlife-to-area ration than any of Kenya's national parks. The camp lies in the center of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy which is host to elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, and leopard.

More information

Naivasha Sopa Lodge

First Class

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge is situated on 120 acres of prime land. The construction of the lodge features 3 fireplaces with huge inverted copper funnel shaped chimneys, a high roof with glass panels which open out to a small terrace with beautifully manicured grass and colorful flowers, wrought iron chandeliers, and walls decorated with intricately carved wooden panels. The Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge has 21 cottages built in a crescent shape comprising of 84 rooms total. The pathways from reception to the rooms are lined with various kinds of plants and colorful flowers. Little rock gardens are also found along these paths creating a beautiful contrast with the greenery of the well manicured lawns. Several species including Colobus monkeys are often spotted playfully rolling on the lawns.

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Mara Intrepids Tented Camp

First Class

Mara Intrepids Camp is located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camp is a short drive to the Mara River, home of the iconic wildebeest migration. The camp’s outdoor pool is surrounded by sun-loungers. There is a library with board games and a playground for children. Hot air balloon rides can be organised at Mara Camp.

More information

A'Zambezi River Lodge

First Class

The A’Zambezi River Lodge enjoys a wonderful location on the banks of the Zambezi River, within the protected Victoria Falls National Park and just minutes away from Victoria Falls town and the mighty falls themselves. The lodge features an African-style design, complete with thatched roofs blending into the natural environment. Other nearby attractions include a championship 18-hole golf course and fascinating Crocodile Sanctuary.

More information

Elephant Hills Resort

First Class

Elephant Hills Resort is situated on a small hill overlooking the Zambezi River, 2.5 miles upstream from the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. In this prime wilderness location, you can relax in total comfort and luxury while still experiencing the African wildlife.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

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Trip Details

What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Kenya? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Zimbabwe? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Botswana? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.