Description

Kenya Odyssey Safari Tour

Tour Summary: Places to visit: Nairobi, Samburu, Aberdares, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. This one-week offer takes you through Kenya’s most popular game viewing locations. The tour starts you off to Samburu, a wildlife haven with a scenic semi-arid landscape. Then to the Aberdares where you find icy rivers, spectacular waterfalls and rain forests. Here elephants, buffalos and other animals visit you at the floodlit waterholes of The Ark..

On to Lake Nakuru whose claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo’s and the over 400 species of birds found here. This soda lake on the floor of the rift valley is host to millions of flamingos and an important refuge for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild Giraffe and the black and white rhino.

Day 1: NAIROBI – SAMBURU

0700 hrs – depart Nairobi and drive north to Samburu National Reserve. You enjoy a game drive en-route to Samburu Lodge, where you arrive at around 1400 hours in time for lunch. After lunch at the lodge, you have the early afternoon free, before going for an afternoon game drive, from 1530 hrs. till dusk.

Samburu National Reserve – a wildlife haven on the banks of the ever-flowing Ewaso Ng’iro river with a scenic semiarid landscape. Here you will spot Africa’s big cats – lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern Kenya park: gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. Also, it is here that Kamunyak, the lioness famous for adapting oryx calves, lived. Discover over 350 bird species including Verreaux’s eagle, secretary bird, lilac-breasted roller, marabou stork, Somali ostrich and others. The reserve is located within the lands of the colorful semi-nomadic pastoralists Samburu tribesmen who are distinct though related to the Maasai. Feel at home as you view the circular ’nkang’ Samburu family settlements.

Dinner and overnight at Samburu Simba Lodge

Day 2: SAMBURU

Start your day with an early morning game drive starting at 0630 hrs. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 0830 hrs. You spend the period before and after lunch at leisure at the lodge. At 1600 hrs. you go for your afternoon game-drive till dusk.

Dinner and overnight at Samburu Simba Lodge

Day 3: SAMBURU – ABERDARES

After breakfast checkout and head to Outspan hotel where you will have lunch at 1230 hrs. Later in the afternoon transfer to Treetops Lodge.

Aberdares National Park is situated in the central highlands of central Kenya. The 767 km2 park cuts through valleys and deeply forested habitat and slopes in the western region. The Black Rhino is among the wildlife you will spot in the park together with elephant, sykes monkey, colobus monkey, leopard, baboon and occasionally the bongo antelope – found in the bamboo forest – and the lion. The eland and serval cats are to be found higher up in the moorland. Wildlife and bird viewing is not all the park offers; picnicking while bird viewing the over 250 species of birds including the eagles, plovers and the Jackson’s Francolin is a must do. Trout fishing in the park rivers and waterfalls is available. Camping together with walking are ample activities to compound the park experience. The park is home to several luxurious lodges including the Treetops Lodge, famed for hosting Princess Elizabeth when she learnt that she had become a queen, after the death of her father.

Dinner and Overnight at Treetops Lodge

Day 4: ABERDARES – NAKURU

After breakfast transfer to Outspan hotel and drive to Lake Nakuru in time for lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. Afternoon game drive in the park.

Lake Nakuru’s claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo’s and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, water buck, buffalo and baboons are all residents here.

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.

Day 5: NAKURU – MASAI MARA

0730 hrs. – After breakfast drive to Masai Mara via the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Masai Mara in time for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge. 1530 hrs.- go for an afternoon game drive till dusk.

Maasai Mara Game Reserve is Africa’s greatest wildlife and the world’s most famous safari destination, located in Kenya. The Mara is famous for the Great Wildebeest migration – 8th wonder of the world – , roaming lions and of course the hospitable Maasai people. The 1,510 sq km reserve has a habitat ranging from riverine forests to grasslands doted with acacia tree famed for being leopard resting points. The Mara is part of the ecosystem that includes the equally famous Serengeti of Tanzania. The wildlife variety is truly overwhelming: Thomson’s gazelle, zebra, black rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, fox, jackals, Impala and hippopotami in addition to the abundant bird species.

If photography is your prime interest then an extension of your safari will mostly reward your quest for the perfect wildlife shot. So captivating is the natural beauty of the savanna, scrubs, tree and cloud shadows not forgetting the Mara River and a myriad of seasonal rivelets some hosting the Nile crocodiles and the hippopotami. If you are lucky you can spot an endangered black rhino. The famous Maasai tribesmen live within the dispersal area of the game reserve in the surrounding local ranches.

Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 6: MASAI MARA

0630 Hrs. Early morning game drive in the reserve. Thereafter late breakfast and relax at leisure. After lunch at the lodge you will have early afternoon at leisure. 1600 hrs. – Afternoon game drive till dusk.

Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 7: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI

Optional Balloon ride at an Extra Cost Normal pick up is at 0600 hrs.- take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at extra cost. If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast return to Nairobi arriving around mid day and drop off at Nairobi hotel or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Remarks:

Note: The above prices are based on a minimum of 2 persons. A price reduction is available for numbers above two persons. Twelve (12) persons may enjoy up to 25% saving on the per person rate!

Included Services:

• Local tourist taxes
• Binoculars for game drive viewing
• Bottled Water at all times while on safari
• Park or reserve entry fees – where applicable
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Game drives or sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary – where indicated
• All meals at hotels as mentioned in the itinerary – ( Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner )
• Ground transportation with an English-speaking driver/guide or naturalist guide
• Pick up from airport of arrival and drop off to the airport of departure while on safari
• Transport based on excellent 4X4 Vehicle (Land cruiser) with open roof for game viewing
• Full board Accommodation and If accommodation is fully booked we’ll suggest a comparable alternative

Excluded Services:

• International flights
• Tips and gratuities, which are optional
• Airport customs entry visas (currently US$ 50 per person)

Optional Services:

• Balloon Flight Trip over the Serengeti
• Optional Night Game Drives  and Optional Tours

***PLEASE NOTE: The tour can be upgraded to a higher standard accommodation at an extra cost. It can also be cheaper if less expensive (but still good quality) accommodation is used. The final cost of the tour depends on your budget and preference.