Embark on a mesmerizing 6-day Kenyan adventure! Begin at Amboseli, where iconic elephants roam against the stunning backdrop of Kilimanjaro. Cruise Lake Nakuru serene waters, encountering diverse birdlife and hippos. Conclude in Masai Mara, witnessing the great migration’s drama and immersing in Maasai culture. A wildlife-rich journey blending nature and tradition awaits.
Itinerary
In the early morning, you drive to the captivating Amboseli National Park. Your journey from Nairobi takes you to a unique landscape featuring a dry ancient lake bed and fragile grasslands with patches of acacia woodlands. Upon check-in at your accommodation, have a delicious lunch before diving into an afternoon game drive.
Traverse the park's diverse terrain, including the southern area, encountering small volcanic hills. The lush vegetation around Kenya's swamps, the Ol Tukai and Enkongo Narok areas, are adorned with yellow-barked acacias and majestic phoenix palms. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Amboseli, where every moment unveils the untamed beauty of nature.
Experience a full-day game drive at Amboseli National Park, Kenya's crown jewel. Sunrise unveils the majestic Kilimanjaro as elephants gracefully roam the savannah. Game drives offer encounters with lions, giraffes, and zebras against the breathtaking backdrop. Explore the swamps for hippos and prolific birdlife. Enjoy a picnic with a view and conclude the day with a sunset spectacle.
The park is home to the Maasai people, who coexist with the wildlife. Visitors can engage in cultural experiences, such as guided visits to Maasai villages, to learn about their traditions and lifestyle (optional).
Go on an early morning drive to Lake Naivasha, the highest and the most beautiful of the Rift Valley lakes. At 1,910m (6,200f), the water is fresh, and the lake is fringed with dense clumps of papyrus (ancient Egyptians once used this to make paper). Kingfishers use the papyrus as a perch and herons hide in it while searching for food.
Naivasha is yet another area popular for bird watching (over 400 species have been recorded). It is also a favorite weekend retreat for Nairobi residents, who come here to sail, water ski and fish. Due to the altitude, the lake does not have crocodiles, as the water is too cold for them, but there are a number of hippos. Along the lake shore, vineyards produce grapes for the country's fledgling wine industry.
After breakfast, we depart to Masai Mara National Reserve early in the morning. It is one of the few places left on earth where wildlife still lives comparatively undisturbed, in the numbers that once roamed the plains and forests of Africa. As the northern tip of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara hosts the spectacular seasonal migration of many thousands of wildebeest, zebra and attendant predators. Arrive in time for lunch, and then have an afternoon game drive.
After breakfast, we have a full-day game drive with a packed lunch provided. The reserve is well known for its black-maned lion as well as its abundant resident wildlife. It is one of the few places where it's possible to see the Big Five during a morning's game drive. Many cheetahs seek shelter from the hot sun under one's vehicle, and several even climb onto the roof to get a better view of prospective prey.
For the bird enthusiast, almost 500 species have been recorded. These include 16 species of eagles, many hawks and falcons, 6 species of vultures, 8 species of storks, 4 species of bustard (including the kori bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird), and 9 species of sunbirds.
After a morning game drive in the Mara, you will transfer to Nairobi in the afternoon with an en-route lunch. You will arrive at around 5 pm.