The Kenya Premium Safari

Depart Nairobi for Elsamere after breakfast and head north, driving along the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Elsamere is the former home of the writer Joy Adamson, whose 1960 book 'Born Free' helped bring wildlife conservation into the mainstream. The house is a veritable museum dedicated to the works of Joy and George Adamson, with many photos of Elsa, the lioness that started it all. Embark on a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, the highest of all lakes in the Great Rift Valley and home to many a hippopotamus. Later, enjoy a high tea lunch on the very grounds Joy cherished for so many years, with the lake as a serene backdrop. After lunch, continue to your Lake Nakuru lodge, arriving in the early evening. From your lodge you’ll enjoy remarkable views of Lake Nakuru and the surrounding national park, alive with the call of birds and rich in wildlife. What better way to take it all in than from your lodge’s infinity pool.

Accommodation:

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar (1 night)

Included Activities:

1. Lake Naivasha - Boat trip
2. Lake Naivasha - Elsamere Conservation Centre

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning you will visit Lake Nakuru National Park by four-wheel drive vehicle (4x4) – the park’s lake is its stunning centerpiece. Mornings can be cold here so it's important to bring warm clothes. You might see why this great soda lake has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle; great seas of flamingos often turn the landscape a sweeping shade of pink. Flooding in recent years has unfortunately caused a decline in birdlife, however the park boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck, and gazelle. Leopards are also to be found here, and the chances of sighting one is significant. Return to the lodge and take some time out for lunch, then head back out for another afternoon game drive. Keep your eyes peeled for one of Africa's most endangered creatures, the elusive black rhinoceros. While white rhino sightings are common, spotting a black rhinoceros is a real treat.

Accommodation:

Lake Nakuru Lodge or similar (1 night)

Included Activities:

1. Lake Nakuru - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive
2. Lake Nakuru - Morning 4x4 Game Drive

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Head southwest to the Masai Mara, one of the finest game reserves in Africa. Cross the striking Great Rift Valley and pass by the remote region of Loita Hills, home of the Maasai people. This is one of the few places they still practice their traditional way of life with little influence from the western world. Stop at Maji Moto Cultural Centre where you’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors by way of traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts, take a walk to the community village and enjoy a fascinating talk full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Learn about village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home, and their cattle enclosures. Continue your journey and arrive at the Ashnil Mara Camp, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three nights. Positioned in the Masai Mara National Reserve near the Mara River, there are a few better settings for wildlife lovers. Spacious permanent tents feature large, comfortable beds, en suite bathrooms and private wooden decks offering unbeatable views of the plains and wildlife reserve. Blending seamlessly with its surroundings, the camp connects the wilderness with modern comforts, and staying here is really something special.

Accommodation:

Ashnil Mara Camp or Zebra Plains (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)

Included Activities:

Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit

Meals Included:

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Explore more of the park by 4x4 today with further game drives in the morning and afternoon. Witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabits the area. Wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle are plentiful, and you might even spot predators keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephants, giraffes, and elands are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, a black-maned lion, leopard, or cheetah might appear, with some luck. As the sun starts to set, stop and take a moment to soak it all in with a drink in hand – there’s few better ways to wrap up a day of wildlife spotting in one of the world’s most magical places. As dusk falls, a variety of animals might be visible in the vicinity of your camp also.

Accommodation:

Ashnil Mara Camp (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)

Included Activities:

1. Masai Mara - Morning 4x4 Game Drive
2. Masai Mara - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive
3. Masai Mara - Sundowner and snacks

Meals Included:

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

The morning is yours to do as you wish. You may like to sit back with a cup of coffee on your private deck, keeping an eye out for animals in the reserve, or forgo a sleep-in in favor of an early morning game drive or walking safari. If you’d like to see the Masai Mara from a different perspective, a sunrise hot air balloon ride is a truly memorable experience. Balloon rides can be booked ahead of time or on the ground (subject to availability) and the suppliers are committed conservationists, with a portion of the profits from every flight going straight to worthy conservation projects within the park. You will be collected before dawn and glide through the sunrise, sometimes at tree height, making the most of the amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you'll ascend to get an overview of the enormity of the Masai Mara plains and the early-morning movements of the teeming herds. In the afternoon, regroup for another exciting 4x4 game drive in the park.

Accommodation:

Ashnil Mara Camp (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)

Included Activities:

1. Masai Mara - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive

Optional Activities

Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500

Masai Mara National Reserve - Guided Walking Safari - USD30

Meals Included:

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 Special Information

The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited.

Say goodbye to the Masai Mara and return to Nairobi. You can expect to arrive in the late afternoon, at which point your adventure will come to an end. Please do not book any international flights departing from Nairobi International Airport before 8 pm this evening to allow for any unexpected delays. If you would like to extend your stay in Nairobi, additional accommodation can be booked in advance (subject to availability).

Meals Included:

Breakfast