KENYA SHORT SAFARIS 4N.5D - 4*

K
KENYA SHORT SAFARIS

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 - Mount Kenya National Park
Day 2 - Mount Kenya/ Samburu National Reserve
Day 3 - Samburu Game Reserve
Day 4 - Samburu / Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 5 - Lake Nakuru/ Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Day 6 - Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 7 - Maasai Mara / Nairobi

Day 1      NAIROBI/MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
0830 hrs: You will be picked up from the Nairobi City Centre or your directly booked hotel by an Afrinental Safaris & Holidays Driver/guide and driven to Mount Kenya National Park (210 kms/3 hrs)

Mount Kenya is the county’s highest mountain. Sitting astride the equator its icy summit reaches to 5199m (17058 ft). The entire mountain above the 3200m (10500 ft) contour forms a national park. In fact the mountain consists of three principal zones; the rocky peak area, actually an eroded volcanic plug, with its cloak of glaciers and snow fields; the alpine zone with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle slopes drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle.

It is no wonder this remote majestic wonderland was considered God’s domain by awed farmers at its foothills. Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows, among them the mighty Tana, source of much of Kenya’s electricity supply. Most visitors are content to marvel at the mountain’s beauty but some will want to attempt to reach the summits; a feat requiring considerable rock-climbing skill.  But the mountain’s lesser peaks and glaciers can all be scaled and walked by the fit and the adventurous. Point Lenana, 4985 m (16355 ft) can be easily reached.

Wildlife within the forests below the park boundary includes elephant, buffalo, lion, several species of antelope including the rare bongo and occasionally both melanistic leopard and serval. Much of this game can be seen from the comfort of Mountain Lodge, which lies just inside the forest on the south side of the mountain.

On arrival you will have lunch at Serena Mountain Lodge

Hidden in a forest glade on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya, Mountain Lodge offers a unique window on wild Africa – with a steady stream of small and great creatures drawn to its well-established waterhole. A newly acquired Serena Hotel, the 42 rooms are comfortably furnished and the lodge offers special children’s meals and massage and beauty treatments. The lodge restaurant offers home-cooked buffets, prepared with local farm produce. Its four-kilometer nature trail offers excellent opportunities for seeing Kenya’s shy forest species, including duiker, waterbuck, suni, genet cats and Colobus monkeys

Afternoon and overnight spent game viewing from lodge’s balconies/viewing decks at the floodlit water hole.

Overnight Serena Mountain Lodge (LD)

Day 2        MOUNT KENYA/SAMBURU GAME RESERVE

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven to Samburu Game Reserve (130kms/2.5 hrs)

The 104 sq. km Samburu National Reserve in Kenya’s northern frontier districts is a harsh and savagely beautiful wilderness Offering unique vistas of rounded, rugged hills and undulating plains that all depend on the Uaso Nyiro River for their existence. The Reserve if home to a wide variety of wildlife species only found north of the equator including the Grevy’s Zebra, the long necked Gerenuk,  Beisa Oryx and reticulated Giraffe. Crocodiles, Somali Ostrich, Hippo, Lion, Hyena, Cheetah, Leopard, Elephant, Eland, Buffalo and even the elusive leopard can be seen along the river banks. The reserve also boasts an estimated more that 400 species of birds. Together with neighboring Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves, Samburu comprises 833 sq km of protected semi-desert land. This is the home of the Samburu tribe, cousins of the Maasai, who share the same nomadic, cattle-herding existence, and an even stricter adherence to their age-old rites and customs.

You will arrive at Samburu Serena Lodge www.serenahotels.com in time for lunch.

Located on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, Samburu Serena blends into its surroundings of tall trees and reflects the lifestyle of the local Samburu people through the use of native materials and decorations.  The 62 en suite bedrooms all overlook the river where, if lucky, guests may see crocodile feeding.  The airy dining area opens out to the terrace lounge overlooking the pool and the river beyond.  In the evenings guests can enjoy a traditional Samburu dance performance.

After lunch there’s time to relax before embarking on your afternoon game viewing drive.

1300 hrs: Lunch at the lodge
1600 hrs: Afternoon game viewing drive
1900 hrs: Dinner at the lodge

Overnight Samburu Serena Lodge (BLD)

Day 3  SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
Full day spent in Samburu on morning and afternoon game viewing for its unique northern species.

0730 hrs: Breakfast
0830 hrs: Morning game viewing drive
1300 hrs: Lunch at the lodge
1530 hrs: Afternoon game viewing drive
1900 hrs: dinner at the Lodge

Overnight Samburu Serena Lodge (BLD)

Day 4   SAMBURU – LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
0700 hrs: After an early breakfast, exit Samburu and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park (310 kms, 6 hrs).

The 188 sq kms Lake Nakuru National Park that covers the areas surrounding the shallow and alkaline Lake Nakuru in the floor of the Great Rift Valle, is famed around the world for the greatest bird spectacle in the world – a gathering of often over a million pink flamingos which covers the lake pink as they feed on the algae in Lake Nakuru’s shallow warm waters. The flamingoes are joined by pelicans and other birds including stilt and, avocets on their day long feeding orgies as they provide visitors with a most amazing bird viewing experience all year round.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to numerous other wildlife including the largest buffaloes in Africa, zebra, Rothschild’s giraffe, eland, lion, leopard and a variety of other plains and forest game. It is also a Rhino Sanctuary and the best place in the country to see both black and white rhino. Lake Nakuru is also one of the park/reserves where it is easiest to find the elusive leopard in East Africa.

Arrive at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp in time for a late lunch.

Nestled between the “honeymoon hills”, and set in beautifully landscaped grounds with natural foliage, in the famous Lake Nakuru National Park close to the Main Gate (1 km), Flamingo Hill Camp offers superb, tented accommodation in its 25 tents (6 double and 19 twin tents) All tents are en-suite with shower, WC and flush toilets, four poster beds & mosquito nets, a private verandah overlooking the plains, Hot and cold running water, Voltage at 240 volts.

The “PINK” restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and lunch. Dinner is a mix of table d’hote or buffet style. The kitchen will cater for special requests which should be placed when making your reservation. Other guest Services include free safety deposit box at the reception, Laundry and valet services.

1400 hrs: Lunch at the camp

After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive in this rich park and around the lake to see the flamingos.

1530 hrs: Afternoon game viewing drive.
1800 hrs: Return to lodge
1900 hrs: Dinner at the camp

Overnight Flamingo Hill Camp (BLD)

Day 5  LAKE NAKURU/NAIROBI
After a dawn wake up call with tea/coffee and cookies, you will go out on an early morning game viewing drive to see more of what Lake Nakuru has to offer before returning to camp for a late breakfast.

After breakfast, say goodbye to Nakuru as you drive back to Nairobi (180 kms/3 hrs)

Price in US Dollars for Kenya Safari
(Net & Non-Commissionable)
Valid: 2007

NB: Flight costs where applicable are current and subject to change without notice. All prices are inclusive of the current statutory taxes. Prices are subject to change in the event of any changes/increases in taxation/levies that may be put into effect by government, airlines and/or other suppliers.

Above costs include

·       Full board accommodation on safari
·       All park entrance fees
·       Meals as shown: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
·       Game viewing drives as shown
·       Transfers as shown
·       Porterage of 2 pieces of luggage per person
·       Government taxes and levies

Above costs exclude

·       International airfare
·       International airport departure taxes
·       All expenses of a personal nature such as all drinks, laundry, telephone calls, ·       Tips and gratuities for Driver/guide, hotel staff etc
·       Entry visa fees
·       Travel and medical insurance

 OPTIONALS

Flying Doctors Services cover: Per person                                       USD 30
Visit a Samburu village: per person                                               US$ 21

We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya!