Welcome to Kenya! Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be greeted by a local representative and given a short safari briefing about your upcoming group safari adventure. Following this informational meeting, you will be transferred to your lodge to get settled into your room and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Nairobi

Nairobi is the vibrant capital city of Kenya, and the fourth largest city in all of Africa. Although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief, there are truly some fascinating attractions to be discovered here. Some of these highlights include the cafe culture, animated nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably, just 20 minutes from the city center, wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Laid out before a backdrop of city skyscrapers, the Nairobi National Park features wide open grass plains and barren landscape. Home to an impressive assortment of birds and wildlife, many Nairobi residents find this rural escape, the perfect antidote to the nearby hustle and bustle of city life.

Karen Suburbs Exploration & Journey to Lake Elementaita

Today, you will be whisked away on an exploration of the surrounding Karen Suburbs. Your first stop will be the Giraffe Center, where you will have the unique experience of hand-feeding these gentle giants. Standing on a raised platform, you will be at eye level while feeding the giraffes and watching the warthogs below snuffle around looking for tidbits. Following this incredible experience, you will drive a short distance to Daphne Sheldricks’ Elephant Orphanage. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit the many baby elephants that have been rescued from threatening situations in Kenya’s various national parks. You wilt even have the chance to see the calves being fed and playing with the staff!

Next up, you will stop at the Karen Blixen Museum. Your visit here will bring you back in time, to discover the famous Karen Blixen’s house exactly as it was when she lived in Kenya. Located in an area which was once part of Karen Blixen’s vast coffee estate, ‘bogani’, the museum was Karen’s home from 1917 until 1931. The house and grounds were made famous by the film ‘Out of Africa’ and have been restored by the Danish community of Kenya. You will catch a glimpse into the typical colonial life in Kenya at the turn of the twentieth century.

After lunch at the lovely Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens, you will depart on the next part of your adventure that takes you from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi city to the small but beautiful soda ash lake located in the famous Great Rift Valley, named Lake Elementaita. Upon arrival, check into the Sunbird Lodge - a newly established eco-friendly lodge providing comfortable luxury in which to absorb this stunning area.

Lake Elementaita

One of the lesser-known 'soda lakes' in Kenya's East Rift Valley, Lake Elementaita is becoming a major eco-tourism destination. As one of the three saline lakes that make up the Kenya Lake System of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Elementaita is one of the main feeding lakes for the Lesser Flamingo. Since it lies on private grounds, it is much less visited than Nakuru. This area of breathtaking beauty, also home to many rare species of animals, is just a short distance to the famous Flamingo filled Lake Nakuru.

Lake Nakuru National Park Visit

After a hearty breakfast this morning, you will set out on a full day’s game drive to the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. This is only about a 30 minute drive from Elementaita. The lake is situated in the middle of the national park, to which it gives its name. Teeming with wildlife, this region has so much to offer. Lions, buffaloes and many rhinos call this corner of Kenya home. If you are lucky, you may even spot a leopard relaxing in a tree beside the lake!

After a game-packed day, you will be driven back to your lodge in time to admire a colorful sun set over the lake. Dinner will be served on property this evening, as you toast to the day’s adventures!

Journey to Masai Mara Reserve

Today, you will make your way by road to the Masai Mara National Reserve, arriving just in time for lunch at your camp. Following lunch, you can spend the rest of your afternoon relaxing by the pool and waiting for the temperature to cool down so you can head out on your first Mara game drive! The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves. Acacia dotted plains, tree-lined rivers and woodlands are abundant with wildlife and an array of bird life.

Game viewing is spectacular all year round. You may see a pride of lions stalking their prey, observe a herd of elephants and their fascinating social structure, or even see pods of hippos wallowing in the rivers. The great wildebeest migration is one of nature’s true wonders. An estimated two million animals migrate in a year round pattern through Tanzania and Kenya, following the rain. Around July each year, the huge herds begin dramatic river crossings and the grasslands of the Mara become covered by a mass of moving wildebeest, offering easy targets for crocodiles and other predators that are never far away. When in the Mara, you will also have the opportunity to visit a traditional Maasai village or take a balloon safari at an extra cost.

This evening, you will head back to the camp for dinner. Sit back, relax and reminisce on all of the many memorable highlights of your day.

Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Masai Mara is one of the best-known reserves in the whole of Africa and is globally renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Despite comprising only 0.01% of Africa’s total landmass, more than 40% of Africa’s larger mammals can be found here. The Maasai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley. The large plains and open grasslands are habitat to rich and varied wildlife such as lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, crocodile etc. There are also several species of birds such as vultures, herons, shrikes, etc. The animals are at liberty to move outside the park into huge areas known as 'dispersal areas'. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside. Many Maasai villages are located in the 'dispersal areas' and they have, over centuries, developed a special relationship with the wildlife. The annual migration of millions of wildebeest and antelope, from July to September, is a spectacle never to be missed by any visitor to the Mara.

Masai Mara Safari Activities

Spend the next two days soaking up the wonders of the Masai Mara on various safari activities and game drives! Explore the vast Mara plains in search of the big five and other game. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled, as you hunt for the last members on your “must see” safari list. All activities are led by professional expert guides, whose intimate knowledge is sure to make for an unforgettable experience.

If you are interested in something extra special, you may want to arrange a hot air balloon safari at an additional cost. This activity requires a very early morning wake up call, but rewards you with an experience for game viewing from an entirely different perspective! Looking over the incredible Masai Mara in the crisp morning air is truly breathtaking. This peaceful balloon safari will take you floating silently high above plains, forests and rivers for approximately one hour.

Sadly, your journey through the stunning wonders of Kenya must come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with unforgettable memories and the experience of a lifetime!

Following breakfast at your camp this morning, you will be met by your driver and transferred back to Nairobi. Along the way, you will stop beside the Rift Valley for one last photo opportunity and to soak in the picturesque views and the skyline. After enjoying lunch, you will be transferred the rest of the way to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in good time to board your international departure flight home. We hope you had an amazing safari adventure and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward!