Kenya Safari – 11 day Ol Pejeta, Samburu & Mara July to October 2024

TOUR DEPARTS: July to October 2024
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING: USD $5390
PRICE FOR SINGLE ROOM: USD $6240

*Itinerary is subject to change*

What’s included?

• All transport in a 4×4 safari land cruiser with a pop up roof
• Arrival & Departure airport transfers complimentary to all our clients
• Transportation as per itinerary
• Accommodation per itinerary
• One double deluxe room or Single deluxe room
• Meals as per itinerary Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
• Services of English-speaking drivers/guides
• National park & game reserve entrance fees as per itinerary
• Recommended Mineral Water while on safari

Things Excluded

• Visa and related costs
• Personal Taxes Drinks
• Tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature
• International flights
• Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
• Covid testing on departure

Nairobi

26th of August 2024

When you arrive at the Nairobi International airport, I will be there to give you a very warm welcome. With our competent driver on the scene, we will transport you to our first night’s luxury accommodation at The Boma Hotel. This grand hotel is equipped with all the requirements you’ll need for a pleasurable and satisfying rest and is located close to Nairobi International Airport.

It is expected that you will need to recuperate from the flight hence there are no scheduled activities for the first afternoon/evening so that you have sufficient time to recuperate. You can take advantage of the many conveniences at the hotel to help unwind. Whether you choose to relish a massage at the spa. Unwind by the swimming pool or have a drink at the bar, you can be sure that you have a pleasurable resting experience. Dinner is not included in the plan; hence you will be paying for dinner from your pocket. For dinner, there are many options you can explore. You could decide to eat in the Boma’s inhouse restaurant the Johari, you could take a taxi or uber to find a fantastic restaurant in Nairobi or relax in your room and enjoy room service which is available 24 hours or even uber eats.

Accommodation: The Boma Hotel

Meal Plan: Meals not included.

Nairobi

27th of August 2024

After a delicious buffet breakfast, at approximately 7:00 am our first Kenya safari begins. As I know you will be anxious to go see the animals, our drivers will pick us up from The Boma Hotel and depart for our first game drive at Nairobi National Park. This unique wildlife sanctuary is the only National Park in the world located in a capital city. Many different species of mammals are found in the park. Of the big 5 only elephants are absent from this park.

Nairobi National Park is home to a large number of both black and white rhino, which are both rare to see in most African national parks. Also found in this park is an abundance of Cape Buffalo, Zebra, Masai Giraffe and Ostrich. Lions can also be seen sometimes posing on stone blocks scouting the plains for prey. Some of the less common animals found in Nairobi National Park include leopard, serval cats, black backed jackals, hippopotamus and very rarely cheetah and hyena can be found here.

At 10:30 we will transfer to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Here we will spend 1 hour watching at photograph rescued baby elephants receive their morning feeding and play in the mud pools. A handler will give a speech on the elephants and the story behind each calf’s rescue, as well as the history of the Elephant Orphanage.

At 12pm we take a short drive to Nairobi Giraffe Centre. Here you get a chance to see the endangered Rothschild giraffes up close and even hand feed them on the platform or from ground level. There is also a teahouse where you can relax and have a drink while watching the giraffes, and a large souvenir shop. All proceeds at the Giraffe Centre go to charities which either help conservation or the underprivileged.

At 1:30pm we transfer to a nearby restaurant for lunch before returning to The Boma Hotel.

Accommodation: The Boma Hotel

Meal Plan: Only breakfast and lunch is included.

Samburu/Buffalo Springs

28th of August 2024

After an early morning breakfast, we check out of The Boma Hotel and transfer to Wilso airport. To save 8 hours of driving will take a charter flight north to Samburu. Our driver will collect us from the airstrip in the dry lands of the Samburu region and transfer us to the luxurious Ashnil Tented Camp. Ashnil Tented Camp is located Buffalo Springs National Reserve along the Ewaso Ngiro River which borders Samburu National Park. As Buffalo Springs and Samburu is a semi desert, it is quite hot and you can often see wildlife drinking from the Ewaso Ngiro River from the comfort of the restaurant or even your own private veranda. At 4pm We take our first game drive in Samburu searching for Elephant, giraffe, zebra, oryx, lion, leopard and cheetah.

Accommodation: Ashnil Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Samburu/Buffalo Springs

29th of August 2024

Today you will take two game drives, a mid-morning drive from 8.00 – 12:00 and a late afternoon drive from 3:30 – 6:30. After breakfast we will cross the river into the famous Samburu National Park which is home to 5 unique species which are known as “The Samburu Special 5” Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk (also known as giraffe gazelle) and the Beisa Oryx. Also, the world’s smallest antelope dik-dik (standing 60cm tall) are very common in Samburu. Large predators such as lion and cheetah are found in Samburu, and it is also one of the best places in East Africa to see Leopard and African wild dog which both are not often seen in East Africa. Other common species include African elephant, thompsons gazelle, grants gazelle, nile crocodile, warthog, impala, waterbuck, vulturine guinea fowl and silver back jackals. Samburu is also home to 350 bird species.

Accommodation: Ashnil Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

30th of August 2024

After a breakfast check out and depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Along the way you will stop at a large African curio shop. This is a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts such as paintings, wood carvings, jewelry, clothing and much more.

We arrive at the luxurious 5-star Sweetwaters tented camp (my personal favorite accommodation in Africa) which will be home for the next three nights. In front of the restaurant there is a large grassed area overlooking a large waterhole (separated by and electric fence) which is a busy drinking place for all animals. Elephants, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, zebra, warthog, Rothschild giraffe and crowned crane are commonly seen at the waterhole.

If you are lucky, you may see lion, cheetah, leopards or even African wild dog at the waterhole. Around the camp there are also many bird species which can be found searching the camps green grasses for insects. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is only a small game reserve however it is very rich in wildlife. It is home to a large variety of animal and has the highest wildlife to land ratio out of all parks and reserves in Africa. At 4pm take a short drive to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. This is home to over 30 orphaned chimpanzees, most of which were rescued from the illegal pet trade.

Later we continue our Kenya safari with a game drive until 6:30 when we return to camp for drinks and a buffet dinner.

Read our blog – What to expect during a visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Accommodation: Sweetwaters Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy 

31st of August & 1st of September 2024

Over the next two days we split into groups and enjoy some of the incredible activities only available at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Lion Tracking

Feed your imagination by learning more fascinating facts about this vulnerable big cat, and help us protect them, by going lion tracking on Ol Pejeta. A few of Ol Pejeta’s lions have been fitted with radio collars, and you can accompany one of the specialized lion trackers as he searches for their signal. When a pride is found, you can help identify individual lions by recording whisker patterns, scars, ear tears and other characteristics. The data you collect goes straight to the ecological monitoring department and helps us find solutions to the challenges facing Ol Pejeta’s lions.

Dog Tracking – Visit Ol Pejeta’s anti-poaching dog unit.

Interact with the dog keepers and learn about what it takes to look after the highly trained canine team. After a tour of the kennels, clients are encouraged to try and evade the sniffer dogs. Run, jump, twist, turn and find somewhere to hide within the confines of the Morani Information Center area and see if the blood hounds can seek you out. Not only is this great fun for you, but you will also help in keeping the skills of the dogs in sharp shape.

Bush Walk

Few things will awaken your animal instinct like following the fresh tracks of an elephant through the African bush on foot. Touch, smell, see and hear nature as you explore Ol Pejeta with an experienced armed ranger. Learn to identify different animal tracks and spoors, as he shares his expert knowledge of the birds, insects, mammals and plants of the area. All senses alert – get ready to experience the wilderness like never before.

Meet the critically endangered Northern White Rhinoceros

In 2009, Ol Pejeta Conservancy welcomed four of the world’s last remaining seven northern white rhinos from the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic. Suni unfortunately died of natural causes in October 2014 and Sudan died of age-related complications on March 19th 2018, leaving only two northern white rhinos left in the world – both females. The two remaining rhinos now live in the 700-acre rhino enclosure. Here, visitors have a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet these remarkable rhinos up close and personal and to hear their amazing story from the keepers that look after them 24/7. All proceeds from the Meet the Northern White Rhinos experience are reinvested into the continuing efforts to pull the species back from the verge of extinction.

Night Game Drive

Supersize your safari experience with a night game drive. This opportunity is not available in most wildlife conservancies, so wrap up warm and let loose that intrepid explorer inside you. Sunset is a game changer in the African wilderness – this is when the truly weird and wonderful come out to play, this is nature at its most raw. With the help of a spotlight and an expert Ol Pejeta guide, you stand the chance of spotting some of Kenya’s more unusual critters. Aardvark, zorillas, bat-eared foxes, leopard, and lion hunts are just some of sights included in our guest’s campfire tales when they return. Game Drives We will take mid-morning game drives from 9:30 am until 12pm daily. All of Africa’s big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and cape buffalo) are present however leopards are rare and are more likely to be seen at night. Warthog, zebra, eland, gazelle, ostrich, topi, impala are all quite common in Ol Pejeta. Some of the rare species include cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena, stripped hyena, black backed jackal, hippopotamus, and much more.

Read our blog – What to expect during a visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Accommodation: Sweetwaters Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Lake Naivasha

2nd of September 2024

After breakfast check out of Sweetwaters Tented Camp and at Lake Naivasha. We will check in and enjoy lunch at Lake Naivasha Enashapai Resort, a multi award winning resort and spa.

The afternoon can be spent however you choose whether it be at the lodge or enjoying some outdoor activities at your own expense such as golf, birding or biking. A nice way to relax in the middle of our African safari tour.

Enashpai Resort has an amazing 5 star restaurant the Senteu Restaurant as well as a coffee lounge, two bars and even a nightclub.  If you are up for an excursion, at reception you can book several activities at your own expense including fishing, nature walks, birding and boat rides in lake Naivasha.  You may even wish to relax at the spa or get a workout at the gym.

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Enashipai Resort & Spa

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Masai Mara 

3rd of September 2024

After breakfast we depart for the famous Masai Mara National Park and we will arrive around mid-day. We will drive through the Masai lands where the Masai people live alongside Africa’s beautiful wildlife, right on the Masai Mara border. After lunch we take an afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara. Later, return enjoy dinner, drinks and relax at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Masai Mara

4th & 5th of September 2024.

Over the next two days, our exploration of the Masai Mara is brimming with wildlife encounters. With approximately 36 prides of lions, the Masai Mara undeniably offers one of the best opportunities to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. It’s almost guaranteed that lions will grace our presence on every Masai Mara safari. Additionally, cheetahs frequently grace the open plains, showcasing their hunting prowess.

The Mara and Talek rivers boast thriving populations of hippopotamuses, with numerous pods dotting the waterways. Moreover, they serve as home to Africa’s largest Nile crocodiles. Within the Masai Mara, we have the privilege of encountering all members of Africa’s illustrious big five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Additionally, the plains teem with zebra, wildebeest, topi, Thompson’s gazelle, Masai giraffe, hartebeest, and a rich diversity of other wildlife.

We will take a full day game drive from 8:00am until 4:00pm with a picnic lunch on our first full day. On the second full day our game drives will be 8:00am to 12:pm and 3:30pm to 6:30pm

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Nairobi/Departure

6th of September 2024

Today is the last day of out African safari tour. After a delicious buffet breakfast we will depart  Ol Pejeta Conservancy and return to Nairobi. We will have lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the international airport for departure.

Meal Plan: Only breakfast, lunch is not included

TOUR DEPARTS: July to October 2024
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING: USD $5390
PRICE FOR SINGLE ROOM: USD $6240

*Itinerary is subject to change*