Kenya Explorer - 7 days

A journey of discovery through Kenya that is more than just one wildlife park after another. Discover the contrasting scenery, wildlife environments and cultures of the Maasai savanna, Kikuyu Lake areas and the Great Rift Valley.

Day 1 Drive from Nairobi via the Maasai town of Ewaso Ngiro for lunch and colourful market visit. Then into the bush to a small Maasai homestead for insights into their fascinating way of life. Our stay here supports their small primary school and we can arrange visits during term times (please advise in advance). Overnight camp under the acacia trees, dinner round camp fire, starlit skies and sleep to the sounds of the African night - often lions roaring in the distance. (Don't worry! Our camp is guarded by the Maasai all night).

First night's campsite

Day 2 Optional 2-3 hour walking safari along small river course and through the savanna for wildlife viewing with the Maasai as guides and interpreters of their lands, where you will often walk amongst giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest. Drive to a natural hot spring at Maji Moto (where you can take a dip or just dip your toe in) and then on to our secluded camp in the Masai Mara and late afternoon game drive. Or option to hike all or part-way up nearby Naumare Hills to watch an invariably stunning sunset over the Mara. Overnight in our comfortable permanent tented safari camp.

Our Maasai guide in the savanna

Day 3 Ecologically the Masai Mara is an extension of the great Serengeti plains and teems with wildlife. We spend all today in the reserve on game drives and this is where you can see elephant, buffalo, lion, rhino, cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and a whole ark-full of other animals. Our expert naturalist guides and 4WD vehicles ensure you have the very best chance of seeing them all. From July to September, the Mara is home to the great wildebeest migration. Overnight again in our permanent tented safari camp.

Post coital argument!

Day 4 After another morning game drive in the Mara (to spot any animals you may have missed yesterday) we drive up and over the forested Mau Escarpment, and descend to Lake Elementaita, a soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and overnight in small bungalows right by the lakeside and thousands of pink flamingos just a few metres away.
	Lake Elementaita with flamingos

Day 5 Early start for short drive to Lake Nakuru. This is a smallish but spectacularly picturesque park with abundant wildlife and where there is an excellent chance of seeing the rare rhino – both black and white species, vast herds of buffalo and the unusual Rothschild's giraffe. It has also had nearly 400 species of birds recorded within its boundaries. Return to bungalows again at the Elementaita lakeside for overnight.

Viewpoint atop Baboon Cliffs, Lake Nakuru

Day 6 A day exploring the lakeside environment. There won’t be time for everything but there are options to bathe in hot springs (with amazing heat tolerant fish); explore an archaeological site where early humans sat and made stone tools; visit a school (in term times); visit nearby Kikuyu farms and homesteads. There is also a possibility of an overnight stay in a villager’s house for fascinating and personal insights into the lives of the locals, (no extra cost but advise in advance please). Or relax in the afternoon watching the flamingos and pelicans, while the sun goes down over the lake. Bungalows overnight.

Grinding maize in the village

Day 7 After early breakfast drive to Lake Naivasha, a vast freshwater lake, famed for its bird life particularly fish eagles, love-birds and pelicans. There are also many hippos and we take a morning boat trip to see some of them. Leave mid morning for return to Nairobi arriving around lunchtime.

A long lens but our boat still moved gently off at this point

One of our recent guests made a diary during her safari - you can see her blog (with pics, sound and video) here and it will really give you a feel for what the trip is like.

General: Accommodation is in bush camp (fully supported), permanent tented safari camps (with beds and hot water showers), small bungalows and optional night in local villager's house. The bush camping section on this trip allows us access to wilder areas. We do not generally use the luxury lodges but neither do we compromise on health, safety or reasonable comfort. Lodge accommodation can be arranged for private group departures if required. Equipment is carried by vehicles or local porters, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. When camping you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.

We can also arrange extra hotel bookings and airport transfers for before and after your trip.

Cost, regular departure date:	Group rates, any departure date:
US $1,745 per person if you can join one of our regular departures - see When we go We need a minimum of 2 people booked for these trips to run. Contact us for booking status if you are a single traveller.	US $1,575 per person for group of 9 -12 US $1,995 per person for group of 5 - 8 US $2,025 per person for group of 3 - 4 US $2,255 per person for group of 2 US $3,385 for single person departure

Prices quoted include:

Prices quoted exclude:

* All transport - 4WD Land Rovers or safari vehicles
* Accommodation as detailed - roomy tents when camping
* All camping equipment but not sleeping bags
* Services of various local guides
* All National Park entrance and camp site fees
* All food - breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals
* Donations and payments to local community projects

* International flights
* Travel and personal accident insurance
* Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines
* Tips
* Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, personal items
* Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary
* Any additional services requested

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