In addition to the stunning game viewing you'll experience, this safari also includes some very special extras not included on most safaris. First, on arrival in Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport, you will have airside assistance as you navigate through immigration and customs formalities. One morning in Shaba National Reserve, a hot cooked breakfast will be served at your riverside table so you can take in all the morning activity along the river while enjoying your morning coffee. One of our favorite ways to dine in Kenya is al fresco with a bush lunch, and we've included one in Lake Nakuru. During your stay in the Masai Mara, you'll have a fun dinner in the camp's Boma, where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the Masai culture. And, before you leave Kenya, visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where you will have an opportunity to be at the very special bedtime for the elephants - a visit reserved only for those who sponsor an elephant. We've sponsored an elephant for you! And - be sure to take advantage of the 50% savings off the cost of a Balloon safari.
Day 1 Sun Arrive Nairobi Welcome to Kenya! Upon arrival today, you will be greeted at the airport and assisted with the transfer to your hotel in Nairobi city center. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
The Stanley
A deluxe hotel, The Stanley recalls the graceful era of fine furnishings, grand living and cool Victorian elegance. It features the famous Thorn Tree Coffee Shop, the Zen gourmet restaurant with unique fusion cuisine, the Pooldeck restaurant and the Exchange Bar. The hotel also boasts an elegant shopping arcade, a fully equipped health club with heated swimming pool and a modern business centre. Its conference facilities can accommodate up to 400 people.
Star Rating: 5
Guest Rooms: 217
Location: City Centre
Number of Floors: 8
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Day 2 Mon Nairobi | Meals: B
After a leisurely morning, head out to Karen to visit the Karen Blixen Museum. Fans of the book (and movie) Out of Africa will see Karen Blixen's words come to life as you walk through her former home and through the grounds set beneath the Ngong Hills. Then it is off to the Giraffe Center for some fun with the Rothchilds giraffes.
The Stanley
A deluxe hotel, The Stanley recalls the graceful era of fine furnishings, grand living and cool Victorian elegance. It features the famous Thorn Tree Coffee Shop, the Zen gourmet restaurant with unique fusion cuisine, the Pooldeck restaurant and the Exchange Bar. The hotel also boasts an elegant shopping arcade, a fully equipped health club with heated swimming pool and a modern business centre. Its conference facilities can accommodate up to 400 people.
Star Rating: 5
Guest Rooms: 217
Location: City Centre
Number of Floors: 8
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Day 3 Tue Nairobi-Shaba National Reserve | Meals: BLD
Leave Nairobi early this morning, head north through some breathtaking scenery dotted with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee. Cross the equator at Nanyuki town and continue north, eventually reaching the dusty outpost known as Isiolo, the last major stop on the journey into the remote northern frontier district. From here, continue on to Sarova Shaba Lodge, arriving in time for lunch. Later, set out on an afternoon game drive.
Sarova Shaba Lodge
The Lodge is situated in the Shaba National Reserve. This Reserve is part of a conglomeration of reserves in the Eastern Province, descending from Mt. Kenya, at the entrance to the vast scrub desert that reaches beyond L.Turkana, are situated Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the third contiguous National Reserve, Shaba. The Ewaso Nyiro River whose origin is the northern slope of Mt. Kenya around the Nanyuki Township borders all the reserves. The river's name is a derived from the local community's language. It means the river of brown or muddy water.
Shaba is the only lodge in the 239 sq. km Shaba National Reserve. The reserve was gazetted as a conservation area in 1976. Thirteen (13) years later, the lodge became officially operational. This is an 85-room, three-star lodge whose dΘcor perfectly blends with the adjoining environment. The lodge is set on a natural oasis and the water is channeled into cascades and fishponds on the entire premises.
Located in the Semi-desert Shaba Game Reserve in the Central Kenya the Sarova Shaba Lodge offers the guests a chance to see the bounty of unique wildlife made famous by the film “Born Free”. In March 1998, the Lodge played host to the cast and crew of the “ Born Free”, true-life story of George and Joy Adamson and starred both Kenyan actors and International film stars. The majority of the filming took place in the Game Reserve but some of the scenes were actually shot in the lodge.
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Day 4 Wed Shaba National Reserve | Meals: BLD
In the late 1970's, Joy Adamson ("Born Free") experimented with rehabilitating leopards to the wild here in Shaba. Shaba Reserve is home to mammals found only north of the equator, like the Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Besia Oryx, reticulated Giraffe and Somali Ostrich.
Begin the day with a special riverside breakfast this morning. There is no better way to begin a day in the African bush than having a freshly cooked hot breakfast while listening to the sounds of wildlife and birdlife all around. Enjoy the hot coffee and scan the horizon for some special sightings! When you are not out game viewing, relax by the pool or on the terrace, overlooking the Uaso Nyiro River.
Sarova Shaba Lodge
The Lodge is situated in the Shaba National Reserve. This Reserve is part of a conglomeration of reserves in the Eastern Province, descending from Mt. Kenya, at the entrance to the vast scrub desert that reaches beyond L.Turkana, are situated Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the third contiguous National Reserve, Shaba. The Ewaso Nyiro River whose origin is the northern slope of Mt. Kenya around the Nanyuki Township borders all the reserves. The river's name is a derived from the local community's language. It means the river of brown or muddy water.
Shaba is the only lodge in the 239 sq. km Shaba National Reserve. The reserve was gazetted as a conservation area in 1976. Thirteen (13) years later, the lodge became officially operational. This is an 85-room, three-star lodge whose dΘcor perfectly blends with the adjoining environment. The lodge is set on a natural oasis and the water is channeled into cascades and fishponds on the entire premises.
Located in the Semi-desert Shaba Game Reserve in the Central Kenya the Sarova Shaba Lodge offers the guests a chance to see the bounty of unique wildlife made famous by the film “Born Free”. In March 1998, the Lodge played host to the cast and crew of the “ Born Free”, true-life story of George and Joy Adamson and starred both Kenyan actors and International film stars. The majority of the filming took place in the Game Reserve but some of the scenes were actually shot in the lodge.
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Day 5 Thu Shaba-Lake Nakuru National Park | Meals: BLD
Leaving Shaba behind, travel south through Isiolo, crossing the northernmost foothills of Mount Kenya, to the town of Nanyuki. From here, the journey turns west to Nyahururu, still known to many as Thomson's Fall. We'll stop here for a look at the 237-foot cascade before continuing in a southerly direction to Lake Nakuru Sarova Lion Hill lodge. After time to settle in, get ready for some special game viewing as you enter Lake Nakuru National Park. A special treat awaits as you have a perfect outdoor "bush lunch" in the park, taking in the panoramic views of the lake. As you drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, watch the tree tops for the playful colubus monkey. Lake Nakuru is also well known for its prolific birdlife and is home to the Rothschild giraffe. The park has been declared a black rhino sanctuary and there are now more than 25 rhino here, one of the largest concentrations in the country.
Sarova Lion Hill
Built in a natural dais, overlooking one of the world's ornithological spectacles, the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge impresses every guest with its panoramic view of the pink shoreline created by millions of flamingos on Lake Nakuru.
The Lodge is situated within the Lake Nakuru National Park Rift Valley Province and is surrounded by natural flora and fauna in its beautiful grounds. Although smaller compared to the other hotels in Sarova Hotels Group, this 14-year-old Lodge offers a peaceful retreat amidst one of the most stunning National Parks in Kenya.
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Day 6 Fri Lake Nakuru-Masai Mara | Meals: BLD
After an early morning breakfast, leave the flamingo-fringed Lake Nakuru behind and head for Njoro town, where you begin your ascent up over the top of the Mau Escarpment. Then, head due south towards Narok, the gateway to the Masai Mara and district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. You will travel across the "breadbasket" of Kenya covered with acres of wheat and barley before entering the Masai Mara, arriving at your tented camp in time for lunch. After time for a short siesta, head out on an afternoon game drive in Kenya's most famous national park.
Later this evening, get ready for a very special dinner in the camps' boma. A boma is an enclosure, usually used by the Masai to protect their wildlife. Tonight you will experience the warm hospitality of the local Masai as they welcome you into their boma for a special dinner under the African stars -- and maybe a chance to learn about Masai dancing as well!
Sarova Mara Tented Camp
To capture the true spirit of East Africa, there is nothing quite like the experience of adventure in Kenya’s Masai Mara; the richest game sanctuary in Kenya.
Situated on a natural elevation between two streams, Sarova Mara is the ideal base for safaris to the "Lion and Elephant" country which is also populated by cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo.
The area is world renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Early morning hot air balloon safaris with champagne breakfast on landing offer unrivaled views of the game from the skies.
The Camp is set amidst wide gardens with manicured lawns and exotic flowers. Facilities include a restaurant serving cuisine of the highest international standards, bar, a well stocked curio shop and a sparkly swimming pool. The viewing deck of the Panorama Bar provides magnificent views of the surroundings as you enjoy a refreshing drink.
Accommodations: 75 luxurious tents with a permanent roof and floor, own bathroom, hot water and electric supply
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Day 7 Sat Masai Mara | Meals: BLD
Because of the Mara's varied landscape (from forests to open plains), it supports a great variety of wildlife. You will almost certainly see the Big Five here - can you name them? (They are lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino.) Did you know that the name "Big Five" is not based on the size of the animals, but rather goes back to the early hunting days, when these five animals were the most prized for hunters? You will also see an abundance of plains game, among them wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, topi and gazelle. Can you tell the difference between a Masai giraffe and a reticulated giraffe? (The markings of a Masai giraffe are muted, so that the lines almost appear to run together, while the reticulated giraffe markings are very distinct, almost forming individual boxes.) Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives today.
Sarova Mara Tented Camp
To capture the true spirit of East Africa, there is nothing quite like the experience of adventure in Kenya’s Masai Mara; the richest game sanctuary in Kenya.
Situated on a natural elevation between two streams, Sarova Mara is the ideal base for safaris to the "Lion and Elephant" country which is also populated by cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo.
The area is world renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Early morning hot air balloon safaris with champagne breakfast on landing offer unrivaled views of the game from the skies.
The Camp is set amidst wide gardens with manicured lawns and exotic flowers. Facilities include a restaurant serving cuisine of the highest international standards, bar, a well stocked curio shop and a sparkly swimming pool. The viewing deck of the Panorama Bar provides magnificent views of the surroundings as you enjoy a refreshing drink.
Accommodations: 75 luxurious tents with a permanent roof and floor, own bathroom, hot water and electric supply
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Day 8 Sun Masai Mara-Depart | Meals: B
After breakfast, return to Nairobi where you stop at the Kazuri Bead Factory and Utamaduni Craft Center. Utamaduni, meaning culture, tradition, folklore, encompasses the best of African crafts and is dedicated to supporting craftsmen from all over Kenya. It supports various charities including the KSPCA and Street boys (who actually have their own shop in the center). There is also a small restaurant where you can get a quick bite to eat (own account). Later visit the Kazuri bead factory, a producer of top quality handmade and hand painted ceramic jewelry and pottery. The workshop has been set up to empower women in need by employing them and teaching them a skill.
Then, continue to the airport to begin your journey home.
