Day 1: Depart London - Arrive Nairobi
Meet and greet upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by our representative and transferred to the Panafric Hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 2: Nairobi - Samburu National Reserve (320km – Approx. 5-6hrs)
After Breakfast, we drive north of Nairobi passing through the Equator and the majestic Mount Kenya en-route to the open savannah of Samburu National Reserve. Arrive in time for lunch at Samburu Sopa Lodge. After lunch, you will have some time to relax before you go for an evening game drive. Come back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage.
The reserve has numerous a wealth of wildlife which includes leopards, hippos, elephants, lions, Grevy zebras and crocodiles in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the reserve.
All meals and accommodation at Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Samburu National Reserve – Full Day Game Drives
Full day in Samburu National Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives.
An optional cultural visit to the Samburu Village at USD 20 per person is available later in the day.
Samburu is home to a third of Kenya's giraffe species - the rare Reticulated Giraffe (only found in the Northern parks). This is also where you see the blue-legged Somali Ostrich, the long-necked Gerenuk Gazelles, and the straight-horned Beisa Oryx Antelope.
All meals and accommodation at Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 4: Samburu - Lake Naivasha (330 km – Approx. 5-6 hrs.)
Rise early for a game drive and then return for breakfast and check out. Depart for Naivasha, on the way, you will stop for views of the beautiful Thomson Falls. Arrive in Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge in the afternoon for lunch and afterward enjoy boat rides at Lake Naivasha where you can spot hippos as well as a variety of birds common to this area.
Visit Crescent Island which is about 15 minutes by boat away from the shores of Lake Naivasha and is one of the few places where you can enjoy a nature walk alongside wild animals Proceed to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Lake Naivasha is one of the freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley. The lake has a dense population of hippos and birds. Other attractions include a visit to the Hell’s Gate National Park to explore gorges, climb rocks, view wildlife, and enjoy nature walks. Ol Karia Geothermal Spa which has naturally heated water and is a great recreation spot among many other activities.
All meals and accommodation at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Day 5: Lake Naivasha - Maasai Mara Game Reserve (240 km – Approx. 4-5hrs)
After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha for the Maasai Mara arriving in time for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge. Relax in the lodge after lunch till 1600hrs for a late afternoon game drive returning before dusk for dinner and your overnight stay.
The Maasai Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to comprehend – indeed, over 450 species of animals have been recorded here! You will easily spot lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephants.
It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place: the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna - lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena, and vultures.
All meals and accommodation at Mara Sopa Lodge
Day 6: Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Full day game drives
Enjoy a full day game viewing with picnic lunch on the Mara River over-looking the Hippo Pools and the savannah.
In addition to the game drive offerings, you can also decide to take an optional hot air balloon ride (an extra US$420 per person) or visit a local Maasai village (an extra US$20 per person). Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Maasai warriors are famously known as the proud nomadic tribe whose legendary prowess in battle and single-handed acts of bravery in fights with the wild animals are known across the world. A visit reveals the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience.
All meals and accommodation at Mara Sopa Lodge
Day 7: Maasai Mara – Nairobi (265 km – Approx. 5-6 hrs.)
After breakfast, you will leave the park with morning game en-route for Nairobi arriving in the afternoon. You will be dropped to the Panafric Hotel for overnight.
Optional Activities
You may decide to have your dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant for Game Meat- GBP 25
Day 8: Drop off at the airport
After breakfast, you will get to enjoy some leisure time and do some last-minute shopping. You will then be transferred to the airport for your international departure flight.
This marks the end of the safari full of unforgettable memories.
Most nationalities do now require a visa for Kenya, including Britons, most EU nationals, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians. At present single entry and transit visas are available online (see below) and soon all visas will have to be obtained online. Alternatively, visas are available in advance or on arrival. The Kenyan government are planning for all visas to be obtained online and may stop delivering visas on arrival on short notice. For the latest information please contact your local Kenyan High Commission or Consulate. The cost of the visa is US$50 for a single entry visa and US$100 for an East Africa visa (valid to travel in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda – if the website still says coming soon please check with the Kenyan High Commission. You will need to first register to the e-citizens website (including needing a photo 500px x 500px) before you can start applying. For the application process itself you will need details of the accommodation used (which we will send you) and itinerary as well as a photo 5.5cm x 5.5cm and a scanned or photographed copy of your passport’s bio/photo page. If after visiting Kenya you will also travel to Uganda and Rwanda, you may apply for East African Visa that will cover all three countries. This visa is currently available upon arrival in Nairobi. Please contact the Kenyan High Commission to obtain more information about the combined visa from Kenya.
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
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Our tour packages are centered around wildlife, relaxation, and culture. If you only have a few days to experience all that Africa has to offer then StarLuck Travel will organize an unforgettable African safari trip just for you and your family, friends or significant other.