Kenya Wildlife Safari - 10 Days
Highlights
- Visit Mount Kilimanjaro up close at Amboseli National Park
- Bathe in a hot spring at Hell's Gate National Park
- View the Great Rift Valley from the top of Mount Longonot
- Discover thousands of flamingos at Lake Bogoria
- Watch the game species migration as they enter Masai Mara Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Nairobi | Nairobi |
| Day 2 | Discover Amboseli National Park, Afternoon Game Drive | Amboseli park |
| Day 3 | Visit Hell's Gate National Park | Hells Gate |
| Day 4 | Explore Mount Longonot National Park | Naivasha |
| Day 5 | Discover Lake Nakuru National Park | Nakuru |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Lake Bogoria | Nakuru |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Maasai Mara Park | Maasai Mara |
| Day 8 | Big Five in Maasai Mara Park | Maasai Mara |
| Day 9 | Maasai Mara Park, Optional Hot Air Balloon | Maasai Mara |
| Day 10 | Depart | Nairobi |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! This East African country is home to diverse wildlife, spectacular lakes, savannahs, mountainous regions, the famous Rift Valley holding a volcanic creator mountain, and much more.
After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the driver/tour guide will transport you to your hotel in Nairobi. You can spend the afternoon and evening resting or use the time to explore the bustling central hub of Kenya by visiting one of the city's famous flea markets or eating out at an authentic Kenyan restaurant.
Day 2: Discover Amboseli National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
Today you will have the opportunity to see Mount Kilimanjaro, also known as "the rooftop of Africa", up close!
After breakfast, you will travel to Amboseli National Park, one of the most popular parks in Kenya. The park is famous for being home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, which is 19 341 feet (5895 meters) high. The park—whose name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust"—is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, the savannah, and woodlands.
You will return to your hotel for lunch before taking an exciting afternoon game drive at a nearby reserve.
Day 3: Visit Hell's Gate National Park
After breakfast, you will depart for Naivasha, situated in the Great Rift Valley and famous for its spectacular freshwater Lake Naivasha.
Along the way, the drive includes a 20-minute stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint where you will take in the unforgettable volcanic valley beneath the looming Kenyan sky. You will arrive in Naivasha in time for lunch. Afterward, prepare yourself for an exciting afternoon of interacting with wild Kenyan animals in their natural habitat at Hell's Gate National Park. The park offers a number of spectacular walks including a walk to the park's hot spring.
The late afternoon and evening are free for you to shower, relax, and have dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Explore Mount Longonot National Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today you will take a day trip to Mount Longonot, the volcanic creator mountain in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, for a five-hour hike. Mount Longonot, which was last active in 1920, rises from the floor of the valley like a monolith and has a thrilling hiking trail. Within the crater of the mountain, you will discover a thick forest and wildlife attractions throughout the hike. The crater rim also provides great scenic views across the beautiful Great Rift Valley and all the way to Lake Naivasha.
You will be back at your hotel in time for lunch and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore Naivasha at your leisure.
Day 5: Discover Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, you will depart the hotel for Nakuru. This trip also includes a stopover at a magnificent view of the Great Rift Valley. You will arrive at the hotel in Nakuru in time for lunch.
Your afternoon will be spent exploring Lake Nakuru National Park. This remarkable park is internationally known for its animal sanctuary which includes both black and white rhino species. While exploring the park you will also discover many different bird species including the spectacular pink greater and lesser flamingoes. The park is also home to large flocks of pelicans, waterbuck, leopards, and the endangered Rothschild giraffe.
Alternatively, you may choose to visit Kariandusi prehistoric site, a famous archaeological site. Located on the southeastern edge of the Great Rift Valley and on Lake Elmenteita, Kariandusi is an African Early Stone Age site dating to approximately one million years ago. This informative and fascinating tour is one hour.
Day 6: Day Trip to Lake Bogoria
In the morning, you will depart for Lake Bogoria.
The drive up to the northwest of Kenya includes a 20-minute stop at the equator closing line. At the equator, you will get to experiment with water and the different ways it moves in the two separate hemispheres. At around 10 am, you will arrive at Lake Bogoria. As you explore the park and drive around, you may want to get your camera ready to document the thousands of pink flamingos and the picturesque lake views. You can then enjoy a picnic lunch at the lake before driving back to Nakuru.
Day 7: Transfer to Maasai Mara Park
In the morning, you will depart for the magical Maasai Mara Park, which is one of Kenya’s best wildlife reserves.
The park is an extension of the vast Serengeti Ecosystem which is known for some of the most spectacular game migrations in the world. Every year, over a million animals including wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrate from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania across the Mara River and into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds. The migration takes place between late June and September. During this crossing, hundreds of animals are swept away by the fast-moving Mara River while others are killed by African Crocodiles—meaning only the fittest make it into Kenya.
The trip includes lunch at the reserve and an afternoon game drive through the park where you will spot a diverse range of game animals. You will get back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 8: Big Five in Maasai Mara Park
Most of today will be spent discovering this spectacular park. You will also be able to pay close attention to the migrating animals and spot the big five.
This international conservation destination has been placed as one of the seven new wonders of the world and offers a unique opportunity to fully experience Africa's endless plains, an abundance of wildlife, and incredible vistas. Travelers will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience to observe the big five in their natural habitat including the endangered rhinos. In the late afternoon, you will return to the hotel where you can enjoy a hot shower and a relaxing evening.
Day 9: Maasai Mara Park, Optional Hot Air Balloon
Due to the thriving wildlife activity, a second full day in the park will offer you the opportunity to witness more of the wildlife's natural behavior. This can include a lion killing, a cheetah chase, or the serene activities of elephants grazing and birds building nests. You will be back at the hotel in time for lunch with the afternoon free for you to enjoy at the lodge or exploring the park.
If there's interest, there is the option to embark on a one-hour hot air balloon safari in Maasai Mara. At around 5 am, you will be picked up from your lodge and transferred to the launch site. Here you will meet your pilot, receive a briefing, and watch as your hot air balloon is inflated. At dawn, you will take off and enjoy a breathtaking view of the sun rising.
The balloon will carry you in the direction of the morning's wind. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height or much lower. This will offer you unique perspectives of the park and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.
Day 10: Depart
After breakfast, you will say your goodbyes to the Kenyan landscape before transferring to Nairobi Airport where you will connect to your international flight back home.
There's also the chance to visit a Maasai village in the morning to discover the wonderful culture of the indigenous villagers. This visit includes personal interactions with "the Morans." These are the young Maasai men trained as soldiers to protect the Maasai communities. The Morans once had to kill a lion as a rite of passage into manhood.
A traditional dance performed by men and women will welcome you to their village and a guide will lead you through the village as you discover how the Maasai live as well as learn about their beliefs and traditions. There are also demonstrations of how the Masaai make fire using just sticks and animal dung. You will get the unique opportunity to go into Maasai villagers' houses and witness the full family setup. At the end of the guided tour, you will have a chance to buy some gift items and curios made in their village at the market.
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