Kenya Million Animal Safari

Upon arrival in Kenya, you will be met at the Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to a local hotel for your overnight.

Drive two hours to Mbitini to visit your guide Makau’s village and family home. On the way, stop at the Akamba Peace Museum in Machakos, the first administration center in Kenya. Enjoy the interesting artifacts found in the museum, as well as a performance by traditional dancers. You may also visit the local Kamba market. During your stay in this region, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the local schools and hospitals. You will also visit some of the women and pioneer groups, where the local women help each other during the land preparing times and have projects to support themselves, such as basket weaving and helping each other during preparation for planting. Overnight for two nights, camping in your guide Makau’s village.

Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Lodging: Camping

Depart for Selenkay Conservation area, part of the greater Amboseli eco-system.  Selenkay Safari Camp is a community-based, eco-camp run by the Masai, who are custodians of these lands.  During our time here there will be opportunities to hime, cycle, ride camels or help the locals graze their cattle, milk them and even participate in house building.  On one of the days, armed with a picnic lunch, we will go for a full day in the park, returning in the evening for fireside conservation talks with the locals.  The Masais are proud of their culture and are happy to welcome you to their houses.  During the walk you will be able to observe village life, watch some of the many birds and animals, and enjoy a demonstration of village crafts, music and dance.  Overnight for three nights.

Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Lodging: Camping

From Amboseli, we drive to lake Naivasha.  During our stay, you will have a chance to visit and hike the Crescent Island or visit Elsamere Conservation Centre.  This was the home of Joy and George Adamson, who are famous for their reintroduction of Elsa, star of "Born Free," back to the wilderness.

Lodging: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Armed with a picnic lunch, we head to lake Nakuru for a full day game drive amidst the great bird spectacle.  Besides being home to the many pink flamingos, for which the lake is famous, there are approximately 400 other species of birds visiting the lake. There are also many species of game, including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, lion, buffalo, leopard, baboon, and many species of plains game. Lake Nakuru National Park was designated as Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and has both black and white rhinos. Dinner and overnight at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, or similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, or similar

Continue driving along the Rift Valley to the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. Have lunch at the Mara Serena Lodge, or similar, to get a feel for this vast reserve before an afternoon game drive. You will spend another full day in the Masai Mara, Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary, on Day 10. The Mara will offer you the best opportunity to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant). In August and September the great Serengeti herds of wildebeest and zebra, numbering as many as one million animals, tend to concentrate on the rich grasslands of the Mara. Predators like lions, cheetah, hyenas, and jackals are abundant and will always be on the lookout for a kill. Weather and skies should be excellent for photography of one the greatest large wildlife spectacles on earth.

Note: For those who would like to do a hot air balloon ride, we can arrange it for an additional cost. You will have a 45-70 minute flight over the Masai Mara and then enjoy a champagne breakfast on the plains. Afterwards, you will join the rest of the group for a full day in the reserve. Please let us know if you are interested in a balloon ride, as reservations fill quickly.

Meals: 3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 3 Dinner
Lodging: Ngama Lodge (or similar)

Drive back to Nairobi, where dayrooms will be reserved for refreshment before transfer to the airport for your flight home.  Or, extend your trip with a visit to Samburu National Park of Lamu Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner