THE ARK - SAMBURU - MT.KENYA SAFARI CLUB - MASAI MARA (7 Days - 6 Nights)

Day 1 Nairobi-The Ark
This morning you drive past Thika, an industrial town surrounded by extensive pineapple plantations, partially owned by Delmonte Company. After crossing the Tana River source of Kenya’s hydroelectric power, the landscape changes and becomes lush as you climb in to the rich farmlands of the Kikuyu people. Lunch is served at Out-Span Hotel in Nyeri for the visitors heading for Treetops and Aberdare Country Club for those heading to the Ark Limited. Lunch is served at the Serena Mountain lodge for those spending a night there.
After lunch, you proceed to your tree hotel where the night is spent watching different animals as they come to visit the floodlit waterholes and Saltlicks. Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo, Giant Forest Hog, Leopard and many other species frequent the waterholes. Meal plan: {L, D}

Day 2 Tree Lodge-Samburu Game Reserve.
Today we drive North past Isiolo town to Samburu Game Reserve semi-arid bush country. With it's backdrop of rocky out crops and prominent mountain ranges to the North, and it's Doum Palms and Riverine forest, Samburu National Reserve has an exotic feel in it. After check-in to our lodge on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, we have lunch and a late afternoon 'spice game drive introduces us to the unique species of this Northern Frontier District. Here, you will see the Gerenuk Gazelle, Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Oryx Antelope, Somali Ostrich and much more. Overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge/Sarova Shaba Lodge/Samburu Lodge. Meal plan: {B, L, D}.

 

Day 3 Explore Samburu Game Reserve.
Today we will see more of Africa’s spectacular wildlife on two exciting ‘Spice’ game drives in this fascinating game reserve. In between ‘Spice’ game drives, you could do nature walks on the lodge’s grounds or some excellent optional bird watching. Birds are abundant, with 365 species recorded, one for every day of the year. In between the gamedrives, a visit to a Samburu village is planned.
You will also enjoy watching a crocodile feeding session along the river. Take the evening atmosphere by relaxing with a cocktail before a satisfying dinner. Overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge/Sarova Shaba Lodge/Samburu Lodge. Meal plan: {B, L, D}.

Day 4 Samburu-Mount Kenya Safari Club
This morning we drive to the magnificent Mount Kenya Safari Club nestled in the foothills of snow-capped Mount Kenya. Its sprawling colonial design was influenced by the late actor William Holden, who founded the Club in 1959 with two of his friends. His love for Africa led him to make Kenya his second home for over twenty-five years.
The club has over the years attracted legions of internationally renowned members and guests from the world of politics, film and theatre. Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten were members, and enjoyed sojourns at the club, as have legends Clark Gable and John Wayne, and more recent celebrities such as Robert Redford, Sean Connery and Catherine Deneuve. You too will receive the star treatment as you settle into your suite or cosy cottage.


Pay a visit and do not miss the animal orphanage operated by the William Holden Wildlife Foundation. Here wildlife foundlings are raised with great care and many are quite tame. It is an opportunity to get close to some wild creatures that despite a struggle have managed to survive. Overnight at Mount Kenya Safari Club. Meal plan: {B, L, D}.

 

Day 5 Mount Kenya Safari Club-Masai Mara
After breakfast depart for Masai Mara. This is the Africa of your imagination, where panoramas are vast. It is a country of rolling grasslands, dense thickets of scrub and groves of acacia woodland where predators might hide. Luxuriant forest grows along the banks of the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles bask in the sun.


The Mara is considered the finest game sanctuary in Kenya, home to an astonishing number and variety of animals. According to the season, hundreds of thousands of migratory Wildebeest, Gazelle and Zebra move back and forth between the Mara and the plains and woodlands to the south.. Enjoy lunch at Naivasha Country Club and continue to the Mara for your afternoon ‘Spice’ game run, when your driver will set off in pursuit of the great herds. Overnight at Keekorok Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge /Mara Simba Lodge /Sarova Lion Hill camp/ Mara Serena Lodge.

 

Day 6 Explore Masai Mara
Your day begins with an early morning ‘Spice’ game drive taking you into the Mara plains when the animals are most active. On the other hand, you may choose to add a hot air balloon safari – the ultimate safari experience! You leave camp before dawn – the sky is clear, the air is brisk and the conditions are perfect. As the sun rises over the Mara plains in your balloon lifts off, a bright splash of color rising into the blue. Watch as a stunning panorama unfolds below you and the balloon’s basket becomes your lookout post for a bird’s-eye view of the beauty of Africa.

 

Float silently just a few hundred feet above herds of wild animals. Gazelle and Impala watch curiously with their tails flagging – a warning to others that you are approaching. A pride of Lions stalks an unsuspecting herd of Wildebeest. Giraffes poke their heads out of the forest where they have been nibbling tender leaves. The tranquility of the experience is interrupted only by the occasional ‘whoosh’ of the air heaters.
Finally, you gently touch down, with an appetite sharpened by the fresh air, all ready for a delicious champagne breakfast in the middle of the bush. After a relaxing repast, continue honing your game spotting skills on a game drive as you make your way back to the camp/Lodge. After lunch and some time to relax, enjoy a second ‘Spice’ game drive this afternoon. Overnight at Keekorok Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge /Mara Simba Lodge /Sarova Lion Hill camp/ Mara Serena Lodge. Meal plan: {B, L, D}.

Day 7 Masai Mara-Nairobi
Begin the day with an Optional bush walk, an intimate exploration of the world of the African savannah. Use all your senses as you encounter the sights, sound and smell that surround you. Your guide will point out brilliantly colored birds, camouflaged game of every variety, and a wealth of flora. Learn the skills of successful tracking as you follow animal trails in the dust, watching for each clue to their habits and movements. Alternatively, you may take the regular morning ‘Spice’ game drive.
After breakfast, depart for Nairobi arriving in early afternoon.
Meal plan: {B}.

 

  Adult rate per person sharing Single Suppliment Period
High Season US $ 1,985 US $ 850 April - May
Mid Season US $ 1,885 US $ 750 January, March & June 2008
Low Season US $ 1,660 US $ 650 April - May

Safari Package Includes:

  • Round trip transportation (Pick up and drop off to/ from your Nairobi Hotel.
  • Game viewing from your comfortable rooms/available balconies of the tree lodge.
  • Multi-lingual Professional Safari Guide/Driver. (Professional safari Director is available upon request).
  • Twin/Double bedded rooms with private bath or shower.
  • Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari.
  • Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue from any point of the safari circuit.
  • 3 meals a day while on safari.
  • Complete pre-tour documentation.
  • Bottle water while on safari.
  • All Game Park fees.
  • A visit to a Masai Village.
Not included:

  • International airfares.
  • Personal expenses such as telephone calls, email, laundry, beverages or meals not indicated in the itinerary, Porterage and wait staff gratuity.
  • Optional activities such as bush walks, night game drives and extensions.
  • Christmas, New Year and Easter Supplements.