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| DAY 1
- NAIROBI
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Arrive into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport today. After clearing customs you will be met and transferred to Nairobi’s famous Norfolk Hotel. Dating from Kenya’s colonial days, the Norfolk is a landmark in Nairobi, rich in history, enhanced by up-to-the-minute facilities and amenities including a heated swimming pool, health club (fully equipped gym, aerobics room, sauna & steam rooms), salon, news-stand, and gift shops. Spend the rest of your day relaxing or venture into downtown Nairobi for some shopping. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Overnight
- The Norfolk Hotel |
| DAY 2
- AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
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This morning you will be transferred to Wilson airport for the scheduled 7:30am flight to Amboseli National Park. You will be met at the airstrip and depart on your first game drive en-route to Tortilis Camp. Tortilis is a luxury tented lodge situated on the edge of the Amboseli National Park. The 15 tents are large and luxurious, with king-sized beds and en-suite facilities sheltered. Each tent has a huge thatched roof that extends over a large verandah. The camp has magnificent views of Mt Kilimanjaro and is know for it wonderful food. After lunch there will be an afternoon game drive until dusk.
Amboseli National Park supports a wide range of wildlife particularly elephants roaming in large herds. With Mt Kilimanjaro in the background it is the scene of many classic African safari shots. A section of the park is a seasonal lake the remainder being swamplands, fed by melting snow from Kilimanjaro, and savannah woodland.
Overnight
- Tortilis Camp (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 3
- AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
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You have a full day available for wildlife viewing in the National Park. In between game drives you may wish to take a guided game walk outside the park or relax at the swimming pool.
Overnight
- Tortilis Camp (all meals & activities)
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| DAY 4
- LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
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After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for the scheduled 8:30am flight to Nairobi’s Wilson airport where you will connect with the 9:15am flight north to Lewa Downs. You will be met on arrival at Lewa and depart by road to Lewa Safari Camp, located north of Mt Kenya, on Lewa Downs, a 45,000 acre private ranch, that encompasses the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary. The ranch has belonged to the Craig family since 1924. There is abundant wildlife, including the big five and Kenya’s northern species of game which includes: reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra and other wildlife seldom found south of the equator.
Lewa Safari Camp consists of 12 spacious, luxury tents with ensuite facilities, private verandahs and expansive views. The dining room, bar and lounge, with a big open log fireplace are in the original ranch house. Activities include day and night game drives, bush walks, with optional camel treks and horseback rides on the ranch. After some time to settle in you’ll have lunch and time to relax or take a swim in the pool before departing on your afternoon game drive around the ranch.
Overnight
- Lewa Safari Camp (all meals & activities) |
| DAY 5
- LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
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You have a full day to enjoy the many activities available.
Overnight
- Lewa Safari Camp (all meals and activities) |
| DAY 6
- MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
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After breakfast you depart Lewa Downs on a short charter flight to Nanyuki, where you will connect with your flight to the Maasai Mara. When you arrive at the airstrip a Kicheche Camp vehicle will meet you as you view wildlife on your way to the camp. Kicheche Mara Camp is a luxury bush camp hidden away in a grove of trees on the Aitong plains of the Maasai Mara. There are a maximum of 20 guests, all staying under canvas in this intimate camp situated in prime wildlife habitat.
The famous Maasai Mara game reserve, has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa, providing for wonderful game viewing year round. Known as home of the “big five”, with the rolling Mara grassland plains, woodlands and the Mara and other rivers, the reserve covers an area of 930 square miles (1,500 sq. km). The Mara is well known for the part it plays in the seasonal “great migration” from late July through October. Vast herds arrive from the Serengeti to feed on the Mara’s lush grasses following the annual light rains. This includes upwards of 200,000 Zebra, 300,000 Thomson Gazelle and 1.3 million Wildebeest following the annual rains. In all 95 mammal, amphibian and reptile species plus 485 species of birds inhabit the Mara eco-system.
Overnight
- Kicheche Mara Camp (all meals and activities)
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| DAYS 7/8
- MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
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You have two more days to enjoy game drives, walks or visit one of the local communities. Each evening return to camp for drinks around the campfire with the enormous African sky overhead and the sounds of an African night.
Overnight
- Kicheche Mara Camp (all meals and activities)
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| DAY 9
- LAMU
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Say good-bye to the “bush” as you depart the Mara on the 11:00am flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport where you will connect with the scheduled flight to Manda Island airstrip. After touching down you will be met and taken on a half hour speedboat ride to Kipungani Bay, your destination for the next three nights. The Kipungani Bay Sea Breezes is a five star resort with 15 spacious thatched bungalows made entirely of natural materials and overlooking the palm-fringed Indian Ocean. Most cottages have king-size beds as this is a perfect retreat for honeymooners or anyone wanting a quiet retreat to the end of their safari There are no windows or doors, just grass mats that roll down. Most bungalows have private verandahs where you can relax on funzi beds bedecked with colorful cushions. Behind the bedroom is a dressing area with handwash basin and separate rooms for flush toilet and fresh water shower (unheated). Kipungani is known for its wonderful food (especially the seafood!) and meals are served in the open-air dining room. Your days here can be spent swimming, beach-combing, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling or just lazing by the pool. After settling in enjoy a sundowner before dinner.
Overnight
- Kipungani Sea Breezes ( all meals & most activities)
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| DAYS 10/11
- LAMU
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You have two more leisurely days to enjoy the beach and activities available at Kipungani. For a change of pace, you may also take a traditional dhow and sail to the town of Lamu, the oldest surviving town on the coast of East Africa. The old stone town has narrow winding streets, historic mosques and a colorful market. There are no cars allowed on the island, so transportation is by donkey or dhow. The atmosphere here is friendly and relaxed and day to day life here has changed little over the centuries.
Overnight
- Kipungani Sea Breezes ( all meals & most activities)
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| DAY 12
- LAMU / NAIROBI / END OF SAFARI
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Spend your morning at leisure. After lunch you will be transferred by boat back to the airstrip where you will depart on the 3:45pm flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to dinner. Afterwards you will be driven back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to connect with your flight home.
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| NOTE
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During April & May other accommodations will be used in the Maasai Mara and in Lamu, as Kicheche Mara Camp and Kipungani bay are closed during this time.
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ENJOY KENYA’S TOP WILDLIFE RESERVES AND IT’S SECLUDED COAST ON THIS 12 DAY FLYING SAFARI. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THE ELEPHANTS OF AMBOSELI, CAMEL SAFARIS AND NIGHT GAME DRIVES AT THE LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY, AND OF COURSE THE FAMOUS MAASAI MARA. AFTER YOUR SAFARI YOU FLY TO THE KENYAN COAST AND TAKE A SPEED BOAT TO THE TROPICAL ISLAND OF LAMU, WHERE CARS ARE BANNED, TO A 5 STAR HIDEAWAY RESORT ON THIS CARELESS ISLAND.
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