AJS 10: FAMILY SAFARI.
8Nights/9Days - Aberdares - Samburu - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara - Nairobi
Day 01: NAIROBI – ABERDARE
Your safari adventure begins with a warm welcome by our customer service representatives upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. From here we drive you to your base hotel, ABERDARES COUNTRY CLUB for lunch.
After lunch, you will be transferred to the “Tree Hotel” THE ARK strategically located in the heart of Aberdares forests. Resembling and named after the biblical Noah’s Ark, the lodge has 60 “cabin-styled rooms, all of which have private bathrooms and showers. There are three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide excellent vantage points for game (Wildlife) viewing. This unique game lodge overlooks floodlit waterholes and saltlick, which attract a variety of wildlife (elephants, rhinos, leopards, bushbucks, bongos), that come here to quench their thirst and lick on the salt. For those of you who can’t live without a cup of tea or caffeine, you can also quench your thirst in the lounge, which remains open all night long. Dinner & overnight at THE ARK (BLD).
Day 02: ABERDARE – SAMBURU
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for Samburu National Reserve by driving north through the high wheat fields of Timau, crossing the equator, and then down into the thorny landscape of Samburu country. This area boosts unique northern species of wildlife which are not found in any other part south of the equator, here you will find the Grevy zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostrich, the long-necked gerenuk, herds of elephants and their predators abound. The life-giving Uaso Nyiro River plays a major role in the ecosystem of this region.
Your new home for the next two nights will be at SAROVA SHABA LODGE or SIMILAR. It’s located high above the banks of the life-giving Uaso Nyiro River in the Shaba Game Reserve (Filming location of the Hit CBS Survivor III, series). Shaba lodge is composed of 85 luxury thatched-roof bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, all of which are facing the river. Each room is furnished with local stone and off-cut timber, a Presidential Suite with a separate bedroom, lounge, and private Jacuzzi is also available, as well as 4 junior suites. The lodge beautifully incorporates the existing natural springs as one of its special features. The 1989 movie “Born Free”, a true-life story of George and Joy Adamson was shot in the Game Reserve and some of the scenes were shot at the lodge. An open-air restaurant over looking the river, swimming pool, curio shop, bars, and it’s location at an oasis make it a perfect base from which to explore the Shaba Reserve, as well as its sister reserve - Buffalo Springs to the west. Overnight SAROVA SHABA LODGE or SIMILAR (BLD)
Day 03: SAMBURU
Before dawn, we head out in search of Africa’s wild cats. From the game drive we return to the lodge for breakfast and some R&R “rest and relaxation”, read a book/novel, sunbathe or perhaps go for a refreshing dip in the uniquely designed swimming pool before heading out again on your afternoon game drive. All meals & overnight at, SAROVA SHABA LODGE or SIMILAR (BLD).
Day 04: SAMBURU – LAKE NAKURU
After an early breakfast bid farewell to Shaba as we drive south through Isiolo, crossing the northernmost foothills of Mount Kenya, until we reach Nanyuki town. Heading west we make a brief stopover at Nyahururu Falls, still known to many as Thomson's falls for its 237ft cascade. After the stopover, we drive southward to our next destination Lake Nakuru. Located in the Great Rift Valley 1750 meters above sea level, Lake Nakuru is known as an ornithological paradise by birdwatchers because the lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth which boasts anywhere between one and two million lesser and greater pink flamingos that feed on the abundant algae thriving in the lakes warm waters. It is one of the few parks that have been specifically established (Gazetted) for the protection of birds specifically flamingoes, more than 450 species of birds have been recorded here. The park has also been established for the protection of endangered species such as the rhino and is also home to Columbus monkeys, Leopards, Giraffes, and a variety of plain antelope.
Lunch will be served at LAKE NAKURU LODGE or SIMILAR, which, is situated in the south ecological niche of the park. The lodge with its friendly and competent staff is an oasis of comfort that provides first-class customer service and offers commanding views of lesser flamingoes dotted with the greater flamingoes. It blends in perfectly well with its natural surroundings and animals often patrol peacefully close to the lodge adding to its captivating magic. For some R&R “Rest and Relaxation”, the spacious logged, and inviting Mamma Nikki’s bar, the cool upstairs Rhino Paddock Cocktail bar overlooking the Lake and the enticing blue pool can be tremendously inviting. An afternoon game drive around the lakeshore will be the main feature for the afternoon, dinner & overnight at LAKE NAKURU LODGE or SIMILAR (BLD).
Day 05: LAKE NAKURU – MASAI MARA
Today our safari will take us to the jewel of Kenya’s parks, the world-famous Masai Mara Game (Wildlife) Reserve. This is Kenya’s number one park and is always on every tourist’s “Must see list”. Full of life with various types of animals and birds, Masai Mara crown’s the climax of every safari in Kenya. Its rolling grasslands and acacia savannah have time and again been captured on film with the movie “Out Of Africa” being the most famous. Masai Mara is home to the “Big Five” (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, and Rhino) and over 450 bird species. Apart from the big five, the Masai Mara is most famous for the spectacular annual migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, etc from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July or August. During this crossing, hundreds of animals are swept away by the first moving Mara River and others are killed by the ferocious African Crocodiles. This crossing gives true meaning to the phrase “Survival of the fittest”.
Lunch is to be served at the luxurious MARA SAROVA TENTED CAMP or SIMILAR set in the African bush, on an elevation between two streams, the camp is a combination of luxury and adventure. After lunch, you can take time out to read a book, or novel, sunbathe, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or simply sit back and relax under the tent. All luxurious tents have permanent roofs, electricity, and en-suite bathroom facilities. The grounds are beautifully laid out with trees and flowers inhabited by a collection of exotic birds and butterflies. In the afternoon head out with your driver guide in search of the shy and elusive leopard, other wild animals, and over 450 species of birds of which 57 species are birds of prey. As the sunset starts to edge dip into the African horizon it will be the perfect opportunity for you to capture the beautiful Mara landscape on film. After dinner, enjoy the warmth of the roaring log fire before going to bed under the star-filled African sky. Dinner and overnight at, MARA SAROVA TENTED CAMP or SIMILAR (BLD)
Day 06: MASAI MARA
We start the day off with an early morning game drive before dawn, followed by breakfast upon your return to the camp. After breakfast, you can go swimming in the pool under the African sun or just sit back and relax for the rest of the day. In the afternoon we return to the bush in search of wildlife, such as Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelle, elephants, lions, and the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, among others (All meals and overnight at MARA SAROVA LUXURY TENTED CAMP or SIMILAR (BLD).
Day 07: MASAI MARA
After breakfast, we drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch at your own arrangements. Later in the evening, a complimentary dinner will be hosted by our company at the world-famous CARNIVORE RESTAURANT considered “Africa’s greatest eating experience” (if you love barbecue it doesn’t get better than this), and home to the “Simba Saloon” one of the cities most popular night clubs. Later transfer to the luxurious NAIROBI SAFARI CLUB HOTEL where you will relax in your air-conditioned suite. Nairobi Safari club, formerly a private club for members only is the ideal place to be. All the rooms in the hotel are suites, six of which are Presidential Suites. Here you can enjoy the clubs' sauna, gym, swimming pool, various bars, and other amenities. Overnight at NAIROBI SAFARI CLUB HOTEL (BLD).
Day 08: NAIROBI
You will be driven to the airport to catch your scheduled flight for a safe journey home.
