Duration: 10 Days
Even if you’re not an animal lover, you heart will beat just a little more quickly when you see the spectacular wildlife found in Kenya’s national parks and reserves. With your expert Driver/Guide, you’ll learn the tricks to spotting the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Feel the need for speed with the opportunity to see cheetahs, gazelles, and great herds run wild, and stretch your imagination in the presence of graceful giraffes and ill-mannered hyenas. Earn your stripes with a game spot of zebras, and feel the rush of searching for a rare black rhino.
This Independence by Globus tour of Africa gets you in touch with your wild love of unspoiled nature, while spoiling you with luxurious safari accommodations and the free time to tap into your tranquil place in the circle of life.
Traveller Notes
- Nairobi: private sightseeing vehicle; Between destinations and for all game drives: private 4-wheel-drive vehicle carries up to six guests, features a pop-up roof for easy game viewing/photography, and comes stocked with fresh, filtered water; private transfers to/from airport for all intra-holiday flights; intra-holiday flights and taxes.
-Driver/Guide throughout your private safari; Local Host in Nairobi
- The Great Migration is a natural event, and the movements of the migrating herds are difficult to predict year to year. Generally speaking, the herds are in the Maasai Mara from August to early November. During this time, you’re likely to see the herds. River crossings are more of a challenge, but we’ll adjust game viewing if there is a chance to witness this rare and extraordinary sight!
Welcome to Kenya! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Start your private sightseeing with a visit to the elephant orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Here, you will learn about elephant conservation and meet elephant calves, orphaned by poachers, before they are re-introduced to the wild.
After lunch, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, dedicated to the author of Out of Africa.
Lastly, stop at the Giraffe centre, a nonprofit organisation focused on saving the Rothschild's giraffe, where you will learn about this sub-species and can feed them. (B,L)
Today, drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in all East Africa.
After lunch, embark on your first game drive in search of the "Big 5"-lion, leopard, Elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. (B,L,D)
Rise early for a morning game drive with beautiful Mount Kenya as the backdrop. Beyond the "Big 5," you may spot cheetah, zebra, gazelle, and more. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wild dogs.
After lunch, enjoy a game drive in the conservancy, including a stop at the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary. Established in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary provides a long-term home for orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Here, see the chimps and learn more about their plight. (B,L,D)
Today's I-Time Tips
Between game drives, sit on your private patio with a book or take a dip in the pool.
A final game drive in the conservancy before driving to the Lake Nakuru area. The journey takes you through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa.
Stop for lunch en route. (B,L,D)
Today, explore Lake Nakuru National Park during morning and afternoon game drives. The park is home to a variety of animals including giraffe, impala, Cape buffalo, and striped hyena. This is also your best chance to see white rhino, which are commonly spotted here. (B,L,D)
Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most famous game area.
Embark on an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
The "Mara," as it is called by the locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives the population enlarges by almost 2 million. This provides a great food source for lion, leopard, and hyena.
You'll have a chance to spot these predators and many other animals on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert Driver/Guide. (B,L,D)
Today's I-Time Tips
Between game drives, relax by the pool or take a safari siesta!
Continue to explore this wild wonderland on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert Driver/Guide. (B,L,D)
One last game drive this morning.
Fly back to Nairobi, where a day room has been reserved for your use. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm. (B)
