Combine
three nights on the Masai Mara with Kenya's Shaba Reserve and
the Great Rift Valley at Lake Nakuru, renowned for its flamingos.
An excellent Kenya safari itinerary maximising your Masai Mara
time.
This safari offers visits to a contrasting trio of parks, the Shaba National Reserve, Lake Nakuru and finally the journey culminates in the world-famous Masai
Mara.
Located close to Samburu, Shaba has reserved its place in the history of conservation as the area where Joy Adamson experimented with the release of hand
reared leopards. Much of Shaba's charm lies in the splendour of its deep gorges and waterfalls on the river in the north, and open grasslands dotted with
springs.
Animals commonly seen are elephants, lions, cheetahs, Grevy's zebras, giraffes, gerenuks, buffaloes, oryx, gazelles, dik diks and waterbucks. The river forest
attracts a wide variety of birds.
Accommodation is mainly in Sarova hotels, one of Kenya's leading independent hotel groups. The Sarova team have a friendly, personal approach with
excellent attention to detail.
Friday
Heathrow–Nairobi
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Nairobi.
Saturday
Aberdares
On arrival transfer to the Safari Lounge, where you can
freshen up and store any additional luggage before departing
for Aberdares and to the Outspan Hotel (180 kms). Lunch with
afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Outspan Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Sunday
Shaba
After breakfast drive north to the rugged landscape of Shaba
National Reserve (280 km), where Joy Adamson experimented
with the release of hand-reared leopards. After lunch at the lodge
enjoy a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Sarova Shaba
Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Monday
Shaba
Early morning and late afternoon game drives in this arid but
beautiful area. Enjoy the swimming pool at Sarova Shaba Lodge,
and take advantage of the viewing deck along the river to
watch and feed crocodiles. Bird and nature walks can be
arranged. You could even have a massage in the great outdoors.
Overnight: Sarova Shaba Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Tuesday
Aberdares
Drive to the slopes of Mount Kenya and check in to Mountain
Lodge (240 km) where lunch has been arranged. Spend the
afternoon viewing game from the lodge or join a nature walk
(weather permitting) led by a local guide. Overnight: Serena
Mountain Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Wednesday
Lake Nakuru
Drive via the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru (375 km). After
lunch at your lodge enjoy an afternoon game drive. Sarova Lion
Hill has 67 chalets in an elevated position overlooking Lake
Nakuru. Massages indoors or outdoors are available. Overnight:
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Thursday
Masai Mara
After an early breakfast continue on to the Masai Mara
(315 km) arriving in time for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon game
drive. Bird watching and nature walks are available (payable
locally). Overnight: Sarova Mara Camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Friday
Masai Mara
Enjoy an early morning balloon flight over the Mara and a
'bubbly' bush breakfast (optional extra), or a game drive
followed by breakfast at the lodge. A second game drive will
take place this afternoon. Overnight: Sarova Mara Camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Saturday
Extension or Heathrow
After breakfast, return to Nairobi (300 km), proceed with your
chosen beach extension or return to Heathrow (breakfast included).
Option to fly from the Mara to Nairobi - from £190
Option to fly from the Mara to Mombasa - from £265
Flights are in light aircraft and the baggage allowance
is strictly 15 kg per person. Where possible, additional
luggage can be left at your hotel or at the
Safari Lounge in Nairobi and retrieved after the safari. When flying from the Masai Mara to Mombasa
entire luggage must be restricted to 15 kg as no luggage can be stored in Nairobi.
Notes
This itinerary operates with a maximum of 7
passengers, all guaranteed a window seat.
On occasion the itinerary may operate in a
different order, or different lodges used according to
availability and road conditions.
Travel times vary on road conditions
and game sightings.
Pack a mixture of warm and light clothing
in soft bags, plus sunglasses,
camera and insect repellent.
Minimum age 8 years.
On safari at the Aberdares National Park. Idyllically located in the Kenya highlands, providing a holistic leisure and adventure experience. A comfortable hotel set in well tended tropical gardens with rolling manicured lawns and breathtaking views of Mt Kenya.
Facilities at the Outspan Hotel include a dining room & two bars. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, tennis, squash, table tennis, badminton, snooker, golf, bird watching, Kikuyu dance & lecture, nature walks, visits to the coffee farm & rhino sanctuary & game drive.
Accommodation 45 rooms with a private bath, internet access, satellite TV, telephone, balcony & some with fireplaces. Chania Cottages are also available.
Sarova Shaba Lodge Shaba National Reserve - Kenya
Board
Rating
On safari in Shaba National Reserve, the Sarova Shaba Lodge is a luxurious lodge set in 'Born Free' country, where the glories of nature are concentrated in this semi-desert oasis. Spring water flows throughout the lodge to form beautiful water cascades which sparkle into the Uaaso Nyiro River, the habitat for crocodiles.
Unique to this area are reticulated giraffes, Grevy's zebras, gerenuks, beisa oryx and the Somali ostrich. Situated in the Shaba National Reserve. Facilitiesat the Sarova Shaba Lodge include an open-air restaurant, bush dining and two bars. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool with a pool bar, curio shop, game drives, camel safaris, crocodile viewing and feeding from the lodge's special deck, traditional dances from the local Samburu people, bird watching and guided nature walks.
Accommodation 85 luxury thatch-roofed rooms with en suite bath/showers. Presidential suite with private jacuzzi is also available.
On safari at Mount Kenya. Offering a matchless game viewing opportunity whilst combining a glorious panorama of mountain vistas with the primordial splendours of an ancient rainforest. Considered the most spectacular forest waterhole in the Aberdares, the lodge's waterhole presents a constant ballet of wildlife.
Situated on the slopes of Mount Kenya and surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds that make the African bush special and exhilarating. Facilities at the Serena Mountain Lodge include a dining room serving internationally themed dishes & a library. Leisure facilities include relaxing beauty treatments, manicures & pedicures*, a shop, nature walks & a private waterhole & salt lick, which acts as a magnet for the region's wildlife, especially elephants.
*Various charges payable locally.
Accommodation 42 rooms furnished with indigenous wood & African art, en suite bath/shower & a spacious verandah overlooking the waterhole where there is never a dull moment (2 adults and 1 child).
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge Lake Nakuru - Kenya
Board
Rating
On safari at Lake Nakuru. Beautifully landscaped with natural foliage and a startling variety of flowers, the lodge offers luxurious accommodation complemented by delicious cuisine and nightly dances. The panoramic view from the lodge reveals a shimmering pink glow across the lake, created by swarms of flamingos, pelicans and Marabou storks. Set on a plateau of the Rift Valley, overlooking one of the world's greatest ornithological spectacles, Lake Nakuru, stands Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. Facilities at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge include a restaurant & bar. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, curio shop, game drives, cocktails at Balloon Cliff, bush dining, massage, menengai crater tour, hyrax hill & museum tour.
Accommodation 65 chalets with en suite bathrooms & verandahs (2 adults and 1 child).
Sarova Mara Game Camp Masai Mara - Kenya
Board
Rating
On safari on the Masai Mara, this camp offers luxurious tented accommodation in an area world renowned for its annual wildebeest migration, whilst also being home to the big five. Sarova Mara Game Camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams with beautifully maintained grounds.
Situated within the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, the richest game reserve in Kenya, providing instant access to some of the best game viewing Africa has to offer. Facilities at the Sarova Mara Game Camp include a restaurant with al fresco & indoor dining & a bar with Masai dancing. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, curio shop, mini golf putting range, archery, game drives, bird watching, nature walks, visits to Masai cultural village, and hot air balloon rides.
Accommodation 75 tents with en suite shower (2 adults and 1 child). Standard tents, family units which feature 2 tents & club tents are also available.
HOT
AIR BALLOONING ON THE MARA
BEACH
EXTENSION
Add
a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara - a truly unforgettable
experience!
Follow
your safari with a beach stay - Mombasa, Zanzibar, Mauritius
or Seychelles, most durations are possible! CLICK
HERE for suggestions or call to discuss options.
KENYA SAFARI HOLIDAY
PRICES 2011
Prices are per person based on two sharing. Peak season supplements
may apply - ask for details.
Flights from Heathrow to Nairobi - regional departure points
also available. Ask for more details.
Prices
from
7 nights
LOW SEASON
£1935
MID SEASON
£2345
HIGH SEASON
£2815
BALLOONING from
£275 per person
when pre-booked in the UK
NOTE
Prices
are per person based on two people sharing and include
transfers and UK departure taxes. Many
countries may require UK passport holders to obtain
a Visa for entry, which may incur additional cost. Most countries also
require visitors to hold a full passport valid for up to 6 months from the date of return travel.
Many
countries may also levy departure taxes - ask for more
details.
A valid
Yellow Fever certificate is also required for entry
to Tanzania.
Credit
card and non-UK registered debit card transactions are subject to a 2% transaction
fee. UK-registered Debit card transactions incur no fee. All
bookings are made subject to the Terms & Conditions
of the applicable Tour Operator. All prices are subject
to availability.
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