The Wildlife of Kenya’s National Parks
Overview
To give an insight into the types of luxury travel experiences we create, please view the sample itinerary below. It can either be treated as a standalone program, incorporated into a longer itinerary, or modified to match your particular interests and budget. Alternatively, you may wish for us to start with a blank canvas, to handcraft a personalised itinerary based on what you want and nothing more. Prices will fluctuate based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants and inclusions.
We pride ourselves in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection.
Contact us to request the itinerary in PDF format.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet your Travulous guide and transfer to your accommodation for check-in. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying some of Nairobi’s sites or relaxing at your accommodation.
Meals: All meals at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Kiambethu Tea Farm, Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Beads, AFEW Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre, half-day Nairobi city tour.
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After breakfast, meet your Travulous guide and depart for Meru National Park. Straddling the equator and bisected by rivers and mountain-fed streams, Meru is an especially beautiful area of Kenya. Upon arrival at your accommodation, enjoy lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. Go in search of zebra, cheetah, elephant, waterbuck, leopard, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, eland, bush pig, reedbuck, black rhino and prolific birdlife.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. Spend the remainder of the morning relaxing by the pool, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your accommodation's facilities and activities, before departing on another game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Nature walk to Gatwe Hill, half/full-day visit to Nyambene Forest.
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After breakfast, drive to Samburu National Reserve, situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River. After a short game drive, arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on another game drive whilst keeping a lookout for hippo, elephants, lion, leopard, cheetah and over 450 species of birdlife, in addition to the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx, commonly referred to as 'Samburu Special Five'.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, depart on morning and afternoon game drives exploring the wildlife of Samburu National Reserve. This spectacular northern frontier park is home to an estimated 900 elephants. Return to your accommodation and enjoy its facilities and activities before dinner and an evening spent at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Today you leave Samburu bound for Aberdare National Park. Arriving at your accommodation in time for lunch, spend the afternoon enjoying the picturesque views of the national park and spot its wildlife from the balcony or ground level bunker. Aberdare National Park is home to a large population of black rhino, in addition to lion, leopard, baboon, black and white Colobus monkey and over 250 species of birds.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Horseback riding excursion, mountain biking.
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After breakfast, depart for Nakuru via Thomson Falls, a scenic waterfall on the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Arrive at your accommodation in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, home to Kenya's largest population of rhino. You may also see the elusive leopard in addition to finding large populations of flamingos and pelicans around the lake shores.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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This morning we depart for the Maasai Mara National Reserve, located in the Great Rift Valley. Regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas, the Maasai Mara’s annual wildebeest migration sees over 1.5 million animals arriving in July and departing in November. Enjoy lunch at your accommodation followed by an afternoon game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Today you have an opportunity to enjoy an optional hot air balloon safari, followed by breakfast and a full day game drive in the Maasai Mara. Nowhere in Kenya has more abundant wildlife than the Maasai Mara. Visitors have an excellent chance of spotting the ‘Big Five’ as well as seeing cheetah, giraffe, hyena, hippo and zebra. With 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 bird species recorded in the reserve, the Maasai Mara truly is a naturalist's and photographers paradise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Hot air balloon safari.
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Enjoy a full day of game drives in the Maasai Mara, including an optional hot air balloon safari.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Hot air balloon safari.
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Enjoy one last game drive followed by breakfast at your accommodation. Check-out and depart for Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for your onward travel arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
General Info
Highlights
ELSA THE LIONESS
Visit Meru National Park, made famous by Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness
SAMBURU’S ELEPHANTS
Visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, and enjoy encounters with Samburu’s big herds of elephants
LAKE NAKURU
Home to Kenya's largest population of rhino, go in search of large numbers of flamingos and pelicans
MAASAI MARA’S BIG 5
Comprised of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, spot Kenya's ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat
Accommodation options
Click on each photo to learn more about the featured property, or click here to discover additional accommodations.
Map
Extension Ideas
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Visit world famous safari highlights including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Gorillas
BEHIND THE SCENES
Gain unique insights into Wildlife Conservation, Educational Experiences and History & Traditions
BEACH DESTINATIONS
Round-off your safari in East Africa with a great choice of world-class Indian Ocean beach destinations
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Visit a wildlife sanctuary and learn about the increadibe work they do to safeguard Africa’s wildlife
Climate
Kenya is generally warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude. One of the most popular times to visit Kenya is from July to September, which coincides with the Great Migration. A good time to see baby animals and migratory bird species is typically from December to February.
The approximate seasons are January to March, short dry season; April to June, long wet season; July to October, long dry season and November to December, short wet season. During rainy seasons there are fewer tourists, and the landscape is strikingly green and lush.
Visas
Most foreign nationals will require a visa for entry to Kenya. Please check with your local Kenyan Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visas can no longer be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Kenyan government has introduced an online ‘e-visa’ application system for issuing all visa types in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
Language & Currency
Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Kenya. Kiswahili is spoken by most Kenyans, with English fluency varying outside of major towns and cities. There are over 65 languages spoken throughout Kenya, which mainly belong to the various Bantu and Nilotic tribal populations.
The local currency is the Kenyan shilling, which divides into 100 cents. US dollars are often accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Hotels in tourist areas generally accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Remote lodges often accept cash only. When making payments in US dollars, many businesses only accept notes that are dated 2013, or newer. Access to cash machines is available in most major towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
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“If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me?”