KENYA 8 DAYS KENYA EXPRESS SAFARI IN A NUTSHELL The last book written by Ernest Hemingway and published posthumously by his son, True at First Light is set in his beloved Kenya. With the exception of American actor William Holden who founded the famous Mount Kenya Safari Club and the sometimes controversial anthropologist Richard Leakey, no other western personality has contributed to the public perception of Kenya over the years as Ernest Hemingway. One of the more famous quotes on his love for Africa and Kenya in particular captures the essence of his emotions: I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy. If one had to mention just one more person in this context, it would have to be the adventurer turned entrepreneur Ewart Grogan, whose lasting legacy includes the first Cape Town to Cairo crossing of the entire continent, the construction of the first deep water port in Mombasa, his never ceasing and finally victorious efforts of convincing the British Empire to built a railway, popularly known as The Lunatic Express, from Mombasa to Nairobi and beyond. And last but not least, his own magnificent private home to his dying day: Grogan s Castle, built into the hill side overlooking the Sisal plantations of Taveta near the Tsavo West National Park, with a view of the rolling countryside that goes on forever... or at least all the way to Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day! One can travel all across Kenya and never fail to find a reference to one or another of the now forgotten early Kenyan explorers, hunters and adventurers. Today, Kenya is primarily known for its amazing variety of natural attractions, the quintessential Africa of dramatic extremes and classic contrasts, deserts and alpine snows, forests and open plains as well as colourful tribal cultures. To those with an affinity for historic detail, raw nature and exotic wildlife adventures, Kenya will always and forever be True at First Light! Your first stop on this exciting safari will be the hot savannahs and open plains of the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, teaming with wildlife and home to the world famous Zebra and Wildebeest Migration, with a seemingly endless stream of animals crossing the Mara river. Next on your safari route is the Lake Nakuru National Park, with flocks of flamingos gliding over its tranquil waters and on to the Amboseli National Park with its abundant wildlife and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The next major attraction is the sprawling Tsavo National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa if not worldwide. Here as in every other park Kenya has to offer, the opportunities for game viewing are defined by contrasting landscapes and the abundance of wildlife. Kenya is the Out of Africa adventure every enterprising mind has dreamt of since the days when Denys Finch Hatton crisscrossed the country in his biplane, in search of True Love! 1
SHORT SUMMARY Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Arrival in Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve. Transfer from airport and scenic drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve. Game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve to Lake Nakuru National Park. Scenic drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Reserve to Amboseli National Park. Scenic drive to Amboseli National Park and game drive in the park. Amboseli National Park to Tsavo West National Park. Game drives in the Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West National Park to Tsavo East National Park. Game drives in the Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo National Park to Mombasa. Scenic drive to Mombasa. Departure from Mombasa. Airport transfer and departure from Mombasa. DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 - Arrival in Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve On day one of your safari, our experienced driver/ guide will collect you at the airport and take you straight on to your express safari with a drive out of Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve. You will be given a short briefing and answers to any questions you might have regarding your upcoming safari. Accommodation Options: Bronze Fisi Camp (FB) Silver Mara Eden Safari Camp (FB) Gold Sarova Mara Game Lodge (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board Day 2 - Masai Mara National Reserve Your safari adventure begins with exciting game drives in one of the world's most famous game reserve. The Masai Mara is an otherworldly experience with its sheer abundance of wildlife roaming the savannah plains not numbered by thousands of animals; there are literally millions of mammals roaming the rolling landscapes. Wildebeest gather in enormous herds, with Thompson's gazelles and zebras dwelling nearby, eventually forming an army of animals converging on a common migration pattern that can only be described as biblical in its magnitude. The Masai Mara also offers unrivalled opportunities to spot the big cats out hunting. Not every hunt is successful. Sometimes a long careful approach is spotted just in time, and a leopard or cheetah must wait for another opportunity. The Masai Mara is not an experience to be missed and you will enjoy the long morning or late 2
afternoon game drive, when the savannah plains are at their most active. In the early afternoon, you can relax at the lodge as everyone takes a break from the scorching heat and before heading out again into a new sector of the vast reserve. Your stay will showcase a surreal world of wildlife with every game drive revealing a new facet of the natural wonders the Masai Mara has to offer. Perhaps a group of elephants searching for water, or perhaps a leopard emerges from his hiding spot in the trees trying to approach a wildebeest herd. Beside the rutted game trail, a lion pride lazes in the sun while buffalos stand single or in groups with that unmistakable stare - which is due to the fact that they are extremely short sighted and practically have to bump right into something to figure out what it is - their curled horns and great bushy hair often dividing opinion, yet everyone agrees that they're not to be messed with. In the Masai Mara, the magic of Africa comes alive in its uncontrived natural wonders and spectacular vistas; an experience that is bound to be cherished and remembered forever. Accommodation Options: Bronze Fisi Camp (FB) Silver Mara Eden Safari Camp (FB) Gold Sarova Mara Game Lodge (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board Day 3 - Masai Mara National Reserve to Lake Nakuru National Park Next stop on your exciting safari in Kenya is the Lake Nakuru National Park. A fringe border of pink separating Lake Nakuru from its grassy shore lines is created by thousands of flamingos wading through the shallow waters and providing a vivid contrast of color. Flamingos are not the only birds to call this lake home, as you can also see African Fish Eagles and Verreaux's eagles, effortlessly gliding in the thermal vortex over the lake s glistening surface, scanning for prey. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya s more beautiful national parks and its rugged landscape provides the perfect backdrop for panoramic landscape photography. The Big Five can also be found on the verdant green floodplains, where White Rhinos march and leopards hide in the trees scanning the landscape for prey as elephants crash through acacia forests. Accommodation Options: Bronze N/A Silver Lake Nakuru Lodge (FB) Gold Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board. 3
Day 4 - Lake Nakuru National Park to Amboseli National Park Today your safari continues to Amboseli National Park near the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, with its snow-capped Uhuru Peak towering over the grassy plains below. Here, Africa's highest mountain rises dramatically from the lowlands, where elephants roam the serene and undulating plains. You will drive to Amboseli National Park and arrive there in time for lunch and a long afternoon game drive. A half day game drive through the fairy tale landscapes of Amboseli awaits you today, over flat rolling grassy plains, where elephants roam freely everywhere with buffalos heading towards the frequent water holes, kicking up swirling dust as they plod along the dusty ground. At the dry salt lake of Ol Tukai, a variety of mammals such as giraffe, gazelle, wildebeest and zebra provide memorable safari impressions. Predators roam, hippos emerge from the water with elephants and black rhinos silently grassing on the plains. You also have the opportunity to visit a local Masai village and learn about their unique cultures and traditions. Accommodation Options: Bronze N/A Silver Kibo Safari Camp (FB) Gold Ol Tukai Lodge (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board 4
Day 5 - Amboseli National Park to Tsavo West National Park Today your safari continues a short distance to the plains and woodlands of the Tsavo West National Park. There is plenty of wildlife to discover here, including large numbers of elephants and lion prides. There is also the opportunity of seeing black rhinos in the secure sanctuary, yet Tsavo West safaris are more about unexpected sights as you turn a bend on a wooded track to come across giraffes, impalas, buffalos and Burchell s zebra. The most iconic attraction of the park is Mzima Springs, a string of small crystal clear lakes that are fed by springs filtering through the volcanic rocks of the Chyulu Hills. Shaded by majestic fig and acacia trees, the lakes swarm with fish, large crocodiles and hippos. Leave your vehicle behind to follow a pretty nature trail to the underwater viewing chamber which provides a unique photo opportunity of gliding crocodiles, or the delicate swimming-walking style of the hippos. Accommodation Options: Bronze Rhino Valley Lodge (FB) Silver Severin Safari Camp (FB) Gold Finch Hattons Camp (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board Day 6 - Tsavo West to Tsavo East National Park The two parts of this massive park lands are separated only by the Nairobi to Mombasa highway, with Tsavo East being substantially larger than is twin to the West. The eastern side of the park is also very different in terms of the landscape you will encounter. Here, a more open savannah merges with grass and bush lands dotted with rocky outcrops and ridges. There is as much wildlife in this park as is anywhere else in 5
Kenya but Tsavo East covers a huge area and searching for unique sightings of its extraordinary wildlife is a thrilling experience. The park is home to a phenomenal cast of animals, from predators to rare antelopes, to primates and bizarre nocturnal rodents. Guides inevitability will never predict or promise what you might be able to encounter on a game drive, even if they are certain of particular sightings. In Tsavo East, it is close to impossible to predict what might be discovered. Accommodation Options: Bronze Red Elephant Lodge (FB) Silver Sentrim Tsavo East (FB) Gold Galdessa Camp (FB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board Day 7 - Tsavo East National Park to Mombasa Enjoy a final morning waking up surrounded by Kenya's amazing wildernesses. An early morning game drive gives you a last chance to discover more of the charms this untamed wonder world has to offer. Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast before departing to Mombasa. This itinerary is easy to combine with a few days on the glorious Indian Ocean beaches of Mombasa. Accommodation Options: Bronze Darajani Hotel (BB) Silver Pride Inn Mombasa (BB) Gold Sarova White Sands Hotel (BB) BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board 6
Day 8 - Mombasa Departure Time to say goodbye. Airport transfer and departure from Nairobi. Customised Itineraries & Options This itinerary can be customised to include additional options and locations in East Africa: Kenya - Combine this itinerary with a beach or scuba diving holiday in Mombasa, Malindi or Lamu island. You may also want to consider other parks in Kenya such as the Mount Kenya, Samburu, Aberdares or Hell s Gate National Parks. Tanzania - Or expand this safari to include a beach holiday on Zanzibar island. MAP OF SAFARI ROUTE UGANDA LAKE TURKANA ETHIOPIA MOUNT KENYA KENYA ENTEBBE KAMPALA LAKE NAKURU LAKE NAIVASHA NAIROBI MASAI MARA INDIAN OCEAN SERENGETI LAKE VICTORIA NGORONGORO CRATER MOUNT KILIMANJARO AMBOSELI TSAVO TANZANIA MOMBASA 7
SAFARI PRICE AND SERVICES The price here presented is for mid range accommodation provided for the duration of the safari described in this document. The price options for budget and luxury accommodation are available on request: Price per person sharing in a double/ twin room: 1 people travelling from US $ 3.344,00 2 people travelling from US $ 2.501,00 3 people travelling from US $ 2.228,00 4 people travelling from US $ 2.098,00 5 people travelling from US $ 2.015,00 6 people travelling from US $ 1.943,00 Single supplement: from US $ 414,00 Features Included in Safari Price All airport transfers, ground transportation and fuel as per the itinerary Transport in a 4x4 minibus with safari roof (other options on request) Charter or scheduled local flights where applicable and listed in the itinerary All park and conservation fees including for the vehicle, driver/ tour guide and clients English speaking Ugandan driver/ tour guide (other languages on request) Accommodation and meal plan as specified Activities as per itinerary Features Excluded in Safari Price All international flights, all flights not specifically listed in the itinerary A 4x4 wheel drive vehicle such as a Land Cruiser Cost of visas Travel, medical and personal insurances Gratuities and personal requirements All other Optional Activities listed in the itinerary (prices on request) Our passion for Africa and efforts to furnish you with the very best Creative Destination Management are defined by the objective to provide exceptional quality, intensive and unforgettable experiences as well as pleasurable moments, that in every detail and attention to superior services are a dream come true and a feast for the senses. Our passion, commitment and dedication to provide you with memorable adventures is as limitless as the magical vistas of the African continent... Your Across Africa Creative Destination Management Team 8
Additional Notes This is a proposal only and subject to availability. If components of this itinerary are not available at the time of booking, we shall endeavour to offer suitable alternatives. The appointed driver/ tour guide will accompany clients throughout the safari, assist them with check-in at accommodation and share his knowledge of flora and fauna. A language specific tour guide is available against a surcharge. A 4 x 4 wheel drive vehicle such as a Land Cruiser is available against a surcharge. Where applicable for charter or scheduled local flights, the following baggage restrictions apply: 15 kgs on all flights in small, soft-sided bags. Abbreviations for the meal plan are as follows: BB=Bed & Breakfast DBB=Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FB=Full Board. Terms and Conditions of our Services Payments Deposit: 25% of the total safari price within 7 days of confirmation. Balance: full balance due 45 days (6 weeks) prior to arrival. Reservations: made within 45 days or less prior to arrival: Immediate full prepayment due. Cancellations Cancellations received within 30 days before safari date 20% 29 to 23 days before safari date 25% 22 to 15 days before safari date 40% 14 to 08 days before safari date 55% 07 to 03 days before safari date 65% 02 days before safari date 95% No Show 100 % Changes Without Prior Notice Tariffs quoted are valid for 2015 wherever possible. Not all service providers release or guarantee their rates well in advance and therefore the itinerary price may be subject to changes without prior notice. Factors that can not be anticipated and may influence this cost calculation include, but are not limited to, supplier increases (including gorilla permits and park/conservation fees), government tax increases, fuel price increases, unforeseeable itinerary amendments due to circumstances beyond our control, availability restrictions, etc. Across Africa - Creative Destination Management www.across-africa.co.za www.gorillareisen.de manager@across-africa.de 9