Day 1: CITY TOUR & TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: Start historical-minded exploration of Kigali with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times i.e. Kigali Solaire, Stade regionale, Kigali Genocide memorial site, Kandt Museum, Belgian camp etc. Transfer to Bugesera in the afternoon to visit the reconciliation village, Nyamata and Ntarama genocide churches. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Dinner and Overnight at Musanze Gorilla Lodge DAY 2: GORILLA TREKKING Volcanoes National Park: After breakfast we transfer to the park. After completing our park formalities we are embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. Be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Transfer to Nairobi Dinner and Overnight at DAY 3: ARRIVE/ TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK ( APPROX 4 HRS) Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will complete the customs and immigrations formalities then met and assisted by our agent at the airport. Refreshments the get full briefing from our guide and afterwards commence to Tsavo East National Park. Lunch. 1600hrs afternoon game viewing drive till dusk. Meals and overnight at Voi Safari Lodge DAY 4: TSAVO NATIONAL PARK Full day with a morning and afternoon game viewing drive.
With view to Mt. Kilimanjaro, it offers a unique landscape with vast savannahs, wooded flood plains and the famous "red" elephants and is a great complement to Amboseli. However, the sheer size of the park can make game viewing a drawn out affair. Full of wild beasts, such as rhinoceros, buffaloes and elephants from a missionary s diary written in 1849. Later in 1900 the notorious Man Eaters of Tsavo man-eating lions preyed on the railway linesman building the great Uganda Railway in 1900. The carriage from which they pulled a traveler is on display in Nairobi Railway Museum. Tsavo-West has important historic connections as a major battleground in World War I where British and Germany troops battled for supremacy The Park is easy to reach, located off the main Nairobi-Mombasa road. It offers tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forest, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. Its plains border with Tanzania. Among places of interest are The Mudanda Rock, Mzima Springs, Shaitani Lava Flow. Time allowing we will visit all these places Dinner and overnight at Voi Safari Lodge/ similar. Meal plan full board. DAY 5: TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK /AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK (APPROX 3 HRS) After breakfast drive to Amboseli National Park arriving in time for lunch. The Park park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to freeranging elephants. On a clear day, you'll also have spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. 1600hrs, enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive till dusk. You have the chance to view and photograph the big 5 which include the Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant till dusk. Return to the lodge. Meals and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp. Meal plan is full board. DAY 6: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Breakfast. Full day in the park with a morning and afternoon game viewing drives. Amboseli National Park is 260 km (160 mi) south of Nairobi, on the Kenya and Tanzania border. It is most famous for its spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. A system of swamps makes this low-rainfall area one of the best wildlife-viewing experiences in the world. The park protects two of the five main swamps, and
includes a dried-up Pleistocene lake and semi-arid vegetation. Noted in particular for its large elephant herds, Amboseli is the third most visited game area in Kenya after Masai Mara and Nakuru. Return to the lodge/ tented camp for dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp / similar. Meal plan is full board. DAY 7: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK/ ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK TREE LODGE ( APPROX 5 HRS DRIVE) After breakfast, we depart we drive to Aberdares National Park. We drive through the fertile farmlands to the Nyeri town. Arrive in time for Lunch at The Aberdares Country Club (The base Hotel for The Ark Lodge.) Afternoon, transfer to the Ark. Rest of the afternoon is spend on the lodge s deck as we watch dozen of wild animals stream to the water hole below come to quench their thirst. Meals and overnight at The Ark Lodge/ Similar FB DAY 8: ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK/SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK ( APPROX 2 HRS DRIVE) Breakfast transfer the base hotel. We meet up with our driver and drive to the north through the semi Arid area to the Samburu National Reserve. This is home to numerous drought resistant animals. Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some the best and most colorful game viewing in the country. Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge located at the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River. Later in the afternoon proceed for an exciting game-viewing in search of game found only north of the equator that include the long necked gerenuk, Grévy s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa Oryx and the Somali ostrich. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge. Meal plan Full Board. DAY 9: SAMBURU After an early breakfast cross over to the nearby Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserve for a full morning of exciting game-viewing drive in search of the big 5 and other wildlife not forgetting a large number of bird species. The Ewaso Nyiro River dotted with doum palms meanders through the reserve giving it an oasis setting.
The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Grevy s Zebra. The forests along the river banks are home to many birds, including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vinaceous Dove. These forests are also home to many Leopards, often seen at dusk. The sight of one of these beautiful and elusive creatures is always a rare treat. Lions are also frequently seen on the riverbanks, and Cheetah can be found on the open plains. On rare occasion, packs of African Hunting Dogs are sighted passing through the reserve. Shaba was where Joy Adamson, author of Born Free spent her final years, returning a leopard to the wild. This was the subject of her final book, Queen of Shaba. More recently, Shaba served as the location for the hit series Survivor Africa, which pitted its contestants against the challenges of this wild remote country. The Ewaso Nyiro is also an important water source for the Samburu villages surrounding the reserves. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. All Meals and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge. Meal plan Full Board DAY 10: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE/ LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK [APPROX 4HRS DRIVE] After breakfast depart to Nakuru National Park, We make a brief stopover at the Equator and Thompsons Falls. We arrive in Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch. This park is famed for being home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingoes. This park also provides sanctuary of Rothschild giraffe, black and white rhino and the elusive leopard. 1600hrs after refreshing up and a short rest have an afternoon game drive till dusk. All meals and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Meal plan full board.
Lake Nakuru s claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo s and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink hence its name ' pink lake'. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species - particularly the Rothschild Giraffe. Lake Nakuru National park also has a Rhino sanctuary that boasts of white rhinos. Other animals species to be found here include the ever elusive leopard, lions, hippos, buffalos, waterbucks, warthogs and the baboons are all residents here. This park also provides sanctuary of Rothschild giraffe, black and white rhino and the elusive leopard. DAY 11: LAKE NAKURU /MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE (APPROX 4.5HRS DRIVE) Breakfast then drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve. we drive past the Mount Longonot a dormant volcanic mountain, through the Masai plains to Narok the capital town of Maasai people. Brief stop over to refuel. Proceed drive to Masai Mara National Reserve. Break for Lunch. After lunch enjoy our game drive enroute to our lodge. The reserve offers wonderful scenery and plenty of game and recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World brought about by the crossing of river Mara by the thousands and thousands of wildebeest, a site to behold. All meals and overnight at Ol Moran Tented Camp. Meal plan is full board.
As Simba proudly surveys his kingdom in his majestic glory, Ndovu leisurely chews on succulent tree branches, his family close by. Not too far ahead, Nyati and his comrades graze on the lush Mara plains as the lonesome and often ill-tempered Kifaru stomps along in solitude. And finally, the elusive Chui... lounging above the ground on a lofty tree branch, on the lookout for his next meal. Together, they make the Big 5. Known as such not for their size, but for the difficultly they presented hunters who tried to capture them. And this is their home. The Masai Mara - Kenya's finest game reserve - gentle rolling grasslands teeming with a plethora of animals and bird life. See Thomson and Grant Gazelles, Topi, Eland, Zebra, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Hippo, Wildebeest, Warthog, Crocodile, Ostrich, Vultures among others, and over 450 bird species, with over 50 birds of prey. One thing is for sure... at the Masai Mara, you will experience nature in all its wild wonder! DAY 12-14: MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE After breakfast we depart for a full day game viewing drive in search of the big 5 and other hoofed wild animals.enjoy your picnic lunch boxes by the river side. This is the point where millions of wildebeest cross the Mara River from Serengeti National Park. Masai Mara is named after the traditional inhabitants (Maasai) and the Mara River. At some point during your stay in the Mara, you'll drive by the river which is a great place to spot wildlife. This area is a photographer's delight where with any luck you'll be able to take amazing pictures of the hippos and elephants in the water. Full day at the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives in search of the big 5. Masai Mara is at the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife game reserves. Its home to the splendid black manned lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffe, vast bulk of elephants, rhino, thundering herds of zebra, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game. The small size funnels animals into a tight space, and park rules allow for off-road driving which means that guests can venture into plains covered with hundreds or even thousands of animals. All meals and overnight at Ol Moran Tented Camp. Meal plan is full board.
Masai Mara offers an absolutely unique variety of animals. The reason is that this hilly region is both humid and fertile, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers, full of crocodiles and hippos. The abundance of water and excellent availability of food are the reasons why the Masai Mara, which in fact is a continuation of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, has the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa. There is a particularly dramatic spectacle from July to November, the annual migration of huge herds of Gnus and zebras. Predators such as Hyenas, Jackals, Leopards and Lions of course, closely follow these herds. Gigantic herds of over 200 buffaloes can also be observed. Plenty of food is available for elephants, giraffes, and the many species of antelopes. Soak in the abundance of untamed wilderness, fresh and natural scenery, filled with exotic wildlife during our expertly guided game drives, enjoyed in open vehicles. For those interested in a more intimate encounter, we conduct a safe and exciting walking safari where you have the chance to come face to face with nature's beauty both in flora and fauna... OPTIONAL: A visit to the Masai villages and hot air balloon taking off in the beautiful early morning, you drift above the browsing game and have tremendous opportunities for unusual photographs. What could be more uplifting than an early morning safari in a hot air balloon flying over the vast plains of Africa? Witness an African sunrise as a plethora of wildlife roam the land beneath you. At the end of the flight you land on the plains, in the midst of this enchanting savannah a champagne breakfast is laid out with the mouth watering aroma of sausages, eggs, and bacon, sizzling over a charcoal fire. Drive in a leisurely fashion with game viewing on your way back to your camp). DAY 15: MASAI MARA / DEPART. Breakfast at your lodge. Morning game drive. Lunch at your lodge. Drive back to Nairobi arriving late in the evening. Transfer to the Airport for your flight back home.
- End of itinerary Note: We can combine this trip with a beach extension to Mombasa, Ukunda or Lamu. INCLUDES: Arrival and departure transfers. Flights from Kigali to Nairobi Ground transport in a customized made safari van/ 4x4 land cruiser with pop up roof for game drive and photography. Game drives with a qualified private English speaking driver guide while on safari. Your park entrance fees Gorilla trekking Accommodation Meals Drivers and vehicle park entrance fees plus fuel. Drivers allowance 1 litre of bottled drinking water per person per day Specialized and personalized services EXCLUDED: Optional visit to Masai village $20 Optional Masai Mara hot air balloon safari $435 International flights. Tips/gratuities. Entry visas and fees. Items of a personal nature and any other not mentioned above.