ITINERARY IN BRIEF:
| DATE | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan |
| Day 01 | Nairobi | Panari Hotel | Breakfast |
| Day 02 | Laikipia/Nyahururu | Panari Resort | Full Board |
| Day 03 | Laikipia/Nyahururu | Panari Resort | Full Board |
| Day 04 | Mara | Enkorok Mara Camp | Full Board |
| Day 05 | Mara | Enkorok Mara Camp | Full Board |
| Day 06 | Depart |
YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY : |
Day 1: Arrival /Nairobi
JAMBO! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be met by Classic Journeys Africa Customer Care Representative who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Before checking in at hotel, he will brief you on your program ahead and introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the safari.
Accommodation: Panari Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Drive to Nyahururu
After breakfast, drive through Thika Super highway with breathtaking views of the pineapple plantation. Stop briefly at Subukia Rift Valley view of the Equator. Later proceed to Thompsons falls, that’s named after the father of Joseph Thompson. First European explorer to reach the majestic location, a 243 feet waterfall on the Ewaso Nyiro river in central rift valley at 7,740 feet in elevation that drains from Aberdares range. The falls water drop where one can see colobus monkey, Hyraxes and variety of bird’s species in 1883. You will a hike to the bottom and back to the viewing point above the falls. It creates a lovely backdrop for photos. After the tour at the falls, you will have a short drive Panari Resort for checking in and lunch.
Later in the afternoon, you will depart for your visit to South Marmanet forest, which forms part of the migrating route popularly known as the elephant corridor. In large numbers, elephants use this route to look for food from different parts of the extensive forest land as well as to access the farm lands neighboring the forest during the harvest season. The corridor is also important in accessing elephants’ maternity where families accompany mothers to deliver their calves and watch over them for several days before proceeding.
You thereafter visit the nearby hippo pools for a closer view of these larger mammals before embarking to your resort for a sundowner experience and dinner.
Overnight: Panari Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Full Day Spent Exploring Solio Ranch
After breakfast you will depart for Solio Ranch with packed lunch, for a full day game. The ranch is a fenced, privately owned protected area that’s geared toward rhino conservation. The 17,500-acre reserve plays a major part in the protection and breeding black rhinos in Kenya; other wildlife includes the buffalo, zebra, giraffe and plains game such as eland, Oryx, impala, waterbuck, Thompson’s gazelle and warthog. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Panari Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Boat Ride, Walking Safari in Cresent Island Game Sanctuary and Masai village visit in Masai Mara
After breakfast, you will depart for Lake Naivasha. Enjoy a walking safari to the crescent island- The park where you walk with the Animals! There is just one “Crescent Island Game Park” and it is located on Lake Naivasha, Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. There are more animals per acre than any other Kenyan park, hence many film companies have been to the island to film the herds of wildebeest, waterbuck, Zebra and Gazelle. Hippo graze all over us at night then sleep under the acacia or rest in the water by day. The giraffe who were born on the Island return to give birth; sometimes you see three generations at a time. Hyena come to hunt at night but are not resident on the island, the many pythons that live here can be seen occasionally with a kill. Groups of Buffalo come and go but they are always monitored.
You shall proceed with your journey to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to ‘The greatest wildlife spectacle on earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, have lunch enroute. Arriving at Enkorok Mara camp in the late afternoon. Enjoy a village visit to maasai community and have firsthand experience with the cultural ways of life of the maasai people get to see the Manyattas and how the homesteads are. Return back to your camp for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Enkorok Mara Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Full day Exploring Maasai Mara National Game Reserve
Enjoy a full day exploring morning safari in Masai Mara national park situated at an average altitude of 1650 m, its plains are an ideal landscape for the elegant and sprightly gazelles. Green in the rainy season, the high-growing grass is dry for the rest of the year, offering one a view of eternal Africa. Expect to spot gnu, zebra and their predators (hyena, lion, leopard, wild dog), especially during the migration period between August and September. You may opt for a full day game drive, and depart with packed lunch after having your breakfast. Alternatively, take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot Air Balloon at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Enkorok Mara Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast bid farewell to the Masai Mara as you set on your journey back to Nairobi. Drive back down the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi, passing the dormant volcano, Mount Longonot, and lakes Elementaita and Naivasha on the way. Keep an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle and head up the escarpment. You will arrive in Kenya’s bustling capital city Nairobi in the late afternoon.
Lunch is your own arrangements and spend time doing last minute shopping. Drop off airport bid farewell to your driver guide until the next time.
Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition!
Quotation includes:
- Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary.
- Transportation in a chauffeur driven in a 4×4 land cruiser with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
- All Government taxes and levies.
- Complimentary bottled drinking water per person per game drive in the safari vehicle.
- All meet and greet services.
- All arrival and departure transfers.
- 24 hours stand-by contact number.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- 6 pax guaranteed window seat in each vehicle.
- Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle.
- On safari accessories in each vehicle: – First-aid kit, wildlife books, a pair of binoculars, cool box and fire extinguisher.
- Flying doctors’ coverage, which covers you within East Africa for a period of 14 days. In the eventuality of a medical emergency, you will be airlifted to Nairobi where you will be taken to a good hospital. Hospital bills are born by the patient.
Quotation excludes:
- All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc. Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide(s). Budget approx. $ 2.00 – $ 4.00 per person per day for lodge and hotel staff, $ 1.00 per bag for porters and $ 15.00 – $ 20.00 per person per day for driver-guides).
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks,
- Any local or international flight and departure taxes.
- Laundry services.
- Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary.
- Visa fees
TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI
Our professional guides are there to assist you every step of the way. Even though there is a general outline of your safari, your guide will talk with you regarding each day’s plans. He will tell you about the country you are visiting, its history, traditions, the area you are visiting, what you see; he will take you to the loveliest places, look after any formalities or negotiations with the local people, and take care of your safety and comfort. They all are proficient in bush craft, and can also tell you about the local traditions, wildlife, identify the birds, and help you learn more about the world around you. All our guides speak English as well as their local language and some speak French and Spanish as well. Days will vary depending on your specific schedule, road conditions, and what you would like to do. A typical day may unfold like this:
You will get up before dawn when hot coffee and tea are served. The air is cold as the sun rises and shimmers on the open plains. This is the best time to see the wildlife. Your camera is ready to go and you have layered your clothing to keep you warm. Head into the bush and search for lions, elephant, giraffe and plains game. Each turn will offer something unique – a lioness and her cubs, a herd of elephant moving to a waterhole, a cheetah stalking a gazelle. Your morning game drive lasts about two hours, depending on what you see. Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast there is time to relax from being up at sunrise or now is the time to participate in any additional activities that the lodge may offer – such as walks, village visits, or bike rides.
Lunch is usually served in camp/lodge, unless you are out for a full day’s game drive, when they will have a picnic lunch. You will head out again in the afternoon; searching for the special species that may have eluded you. As the sun sets, return to camp for a hot shower. Then indulge in a delicious dinner and after dinner drinks in the lounge. There may also be a chance to sit around the campfire exchanging tales of the bush. Everyone retires early with great anticipation of the next day’s adventure!
When you are out on safari your schedule is flexible at most locations; however, some locations have set times for game drives or walks. You can always talk with the hosts of the camps/lodge to adjust schedules and they will try to accommodate you. The restriction will be to stay within park rules and travel times required to get you to your destination. Your guides will always give their recommendations but are there to listen to your needs.