Category Archives: Featured

DAY 1: 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: Sarova Panafric

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 2: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

After breakfast and a short briefing by your driver guide, drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to ‘the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest.  Arrive in time for lunch at your camp.

Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya’s most popular reserve. Arrive back in camp in time for campfire cocktails and dinner.

Overnight: Sentrim Mara Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 3 : MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Your day will be spent on safari in Africa’s richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya’s largest lion prides and elephant herds. Other predators include leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena; while in the Mara River you will see fat pods of hippo and vast Nile crocodiles.

Other highlights include giraffe tops, gazelle, zebra, buffalo and over 550 species of birds.

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. Alternatively visit a Masai village and get learn the Masai culture at an extra cost.

Overnight: Sentrim Mara Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4: LAKE NAIVASHA

After your breakfast, you will depart for Lake Naivasha to arrive in time for check in and late lunch followed by relaxation at your camp.

This afternoon at an extra cost enjoy an optional boat ride 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.

They are not fenced in, which allows the wildlife on the mainland to come in as they lose their habitat to development and the ever-increasing population. 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.

From the top of the hill there is a 360-degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares.  Walking along the ridge in the golden hour before sunset whilst watching the animals grazing with the water shimmering beyond is what Africa is all about. Take a boat back to the lodge.

Overnight: Sentrim Elementaita

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5 : AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

This morning you will drive to Amboseli National Park which is famous for its large elephant population roaming across the vast grassy plains, the big five, and the majestic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa among other species of flora and fauna.

Arrive at Amboseli in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game viewing drive in the park.

You drive through across this vast lake bed, often dry but swampy in some areas. We have a lot of game here like cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, gazelles and herds of elephants all set against the amazing back drop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro showing all its glory.

If you wish, for a nominal fee, you can also visit a Masai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life and see their colorful culture.

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6 & 7 : TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK

Drive to Tsavo West National Park arriving in time for lunch, at just over 8,000 square miles; Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Because of its size the park was split into two, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, for easy administration. Located midway between Nairobi and the coast, the area boasts volcanic hills, four rivers, more than 60 major mammal species and 1,000 plant species. The northern part of Tsavo West is the most developed and has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape carpeted in long grass and dense bush.

Although the tall vegetation makes game spotting trickier than in some of the other parks, Tsavo West’s bio-diversity is amazing. The landscape is a mixture of grassland and forest shrub vegetation. Thus driving and exploring the vegetation almost assures you close encounters with the following animals: lions, leopard, cheetah, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, kongoni, waterbuck, klipspringer, impala, gazelles, buffalos, and elephants. Apart from Tsavo’s elephant population there are many lion –some undoubtedly the descendants of the infamous and feared “Man-eaters of Tsavo” popularized in the film Ghost in the Darkness.  In addition to lion the resident carnivores in Tsavo include serval, hyena, leopard, cheetah, and caracal. The landscape is dominated, especially off the hills, by the giant baobab, a tree which is reputed to live 1,000 years.

Tsavo West is famous for the Mzima Springs. This star attraction is a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos where a gushing supply of fresh, crystal clear water has created an oasis for wildlife. A specially constructed underwater observatory provides visitors with a unique view into the underwater world of Mzima. The water catchment is divided into two pools; here you can view hippos and crocodiles. The upper pool is occupied by the hippos and lower pool by the crocodiles.  In your stay you will also visit the rhino sanctuary in Ngulia where most of Tsavo’s surviving rhino, plus a number of re-located animals, have been moved and where a meter-high electric fence surrounds an area of 70 sq km now designated an official sanctuary for approximately 40 rhinos. The Sanctuary also offers shelter to a broad range of other threatened wildlife to include cheetahs and leopards and the rare frog (Afrixalus pygmaeus septentrionalis).

Overnight: Severine Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8, 9 & 10 : DIANI BEACH

Today marks the end of your bush expedition. Have breakfast at your lodge after which you will check out. Your driver guide will meet you at the lobby and after packing all your bags in the customized safari minibus, depart Tsavo West with a game enroute. You will then rejoin with the Nairobi – Mombasa highway and head for Diani Beach. Arrive at Papillon Lagoon Reef your home for the next four days. You will spend your days relaxing at Diani! Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel, ideally situated at the beautiful Diani beach. The resort offers an outdoor pool, a beach bar and a restaurant with a terrace. All these facilities offer views of the Indian Ocean. The property is decorated in a traditional Swahili style. Guest can practice diving, tennis and exercise in the gym. The rooms have air conditioning and a balcony or patio overlooking the gardens or the ocean. All have a private bathroom with a hairdryer and some have satellite TV. The buffet-style Baobab restaurant has a thatched roof and serves Kenyan and international dishes. The bistro-style restaurant is located next to the pool and serves breakfast and lunch, as well as grilled dishes. There is a bar inside the pool and drinks can be served in the room.
The property organizes evening entertainment shows and offers massages, games room and table tennis. There is also an indoor play area for the little ones. Guests can go deep sea fishing.
Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Diani shops. Mombasa is 38 km away and Mombasa Airport is around 1 hour and 15 minutes away by car.

Overnight: Papillon Lagoon Reef

Meal Plan: All Inclusive

DAY 11: DIANI BEACH

After breakfast, have your morning at leisure. Transfer to Mombasa Terminus to board your train back to nairobi. You will be met by our customer representative upon arrival in Nairobi, who will drop you off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight back home. END OF OUR SERVICES.

Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition!

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.