8 Day Essence of East Africa

Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya

Upon your arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to your accommodation. Please ensure you have all the necessary visas for your trip. There will be a welcome tonight where you will get the opportunity to meet your group and tour guides. If you arrive early, you are free to explore the city as you please, returning to the accommodation in time for the welcome meeting.

This trip is action packed with long travelling times to 3 different wildlife parks over the 8 days. Please be prepared for the authentic, ‘off the beaten track’ journey on some bumpy Kenyan roads.

You will have the pleasure of travelling in a small group allowing everyone a window seat and the opportunity to engage with your trained safari guides.

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel (or similar)
Meals: No meals are included today, you are welcome to dine at your own pleasure (budget 100-130 USD for meals not included)

Day 2: Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

After a delicious breakfast this morning we travel to the vast open plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This area is filled with flat-topped acacia tress and is a natural highlight of Kenya. Upon our arrival in the afternoon, we get settled in at our tented safari camp after which we embark on our first wildlife safari drive in the park.

Here you can expect to have an amazing wildlife viewing experience, spotting the likes of ‘the Big 5’, buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. The Masai Mara is a top safari destination as it boasts an abundance of wildlife, most notoriously during the annual wildebeest migration.

Accommodation: Fig Tree Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive
Distance: 386 km (7 hours travelling time)

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We change our route and travel from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park travelling for 3 – 4 hours. The included highlight is a Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive. Accommodation will be at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

With an early start to the morning we embark on another game drive in the park. Enjoy the variety of game viewing today as we cross the vast plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve. We enjoy another safari drive in the late afternoon/evening to catch the beautiful African sunset over the savannah. Enjoy some free time this evening relaxing back at camp whilst enjoying the breath-taking views of the Masai Mara.

Toady you have the option to partake in a balloon safari at dawn, flying over the plains and ending with a champagne breakfast on solid ground.

Accommodation: Fig Tree Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Drives
Optional Activity: Masai Mara Balloon Safari (5803 ZAR)

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We spend the day in Lake Nakuru National Park enjoying morning and afternoon wildlife safari drives. We learn more about elephant conservation on this day at a Kenya Wildlife Service Conservation Talk. Accommodation will be at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 4: Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

We leave behind the magical Mara and make our way to Lake Nakuru National park today. On our way, we stop at Café Ubuntu and Ubuntu Made – a project that supports local women and community development. We enjoy a guided tour of the centre and enjoy a memorable Farm-to-table lunch experience.

After lunch, we continue to our lodge inside Lake Nakuru National Park where we set off on a late afternoon game drive. Be sure to look out for animals such as the rare black rhino, buffalo, impala and the elusive leopard. On the shores of Lake Nakuru you will see pelicans and cormorants along with many other bird species.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Guided tour of Café Ubuntu and Ubuntu Made, Organic farm-to-table lunch, Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive
Distance: 330 km (8 – 9 hours travelling time and 1 – 2 hours game drive)

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We make our way from Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Navisha travelling for 2 – 3 hours. The included highlights on this day is a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha and a Crescent Island Safari Walk. Accommodation will be at Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park – Amboseli National Park, Kenya

We enjoy our last safari drive in the park this morning before travelling south to Amboseli National Park, set at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The towering peak sets the scene and provides the ultimate photo opportunity.

Accommodation: Kilima Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive
Distance: 2 hour safari drive

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We drive from Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara travelling for 5 – 6 hours. The included highlight is an afternoon Masai Mara Safari Drive. Accommodation will be at the Fig Tree Camp.

Day 6: Amboseli National Park, Kenya

We dedicate majority of this day to spectacular game drives. We embark on both morning and afternoon wildlife safari drives to fully explore the wildlife this park has to offer. Learn more about elephant conservation and poaching during an informative lecture given by a qualified speaker from the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Amboseli serves up a dramatic highlight, wide open with Mt Kilimanjaro in it’s mists, while thousands of elephants roam the Savannah. Enjoy a bit of free time viewing wildlife that frequent the watering holes back at camp and marvel at the views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation: Kilima Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Amboseli Wildlife Safari Drives, Kenya Wildlife Service Amboseli Talk

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We spend this day in the Masai Mara enjoying safari drives throughout the day. There is an optional Masai Mara Balloon Safari available for booking. Accommodation will be at the Fig Tree Camp.

Day 7: Amboseli National Park – Nairobi, Kenya

An early start to the day allows us to embark on a spectacular morning game drive enjoying the beautiful African sunrise as it emerges over the Amboseli savannah. Spend your morning with some of the 1500 elephants that call this park home and encounter the Maasai along the way. After our game drive we travel back to Nairobi arriving in the late afternoon. There is an optional farewell dinner tonight with your group and tour guide.

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Amboseli Wildlife Safari Drive
Optional Activity: Farewell Dinner
Distance: 235 km (4 – 5 hours travelling time)

Itinerary Change from 1 June 2020: We leave the Masai Mara and make our way to Nairobi, travelling for 6 – 7 hours. The included highlights are a morning wildlife safari drive in the Masai Mara, a guided tour of Cafe Ubuntu and Ubuntu Made and a farm-to-table lunch at Cafe Ubuntu.

Day 8: Nairobi, Kenya

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Feel free to depart at any time. If you are not ready to leave and would like to explore some more, feel free to ask your tour guide for help with ideas to extend the adventure.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: The Carnivore Restaurant (51 – 82 USD), Karen Blixen Museum (34 – 73 USD), David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Visit (26 – 65 USD), Railway Museum (6 USD), Bomas of Kenya Tour (26 – 65 USD), National Museum (21 – 33 USD)

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.