Grand Safari Tour of Kenya

 Your East African safari adventure begins today in Nairobi. As your plane touches down, an included private transfer takes you from the airport to our hotel, which is located in the city's popular Westlands district. After checking into the hotel for the night, you are free to get your bearings in this unique corner of the world.

While Kenya has a staggering number of national parks and reserves - each dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat - the capital city is bustling with modern, man-made life. Nairobi has a rich culture and history, which you can explore while sightseeing nearby or discovering the local restaurants. Alternatively, you might like to relax or soak up the amenities of our five-star hotel after a long day of travel. Overnight Nairobi.

 Meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers this morning, and after breakfast, we are transferred by a private safari vehicle to the Aberdare National Park in Kenya's Central Highlands. Known for its wildlife, misty forests, river valleys and cooler climates, Aberdare is one of Kenya's most popular national parks. We arrive here in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club.  

Later, we transfer by private vehicle to our accommodation, the Treetops Lodge, a legendary lodge where England's Princess Elizabeth was staying the night she became queen. In addition to this vast history, the lodge has a spectacular viewing deck on the top floor and observation lounges from which to watch animals as they gather by the nearby watering hole and natural salt lick. Take some time to get settled in and enjoy these views before having dinner at the lodge this evening. Overnight Nyeri.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Our journey continues north after breakfast, setting the stage for our first wildlife safari. En route, if cloud coverage allows, there may be an opportunity to view Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa. We cross the equator as we travel into the arid landscape of the tranquil Samburu National Reserve and make our way to the Samburu Simba Lodge, where we stay for two nights. After checking in, we sit down to lunch together and then have some free time to relax amidst our new surroundings.

  We have our first drive into Samburu this afternoon, returning to the lodge before sunset for dinner. Our lodge has a magnificent outlook over the Buffalo Springs and Uaso Nyiro River, and the guest rooms provide fantastic views across the savannah, where elephants and rare wildlife graze. Overnight Samburu National Reserve.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day in this exceptional reserve begins with an early morning safari into the park, followed by breakfast at the lodge. The rest of the morning is at leisure to relax by the pool or enjoy the views from the terrace or balcony of your room overlooking the plains. After having lunch at the lodge, you can continue your day at your preferred pace until late afternoon.

Later in the day, a second safari into Samburu gives us another chance to spot some of the unique wildlife. In particular, we can look out for the Samburu "Special Five" animals: the Grévy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk (also known as a giraffe gazelle) and the beisa oryx, all of which are mostly spotted in Samburu and northern Kenya. The most common mammals we are likely to see are elephants, present in large numbers across the reserve.    

As our afternoon drive concludes, we return to the lodge in time for dinner. Overnight Samburu National Reserve.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After breakfast at the lodge this morning, we drive south to the thundering Nyahururu Falls, an impressive 230 feet of cascading water emerging from a lush green forest. We have a chance to soak in its majesty before we travel onward to Lake Naivasha, the highest lake in the Great Rift Valley. Famous for its dense population of hippos, at times, the lake turns a magnificent shade of pink as an abundance of flamingos congregate in its waters.    

On arrival at our Lake Naivasha hotel, we check in for the first of two nights, then the rest of your day is free until dinner this evening. You may like to relax by the pool or take a stroll around the expansive grounds, where you may be able to get a better look at wandering giraffes or grazing hippos. Overnight Naivasha.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we experience the stunning scenery of Kenya's Great Rift Valley on a half-day wildlife drive at Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is a protected area for both black and white rhinos and the Rothschild's giraffe. It is also possible to spot hyenas or an elusive leopard here. Besides a large population of flamingos, the birdlife here includes African fish eagles, hoopoes, pelicans and other migratory bird species.   

After having lunch in the park, we enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, where we may spot wildlife on the shore. Bird species to look out for as we cruise include pied kingfishers, spoonbills and white-breasted cormorants. We return to the lodge for dinner after today's adventures and settle in for our final night in these beautiful surroundings. Overnight Naivasha.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 One of the highlights of your Kenyan vacation awaits today as we head to the renowned Maasai Mara, a diverse ecosystem of tropical grassland, acacia trees and patches of forest. This reserve is an incredible destination for wildlife viewing most of the year, whether a pride of lions stalking the savannah, a cheetah racing after its prey or enormous crocodiles wading in the Mara River.    

Named after the Indigenous Maasai people, the "Mara" is one of the world's most popular game reserves, renowned for its outstanding wildlife conservation and its annual wildebeest, antelope, and zebra migration across the vast Serengeti plains. We arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch and free time at Mara Maisha Camp.   

Afterward, we set out on an afternoon safari until dusk - the ideal time to spot wildlife as the sun drops toward the horizon. Home to Africa's "Big Five," the protected lands provide a natural haven for herds of buffalo, zebras, lounging cheetahs and so many other species. We return to our lodge for dinner this evening. Overnight Maasai Mara.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 The Maasai are semi-nomadic people and one of the most recognizable tribes of east Africa, known for their red "shukas" (woven cotton body wrappings) and elaborately beaded necklaces, their proud warrior heritage, and their tribal tradition of singing and dancing. Today, we meet with the village elder and members of the tribe on a visit to a traditional Maasai village.  

  We spend time in their circular village of mud and grass huts, known as a boma, hearing about the Maasai's deep connection to their land and cattle, a symbol of wealth and cultural identity. Meeting with village residents, we learn about their craftsmanship, culture and heritage.  

  A coach transfer takes us back to our hotel for lunch and a bit of free time to relax, and then later in the day, we take an afternoon safari. Our local guide leads us to the places that offer the best chance to see the abundant wildlife within Maasai Mara. We return to our lodge in time for dinner. Overnight Maasai Mara.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 On our third day in this vast national park, you can opt to take a morning and afternoon safari into the reserve, traveling in a 4×4 vehicle and keeping an eye out for herds of elephants, big cats and hyenas. Between wildlife drives at Mara Maisha Camp, you could have lunch at the lodge or relax by the swimming pool with a refreshing drink, soaking up the amazing views across the savannah.

Alternatively, you could continue to explore the extensive plains in search of the "Big Five" on a full-day safari in the park. A picnic lunch will be provided by the lodge before heading out to view wildlife in the Mara's vast savannah. Expert guides lead the way, presenting the best bird and animal-viewing opportunities throughout the safari. You are returned to the lodge later in the day, arriving in time for dinner. Overnight Maasai Mara.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Returning to Nairobi, we stop at the Oloolua Forest for lunch and to hear stories about the forest folk. Here, we take a short walk beneath the canopy of the Oloolua Forest, a dry tropical forest that once covered most of this part of Nairobi. During Kenya's war for independence, this was a hiding place for Mau Mau freedom fighters, but today, the forest provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city.    

As you reach a clearing, the forest's birdsong is replaced by the sound of drums and a traditional song of welcome. Here, a storyteller appears, whose tales seem to weave a spell, pulling you into the magic of stories passed down through generations, including those of great warriors and tricky tortoises. After listening to the folk tales, we have lunch.    

Next, we visit the Giraffe Centre, established in 1983 as a sanctuary for the then endangered Rothschild's giraffe. There is an opportunity to learn more about giraffes and hand-feed them while watching the semi-tame family of warthogs snuffle about. We overnight in Nairobi and dine at the famous Carnivore restaurant this evening. Overnight Nairobi.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We start our journey eastward today as we travel to Amboseli National Park. As we approach the park - and if the skies are clear - we will be rewarded with views of the legendary Mount Kilimanjaro. We arrive at Ol Tukai Lodge, where we check in for two nights and enjoy lunch. 

Our home for the next two nights is located in Amboseli National Park and is situated at the foot of Africa's highest mountain. Amboseli is famous for its large population of big-tusked elephants, and we enjoy excellent views of them and the peak at our lodge. The name Amboseli means "salty dust" in the Maasai language, and it is typical to see elephants wallowing in the dry white earth here.  

This afternoon, we head out for our first drive in the national park in search of the animals and birdlife and then return to the lodge in time for dinner. Overnight Amboseli.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We depart the lodge after breakfast for a full-day safari, viewing wildlife in the Amboseli National Park. Setting out into the wilderness with a picnic lunch, we can make the most of our time searching the wetlands, swamps and wide-open plains. Diverse animal families call this park home, giving us plenty to see as we explore. There's a chance to spot the tallest land mammal, the Maasai giraffe, as well as lions, cheetahs and leopards. And with a glorious backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, the scenery is just as incredible as the wildlife.

If you instead prefer a day to relax, you could look out over animals from the lodge while enjoying its amenities. As the sun sets on the horizon and Kenya's skies begin to darken, we return to our lodge for dinner, which can be enjoyed under the night sky if you wish. Overnight Amboseli.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we set off for Tsavo West National Park, where the scenery becomes more dramatic with denser and taller vegetation. On our way to the reserve, we stop at a rhino sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts here and how the numbers of rhinoceros are steadily increasing thanks to the sanctuary's important work.  

  Next, we continue to Mzima Springs, a green oasis within the national park, home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. Lunch will be provided at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge before an afternoon safari in the national park, where our guide will help you spot leopards, buffalo, elephants, hippos, zebras, monkeys, birdlife and hopefully many other species.   

Later, we are transferred to Salt Lick Safari Lodge, a luxury lodge overlooking a waterhole and the Tsavo plains. We arrive in time for dinner this evening. Overnight Tsavo.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We awaken in the beautiful Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Once used as a game hunting ground, the sanctuary was established in 1970 to allow conservation and promote wildlife viewing across the mountainous landscapes.   

We set out on our first wildlife drive of the day this morning, with bird watching as a real highlight in this area, where 350 bird species make their home. Three species are endemic to Taita itself - the Taita thrush, Taita apalis (one of the rarest birds in the world) and Taita white eye. Taita Hills is also home to a unique museum that outlines World War One in East Africa, with artifacts and archival photos on display.    

After lunch at the lodge, we take an afternoon drive into the wildlife sanctuary, hoping to spot some of the 56 mammal species that reside here, including buffalo, giraffes, eland, kudu, zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck and Grant gazelle. As our safari concludes, we return to our resort hotel for our final dinner in Africa. Overnight Tsavo.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After an early breakfast, we transfer to Voi station to board Kenya's only standard-gauge railway, the Madaraka Express.  

  Experience Kenya's landscapes from a different viewpoint as we travel westward in First Class carriages, venturing through Tsavo East National Park with a chance to spot wildlife from our seats. The railway is elevated in areas along the route to allow for the natural movement of animals, and we pass small towns and villages before arriving in Nairobi.    

In Nairobi, we are transferred by coach to the Hilton Garden Inn. Here, we are allocated dayrooms to freshen up and relax before starting our return journey home. Later, an included transfer takes us to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you are free to continue your onward travels home.

• Breakfast