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Kenya
wildlife and culture safari
for 10 days
DAY 1 NAIROBI
Transfer from Nairobi
airport to the Nairobi hotel for overnight BB
DAY 2 THE HIGHLANDS B,L,D
Depart on safari after breakfast. Leave Nairobi, heading north through
a patchwork of coffee plantations and small farms towards Mount Kenya
and the highlands. Gaining altitude, the scenery becomes more lush, the
air cooler and the roadside becomes a fascinating ribbon of small shops
and stallholders. Stop en route at the colourful Karatina market where
fruit, vegetables, clothing and household goods are sold or bartered.
Continue deep into the forests of Mount Kenya for overnight at Mountain
Lodge. Safe in the comfort of the lodge, guests can observe the animals
gathering to drink at the floodlit waterhole until well into the night.
With luck, it may be possible to see elephant and rhino vying for the
same salt deposit, while buffalo, water buck, warthog, bush buck, dik-dik
and perhaps the rare kudu wait their turn.Dinner
and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge
DAY
3 LAKE BARINGO B,L,D
As the road leads away from Mount Kenya, cross the Equator line where
a demonstration will be given to show how water drains from a bath in
clockwise or anti-clockwise direction North or South of the Equator. Descend
from the lush highlands into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic
landscapes before continuing to lake Baringo. Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon
visit to a local school (no fees are charged, just donate a few pens,
pencils, books etc). Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Club.
DAY 4 LAKE BARINGO B,L,D
A morning excursion by boat to Ol Kokwe island in the centre of Lake Baringo.
This is home to the small Njemps tribe who still live by fishing from
their primitive reed boats, just as they have done for many hundreds of
years. Despite their life-style, the Njemps have a very good school on
the island and speak good English. It is be possible to meet and talk
to them about their way of life. Lunch at the lodge and afternoon at leisure
to relax by the pool or enjoy a guided bird walk in the beautiful gardens
beside the lake. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Club.
DAY 5 KERICHO B,L,D
From Baringo, a morning drive via Kabarnet and Eldama Ravine to Kericho,
passing through unspoilt villages and stunningly beautiful scenery. The
highlight is a stop at the aptly named "World's End", one of
the most dramatic escarpments in the world where the land rolls away thousands
of metres into the Rift Valley and the views stretch back to Lake Bogoria
and beyond. Kericho is tea growing country, very fertile and at high altitude.
Lunch at the Tea Hotel followed by a visit to one of the tea plantations
where a guided tour of the tea processing factory will be given. It may
also be possible to join a local family for "Chai" (tea).Dinner
and overnight at the Tea Hotel.
DAY
6 KISII and MASAI MARA B,L,D
A short drive through the rich and fertile countryside to Kisii, home
of the equally fertile Abagusii people (they have one of the highest birth
rates in the world). Perhaps this explains why they are great athletes
who have won honours in the World and Olympic games! The Abagusii are
also an artistic and enterprising tribe whose famous Kisii soapstone carvings
are renowned throughout the world. A visit to the soapstone quarries will
provide plenty of opportunity to browse and negotiate with the carvers
for one of these finely decorated souvenirs. After lunch, leave the banana
plantations behind and head for the rolling hills of Masai Mara, Kenya's
finest game reserve. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena lodge, situated
in the heart of the park.
DAY
7 MASAI MARA B,L,D
A full day game viewing in the Mara, Kenya's finest wildlife reserve.
Elephant and buffalo abound in the riverine forests, while out on the
grasslands Impala and Thompson's gazelle can be seen together with their
attendant predators including lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal. The Mara
is the northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem and plays host to
the vast herds of wildebeeste and zebra during the months of July to October.
In addition, lesser known species such as topi, hartebeest, waterbuck
eland and many small mammals create a kaleidoscopic picture. Between game
drives, it is possible to visit a Masai "manyatta" (village).
The Masai are a fiercely proud tribe who maintain their nomadic way of
life. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena lodge
DAY
8 LAKE NAIVASHA B,L,D
A morning drive back into the Rift Valley, passing the dormant volcano
of Longonot and on to Lake Naivasha. Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon visit
to a flower farm or a vineyard with wine tasting. Naivasha has a thriving
agro-industry and during the European winter more than a million stems
a night are sent by air to Europe. The wine is palatable but not of the
same quality as South African, but they are working on it!
Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Country Club.
DAY
9 NAIROBI B,L,D
An early breakfast and boat trip to Crescent Island bird sanctuary. Afterwards,
ascend the spectacular Rift Valley escarpment to the Nairobi suburb of
Limuru. Lunch at the old colonial style Kentmere Club. Afternoon visit
to a Kiambu coffee plantation and a short talk about the coffee making
process. The Kenyan Arabica coffee is considered the best in the world
due to the perfect combination of sun and rain in this part of the country.
Continue to Nairobi for a farewell dinner at Rangers Restaurant. Overnight
at the Nairobi Serena Hotel.
DAY
10 DEPART
A morning visit to the city fruit, vegetable and curio market, the Nairobi
museum and the snake park. Lunch at clients own expense. The afternoon
is left free for shopping or clients individual projects (such as visiting
a sponsored child etcor childrens home).
Evening transfer to the airport for departure.
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