Enchanting Kenya
Trip Details
Nairobi | Shaba Game Reserve | Aberdares | Lake Nakuru | Maasai Mara
- Summary
- Itinerary
- Pricing
- Options & Add-ons
2027 Departures Now Available: 12 Day Safari includes a 2nd night in Nairobi with half-day City Tour.
Discover
- The unique setting and story of The Ark Lodge in Aberdare National Park.
Explore
- Kenya in a specially designed 4x4 safari vehicle.
- Lake Nakuru, home to both black and white rhinos.
- The plains of the Maasai Mara where vast herds of animals roam free.
Experience
- Wildlife viewing on game drives during the day.
- The landscapes and variety of wildlife of the Samburu Region.
Choice
At additional cost:
- Enjoy incredible views from a hot air balloon over the Mara.
Day 1 - Depart USA
Depart on your Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi.
Day 2 - Arrive Nairobi
On arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by a Lion World Travel Representative and transferred to Sarova Panafric Hotel just 10 miles from the airport, in beautifully landscaped gardens.
Dinner at the hotel tonight.
Accommodation: Sarova Panafric – Deluxe Room (D)
Day 3 - Shaba/Samburu/Buffalo Eco-System
Drive to the Shaba Game Reserve set in the semi-arid northern region of Kenya, arriving in time for lunch, at the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge. The entire Samburu region is a place of breathtaking beauty.
Later head out for a game drive to find numerous endemic northern species, including the Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Grevy’s Zebra. Leopards are often seen at dusk.
Accommodation: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge - Standard Room (B, L, D)
2027 Day 3- Nairobi Half-Day City Tour
The itinerary then continues to Shaba Game Reserve for Day 4.
Accommodation: Sarova Panafric – Deluxe Room (L, D)
Day 4 - Shaba/Samburu/Buffalo Eco-System
Morning and afternoon game viewing in both the Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves.
The Ewaso Nyiro River draws wildlife in great numbers to its banks. The eco-system is visited by large herds of elephants. In the dry season, the elephants use their tusks to dig deep into the dry riverbeds, unearthing precious water.
Accommodation: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge - Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Aberdares
Drive to the Aberdare National Park, and the Aberdare Country Club arriving in time for lunch. Later drive to The Ark located inside the thick rain forest of the Aberdares. Spend the afternoon and the night viewing game from the lodge. The floodlit waterhole draws for a wide variety of wildlife species who come to drink, bathe or lick salt. The lodge is designed with numerous balconies and lounges that provide superb vantage points for game viewing. So that you don’t miss any animal sightings, the night guard will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole.
Optional Activity: Aberdare National Park Guided Nature Walk, at an additional cost.
Accommodation: The Ark – Classic Cabin (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Lake Nakuru
Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, with a stop at Thompson’s Falls for a breathtaking view of the great scenery. Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge where you will have lunch.
Depart on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Some of the interesting places to visit include the baboon cliff, the lion hill and the Mau escarpment.
The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffe, the black and white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impala, elusive leopard and over 300 bird species.
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge - Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Maasai Mara
Drive to the Maasai Mara National Reserve with its spectacular scenery and multitude of game. Arrive at Sarova Mara Game Camp in time for lunch.
The camp offers spacious luxurious tents constructed of canvas with large “windows”, wooden flooring, and a permanent roof. All have en-suite bathrooms and are equipped with a fully stocked mini bar. Large wooden decks offer a place to relax outside your own tent to enjoy a wonderful view.
Depart on a game drive in the Mara, home to the black maned lion, savannah elephant, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, elusive leopard, cheetah, spotted and striped hyena. The Mara game never disappoints.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp - Deluxe Tent (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Maasai Mara
Spend the day on safari, on morning and afternoon game drives in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena. The Maasai Mara National Reserve offers panoramas of rolling plains, hills and woodland groves, watered by the Mara River. The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in Kenya, particularly the superb black maned males. These magnificent predators spend most of the day sleeping in the shade of Acacia Trees.
The open savannah is host to the plains’ game as well as cheetah, hippo, hartebeest, gazelle, topi, antelope, zebra and many other animals.
Optional Activity: A Balloon Safari, at an additional cost.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp - Deluxe Tent (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Maasai Mara
Enjoy another early game drive followed by breakfast at the camp. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing. After lunch set off on an afternoon game drive. Return to the camp in the early evening.
Optional Activity: Breakfast in the bush, at an additional cost.
h4>Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp - Deluxe Tent (B, L, D)Day 10 - Maasai Mara/Depart
After breakfast depart the Maasai Mara and drive to Nairobi, Kenya's colorful capital city, the birthplace of safari and the only place in the world where you will find herds of zebra and giraffe, prides of lion and rhino families living in the wild just 20 minutes from a major city center!
Transfer to the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, where you have the use of a dayroom. Lunch is at an extra charge.
Later you will be transferred to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your scheduled flight back to New York. (B)
Day 11 - Arrive USA
Return home with a lifetime of memories!
Add-Ons
Gorilla Trekking
We suggest you enhance this once in a lifetime trip with a moving and poignant visit with endangered Mountain Gorillas. A 4-night extension to Rwanda to participate in gorilla trekking is highly recommended. See our Gorillas of Rwanda itinerary for more details.
Azure Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the perfect post-safari beach destination, with its white sandy beaches, azure waters and alluring culture. Check out our Azure Zanzibar itinerary or speak to one of our Africa Specialists for more information.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Hot Air Balloon
Enhance your safari with a peaceful and scenic view over the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon at US$500.
Includes Air
Prices are in US Dollars and are per person based on double occupancy accommodations and include fuel surcharges, Government taxes, departure fees and September 11th Security Fee. Based on a minimum of 4 passengers to operate.
No Single Supplement on specific departures based on limited availability. Ask a Safari Specialist for details.
| Travel Dates | Selling Price |
|---|---|
| April 19 | ON REQUEST |
| May 3 | ON REQUEST |
| May 17 | ON REQUEST |
| May 31 | ON REQUEST |
| June 21 | SOLD OUT |
| July 12 | $6999 |
| July 26 | SOLD OUT |
| August 2 | $6999 |
| August 16 | Limited Availability |
| September 13 | SOLD OUT |
| September 27 | Limited Availability |
| October 11 | $5699 |
| October 25 | $5699 |
| November 1 | $5599 |
| November 15 | $5599 |
| December 13 | $6299 |
| December 20 | $6599 |
| Travel Dates | Selling Price |
|---|---|
| January 4 | $6345 |
| January 11 | $6345 |
| January 18 | $6345 |
| February 1 | $6345 |
| February 8 | $6345 |
| February 15 | $6345 |
| March 1 | $6345 |
| March 15 | $6145 |
| March 29 | $6145 |
| April 5 | $6045 |
| April 12 | $6045 |
| April 19 | $6045 |
| May 3 | $6045 |
| May 10 | $6045 |
| May 17 | $6145 |
| May 24 | $6145 |
| May 31 | $6245 |
| June 7 | $7045 |
| June 14 | $7345 |
| June 21 | $7345 |
| June 28 | $8045 |
| July 5 | $8045 |
| July 12 | $8045 |
| July 19 | $8045 |
| July 23 | $8045 |
| July 25 | $8045 |
| July 30 | $8045 |
| August 7 | $8045 |
| August 9 | $8045 |
| August 16 | $7545 |
| August 23 | $7545 |
| August 27 | $7545 |
| August 30 | $7545 |
| September 3 | $7545 |
| September 6 | $7345 |
| September 13 | $7245 |
| September 17 | $7245 |
| September 20 | $7245 |
| September 27 | $6845 |
| October 4 | $6845 |
| October 11 | $6845 |
| October 15 | $6845 |
| October 18 | $6845 |
| October 25 | $6645 |
| November 1 | $6645 |
| November 8 | $6645 |
| November 15 | $6645 |
| November 22 | $6645 |
| November 29 | $6645 |
| December 6 | $6845 |
| December 10 | $6845 |
| December 13 | $7345 |
| December 20 | $7945 |
| December 27 | $7945 |
Inclusions:
- International, roundtrip flights on Kenya Airways from New York (JFK) to Nairobi (NBO)
- Return airport transfers
- Transport in a custom designed 4x4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking Driver-Guide
- All game drives
- Park entrance fees
- Unlimited supply of bottled water with refillable bottles
- AMREF Flying Doctors cover
- Lion World Travel Representative meet and greet upon arrival
Exclusions:
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone bills, etc.
- PCR tests
- Drinks, dining room tips, porterage
- Any item not specified above
- Costs of obtaining passports and/or visas
- Gratuities/Tips for Driver-Guides
- Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Medical Insurance is required for the entire duration of your travels – please note that insurance for this trip is a mandatory requirement from suppliers in Africa – proof of insurance must be provided before bookings are confirmed. It is your personal responsibility to ensure you have enough travel insurance coverage from the provider of your choice. Please let your Africa Specialist know if you would like information on this.
Baggage
Click here for airline baggage restrictions
Baggage allowance: Baggage is restricted to 15kg/33lb per person including hand luggage (this includes camera equipment) on safari vehicles as well as on any domestic flights, as space is limited. Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles and on aircraft used within East Africa. Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24" x 17"x 7" are impossible to store in vehicles and on aircraft and should not be used. (Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance for members is strongly recommended).
Suggested Itinerary
"Kenya is home to all of the famous wildlife you see on TV and in movies, plus many special species that can only be found in Northern Kenya. The Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Somali ostrich are among the unique wildlife you can only see on a safari that visits this part of Africa. Kenya has such diversity, and this safari delivers one of the best experiences for photographers and wildlife lovers."
- Jean Kadenhe, Africa Specialist
