Kenya Highlights: Aberdare to Amboseli & Masai Mara 13 Nights 14 Days

DAY 01: JKIA – ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE-ABERDARE

On this day, you will be met and assisted by our representatives upon arrival at JKIA airport. You will be led to the awaiting vehicle and assisted with your luggage as well. Later visit The Elephant orphanage which is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport for the 11a.m viewing. The orphanage takes care of young, orphaned elephants until they are old enough to be reintegrated into the wild Later visit Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens for a refreshing lunch.

Afterwards, drive from Nairobi to Aberdare a drive of approx. 3.5hrs. Check in at the hotel/Lodge for dinner & overnight at Aberdare National Park.

DAY 02: ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

Wake up in time for breakfast then depart for a full day game drive with packed lunch. Brace yourselves for breathtaking scenery of the Aberdares’ waterfalls and highlands. Elephants’ rhinos, leopards, monkeys, buffaloes, zebras, and bushbucks are part of the numerous wildlife you expect to see. There are over 50 wildlife species to glance. A captivating scenery to obsess over, the Chania and Karuru waterfalls just to mention. A colorful vibrance of over 250 bird species for birders to spot are also present at the park. The game drives continue until lunchtime when you have it in the middle of the park. You then continue with the game drive after lunch. While you’ll still spot generous amounts, high temperatures make wildlife harder to spot in the afternoons. This is your time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that the Aberdare provide. Dinner & overnight at Aberdare National Park.

DAY 03: ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK – SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Wake up early for a morning game drive from 0600 hours. Most animals are active in the morning before the blazing sun scotches the park therefore lots of wildlife sightings are guaranteed. Return back to the lodge for breakfast and check out before heading north towards Samburu National Reserve. Enjoy a scenic drive across the Kenyan highlands onwards towards the Kenyan wilderness and be a witness to the breath-taking African landscape. The distance between the Ark and Samburu is approximately 200km and takes about 3 hours to get there. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and freshening up. You will later depart for a private game drive at 0345hrs and be back at the lodge by 0700hrs for dinner and overnight at Samburu National Reserve.

DAY 04 & 05: FULL DAYS SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

On this day, you will depart the lodge by 0600hrs for an early morning game drive. Samburu National Reserve lies to the north of the equator making it home to the special five; Beiser Oryx, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Generuk Antelope and the endangered Grevy’s zebra that are exclusively found in regions north of the equator. Other animals that can be seen in the reserve include elephants, buffalo, impalas and numerous bird species such as the secretary bird, guinea fowls and the martial eagle. Have an opportunity to visit the local Samburu villages and schools for cultural education at an extra cost. Head back to the lodge for breakfast, lunch and afternoon at leisure. You will then leave for an evening game drive at 0345hrs and be back by 0645hrs for dinner and overnight at Samburu National Reserve.

DAY 06: SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE – OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

Wake up in time for breakfast then board the awaiting safari vehicle and depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The drive is approximately 127KM and takes 2 hours 45 minutes. You will arrive at your camp in good time for freshen up and lunch. After lunch you will leave the camp for a game drive. Olpejeta is a privately owned conservancy, overlooking the peaks of Mount Kenya. The conservancy has a great number of wildlife including all the big five animals (elephant, rhino, lion, cheetah, and buffalo) among other game. The conservancy also has a special sanctuary that shelters several of the rare and endangered species including black rhino, Gravy’s zebra, the Jackson’s hartebeest, and Chimpanzees. The Chimpanzee sanctuary is the only one in Kenya. It is a home for orphaned and abused chimpanzees, rehabilitating them to help them learn to live by themselves as in their own habitat. Later, have dinner and overnight at your camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

DAY 07: OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY- LAKE ELEMENTAITA

Wake up in time for breakfast before checking out of the lodge. Board the awaiting safari vehicle before departing to Lake Elementaita. The distance from Ol Pejeta to Lake Elementaita is approximately 170km and takes up to 3 and a half hours to get there with a scenic drive enroute. Arrive at Sentrim Elementaita for late lunch. You will then have some time to freshen up before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Guide nature walks to the lake can be organized upon request. Dinner and overnight at Lake Elementaita.

DAY 08: LAKE ELEMENTAITA – MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Wake up in time for breakfast before checking out of the lodge. Board the awaiting safari vehicle before departing to Maasai Mara National Reserve. The distance from Lake Elementaita to Maasai Mara is approximately 253km and takes up to 4 and a half hours to get there with a scenic drive enroute. Maasai Mara is one of the most popular wildlife havens in the world and boasts a diversity of flora and fauna and also has the highest population of lions in the region. The Mara is also home to the annual wildebeest migration that happens from July to mid-September and is a mind – blowing sight to behold. Arrive at the lodge in time for late lunch. Guests will be given time to freshen up before departing for an evening game drive at 0400hrs and returning to the camp before nightfall for dinner and overnight at Masai Mara.

DAY 09 & 10: FULL DAYS IN MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

On this day be picked for a hot air balloon safari which will happen early in the morning on this day, a hot air balloon safari in the Masai Mara is one of the most magical and unforgettable . Experiences you can have in Kenya. Floating silently above the vast plains of the park at sunrise, while witnessing its incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes from a bird’s-eye view, is once-in-a-lifetime Adventure. Later head back to the camp for breakfast and lunch. During the evening you will get a chance to visit the Maasai village, one of the most enriching cultural experiences you can have during your safari in Kenya.

The Maasai people, known for their vibrant culture, unique customs, and strong connection to nature, are Among the most iconic and recognized ethnic groups in Africa. You can also return to the lodge in the Afternoon to enjoy the lodge’s amenities. Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara.

DAY 11: MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE – LAKE NAIVASHA

Wake up in time for breakfast before checking out of the lodge. Board the awaiting safari vehicle and depart Maasai Mara with the final game drive as you head out. The distance from Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha is approximately 220km and takes up to 4 hours to get there with a scenic drive enroute. . Arrive at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge in time for lunch. You will then have some time to freshen up before departing for Crescent Island visit and boat ride on Lake Naivasha. Enjoy splendid views of aquatic birds such as pelicans and storks as well as the giant hippos who are also residents of the lake. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha.

DAY 12: LAKE NAIVASHA – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, depart for Amboseli which is about 5.5 hours’ drive. Upon arrival, check-in to lodge, have lunch and start your afternoon safari in Amboseli. The Park is in southern Kenya and is known for its large elephant herds and views of immense Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. The Observation Hill offers panoramas of the peak and the park’s plains and swamps. Varied wildlife includes giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and hundreds of bird species. You can do game drives till about 6:00 PM before returning to your camp/lodge for a freshly prepared dinner. Dinner & overnight stay at Amboseli National Park.

DAY 13 – FULL DAY AMBOSELI

After breakfast, depart for morning game drives around 7:00 AM and continue till about 10:30 AM. Return back to camp to relax and have lunch and then in the afternoon around 3:00 PM proceed for afternoon game drives for 3 hours and return to camp before 6:30 PM. Enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kilimanjaro very early in the morning from your lodge, before clouds cover the summit. Dinner & overnight stay at Amboseli National Park.

Note: Since Amboseli is relatively hot, game drives around noon are not usually recommended but can be arranged if you are interested.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE

After breakfast, check out from the camp, board the awaiting safari vehicle ready for departure to Nairobi. Enjoy the final views from Amboseli as you leave the park area. The drive to Nairobi takes approximately 3 hours.