Day 1 – Nairobi
On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel (approximately 17 KM / 0.5 – 1 hour).
The guide that will be accompanying you on your Kenya tour will meet you at the hotel this evening to introduce herself and provide a rundown of the scheduled and be available for any questions you may have.
Your guide for the tour is Marriette Ngome – van der Velde.
“My name is Marriette van der Velde, originally from Netherlands, but living in Kenya for the last 7 and a half years.
Married to a Kenyan, mother of 2 + 2 bonus-children, as I like to call them, I can say I am a happy, busy, life-enjoying lady.
In my life I always loved working in hospitality, be it in a restaurant or tourism. In Kenya I started organising small tours for friends and family when they were visiting, and everytime I fell more and more in love with this country and its nature. I started connecting with travelers through online travel forums, organising safari-routes and excursions for them. But I was missing something. I love sharing my passion with guests, as well as I love giving them a great experience by myself, that is when I decided to start working for Southern Cross as a tourleader, so that I could go with the guests and make sure their trip would be a trip to never forget again.”
Accommodation: 1 night Sarova Stanley Hotel or similar.
Sarova Stanley launched itself into Kenyan history in 1902 by becoming the first luxury hotel in Nairobi and the gracious host of prominent world leaders, renowned authors, and international celebrities. These early years depicted the dawn of a new era, and Sarova Stanley immediately distinguished itself as a beacon of luxury and unrivalled hospitality. The 217 guest rooms at Sarova Stanley offer a blend of Victorian elegance and comfort, combined with all the practical, executive amenities of the modern age. Antique furnishings and restored period details envelop guests in royal mystique. Sarova Stanley exceptional suites symbolise all the comfort, warmth and elegance of the “Sarova Stanley style” par excellence.
Day 2 - Tsavo East National Park
An early start means that you will collect a breakfast pack from the hotel before being met at and transferred to Nairobi Train Station to start your journey to Tsavo East departing at 08h00 to Voi Train Station. At 12h05 you will be collected from Voi Train Station by a Southern Cross Safaris vehicle to begin your game drive in Tsavo East National Park enroute to Satao Camp. After lunch enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Tsavo East National Park ending with a sundowner. (BLD)
Kenya Railway Journeys – Please be aware that there is limited assistance on the Kenya Railway for boarding, disembarking or help with luggage. At both Nairobi and Mombasa boarding is level, directly from platform to carriage, but at the country stops you are required to navigate narrow stairs down to the platform and can be tricky with baggage. Seating is reserved and a valid passport is required to book the service and you will need to show your identification when entering the main train stations prior to departing. The train is kept clean during the journey and you are welcome to take food and non-alcoholic beverages on board with you but there is a dining car for first class passengers to purchase refreshments.
Accommodation: 2 nights Satao Camp.
Nestled amongst trees and surrounding a central water hole, the semicircular layout of the camp provides an excellent viewing point for each of the guests. Satao Camp has 20 tents, all en-suite, thoughtfully positioned to ensure a full view of the camps “own” watering hole. The 20 tents are made up of 16 family tents and 4 suites each tent is constructed of sisal and boroti poles topped with a makuti roof, only the front of the tent is visible as each tent has its own patio with table and chairs.
The tents are exquisite; all are attractively furnished with locally made beds and unique African designs. Each spacious tent has a private bathroom with running water. The shower however is in the true African style, whereby the camp staff bring hot water in the evening. The bathrooms are very spacious, slate floors with stunning wooden framework, the wash basins sunken into the structure, all fitted with flushing toilet.
Day 3 - Tsavo East National Park
Enjoy a day of game drives in the Tsavo East National Park. (BLD)
Day 4 - Elerai Conservancy
After breakfast you will drive to the Tsavo West National Park with a game drive enroute. You will visit Mzima Springs and continue to Kilaguni Serena Lodge for lunch. After lunch you will drive to the Elerai Conservancy (approximately 350 KM / 6 hours). (BLD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Elerai Camp (or similar).
Elerai Camp is located in a quiet, unspoilt, unique setting on a 5000 acres private conservation area 12kms south east of Amboseli National Park at the foot of Africa’s largest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. The camp looks over Amboseli National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro, giving you what is arguably the best location of any camp in the area.
The camp offers 12 tents and 5 suites. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom with solar hot showers and a toilet with a view. Raised cedar wood floors, acacia poles and makuti (thatch) roofing complement the surrounding environment. Large balconies with relaxing day beds combine to offer the perfect place to lie as you take in the ambiance when relaxing.
The elegantly furnished suite rooms have large sliding doors that open out onto your own private veranda overlooking the plains below and Amboseli National Park. Elephants, giraffe’s and zebra are seen most days from the comfort of your room. Designed using natural rock and acacia wood, the bathrooms have their own naturally crafted bathtub and shower which is unique to Elerai.
Day 5 - Amboseli National Park
Enjoy a full day in the Amboseli National Park with a picnic lunch. (BLD)
Day 6 - Lake Naivasha
Enjoy an early breakfast before driving via Nairobi to Lake Naivasha. After lunch relax by the swimming pool or enjoy a boat ride on the lake (at own expense) (approximately 350 KM / 6.5 hours). (BLD)
Accommodation: 1 night Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.
Set in one hundred and fifty acres of grassland studded with Acacia bushes and trees, the resort is not only home to the resident giraffe, waterbuck and both vervet and colobus monkeys, but it is also a night stop for the hippos when they leave the lake every night to come and trim the grass on our expansive lawns. Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge has 21 cottages built in a crescent shape, each has 4 rooms, 2 on the ground and 2 at the top, which totals to 84 rooms.
Day 7 - Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast you will drive past the extinct Volcano of Mt Longonot and Suswa into the homelands of the Masai. The Masai Mara located on Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania, constitutes the northern stretch of the Serengeti and has the richest concentration of animals in Kenya. After lunch at the Mara Sarova Game Camp you will have the opportunity to observe the unique world of the Masai Mara (approximately 250 KM / 5 hours). (BLD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Mara Sarova Game Camp.
Sarova Mara Game Camp is located in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in South West Kenya. It is 260 km from Nairobi which is an hour flight from Nairobi, 20-minute drive from the airstrip and a 5.5 hours drive from Nairobi on the new tarmac road. It is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams.
The Camp is uniquely laid out over the sprawling grounds that include rolling manicured greens, a virtual mini forest of indigenous shrubs and exotic trees, a large pond stocked with fish, mini bird sanctuary and an authentic Masai village adjoining the camp. The camp includes 20 club tents, 51 standard tents, 2 family tents, a main restaurant, bar and many bush dining options. The free swimming pool has its own pool bar.
Day 8 - Masai Mara Game Reserve
Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. After breakfast you will visit a Masai village for a bead lesson with the Masai ladies. You will return to Sarova Mara Camp for lunch. This afternoon enjoy a cooking class. (BLD)
Day 9 - Lake Nakuru National Park
Today your journey will take you straight to Lake Nakuru. The park boasts a good number of rhinos as well as a large population of leopards. Enjoy lunch at your lodge followed by an afternoon game drive in the park (approximately 350 KM / 8 hours). (BLD)
Accommodation: 1 night Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (or similar).
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge overlooks Lake Nakuru, offering a unique vantage point. Each of the 67 appointed chalets has a separate lounge and secluded veranda with views over the lake and the distant hills. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the birdlife. A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino. The lodge restaurant and bar open onto a large viewing deck with panoramic views.
Day 10 - End of Classic Kenya Safari
Your day will start with an early morning game drive through the Lake Nakuru National Park. After breakfast at the Lodge you will drive to Nairobi and end of safari (approximately 184 KM / 3 hours). (B)