KENYA– LIONS AND LAKES

10-days, 9 nights

 

Combine the Rift Valley with the Masai Mara and the tranquil shores of Lake Victoria.  This itinerary includes a choice of camps within the Masai Mara, combined with a charming stay in the Rift Valley and a relaxing couple of nights by the shore of Lake Victoria.  In our opinion, this is a very balanced itinerary which affords a real experience of three different areas of Kenya. 

Day 1

Depart London on an overnight flight to Nairobi (BA, Virgin and Kenya Airways all fly direct)

Day 2

Arrive at Nairobi International Airport, where you will be met and transferred by road to Loldia House, on the shores of Lake Naivasha in the Rife Valley.  The drive takes approximately 2 hours and affords some dramatic scenery.  Arrive at Loldia in time for lunch on the lawn over looking the lake and with Mount Longonot in the distance.

After lunch, time to relax – maybe take an evening walk with one of the knowledgeable guides. 

Dinner is taken in Loldia’s comfortable dining room, or on the verandah.  If you prefer, you can have a quiet dinner on your own.

Day 3

After a substantial breakfast, depart to Lake Nakuru National Park.  This lake is famous for its flamingos – and they are a stunning sight!  Pink as far as the eye can see!  Lake Nakuru National Park has excellent game viewing and is one of Kenya’s Rhino Sanctuaries – so you are almost certain to see Rhino (although all animals are unpredictable).  Picnic lunch in a shady corner of the Park.

Return to Loldia in time for a nice cup of tea, a hot bath, and then another relaxed and delicious dinner.

Day 4

No hurry to get up this morning, but we do recommend that you take a morning boat ride on Lake Naivasha.  Accompanied by one of the expert guides, you will explore the reeds, looking for birds, hippo and buffalo.  The bird life around the lake is truly an ornithologists dream, with a wealth of varieties of water birds. 

Lunch at Loldia before catching a mid-afternoon flight from Loldia Airstrip to the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Arrive at Musiara airstrip and then take a short game drive to your chosen camp.

Arrive and settle into your comfortable tent, before enjoying pre-dinner drinks around the campfire and then a candlelit dinner.

Day 5

The best time to see game is in the early morning, so a quick cup of tea in your tent and then out into the Mara as day breaks.  There are no set times, so you and your guide will explore and observe the wildlife as you find it.  Back to camp for breakfast.  After breakfast you are welcome to take another game drive, or relax and enjoy the camp.  You will see wildlife at the camp at all times of day, either warthog or buffalo, or maybe hippo.  Once again, the whole area is a delight for enthusiastic bird watchers.

Lunch is served al-fresco.  The afternoon game drive leaves at 15:30 to give you plenty of time to see as much as possible before nightfall.  The Masai Mara is widely considered to offer the best game viewing in Africa, and we do not think you will be disappointed.

Return to camp at sundown for another relaxed evening around the camp fire.

Day 6

Another day to enjoy the wonders of the Masai Mara.  You will be delighted with the quality of game viewing and the expertise of the Governors’ Camp rangers – who retain a passion for their surroundings which is completely contagious.

Dinner and overnight at your camp.

Day 7

After breakfast, take a small aircraft flight from the Mara airstrip to Mfangano Island Airstrip on Lake Victoria. This is a flight of approximately 45 minutes and affords some spectacular views over the country as you depart the Mara and pass over the green hills which are home to many of Kenya’s farmers.

Arrive at Mfangano Airstrip and take a boat around the island to Mfangano Island Camp.  This is a little tropical paradise, set on the shore and surrounded by flowers and trees (home to many birds, and some very amusing monkeys).  The camp has six double rooms, all with charming views across the lake.  In the mornings you will see fleets of brightly coloured fishing boats going past, and returning again in the evening. 

Time spent at the camp is completely flexible – you can choose to go on a boat ride, do some fishing, take binoculars and go bird watching, or just enjoy a relaxing walk to a nearby village to say “hello”.

Lunch, and dinner at the camp – overlooking the water with the lights of the jetty reflecting off the water.  Go to sleep with the sound of the waves breaking gently on the shore.

Day 8

A complete day to relax at Mfangano Island Camp.  You can choose your activities, or just sit by the swimming pool and enjoy the delightful surroundings. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 9

Return by light aircraft to the Masai Mara in time to catch the flight back to Nairobi at 16:00.  On arrival at Wilson Airport, you will be met and transferred to an excellent Nairobi restaurant for an early dinner (to your own account), before continuing to the International Airport for your flight home.

Day 10

Arrive back at London.

 

 

Accommodation:

In the Masa Mara you will be staying at either Little Governors’ Camp or Il Moran Camp.  Both of these camps are within the Masai Mara – we think this is important as it means you maximise your game viewing time (not wasting it travelling into the park – particularly as the park does not allow night driving).

Little Governors’ camp is set around a large watering hole that teems with birds and wildlife.  The approach to the camp is by boat across the Mara River and then a short, escorted, walk.  There are 17 luxury en-suite tents.  The tents are comfortable, and have wooden deck from which you can watch the activity at the water hole.  There is no electricity in the tents, but batteries can be charged in the reception area.  The service is friendly and efficient, the food excellent and the surroundings very beautiful.  You really feel part of nature at this camp.

Il Moran Camp is for those who want a little extra luxury.  It is still a small, intimate camp but has some added touches which make it rather special.  Whilst being wonderfully comfortable, it does not fall into the trap of being pretentious – it is just very, very nice!

The camp consists of 12 tents, set in the forest and overlooking an escarpment at the bottom of which flows the Mara River.  From the verandah in front of your tent you can see hippo and crocodile in the river.  The game viewing on your doorstep is amazing and the service and hospitality at Il Moran Camp makes for the best Masai Mara experience possible.  (Note:  In our opinion, the beds at Il Moran are some of the most comfortable you can find – the only problem being that the early morning starts mean you do not spend nearly enough time in them!)

Optional addition – spend a night in Nairobi at the end of your safari and then continue to Zanzibar for an exotic beach break at Breezes (see our Zanzibar page).  This is the perfect combination.

 

Season information:    

Mid season = 1 January to 31 March; 1 June – 15 July, 1 November to 14 December.

High season = 16 July to 31 October, 15 December to 31 December.

Green Season = 1 April to 31 May.

 

Please contact us for a priced quote, which we are happy to provide without obligation. This way we can get you the best price for your dates, requirements, group size (and take into account any special offers which may apply).

 

 

 

SO MUCH TO SEE, SO MUCH CHOICE!!CALL US TO DISCUSS ON 01256 882634 OR e-mail your enquiry