Enjoy a taster of Kenya. See rhinoceroses in the Great Rift Valley, go on a cycling tour and get up close to Masai Mara’s amazing animal life. Option of extending the tour with a beach holiday.
Enjoy a taster of Kenya. See rhinoceroses in the Great Rift Valley, go on a cycling tour and get up close to Masai Mara’s amazing animal life. Option of extending the tour with a beach holiday.
If you fancy a taster of what Kenya has to offer, you should choose this tour. The tour is perfect for you if you have limited time. The experiences can easily be combined with a beach holiday after the safari part, giving you two holidays on the same trip, if there’s time.
The major highlight of the trip is, of course, Masai Mara and its amazing wildlife.
Before getting here, however, you first experience the freshwater lake Lake Naivasha, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. The lake and the surrounding areas offer excellent opportunities for active experiences, and you will go on a boat trip on the lake, on a hike on Crescent Island and on a bike ride in Hells Gate National Park before heading on to Masai Mara.
The days in Masai Mara promise world-class animal experiences. There’s no way of knowing quite what you’ll experience at Masai Mara – that’s the charm of nature. However, we guarantee that no two days are the same here – and that you will return with your camera full of great “shots”.
Today is departure day, and you fly to Kenya with stopovers on the way.
Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport in Nairobi. The tour heads directly for the north-west and the Great Rift Valley, which extends 6,000 km from the Jordan Valley through East Africa to Mozambique. The Great Rift Valley consists of gorges and rifts – some quite narrow, some as much as 100 km wide. The freshwater lake Lake Naivasha is part of the Great Rift Valley and is home to pods of hippos and abundant birdlife.
The first experience of your tour awaits you on your arrival at Lake Naivasha: a boat trip on the lake. Crooked, leafless trees stand like sculptures in the water, forming excellent landing posts for storks, herons, ibis, etc.
You go ashore on the small island, Crescent Island, which is located on the eastern shore of the lake. Herds of zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes live here. There are no predators on the island, making a walking safari possible. As the animals have no natural enemies, you can get right up close to them and, for example, discover just how tall a giraffe really is.
The last experience of the day is a bike ride in Hells Gate National Park. It is one of the smallest national parks in Kenya and, like on Crescent Island, you can move among the animals in a slightly different way to usual. The trip here includes a bike ride and a short hike in Hells Gate National Park. The park is especially famous for its stunning rock formations and a number of hot springs.
Lake Nakuru National Park, located north of Lake Naivasha, is one of the best places on the whole continent to see the endangered rhino. The white rhino is most commonly spotted, but you may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the even more endangered black rhino here. The day today is spent on a full-day safari in Lake Nakuru National Park.
In addition to rhinos, the park is known for its buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and, occasionally, the big cats, too. There are no elephants here, however.
After breakfast, a drive to Masai Mara awaits you. Most of the day is spent on getting there. The traffic in Kenya can be unpredictable, so it’s hard to say exactly how long it will take. It is, on the other hand, an exciting drive through the Kenyan landscapes – interspersed with villages with lively markets, beautiful views and traders peddling their fruit and vegetables to the drivers.
Sit back in your seat, listen to an audio book or some music and enjoy the sight of Kenya passing by outside. Bear in mind that there is Wi-Fi and power in the car, so you can also take the opportunity to make your friends and loved ones at home jealous with a couple of holiday snaps.
The closer you get to Masai Mara, the more men dressed in bright red you will see. You drive through local villages, which are a hive of trading, and in many places, the villagers will wave eagerly to the passengers in the cars. If you wish, you can buy some fruit along the way – just let the driver know.
A short stop is made in Narok, the capital of the Masai, before continuing to Masai Mara. As the villages thin out, the number of wild animals increases.
You also have the option of visiting a Masai village. This should be arranged with the guide on the safari. It costs 25 USD per person (not included in the price of the holiday) and this is paid directly to the Masai people.
The next couple of days are spent in Masai Mara – the Kenyan part of the vast Serengeti ecosystem and, in the rainy season, home to probably the world’s largest concentration of wildlife.
On the mighty plains, you will encounter large herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, giraffes, gazelles and other herbivorous prey of the hunting lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.
You will get right up close to a host of animals, which you experience from the protection of the Land Cruiser.
From July to October, you can experience the 1,200 km long migration for water and fresh grass of more than one million wildebeest along with a couple of hundred thousand zebras plus countless Thompson gazelles. It is during this migration that many gazelles fall victim to the huge Nile crocodiles when crossing the Mara River.
Many people believe it is best to visit Masai Mara during the great migration, but there are animals on the grasslands all year round.
The next days are spent on a game drive. How this will take shape depends on the weather, the wildlife and you. You will normally agree on how you wish to spend the day with the guide – if you have any special wishes – and the guide will make use of his extensive experience of the wildlife and the area.
It’s time to say goodbye to the savannah. On the way through Masai Mara, the last game drive awaits you before you head to Nairobi and the airport.
You can, of course, also choose to extend the tour with a beach holiday – or perhaps a few days in Nairobi and discover what the city has to offer.
You land in the UK after a lovely holiday in Kenya.
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You’ve almost certainly seen pictures of the gentle furry mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Why not complete your trip to East Africa by extending your holiday to include a tour to Uganda to look for the unique mountain gorillas?
We’ve made it easy for you and added this 5-day extension, when, besides gorilla tracking, you also go on a “walking safari” in Lake Mburo National Park.
It goes without saying that we have included flights, gorilla permits and full board almost everywhere.
It couldn’t be easier!
Please note: This extension only goes ahead when there are at least 2 people travelling.
This extension must be booked at least 70 days before departure.
Surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar consists of the main islands of Unguja (also called ‘Zanzibar’) and Pemba, as well as a number of smaller islands. The island of Zanzibar is a treasure trove of natural and cultural treats. Brilliant white sandy beaches, azure seas and a truly amazing coral reef. A warm and sunny climate all year round. A dramatic history, liberally sprinkled with Arabian sultans, Portuguese seafarers, unscrupulous slavers and European explorers who have all left their mark on the island. And one of the most fascinating towns in Africa, dotted with fine examples of beautiful Arabian architecture. Not forgetting the delicious Swahili cuisine and the accommodating population …
The tropical island of Mauritius is one of the most exclusive and fascinating islands in the Indian Ocean. With its delightful climate and friendly population, this little slice of paradise is the perfect setting for an exotic holiday. The island is typically associated with relaxation and romance, but it is also ideal for everyone who loves gastronomic treats, water sports and beautiful countryside. Mauritius is ringed with beautiful beaches lined with swaying palm trees, crystal clear water and brightly coloured coral reefs. The landscape features lush forests, fields of sugar cane, tall mountains, roaring waterfalls and dramatic stretches of coast dotted with small lagoons. The capital, Port Louis, is home to a variety of fine shops and fascinating museums.
The days on Mauritius are yours to do with as you wish.
The stay includes half board.
Conclude your tour with a beach holiday in Mombasa.
Here you can relax on chalk-white beaches under the shade of the palm trees, bathe in azure water, and go snorkelling around gorgeous coral reefs. There is also time to go exploring in Mombasa City, which is the second-largest city in Kenya. Here you can look forward to wandering through narrow streets marked by both Swahili and Arabic culture. The city markets hold a treasure trove of local foods and exotic spices.
The days in Mombasa are at your disposal, but you also have the opportunity to purchase additional tours if you would like to go exploring in Mombasa City or areas nearby.
Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!