DAY 1 Nairobi

Arrival at the airport at night. Transfer from the airport to a hotel in Nairobi.

DAY 2 Crescent Island. Lake Naivasha

After breakfast there is the briefing by the guide about the program. Thereafter we leave Nairobi via the Nakuru road to the Rift valley. The Nairobi – Nakuru road is on a contour along the rim of the Rift valley and on viewpoints we will be able to see our whole route for the next days.

We arrive at a Lake Naivasha Lodge / Camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon a game viewing walk at the privately owned Crescent Island, which is a peninsula on the Eastern shore of Lake Naivasha. There is a lot of easy to see game e.g. giraffes, waterbucks, elands, zebras and impalas. It is also a heaven for birds with +200 species recorded. We return to the Lodge/Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Naivasha

We wake up for breakfast with the sun giving a wonderful effect over the lake. An early morning here should not be missed by anyone with an eye for birds since the lake boasts a wide variety of water and woodland birds.

After breakfast we do a short transfer to the gate of the park. This is a unique park where walking is done in the middle of wildlife. Giraffes, zebras, warthogs and many types of gazelles are found here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat African savannah in a volcanic area with huge rock boundaries. There are camphor and acacia trees all over and this is where to look for the giraffe as they mainly feed on them. A picnic lunch provided by the hotel will be at the Rangers post.

The last part of the walk is done in the Hell’s Gate Gorge by descending into a steep canyon with running water from geysers and wild vegetation. The climax of the day is in walking in the Side Gorge where the rocks have split to leave only a walking path. We climb back to the rangers post for the transfer back to the Lodge/Camp.

DAY 4 Crater Lake, Lake Naivasha

An early rising will ensure that one gets another magical display of the various birds. After breakfast we do a transfer by bus to the nearby Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. It is a lesser lake in the Rift Valley but a place where nature is at its best.

We do a walk in the sanctuary followed by a circular trek on the top of the crater from where we see the lake from various angles. Pleasant interruptions on the walks will be from giraffes, black and white Colobus monkeys, elands and a range of gazelles.

DAY 5: Visit Lake Nakuru National Park – Lake Elementaita

The nearby Lake Nakuru National Park is the oldest park of Kenya. It’s not only known for its thousands of flamingos but also for the vast herds of buffaloes, tens of rhinos and cats like leopard and lion. Of the big five only the elephant is missing. We make a wildlife viewing drive around the lake and have lunch at the Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Afternoon transfer to a Lake Elementaita Lodge.

DAY 6: Lake Elementaita

This lake may not have the big name of Lake Nakuru but its scenic beauty is unmatched. We walk up to the shores of the alkaline lake. From there we proceed up to the hot springs and into the Kikopey Hills surrounding the lake.

We walk mainly in open savannah land and occasionally we will stop for a chat with a Masai herdsman. The gentle sloping hills give a good panorama. The walk should be for 4 hrs after which we go back to the lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon is spent in the lodge.

DAY 7: Masai Mara

We now take a break from walking to put all our attention to watching wildlife. To see the best of Kenyan wildlife, Masai Mara is the place to be. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and all the big cats are found here. So, after breakfast we start our journey passing through Narok Town; a colorful Masai town.

Our game viewing does not actually start at the park gate. We will be able to see many animals along the way grazing side by side with the Masai livestock.

DAY 8 -9 : Masai Mara

Morning game drive through the park and hike to a Masai manyatta (=homestead). Here we will see how the typical Masais live. On day 9 we do a morning and an afternoon game drive. We break from the driving with an optional walk in a natural area with rolling hills and grasslands, out of the park boundaries.

Day 10: Transfer To Nairobi

Return to Nairobi in time for lunch. Day rooms are at your disposal until 6 p.m. Evening transfer to the airport where we say goodbye.

N/B:Itinerary changes may be made due to local conditions beyond our control.