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| Trip Length |
14 |
Trip Code |
KT-AES |
| Journey Starts |
Nairobi, Kenya |
Journey Ends |
Nairobi, Kenya |
| Max. Tour Group |
8 |
Age Range |
35 - 80 |
| Min. Tour Group |
2 |
Physical Grading |
3 |
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Culture Shock |
3 |
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| Day 1 |
Our journey begins in Nairobi, the Capital of Kenya and transport hub of
East Africa. After a quick meet and great and look around our vehicles we
drive a short distance to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, a rare
opportunity to see elephants as young as 6 weeks old playing and slurping
huge bottles of formula. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a unique
project where orphaned elephants are hand-reared and taught skills normally
taught by their mother before being released back into the wild.
We enjoy a hearty lunch before bidding farewell to Nairobi for the short
2 hour drive to Lake Naivasha. As we leave Nairobi and start our climb to
the top of the Rift Valley – a brief stop at top to really appreciate
the views is a must - we continue to the base of the Rift Valley and arrive
in good time to set up camp before arriving at Elsamere.
Elsamere is the home of “Born Free”, Joy and George Adamson
lived in this house before their deaths. The residence has been transformed
into a museum and a popular place to enjoy high tea while overlooking Lake
Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha was Nairobi’s first airport! In bygone years there
were no airstrips therefore only sea planes were used throughout East Africa,
and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley were the landing strips.
We enjoy our high tea before returning to the campsite and our home for
the next 2 nights. Fisherman’s Camp, on the shore of the Lake is the
perfect spot to enjoy a cold drink while watching hippos graze on grass
by the lakes edge. Fisherman’s Camp is managed by Val and Brendan,
these two characters are well-known through the overlanding community in
Africa – Brendan, originally from Adelaide, Australia and a former
Overland safari driver entertains us with stories of driving tourist trucks
across the continent long before roads existed.
Fisherman’s Camp has a well stocked bar, restaurant, large grass
camping area, steaming hot showers, western toilets. (Lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 2 |
We drive a short distance to Green Crater Lake for an early morning walking
safari. A rare chance to view game while strolling through the park. It
is not unusual to see eland, zebra, giraffe, gazelles and warthogs to name
a few. The animals move to the crater in the early morning to graze on the
sweet moist grass; as there are no predators in the area the animals are
relaxed and not particularly fazed by our presence.
We return to camp and enjoy a full cooked brunch. The afternoon is free
time. There are many activities on offer, game drive through Hells Gate
NP, hire Mountain bikes for the more adventurous and bike through the Park,
visit one of the many stalls selling local souvenirs, or take a boat ride
out on the lake. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 3 |
It will take us approximately 2 hours on good tar to drive to our next
destination of Nakuru. Nakuru is a large town next to Lake Nakuru NP and
our first real game drive. Lake Nakuru is a very small park however extremely
rewarding. The park resembles scenes from Jurassic park – a large
lake in the centre surrounded by rough sharp cliffs and dense forest. The
setting is as dramatic as the game viewing. As we enter the park we are
presented with thousands of pink flamingoes happily perched in the shallows
of Lake Nakuru; around the edges of the Lake it is not unusual to see Rhino,
buffalo, zebra, gazelles, waterbucks, families of warthogs and lone hyenas
all within a short distance of one another.
We spend the afternoon spotting game before arriving at our campsite for
the night. The campsite is in the centre of the Park, very basic with cold
showers and drop-toilets. It is common for Baboons to great us and try to
steal whatever is left lying around.
We set up camp, light the fire, cook a hearty meal and listen to the sounds
of Africa. It is not unusual for buffalo to occasionally wander into camp
at night. Our fire keeps them at a safe distance. (Breakfast, lunch and
dinner included) |
| Day 4 |
An early morning game drive to spot lion, zebra, gazelle, flamingoes, hyena,
rhino, giraffe, baboon, vervet monkeys and warthog to name a few of the
more common animals in the Park. We enjoy a cooked brunch at the top of
Baboon Cliff with stunning views of the Lake and surrounding cliffs with
animals wandering by – the view is breathtaking. We depart the park
and stop at the curio market (local souvenir) in Nakuru town. A few hours
of browsing and haggling over souvenirs before driving a short distance
to our night stop in Njoro.
Our campsite is situated in the centre of a working Kenyan farm with hot
showers, cosy bar and large grass area for camping. (Breakfast, lunch and
dinner included) |
| Day 5 - 6 |
We start our day with a tour of the farm and local women’s weaving
project before departing Njoro for Lake Baringo. The driving time is approx.
3 hours on good tar roads. Lake Baringo is a bird lovers paradise as it
is home to over 450 different species. One of the great spectacles most
tourists travel to Lake Baringo to see are the Fish Eagles hunting early
in the morning. We have a free day to enjoy nature at natures best –
a morning boat ride to explore the Lake, hopefully spot Fish Eagles hunting
and take some time to explore one of the islands. The afternoon can be spent
on an organized birdwatching walk or explore the area on your own and see
how many different species you can spot.
Our home for two nights is Roberts Camp on the shores of Lake Baringo.
A shady well maintained campsite with a well stocked bar and restaurant;
clean environmentally friendly long-drops, and cool showers. (Breakfast,
lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 7 |
We depart Lake Baringo for a bumpy drive on broken tar to Kericho. As we
travel through the Western highlands we pass the primary area in Kenya for
tea plantations. The climate in this part of the country is perfect for
growing tea; the soil is perfect, climate consistent and rainfall just enough
to ensure productive crops.
We spend the night at Kericho Tea Hotel, a snapshot of colonial architecture
set amongst lush green gardens. The Tea Hotel has a well maintained campsite,
bar, restaurant and hot showers. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 8 |
We continue through Tea Plantation country before crossing into Tanzania
and camping on the shores of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the largest
lake in Africa and second-largest fresh-water lake in the World. Sitting
on the shoreline one would think you were gazing out over the sea. Late
in the afternoon the local fisherman arrive from the days fishing expedition.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We camp in Mosoma, a small port town on the shores of Lake Victoria. |
| Day 9 - 12 |
The following morning we depart for the Worlds most documented and photographed
game park - Serengeti National Park. We spend our time in the wild savannah
plains amongst the African Big 5 wildlife; our days are spent game driving
and photographing wildlife like: lion, leopard, wildebeest, rhino, warthog,
cheetah, gazelle, zebra, hyena, jackal, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest,
reedbuck plus many more. If we are lucky we may also spot the African Little
5. As the sun goes down we make camp amongst the wildlife, eat a hearty
meal and fall asleep listening to the sounds of Africa. Your reservation
awaits you at the 1000000 star Hotel (the breath taking African skies).
While in the Serengeti NP we camp at one of the designated public campsites
in Seronera - the campsites have fresh water and flushing toilets.
The tracks are slow going through the Serengeti allowing plenty of time
to fully absorb and appreciate the beauty of these wondrous lands.
We make our way to Lake Manyara NP, another hidden treasure under the shadow
of the Serengeti NP. Recently tree climbing lions were discovered in this
park; we spend the morning seeking them out but if we don't see them not
to worry the curious Elephants, active hippos, numerous bird life and several
varieties of cheeky monkeys will keep us well entertained for a few hours.
We spend the morning in awe of this amazing place before departing for Meserani
near Arusha. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 13 |
We enjoy a rest day at our campsite in Meserani. Arusha is only 25kms away
for anyone who wants to go into town for a spot of Tanzanite shopping. We
take a guided walk to the local Masai Village to meet local Masai before
visiting the local clinic, adult education centre and Masai cultural centre.
A visit to the local Masai market for some curio shopping is an absolute
must. While in Meserani we also visit the local Snake Park to spot some
rare snakes, crocodiles of all sizes and various bird life.
For those looking for the perfect gift to take home to a loved one; Arusha
is the perfect place to purchase Tanzanite – a blue diamond 100 times
rarer than diamonds. There are several places to purchase certified rocks;
your crew will be happy to assist.
We camp at Meserani Snake Park, the owners Ma and BJ came to Meserani from
South Africa over 15 years ago. They have dedicated their life to serving
the local Masai community contributing funds and labor to build schools,
adult education centre and a clinic. Ma and BJ have plans to build a kindergarten
and a larger clinic. The campsite has hot showers, flushing toilets and
a well-stocked bar. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) |
| Day 14 |
| Heading back toward Kenya we pass the snow cap peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro,
the highest free standing mountain in Africa. Our journey ends back in Nairobi
after a 6 hour drive through Masai plains on a tar road. (Breakfast, lunch included) |
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