Kenya Lodge Safari

(Driving time: approx 6½ hours) Our safari departs from the hotel at 7am, so please be ready in the lobby on time where you will find our safari guide waiting for you. From Nairobi we travel north, skirting the jagged peak of Mount Kenya, en route to the dry, ochre plains of Samburuland. Green hills and fertile countryside gradually give way to more arid surroundings, as we descend into the northern frontier region. After passing Mount Kenya we veer right and continue on to Meru National Park in time for a late lunch at our lodge. A little later in the afternoon we set out on our first game drive. Located 350 kilometres from Nairobi and 80 kilometres east of the town of Meru, this interesting reserve attracts elephant, lion and a variety of antelope, whilst the trees conceal a sizeable leopard population. It was here that George and Joy Adamson raised the famous lioness, Elsa, who featured in their best-selling book 'Born Free', later made into a popular movie. We return to the lodge for dinner. Peregrine's eco-lodge is set snug amongst the lush forest and small streams right at the edge of Meru National Park. Each of the fifteen discrete rooms is well-appointed with ensuite and modern décor, and has been designed with sustainability in mind; they are built on stilts to minimise environmental impact and are made entirely of recyclable materials. Central is a bar and restaurant, serving only fresh produce sourced from neighbouring farms. Guests can walk through these during their stay if they wish.

(Game drive times variable) Meru has one of the most varied landscapes of all the national parks in Kenya, encompassing forest, savannah and swamp. Its appearance also changes with the seasons; after the rains the grass can grow quite tall, whilst in the dryer months it can take on quite an arid appearance. The park supports an excellent variety of animals including the beautiful Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx (similar to the gemsbok) and graceful gerenuk. There is also a sizeable elephant population and it is not uncommon to see family groups down by the river, where crocodiles may also be observed lurking in the shallows. Our afternoon game drive takes us into a specially designated rhino sanctuary in the swampy north-western corner of the park. Here beneath the distinctive doum palms, both white rhinos and black rhinos can be found in an area that affords them greater protection. As evening approaches we may be lucky enough to spot cheetah or leopard, both of which are common in the reserve.

 (Driving time: approx 5½ hours) Returning along the shoulder of Mount Kenya where there are often good views of the twin snow-capped peaks, we drive across the Great Rift Valley toward Nakuru. We arrive in time for a late lunch at our cosy tented camp. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to take a scenic walk in the Menengai Crater, one of the largest in the world, which affords us breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. We stay in a very welcoming tented lodge for the next two nights. This lodge is instrumental in empowering Kenya's disadavantaged youth through training and hospitality initiatives and will also provide you with possibly the finest dining experiences in all of Kenya!

(Game drive times variable) A short drive takes us to Lake Nakuru National Park, the centrepiece of which is the lake itself. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake which is home to massive numbers of flamingos - up to two million on occasion - and thousands of other birds. It has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle and, at times, the lake is literally a sea of pink. In addition, the park itself also boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck, kudu and gazelle. Leopards are also to be found here, providing good chances for sightings (although there are no guarantees!). Perhaps we may also be fortunate enough to encounter one of Africa's most endangered animals - the rhinoceros. There is quite a good chance of seeing white rhinos, whilst black rhinos may prove to be more elusive. After spending the day in the park, we return to our private camp. After a picnic lunch we visit the East Africa Mission Orphanage, in Nakuru. The East Africa Mission Orphanage looks after more than 100 children ranging in age from just a few days old to 15 years of age. The complete needs of the children, including full school education, are provided for by the orphanage. The orphanage is registered with the Kenyan Government and was set up by an Australian couple with the purpose of caring for the thousands of homeless orphans, who would end up either dying a premature death through malnutrition, walking the streets in search of food or turning to prostitution as a means of survival. We are proud to help support the efforts of this family and their incredible orphanage, and is excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself! This afternoon we will be able to meet the children and share afternoon tea with them - they love to practice their English skills and are eager to learn more about the world - so be prepared for some questions! After our visit to the orphanage, we return to our tented lodge for the night.

(Driving time: approx 4½ hours; game drive times variable) We head south-west to our next destination, the Masai Mara - arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, we may be lucky to observe black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle that roam the grasslands. We arrive at the park in time to enjoy lunch and settle in. In the afternoon we embark on a game drive, pausing to enjoy sundowners prior to heading back to camp in the early evening. The usual routine involves waking up a little before dawn to start our morning game drive when the sun comes up, as this is often one of the most productive times of the day when most animals tends to be more active. After what is hopefully an exciting morning's drive we return to camp for lunch and to relax during the heat of the day. We set off again in the afternoon and expect to return to camp around sunset. However, depending on wildlife movements, we may on occasion do a full day's game drive and in this instance we'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch. Accommodation whilst in 'the Mara' is in an intimate tented camp set-up. The camp is staffed entirely by Masai people from within the local community and our stay provides us with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Masai customs and traditions. Reminiscent of the old safari camps of yesteryear it is very comfortable with 12 roomy tents, complete with ensuite facilities. Each tent has an enclosed bucket shower with hot and cold water, which is prepared on request by the camp staff. The tents are equipped with solar lighting and a supply of water for washing. The camp has a delightful dining tent with lounge area - a great spot for relaxing in the evening. From our base here, we conduct game drives within the Masai Mara and surrounding private reserves, and there is also an opportunity to visit a nearby Masai village.