Essence of Kenya

(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 mimimise environmental impact and are made entirely of recyclable materials.

(Game drives 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 take 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 1½ hours) After breakfast it's time to move on to our private game sanctuary and ranch. After arriving at El Karama Lodge we settle in as our lunch is being prepared. Later in the afternoon we embark on an afternoon game drive that extends into the night, with a break for a small sundowner in between. El Karama Ranch is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, with views of Mount Kenya in the distance. The ranch is home to 75 species of wild mammals, over 350 species of birds and a stud herd of Sahiwal cattle. Whilst cattle raising is the main activity on this 14,000 acre ranch, wildlife conservation and the preservation of the natural bushland environment are also very important projects. Northern Kenya is a huge expanse of scrub desert, bisected by a few life saving rivers - a true wilderness. This area of the country is very sparsely populated and game patterns have been little affected by humans. The Laikipia area is part of an ancient lava plain covered with red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried riverbeds, steep hills and rocky outcroppings. Unusual for this arid area, Laikipia has a permanent water supply known as the Ewaso Nyiro (Brown River). This permanent flow of water provides an oasis for the many elephants, hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the area. Laikipia Conservation Area extends all the way to Samburu and this ecosystem contains the largest elephant population in Kenya. The region is also home to the largest African antelope - the eland. The Samburu are the people of Laikipia. They originated from the Nilotic tribes which settled in Kenya’s arid, semi desert north and developed their cattle herding, nomadic lifestyle. The Samburu roam the drier, semi desert and open plain areas, where they graze their cattle. By sharing their home with the wildlife, they develop a close affinity with nature and wilderness. The Masai often say the Samburu were banished out of the Masai tribe for being 'butterflies', which is what the word 'samburu' means in their native Maa tongue. Extremely concerned with their appearance the Samburu Moran (warrior) are far more colourful in their dress and jewelery than the Masai. Both tribes have very similar language and tribal traditions.

(Driving time: approx 5½ hours) Today we drive to Soysambu, the site of the first white settlement in the area when Lord Delamere set up his ranch here on the western side of Lake Elementaita - one of Kenya's great soda lakes. We then continue to the lake itself where we look out for wildlife such as zebra, eland, gazelle and warthog, before spending our night in a cosy lodge by the lake. Many species of birds also call this lake their home, including greater flamingos and lesser flamingos.

(Game drive times variable) After breakfast we head 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 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 are excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself! This afternoon we will be able to meet the children and share a meal with them - they love to practice their English skills and are eager to learn more about the world - so be prepared for some questions! Most of the people in this part of Kenya are Kikuyu, a tribe that descended from the pastoralist Bantu tribes which settled in the southern and central areas of the country, around the foothills of Mount Kenya and in the Great Rift Valley. Both regions have rich, fertile soils, which allowed a settled village life to develop. The Kikuyus are one of the most successful of Kenya's Bantu language tribes and they grow the majority of the staple crops that feed the entire country. Maize, kale, matoke banana, tomato, potato and onion are the main subsistence level food. They also have coffee and tea plantations and, in recent years, have formed the backbone of Kenya’s export vegetable market with crops such as green beans, sugar snaps and strawberries. After our visit to the orphanage, we return to our tented camp in Lake Elementaita for the night.

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We make our way to the nearby freshwater Lake Naivasha – the second largest lake in Kenya and the highest of the lakes (1884m) in the Great Rift Valley. We stay overnight in a house that contains much history. ‘Elsamere’ is the former home of the writer, Joy Adamson. ‘Born Free’ was written in 1960 and did much to bring the issue of African wildlife conservation into the mainstream. The house is a veritable museum that dedicated to the works of Joy and George Adamson, and of course there are many photos of Elsa – the lioness that started it all! It’s also a great place to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea, with the lake as a serene backdrop. We get to enjoy a boat trip on the lake, where we look out for some of the many resident hippos that live on the waters.

(Driving time: approx 2 hours)
Our next destination is the world renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. Our introduction to the Masai Mara is an unforgettable stay at Maji Moto Eco Camp - located within a Masai village in the reserve. The camp is co-owned and managed by a group of Masai from the local community and blends beautifully with the natural environment. All the facilities are built using natural materials and crafted in the traditional Masai style.
 Our lunch is served shortly after arrival and is made from fresh ingredients sources from the local community market. In the afternoon we enjoy a visit to the traditional villages (manyattas) surrounding the camp to meet with the local Masais and learn about their unique culture. We also visit a Masai school and learn about the projects that this inspiring community have developed to improve health, education and ensure a sustainable livelihood for all.
 We end the day with a refreshing sundowner on a hill overlooking the beautiful views of the Masai Mara plains. In the evening there is the option to enjoy a night game drive (additional expense) or relax under the stars in the nearby natural hot springs.
 The camp is kept simple and traditional with candles and lanterns and a camp fire in the evening. Accommodation is in comfortable tents equipped with all bedding, mattresses and pillows and there is a central shower, wash basin and toilet for the camp.

(Driving time: approx 1 hour; game drive times variable) In the morning, we make our way into the heart of 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. During our time in Masai Mara we explore the open plains on morning, afternoon and also full-day games drives, as well as a morning walking safari. Today we arrive at our permanent tented camp in time for a late lunch. This afternoon we take a game drive ending with a sundowner before returning to camp for dinner. Accommodation whilst in 'the Mara' is in an intimate tented camp, set along the line of the Talek River. 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 and private verandah. 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.

(Game drives times variable) Today we take a picnic lunch and head into Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving, before returning to camp in the late afternoon. Allowing a full day of driving enables us to access large swathes of the reserve, whilst also keeping away from the large numbers of minivans that criss-cross certain popular areas in the park. Mara means ‘contrast’ in the Maa tongue and it refers to the contrast of fair, savannah land and dark trees in the region. The Masai Mara forms part of the huge Serengeti ecosystem and spreads over 1510 square kilometres of rolling plains, sudden rocky outcrops and green winding rivers. Not only is the Mara blessed with this stunning landscape, but its animal diversity is one of the greatest in Africa. Surrounded by the grazing lands of the Masai people, it is a sanctuary for lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. All of the 'Big Five' animals have made their home here. The sweet grasses and abundant water ensure a full compliment of grazing animals such as wildebeest, topi, Grant's gazelle and Thompson’s gazelle, which are of course observed keenly by lion, leopard and cheetah. The deep river pools provide a home for hippos and crocodiles. After returning to camp for lunch we enjoy another afternoon game drive before taking a short walk through the bush to where a rustic bush camp has been set up for us. Here we can experience the true African wilderness; the crackling of a log-fire, the panorama of a starlit night sky and the sounds of the resident wildlife as night falls in the African bush. Hot Air Balloon Safari A spectacular way to begin the day is to take an optional hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara. Rising at dawn, you are served a hot cup of coffee as your balloon crew inflates the craft. The cool, crisp early morning air soon gives way to warmth as the pilot starts the burners and the balloon lifts gracefully and silently into the African sky. Viewing the Mara’s abundant wildlife from this unique perspective together with the sheer tranquility of the experience ensures that your memories of this exceptional morning will linger long after the balloon has touched down on the plains. This optional adventure culminates in a champagne bush breakfast, followed by a game drive back to camp where you will receive your ballooning certificate. (This service is an additional cost and we strongly suggest you pre-book it due to its popularity. It is of course subject to availability).