The incredible wildlife in Kenya’s national parks and reserves is enough to make anyone’s heart race, even if they normally have no interest in animals. See the “Big 5″—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo—in their natural habitats with the help of your knowledgeable Driver/Guide. Extend your imagination in the company of graceful giraffes and ill-mannered hyenas, and satisfy your urge for speed by watching cheetahs, gazelles, and large herds run wild. Zebra-spotting will help you earn your stripes, while the hunt for a black rhino will give you a rush.
There will be time for safari in the magnificent shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro during your stay in the Amboseli National Park region. Traveling through Africa with Independence by Globus allows you to rediscover your inner wild child while also treating you like royalty on a safari and giving you enough of downtime to reflect on your place in the grand scheme of things.
Details
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya
Welcome to Kenya! Check-in time for hotel rooms is between noon and 3:00 p.m. daily.
Day 2: Nairobi Tour
Your private tour should get off to a good start with a stop at the elephant orphanage run by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which was established by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. You will get knowledge about elephant conservation and have the opportunity to interact with elephant calves that have been abandoned by their parents as a result of poaching.
Following lunch, make your way to the Karen Blixen Museum, which is a tribute to the author of Out of Africa.
Last but not least, make a stop to the Giraffe Center, a charity dedicated to the preservation of the Rothschild’s subspecies of giraffe, where you will be able to learn more about this subspecies and feed the animals.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Day 3: Nairobi–Amboseli National Park Area
Drive to Amboseli National Park today, which is well known for its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at around 19,341 feet and is the highest mountain in Africa. This afternoon, take pleasure in your first wildlife drive as you seek for the “Big 5″—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
On both the morning and afternoon game drives, you will get a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the majestic elephant. You may also see Cape buffalo, zebras, wild dogs, and a variety of other animals. Spend the hottest part of the day cooling off inside your lodge or tent.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Amboseli Area–Nanyuki–Ol Pejeta Conservancy
You will continue your safari in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which is the largest refuge for black rhinos in all of East Africa, today after taking a flight to Nanyuki (via Nairobi), where you will meet a new Driver/Guide. Following lunch, it’s time to head out into the conservancy for your first wildlife drive.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Full Day in Ol Pejeta
Get up bright and early for a game drive that will take place in the morning with the stunning Mount Kenya serving as a backdrop. In addition to the “Big 5,” you might also see cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, and other animals. You might even get a glimpse of some really uncommon wild dogs if you’re lucky. Following lunch, take a game drive across the preserve, making a pit stop at the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary along the way. The sanctuary was founded in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer chimpanzees that have been abandoned, neglected, or mistreated with a permanent place to call home. Visit these chimps and find out more about the predicament they are in.
The I-Time Recommendations for Today
In the time between game drives, you can relax on the private terrace of your suite and read a book or swim in the pool.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Ol Pejeta–Lake Nakuru National Park Area
One last wildlife drive inside the conservancy before continuing on to the region around Lake Nakuru. The route takes you through some of the most scenic highlands in Kenya, which also happen to be one of the most agriculturally productive regions in all of Africa. Make a pit stop for lunch along the way.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8: Lake Nakuru National Park
Spend the day exploring Lake Nakuru National Park by going on wildlife drives in the morning and afternoon. Giraffes, impalas, Cape buffaloes, and striped hyenas are just few of the species that call this park their home. Moreover, this is your best opportunity to see a white rhino, as they are frequently seen in this area.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9: Lake Nakuru–Maasai Mara National Reserve
Make your way to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which is often regarded as Kenya’s premier safari destination. Go on an afternoon game drive.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Full Day in Maasai Mara
The “Mara,” as it is called by the locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and features a strong permanent population of wildlife. The wildebeest and zebra that are part of the Great Migration provide roughly 2 million new members to the population when they arrive. The lion, the leopard, and the hyena all have a rich food source thanks to this. During the morning and afternoon game drives that your knowledgeable Driver/Guide will take you on, you will have the opportunity to see these predators as well as a wide variety of other species.
The I-Time Recommendations for Today
Relax by the pool or take a nap during the break between wildlife drives on the safari!
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Day 11: Maasai Mara Tour (Day 2)
Continue to explore this wild wonderland on morning and afternoon game drives with your skilled Driver/Guide.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12: Maasai Mara-Nairobi
One final game drive first thing in the morning. Fly back to Nairobi, where a day room has been been aside for your use if you like to make use of it. Plan your flights to leave after 5 o’clock in the evening.
Meal plan: Breakfast