22/01/2018
9 Days Mombasa Tsavo Safari
TSAVO WEST | AMBOSELI | LAKE NAKURU | MASAI MARA
Day 01: MOMBASA – TSAVO WEST
After an early morning breakfast, you will be picked at Hotel (south or North Coast) and your driver/guide will drive you through the North Great Road to the legendary land of the “Man-Eaters” – Tsavo National Park. The 21,000 sq km park is one of the largest in the whole world. Due to its enormous size, this animal and plant heaven was divided into two parts Tsavo East and Tsavo West, for easy administration and management. This wilderness is home to over 1000 plant species, 400 bird species and more than 60 major mammal species such as lions, huge herds of buffalo, the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino and at least 7000 elephants. The park is the location of Africa’s most famous adventure story “Man eaters of Tsavo”, in which two lions where responsible for eating over 500 workers who where building the Uganda railway also known as the “Lunatic Line ” by it’s opponents in the British Parliament in 1898. The story was made famous in the 1996 movie “The Ghost and the Darkness.”
Enjoy your lunch at KILANGUNI SERENA LODGE. Conveniently located in the heart of the park (Tsavo West), the lodge offers captivating views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills. Only 100m from the main building, is a water hole where animals come to quench their thirst. Each of the 53 rooms has a private shower, toilet, and a verandah (Patio) overlooking the waterhole and Africa’s highest mountain, snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro. With its own airstrip nearby, Kilanguni lodge is the place to be.
In the afternoon you will visit Mzima Spring replenished with two hundred and twenty million litres of crystal-clear water every day, from the underground streams stemming from the lava massif known as the Chyulu Hills, 40-50 kilometers away. Mzima forms a haven for a rich wildlife pageant with elephant soaking half immersed in the waters, light footed but ponderous looking hippo, apparently weightless, tip-toeing across the bottom, crocodiles basking on the bank or swirling through the water; gazelles, zebra and giraffe wandering around the banks through the thick acacias and raffia palms together with hundreds of chattering monkeys and birds. Mzima is also the main source of Mombasa’s water supply. There are well-marked nature trails, an observation platform and an underwater glass tank, which provides a special vantage point to view this remarkable oasis. Not far from Mzima Springs, along a well-marked track, lies the precipitous magnificence of the Ngulia escarpment at the foot of the Ngulia Hills, which rise to 1825 meters. Dinner & overnight at KILANGUNI SERENA LODGE (BLD)
Day 02: TSAVO – AMBOSELI
After an early morning breakfast, we proceed to Amboseli National Park through the statan lava plateau. Beautifully situated beneath the foot of Africa’s highest mountain Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m), the park is well renowned for its huge herds of elephants and various types of other Savannah wildlife such as Giraffes, Bushbuck’s, Kudu, Warthog’s, Zebra’s and over 425 species of birds recorded here. The snowcapped peak of Kilimanjaro rising above white clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli and forms a backdrop to an impressive display of wildlife attracted to this location by swamps and springs fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow. With an airstrip at Empusel Gate, the park is also home to the Masai people, those tall, brave, and proud nomads who live in close harmony with the environment and the wildlife that surrounds them. Amboseli was the location around which such famous writers like Sir Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark tailored their stories of big game hunting in the wilds of Africa.
Enjoy a game drive en-route, as we arrive in time for your lunch at the OL-TUKAI LODGE, situated deep in the heart of the world famous Amboseli National Park. The lodge is camouflaged in a forest of fever trees, yellow barked acacia trees, palms and well designed cottage style accommodations, which spread out on either side of the main lodge. Each room offers a breathtaking view of the magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro and the surrounding wetlands. Ol-Tukai lodge blends perfectly well into the African savannah and it will bring out your natural instincts. You can go for a dive in the Acacia tree shaded swimming pool, or for those of you reading enthusiasts, you can read the day away in the well-stocked library with a relaxing view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After your afternoon game drive you can spend some time in the open-air bar, which is open until the last guest retires, so if you’re the “night owl type” this is the perfect opportunity for you to stay up all night Dinner & overnight at OL-TUKAI LODGE (BLD).
Day 03: AMBOSELI
A dawn game drive will be the perfect time for photographing the humbling and magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest peak in Africa. We return to the lodge for breakfast and some R&R “rest and relaxation”, sunbathing, swimming or for those of you reading enthusiasts, you can read the day away in the well-stocked library with a relaxing view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, before heading out for an afternoon game drive. All meals and overnight at OL-TUKAI LODGE (BLD)
Day 04: AMBOSELI – LAKE NAKURU
Soon after an early morning breakfast, you will depart Amboseli to Lake Nakuru via Nairobi affectionately known as the “City under the Sun” Located in the Rift Valley 1750 meters above sea level, Lake Nakuru is known as an ornithological paradise by birdwatchers because the lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth which boasts anywhere between one and two million lesser and greater pink flamingos that feed on the abundant algae thriving in the lakes warm waters. It is one of the few parks that have been specifically established (Gazetted) for the protection of birds specifically flamingoes, more than 450 species of birds have been recorded here. The park has also been established for the protection of endangered species such as the rhino and is also home to Columbus monkeys, Leopards, Giraffes, and a variety of plain antelope.
Lunch will be served at LAKE NAKURU LODGE, which, is situated in the south ecological niche of the park. The lodge with its friendly and competent staff is an oasis of comfort that provides first class customer service and offers commanding views of lesser flamingoes dotted with the greater flamingoes. It blends in perfectly well with its natural surroundings and animals often patrol peacefully close to the lodge adding to its captivating magic. For some R&R (Rest and Relaxation), the spacious logged and inviting Mamma Nikki’s bar, the cool upstairs Rhino Paddock Cocktail bar overlooking the Lake and the enticing blue pool can be tremendously inviting.
An afternoon game drive around the lakeshore will be the main feature for the afternoon, dinner & overnight at LAKE NAKURU LODGE (BLD).
Day 05: LAKE NAKURU – MASAI MARA
Today our safari will take us to the jewel of Kenya’s parks, the world famous Masai Mara Game (Wildlife) Reserve. This is Kenya’s number one park and is always on every tourist’s “Must see list”. Full of life with various types of animals and birds, Masai Mara crown’s the climax of every safari in Kenya. Its rolling grasslands and acacia savannah have time and again been captured on film with the movie “Out Of Africa” being the most famous. Masai Mara is home to the “Big Five” (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Rhino) and over 450 bird species. Apart from the big five, the Masai Mara is most famous for the spectacular annual migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle etc from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July or August. During this crossing, hundreds of animals are swept away by the first moving Mara River and others are killed by the ferocious African Crocodiles. This crossing gives true meaning to the phrase “Survival of the fittest”.
Lunch to be served at the luxurious MARA SAROVA TENTED CAMP set in the African bush, on an elevation between two streams, the camp is a combination of luxury and adventure. After lunch you can take time out to read a book, novel, sunbathe, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or simply sit back and relax under the tent. All luxurious tents have permanent roofs, electricity, and en-suite bathroom facilities. The grounds are beautifully laid out with trees and flowers inhabited by a collection of exotic birds and butterflies.
In the afternoon head out with your driver guide in search of the shy and elusive leopard, other wild animals and over 450 species of birds of which 57 species are birds of prey. As the sunset starts to edge dip into the African horizon it will be the perfect opportunity for you to capture the beautiful Mara landscape on film. After dinner, enjoy the warmth of the roaring log fire before going to bed under the star filled African sky. Dinner and overnight at MARA SAROVA TENTED CAMP (BLD).
Day 06 & 07: MASAI MARA
The day will start with an early morning game drive before dawn followed by breakfast upon your return to the camp. After breakfast you can go swimming in the pool under the African sun or simply relax for the rest of the late morning. Later, late afternoon return to the wilderness in search of wild game, such as Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelle, elephants, lions, and the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, among others (All meals and overnight at MARA SAROVA LUXURY TENTED CAMP (BLD).
Day 08: MASAI MARA -NAIROBI
After breakfast, we drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch at Nairobi Panafric hotel. Later in the evening, we drive to the world famous CARNIVORE RESTAURANT considered “Africa’s greatest eating experience” (if you love barbecue it doesn’t get better than this), and home to the “Simba Saloon” one of the city’s most popular night clubs. Later you will be transferred back to Panafric hotel. (BLD).
Day 09: NAIROBI – FLY
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your scheduled International departure flight (B)
Price
$3,600 per person when 2 persons travel together
$2700 per person when 4 persons travel together
$1890 per person when 6 and above persons travel together
Tour Cost Includes:
-Guarantee price/guarantee safari on confirmation
-Transport on safari in a comfortable safari van equipped for game viewing, photography and touring
-Full board accommodation whilst on safari
-Meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodation in double/triple room
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
-Bottled water whilst on safari
-Start and end in Nairobi.
-Personalized service
Tour cost excludes:
-Tips
-Laundry
-Beverages/Drinks
-International flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature
-Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
