In the Wilds of Kenya

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NAIROBI

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be transferred to the Norfolk Hotel.

Probably Kenya's most famous hotel - and certainly one of its oldest - The Norfolk has been drawing the rich and famous to its hallowed doors since they first opened on Christmas Day 1904.

Just south of the equator, Nairobi's main avenues blaze with colour from tropical bushes and vines. Nairobi became established by 1907 and quickly grew as a white farming community. It also attracted world attention as the centre of big-game safaris for the rich and famous. The nearby Nairobi National Park boasts the presence of all but one of the`Big Five'. Shopping in Nairobi varies from African clothing and craft shops to open-air markets. There are excellent museums, offering insights into the fauna, culture and history of Kenya.

The rest of the day is free to relax or if time permits, enjoy some sightseeing.

(Dinner and overnight at The Norfolk Hotel. – Full-board (D)

DAY 2: NAIROBI - AMBOSELI

After breakfast, begin your drive south to Amboseli.

Arrive at Tortilis Camp in time for lunch. Named after the trees from which it takes shade, Tortilis Camp lies on the boundary of Amboseli Game Reserve. The snow-domed Mount Kilimanjaro sets the stage for excellent game viewing and magnificent sunrises. The accommodation tents are spacious and thoughtfully spaced at some distance from each other offering total privacy and breathtaking views across the plains to Africa's highest mountain. Perched on a look out hill, the main house offers relaxation, attentive service and delightful home-cooked Italian food.

(All meals and overnight at Tortilis Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: AMBOSELI

Amboseli lies south-east of Nairobi, at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The snow-capped peak rising above a saucer of clouds dominates every aspect of the park and provides a backdrop to a spectacular display of wildlife – lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, buffalo and a host of plains game. The Tanzania border runs along its base and also forms the boundary of the park. The National Park has five main wildlife habitats- open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland.

Today explore Amboseli National Park. In addition to game drives, guests at Tortilis can enjoy bush walks with a Maasai guide - an experience which brings the sights, sounds and smells of the bush to life. Simply relax by the swimming pool or watch a dazzling array of bird life from your verandah.

Option to stay at Chyulu Hills:

Ol Donyo Waus is nestled in the Chyulu Hills, between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. The Chyulu Hills are the youngest range of volcanic hills in Africa. Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is a 22 bed eco lodge in the heart of the Mbirikani Maasai conservation area on the slopes of the Hills. The lodge was recently rebuilt and original ethos and character remains with a focus on comfort and amenities. All but two of the cottages have their own plunge pool and all have star beds, stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, efficient solar powered lighting, and solar heated showers in the ensuite bathrooms which feature a décor that is both modern and luxurious as well as rustic and comfortable. Ol Donyo Wuas was one of the first eco lodges in Kenya and has a longstanding working relationship with the local Maasai community, with great emphasis on education, development and conservation.

(All meals and overnight at Tortilis Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: AMBOSELI - NAIROBI - LEWA DOWNS

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi. Take a connecting flight and fly north to Lewa Downs at the foothills of Mount Kenya.

On arrival take a game viewing drive en-route to your luxury mobile camp. Our mobile camps offer the ultimate and most authentic form of a safari. We position your camp as close to the wildlife action as possible, taking you into prime game viewing areas and the secret hideaways.

Each tent is set with campaign furniture and hand woven rugs in warm organic colours to blend in with the environment. Your personal tent attendant will make sure that the Egyptian cotton sheets on your large, comfortable bed are crisp and that a hot water bottle is slipped beneath your duvet on a chilly night. While you are at supper, he will have turned down your bed and drawn around your mosquito net. On your verandah are two chairs and a butler table for you to enjoy a drink whilst catching up with your book or watching animals.

The tents are solar powered so that you have two bright bedside reading lamps and an overhead light in your bedroom and bathroom. Your tent attendant will be at hand to make sure that your naval bucket shower is mixed to the perfect temperature for whatever time of day or night you choose to bathe. You have a fully flushing, ceramic toilet and even running water in the basin. He will take care of your laundry which will be delivered, weather permitting, to your tent each morning, pressed beautifully by an old fashioned charcoal iron. He will also take any shoes that require cleaning in the evening returning them to you with your morning tea or coffee.

Three main meals are served each day. We will even prepare delicious picnics for you to take with you in to the bush if you so choose. Our expert cooks take full advantage of vegetables and salads that are in season and are up before anyone else in camp to bake the finest breads and pastries for your breakfast.

After freshening up, lunch is served al fresco. This afternoon is free to enjoy a siesta before embarking on a late afternoon game viewing drive in the Conservancy.

(All meals and overnight at Private Luxury Mobile Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 5 & 6: LEWA DOWNS

Spend two full days in Lewa Downs to explore the conservancy and its resident wildlife. Your days will be as flexible as you wish with possibilities of a picnic lunch, traditional African sundowners or dinner in the middle of the African bush.

Lose yourself in the magical atmosphere of Lewa, which was one of Kenya’s original ranches and has been the home of the Craig family since 1924. The Conservancy is now one of East Africa's major conservation successes and is host to approximately 10 percent of Kenya’s endangered black rhino. Game viewing is exceptional with a variety of animals and you will also find several animal species not seen in the southern hemisphere, including reticulated giraffe, Grevy zebra and the graceful Gerenuk antelope with its long neck.

A wide variety of activities are available - ride on horseback alongside herds of giraffe, zebra and antelope, take a night game drive, walk with armed rangers, or take a camel ride with a local Samburu guide.

In between game viewing there is the opportunity to visit the on-going conservation projects and also the craft centre run by the local community.

(All meals and overnight at Private Luxury Mobile Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 7: LEWA DOWNS - MASAI MARA

After a leisurely breakfast transfer to the airstrip for a scheduled flight to the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s greatest parks.

On landing you will meet your Olonana guide and enjoy a game drive en-route to Olonana. You may be rewarded with sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a host of other plains’ game.

We have selected Olonana for you accordingly for its small size and privacy. Your 'room' is canvas but a permanent structure, very spacious and has a flush lavatory, solar lights and a good hot shower. Olonana is at the forefront of eco-tourism in Kenya with solar power, bio degradable products and an ingenious wetlands project which allows for all used water to be totally recycled and returned to the river clean.

Lunch is served at the main cottage’s lounge and dining area, its spacious verandah overlooks the river where the resident hippo pods spend their days wallowing.
After lunch there is time to relax before enjoying an activity of your choice.

(All meals and overnight at Olonana. (B/L/D)

DAY 8 & 9: MASAI MARA

You have the next two days to enjoy game viewing as you venture out in open 4X4 vehicles led by your expert Olonana driver/guide. A wide range of activities are offered at Olonana,your day can be as active or as leisurely as you wish. You can visit the adjacent Maasai village, take a morning bush walk with an armed ranger or enjoy sundowners in the evening or even dinner under the stars in the middle of the African bush.

In the Mara, the wildlife is abundant and the swaying grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Elephants browse amongst the large herds of wildebeest and topi, gazelle, eland and buffalo. The plains offer a rich variety of food for the dominant predators: lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah. In the Mara River, hippos submerge to snort and grumble while crocodiles sunbathe on the riverbanks. Around July to September, rain depending, the Masai Mara is host to the famous wildebeest migration which is one of the few remaining mass migrations of mammals in the world. During this time herds of over a million wildebeest will trawl their way through this region and they become the major focus for predatory activity and drama unfolds at every corner.

There are also options for a morning balloon safari or a half-day visit to Lake Victoria.

Balloon Safari: As the balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise your pilot will go through safety procedures. Once aloft, the balloon floats gently over the plains, giving a bird’s eye view of the game below as the sun creeps slowly over the horizon. After around one hour the balloon lands and nearby breakfast is already being prepared and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight in a tradition initiated by the Montgolfier brothers.

Lake Victoria Adventure: An early start this morning with a transfer to take you to the airstrip for a flight by light aircraft to Lake Victoria. On arrival enjoy an appetising full English breakfast before you board the boat for the morning. There will be the opportunity to try fishing for the legendary giant Nile perch found in these waters as you explore the myriad of tiny islands in this region of the lake. An experienced and knowledgeable fisherman captains each boat. There is the chance to stop at a traditional fishing village and see how the villagers live from day to day before returning to the airstrip for your return flight to the Masai Mara.

(All meals and overnight at Olonana. (B/L/D)

DAY 10: MASAI MARA - NAIROBI

After breakfast your guide will transfer you to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival at Wilson Airport, transfer to the Norfolk Hotel where a dayroom has been reserved for you. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and freshen up or go sightseeing and shopping.

This evening we will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure flight.

Option to extend and track gorillas in Uganda.

END OF SERVICE.