8 Days Kenya Under canvas

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet our staff, greet and transfer to Fair view on BB

Depart Nairobi for the Ark or similar lodge. The Ark is situated in the Aberdares National Park, deep in the mountain. This unique lodge resembles a ship; overlooking a floodlit waterhole and saltlick which is visited by a variety of animals. Often seen here are the elephants, rhino, and bushbuck.

Occasionally a leopard or giant forest hog may be seen. Before driving to the Ark, lunch is taken at the Aberdare Country Club. Dinner and breakfast at the Ark. Distance approx. 150kms – 2hrs

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park as we make a stop at Thompson Falls, which is named after Joseph Thompson, one of the first European explorers who walked from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the 1880s.We shall crisscross the equator almost 8 times.

Arrive in Nakuru in time for lunch at Merica Hotel. The Park has a fantastic array of birdlife including flamingos, white pelicans, and marabou stork, all water birds that breed in the lake’s alkaline waters. You may spot a white rhino and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe that has 5 horns instead of the usual three and clear instead of spotted shanks (legs).

A visit to the baboon cliff offers a scenic panorama of the Lake below, surrounded by a vast tract of euphorbia and acacia forest. Makalia falls within the park are an additional attraction. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion hill. Distance Nyeri – Nakuru approx. 170kms 2hrs 30min

Today after breakfast, we depart Nakuru with a game drive en-route to Naivasha town. On our way, Lake Naivasha and Mount Longonot can be seen from afar. Optional boat ride at the crescent island (payable directly). Crescent Island is one of the few places in all of Africa where you can wander on foot among herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, and giraffe because of the absence of predators.

It is here that the movie ‘Out of Africa’ was shot. Arrive at Naivasha Sopa Resort in time for lunch. After lunch optional visit to Hell’s Gate National Park. You will visit the Geothermal power plant at Ol Karia and the hot springs (payable directly). Hell’s Gate is the only park that officially allows transport by walking or bicycling.

The small perimeters of the park give you a chance to see a variety of wildlife. Hereafter you return back to Naivasha Sopa Resort for dinner and overnight. Distance Nakuru – Naivasha approx. 70kms 1hr

Today after breakfast, we shall depart Naivasha town (Kenya’s famous horticulture town) for Maasai Mara passing maize and wheat plantations along the way. We shall arrive for lunch at Mara Sopa lodge.

At 1600hrs, go for an evening game drive in this pristine unequaled big game Country. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge, Distance approx. 230kms 5hrs

After breakfast, this will be a day of game viewing where you will carry packed lunch. Blessed with an outstanding concentration of animals and panoramic views of across the plains and dotted woodlands, the Masai Mara provides an experience unsurpassed. As the northern extension of the great Serengeti grassland, the reserve is host to the annual migration of over a million wildebeest –the most awesome wildlife spectacle on planet earth.

The Mara covers an area of about 1,500 square kilometers in the south-western corner of Kenya, is not fenced and bordered on the west by the Olooloo escarpment and in the east by the Ngama Hills. The common language of the Masai is Maa in which the word Mara means spotted – referring to the clusters of the bush which dot the plains.

In addition to the wildebeest and hordes of zebra which joins them in their annual pilgrimage for pastures, the Masai Mara supports the lion, cheetah, elephant, kongoni, topi, Thomson’s gazelle, and the Defassa waterbuck, as well as eight species of primate.

Picnic lunch will be at the hippo pool where with luck you may spot hippos and crocs basking in the sun. We may visit a Masai manyatta/village at extra cost payable directly to interact with them as they entertain you with dances as you take photos and videos where you may learn more about the Masai culture. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa lodge.

Early morning pre-breakfast game drive or optional (payable directly) early morning balloon safari followed by Bush champagne breakfast.
Lunch at camp.
In the afternoon there is a choice between a game drive, swimming at camp or a nature walk escorted by our armed Maasai guides. Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Nairobi, After breakfast, depart Mara for Nairobi, arriving in time for complimentary lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant.
Thereafter you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home marking the end of our memorable safari. Distance approx. 250kms 5hrs
If you wish to extend your stay in Kenya for a beach holiday in Mombasa, Malindi or Lamu we may arrange.