8 Days Wild Plains (4 days on Foot) [ SLA / WS 002 ]

Introduction

This safari visits the Rift Valley Lakes (a naturalist's dream due to the hundreds of bird and mammal species found in the area) and the Masai Mara arguably the world's most famous game reserve with unrivalled natural beauty and wildlife concentration. This is a very popular route offering a much more active experience than viewing from a four wheel drive vehicle.

Itinerary

8 Rift Valley Lakes ( SLA/WS/002 )

Areas of Interest : Lake Bogoria , Lake Baringo , Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara game Reserve

Activity: Walking, Wildlife, Bird Watching, Scenery, Photography and Culture

Country: Kenya

Day 1: Arrive / Nairobi

Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) where you will be met by a SLA representative who will assist and transfer you to the Norfolk Hotel, the watering hole for the pioneers and Happy Valley set of 1920's Kenya . Older than London Ritz, younger than the Savoy , no other hotel in Kenya has as rich a history as The Norfolk. Many of the bedrooms overlook the hotel's famous courtyards where colourful flowering trees and shrubs give a friendly 'home-away-from-home' ambience. Meal plan is bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Nairobi / Lake Bogoria (some walking)

After breakfast you depart by road to the Rift Valley via Nakuru then onto the sisal plantations of Mogotio (sisal is a natural fibre plant and is used especially for string or rope). We continue past these plantations and get a chance to walk approximately 5 – 6kms around the south end of Lake Bogoria (a small, shallow soda lake). Our crew will have gone up ahead to set up camp on the lake shore. Dinner will be served by the lakeside beneath the stars.

Day 3: Lake Bogoria (walking)

To avoid the intensity of the hot afternoon, we set out early for the walk along the east side of Lake Bogoria . The scenery is spectacular as the lake is nestled against the eastern wall of the Rift Valley. Many flamingos inhabit this soda lake as well as several bird species. You may also see zebra, gerenuk, kudu, various antelope and do keep a sharp eye out for buffalo. After lunch we meet up with our driver at the north end of the lake for the drive to Lake Baringo where the camp has been set up. Here you will be able to relax, enjoy a refreshing shower and relax with a cup of tea or a cold Kenyan beer.

Day 4: Lake Baringo / Lake Nakuru

Today we enjoy a morning boat ride on Lake Baringo to see some of the rich bird life as well as hippo and crocodile before breakfast. After a filling meal, we head to Lake Nakuru National Park . This small park has much more to it than the lake – large areas of Acacia forests, grassland and bush which support hundreds of bird and animal species. In the afternoon a game drive will be provided allowing one to view the diverse wildlife here. Warthogs are common as well as waterbucks and buffaloes by the waters edge. There is a very good possibility of seeing rhino and elusive cats such as lion and leopard. Camp will be set up in the National Park.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru / Masai Mara

Drive to the Masai Mara arguably the world's most famous game reserve with unrivalled natural beauty and wildlife concentration. It forms part of the Great Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and is home to all the big five (Elephant, Buffalo , Lion, Leopard, and Rhino). Over 95 species of mammals and 350 bird species are found in this great reserve. You may be lucky to see some game whilst driving towards our camp where we will spend two nights. Enjoy dinner and a well deserved rest.

Day 6: Masai Mara

Today we spend the day exploring the world's greatest wildlife spectacle with miles and miles of open plains: Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe and herds of Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebra and other plains game attended by their predators - Lion, Cheetah, Leopard. Here is the heartbeat of Africa …….!

Return to the Camp for a well deserved rest and dinner.

Day 7: Masai Mara (walking)

We depart early from camp on foot with our Masai guides. We will walk until 2.00pm (approx tim e) through rolling, hilly plains, some tim es meeting Masai herdsmen, some tim es seeing wildlife. We will meet our crew again having set up camp in a recluse spot in the bush. There will be sufficient tim e to shower and relax. Dinner will be served around the warm glare of a campfire, cocooned by the sounds of the African night.

Day 8: Masai Mara, Nairobi (some walking)

After an early breakfast we walk until 11.00am . At the end we meet up with the crew and our vehicle for our drive back to Nairobi to your hotel of choice or the airport to catch your flight out.

The cost of the safari will be as follows:

2 pax will be US$ 2429.75

4 pax will be US$ 1779.00

Prices include:

• An experienced Guide

• Airport / hotel / airport transfers

• Accommodation on bed & breakfast at Norfolk Hotel

• Local Guides and Assistants

• Services of pack animals (either camels/donkeys)

• 4x4 Safari Vehicle

• English Speaking Safari Driver

• English Speaking Experienced Safari Chef

• Three meals a day while on safari whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian prepared by our safari cook

• All campsite fees

• All camping equipment including use of our three-person tents (each tent shared by 2 people), stools, foam mattresses, camp beds, except sleeping bags

Excluded:

• Game park entrance/local community fees shown separately as ‘local payment'

• Emergency evacuation cover

• Personal travel insurance

• Sleeping bags

• Optional traditional dances and visits to cultural villages [can be arranged with the guide]

• All airport taxes and visas

• Any other extras not stated as included above e.g. alcoholic beverages, gratuities to staff, etc

• Any other extras not stated as included above

NB

Clients should arrange to have good weatherproof clothing, a warm sleeping bag, a water bottle, good walking shoes and a comfortable pair of shoes to wear in camp.