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13 DAYS KENYA WILDLIFE TRAIL Areas
of Interest: Mt. Kenya, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake
Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, Lake Nakuru National Park,
Lerochi Plateau, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara Game Reserve,
Great Wildebeest Migration (Seasonal), Amboseli, Mt. Kilimanjaro,
Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu Hills, Mzima Springs, Tsavo
East National Park, Lugards Falls, Mudanda Rocks, Aruba Dam,
Mombasa. 
Activity: Game Viewing, Camping, Scenery,
Trekking, Photography, Culture, and Bird Watching
Country: Kenya
A safari to see the best game parks in Kenya and also the
world famous bird sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley Lakes
before taking you down to the Coast to enjoy at leisure the
beautiful sunny beaches of Mombasa, Malindi or Lamu.
Samburu National reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most
admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched
doum palms and taut thorn trees give an unusual look to the
region. Likewise, the permanent water supply acts like a lure
for the abundant species found here, some endemic to the North
of Kenya.
This trip brings you to Lake Baringo - Kenya's bird watching
centre with over 1200 different species native to the country
and more than 450 sighted here. Further onwards, the small
park of Lake Nakuru provides sightings of Rothschild’s
giraffes, endangered white and black rhinos, leopards and
abundant bird species.
The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes
and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders
of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain
its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing
wildlife.
Amboseli is situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro very
close to the Tanzanian border. Despite its small size (392
sq km), this fragile ecosystem supports a wide range of mammals
(well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species).
On clear days the looming Mt. Kilimanjaro offers great photo
opportunities.
Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya (at 22,000 sq
km), and is comprised of Tsavo East and West. Due to the abundant
vegetation cover, more effort is required to spot the wildlife,
but the fantastic landscape and comparatively few visitors
compensates for this.
 Departures:
Mondays
Price: Euro 870
Local Payment: US$ 435
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
• Transport by special safari vehicle
• Services of an English speaking driver/tour guide
and cook
• All campsite fees
• All camping equipment including use of our three-person
tents (each tent shared by 2 people), stools, foam mattresses
except sleeping bags
• Three meals a day while on safari whether vegetarian
or non-vegetarian prepared by our safari cook
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
• Gamepark entrance fees shown separately as 'local
payment'
• Personal travel insurance
• Sleeping bags [available for hire in the office at
US$15 per bag per safari with US$ 40 refundable deposit]
• Hotel accommodation in Nairobi.
• All airport/hotel/airport transfers [but can be arranged
at extra cost]
• All airport taxes and visas
• All personal expenses and toiletries; e.g. mineral
water, toilet tissue, laundry, telephones, beverages, tips,
portage, etc.
• Any other extras not stated as included above
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Samburu:
Depart Nairobi in the morning heading north via the shoulder
of Africa's second largest mountain, Mt Kenya to the Samburu
Game Reserve. Accommodation in our semi-permanent campsite
is beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch
tents on the edge of Uaso Nyiro River (meaning Brown in Samburu).
Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing
in the hot, dusty climates. 
Day 2 – Samburu
Day spent game viewing in the park appreciating the diverse
landscape and variety of animal species.
Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape
of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic
rock, steep hills and rocky outcroppings. The region is home
to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk
antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with
distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile
are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous
varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting
is also a special feature here.
Day 3 – Baringo
Depart in the early morning across the scenic Lerochi
Plateau (with lunch enroute) towards Lake Baringo. Arriving
this fresh water lake in the late afternoon, we enjoy an evening
boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile, fish eagle and a
variety of other birds.
Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s small
Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed
acacia forest. Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are
effortlessly seen from the shore, as is a magnificent display
of water birds. This is Kenya's bird watching centre with
over 1200 different species native to the country and more
than 450 sighted here. A bird watcher's haven but beware,
this is malaria land so its best to come prepared with plenty
of mosquito repellent !
Day 4 – Lake Nakuru
A 30km drive south to the spectacular Lake Bogoria with hot
springs and geysers being the main attractions. The lake has
been called ‘the new home of the flamingo’ with
a nomad population of up to two million birds. Lunch and then
proceed for an afternoon game drive at the Lake Nakuru National
Park. 
This small park (180 sq km) is home to warthogs, waterbuck,
buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and
black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and
you will find white rhino at the southern end. The park has
also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight
with more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the
night at a campsite just outside of town.
Day 5 – Masai Mara
Heading further south towards Narok, we proceed towards our
permanent campsite on the Talek River. Here we have stand-up
tents with beds or small wood cabins for those after a touch
more comfort. If all are occupied, we pitch tents.
On clear days, the Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets
and you will definitely want to capture this moment while
sipping on a sundowner back at our campsite. The Mara reserve
is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile
riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara
and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal;
it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Day 6 – Masai Mara
The day is spent exploring the Mara magic. Wherever you
go in the Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife
such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes,
grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest.
Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great
numbers. It is common to see lions either basking after a
heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs
and leopards are harder to spot but are still reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest
exodus in July and August when millions of these grass eaters
move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before
turning south again in October.
Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the
savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come back
down for a beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips can
be arranged at our office upon booking.
Day 7 – Nairobi
We break camp and drive to Narok where Masai souvenirs can
be bought, thereafter proceeding towards Nairobi. Overnight
in the comforts of a hotel.
Day 8 – Amboseli
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive via Namanga on
the Tanzania border to reach Amboseli early in the afternoon.
We view game as we proceed towards the campsite for dinner
and overnight. This small park (at 392 sq km) is the second
most popular park in Kenya after Masai Mara, mainly due to
the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the southern
boundary.
Day 9 – Amboseli
Day spent exploring this park. The waters from melted snow
drain down the mountain under lava flows and surface on the
Amboseli plains, creating a green belt of swampland amidst
dusty plains. Here elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wildebeest,
hyena, jackal, warthogs, zebra and the Masai giraffe are likely
to be seen.
Day 10 - Tsavo West
We leave soon after breakfast for Tsavo West National Park.
Visit the Chyulu Hills and the Mzima Springs, which are favorite
haun ts
of both the hippo and crocodile that can be seen from an underwater
observation chamber if time permits. Dinner and overnight
at the campsite.
Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya (at 22,000 sq
km). Tsavo West covers a wide variety of landscapes, from
swamps and natural springs to rocky peaks, extinct volcanic
cones and rolling plains. The dramatic Chyulu Hills are a
collection of ancient volcanic cinder cones with splendid
views of Kilimanjaro and populations of elands, giraffes,
zebras and wildebeest.
Day 11 - Tsavo West
Day spent exploring the park including the nature trails.
In Tsavo West birds are very common - look out for the white-bellied
go-away bird, red-beaked hornbills and bateleur Eagles. There
are also large populations of elephants, zebras and leopards.
Look out for dung beetles rolling huge balls of elephant dung
along the tracks.
Day 12 – Tsavo East
Early in the morning we drive to Tsavo East. This park was
famed for its large herds of elephant covered in red dust
and fine scenery. We visit the scenic Lugards Falls, Mudanda
Rocks (attracts elephants in the drier season) and Aruba Dam
as we view game if time permits.
The landscape in Tsavo East is flatter and drier, despite
having one of Kenya’s largest rivers flowing through
the middle. Much of the wildlife is concentrated on the Galana
River, which has plentiful crocs and hippos. Likewise, Kudus,
waterbucks and dik-diks are common along the river banks.
Day 13 – Nairobi
Early morning game drive. Soon after breakfast we proceed
to Mombasa arriving there in good time for pax to find their
way to their hotels and the tour ends.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON SAFARI:
• Sleeping bag [available for hire in our office for
US$ 15 per bag per safari plus a refundable deposit of US$
40 after the safari; Tanzania/Uganda - US$ 30].
• Money for personal spending and tipping approximately
Kshs.1000 a day
• Only a small case or rucksack, as storage space is
limited [maximum 20kgs].
• A pair of long trousers and jersey for the cool mornings
and evenings in addition to plenty of light clothes for hot
days (do not forget a hat), swim suit, a pillow, good walking
and biking shoes and sweets
• Torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent/spray
but not mosquito coils
• Mineral water for drinking (available for sale in
our office)
• Camera, films, binoculars, maps, guide-books and also
darts for our dart board at Maasai Mara
• Toilet paper, towel, soap and toothbrush/paste
• All personal travel insurance
• It is good idea to bring any drinks you might want
around the campfire as they are not always available on route.
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