|
6 DAYS GREAT RIFT VALLEY LAKES & MASAI MARA
Areas of interest: Masai Mara, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria and the Hot Springs,
Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru, Mau Escarpment, Great
Rift Valley, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Great Wildebeest Migration
(Seasonal).
Activities: Game and Bird Watching, Camping, Culture, Ethnic,
Scenery, Wildlife, Boat Ride, Photography, Traditional Dances
(Optional). 
Price: $430
Local Payment: $195
Departures: Every Sunday
Country: Kenya
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
This is a safari to the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of
the Great Rift Valley Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Nakuru, then
South over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya’s greatest concentration
of game - Masai Mara. Kenya’s rift valley escarpments
offer some of the most breath taking views.
The Rift Valley is part of the East African rift system;
a massive geological fault line stretching almost 6500km across
the African continent, from the Dead Sea in the north to Beira,
Mozambique in the south. Land mass collision and movements
resulted in the escarpments, ravines, flatlands and lakes
that mark much of East Africa’s topography today. The
rift valley lakes are often very deep, with floors below sea
level even though their surfaces may be several hundred metres
above sea level.
 Itinerary
Day 1 - Lake Baringo
Depart Nairobi in the morning stopping enroute to view the
spectacular Great Rift Valley. We stop for lunch along the
way then make camp at Lake Baringo, a world famous bird sanctuary,
late in the afternoon. We enjoy an evening boat ride in search
of hippo, crocodile, and fish eagle.
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 spay.
Day 2 - Lake Bogoria & 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, which covers 180 sq km. The park
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 may 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 3 - Masai Mara
We head south to Narok, camping in our permanent Talek riverside
campsite situated at the edge of the park. Here we have stand-up
tents with beds for use as well as small wood cabins for those
after a touch more comfort. Hot showers are available in the
camp and meals are served in the dinning mess or in the open.
In the night you can hear a chorus of different animal sounds
as they communicate with each other in the darkness –
more than a reason to visit.
Days 4 & 5 - Masai Mara
The next two days shall be spent game viewing, either
in the early morning hours or in the evening as this is when
we have the best chances of seeing animals. 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. 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 also comm on
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 6 – Nairobi
We break camp and drive to Narok where Masai souvenirs can
be bought, then back to Nairobi by late afternoon
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.
Like to know more?
Enquire about this |
