Compare Kenya Wildlife Safari by Intrepid Travel vs Kenya: A Classic Safari with Nairobi by Globus
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 1,404 | $ 5,069 |
| Price Per Day | $ 176 | $ 507 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Immerse yourself in the animal kingdom on this eight-day trip. Veer off the beaten track to seek out elephants, hippos, leopards and lions against the impressive backdrop of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. Then, staying in the world-famous Masai Mara, deepen your understanding of Kenyan culture by experiencing tribal life in Loita Hills as you’re welcomed into the homes of the Maasai warriors and their proud village community. Join this perspective-shifting journey of unforgettable moments and memorable wildlife encounters. |
When’s the last time you laughed like a hyena? Pack your khakis, greys, and greens and get ready for the ride of your life—or rides, rather! This classic African safari vacation packs in 10 game drives to see lion, leopard, zebra, giraffe, and countless other creatures of Kenya’s most famous national parks and wildlife reserves.Come face to face with adventure in custom-made 6-person 4-wheel-drive safari vehicles staffed by expert safari guides. Take in the best views of the “Big 5,” the Samburu “Special 5,” and every impala, ostrich, and gazelle in between—all in their natural habitats. Need to slow down and put on the brakes? Sumptuous safari lodges and comfortable tented camps, breakfast in the bush, and late day sundowner drinks present the perfect opportunities to rest near the rhinos, raise a mimosa to the monkeys, and say cheers to the cheetahs. Explore more on your Africa tour in Nairobi. Feeding endangered giraffes at the Giraffe Center, see the rare white rhino on a Safari Walk, and visiting the former home of Out of Africa author Karen Blixen are a few highlights! |
Day 1 Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with time to spare before the meeting, consider getting to know the city on an Urban Adventure like the ‘Nairobi Experience’. This optional 4-hour tour is a great way to get a feel for Nairobi, and includes lunch at a local restaurant. After the welcome meeting, perhaps join your new travel companions for an optional group dinner.
Day 2 Lake Nakuru National Park
Drive north-west past splendid views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita to Lake Nakuru National Park. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is a great location for spotting wildlife, which you will do in an early morning game drive tomorrow. For now, head to a nearby village with your leader. This is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the local folk and get a feel for everyday life here. Enjoy a cooking class and return later in the evening to share the results for dinner.
Day 3 Lake Naivasha
Wake early for a light breakfast and head into the Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive in the overland vehicle. Lake Nakuru is home to rhinos, and there will be a good chance of spotting and photographing one of these magnificent beasts. Return to camp for lunch before driving to your camp near Lake Naivasha. One of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos and a tremendous variety of birds.
Day 4 Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a free day to choose from a variety of optional activities available around Lake Naivasha. Perhaps venture to Hell's Gate National Park, which boasts beautiful cliffs, gorges, rock towers, volcanoes and a range of geothermal phenomena. Another great choice is to take a boat trip across Lake Naivasha – perhaps the best way to take in the atmosphere of this lush area. If you're looking for something active, why not hire a bike for the day and make some of your own discoveries, venturing beyond the cacti and olive trees.
Day 5 Loita Hills Maasai Village
Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok to do a spot of food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills, home of the Maasai people, stopping for lunch on the way. You’ll be camping at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. When you arrive, be welcomed by traditional Maasai warrior song and dance, then your host will explain the details of Maasai warrior training. Take a walk to the community village which was founded to alleviate the poverty of Maasai widows, who traditionally are not allowed to inherit property. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Spend the evening around a campfire and learn more about their age-old culture and traditions as you share stories with Maasai warriors into the night.
Day 6 Masai Mara National Reserve
Today you’ll travel from Loita Hills to Masai Mara. Most of the road there is tarmacked, but the final 5 km is dusty when dry and muddy when wet. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most tremendous animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then it's time to jump in 4WDs and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.
Day 7 Masai Mara National Reserve
Venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day's game drive in 4WDs. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is available today. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, to get some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then meet up with the rest of the group while on their game drive.
Day 8 Nairobi
Say goodbye to the open expanses of the African bush and return to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. On arrival, you'll be dropped at a centrally located hotel, and with no accommodation provided for tonight, you are free to leave at any time. If you would like to extend your stay in Nairobi, we’ll happily organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Day 1: ARRIVE IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Jambo, Kenya!Welcome to Nairobi, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
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Day 2: NAIROBI
Conservation MattersGuided sightseeing starts at the Nairobi Safari Walk for an elevated adventure on raised boardwalks offering uninterrupted views of the endangered pygmy hippos, albino zebras, white rhinos, and more. Learn about the conservation efforts of the region’s diverse wildlife and habitat protection at this animal orphanage. After lunch, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, dedicated to the Danish baroness and author of the 1937 autobiography Out of Africa (later, an Academy Award winning film) illustrating her time living and operating a coffee farm in Kenya. A visit to the [LF] Giraffe Centre is followed by free time this evening.
(Breakfast,Lunch)LOCAL FAVORITETALL ORDERS Visit the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi—a non-profit organization operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, focused on saving the Rothschild giraffe. During a visit to this remarkable sanctuary, learn about this giraffe sub-species, meet them up close and feed them. Get closer on the feeding platform, and you may just get a kiss!
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Day 3: NAIROBI–SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE
Shaba SpecialDrive north out of the city to Shaba National Reserve, home to the “Special 5,” a collection of unique animals, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Start your safari adventure with an afternoon game drive.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Listen for a symphony of bird calls at the Shaba National Reserve. More than 400 recorded species including the vibrant vulturine guinea fowl and gray crowned crane reside in Shaba. Look low for the Kori bustard, the largest flying bird native to Africa.
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Day 4: SHABA
Arid AwakeningMorning and afternoon game drives plus free time at your lodge. Due to the dry climate, grasses are sparse, making animals easier to spot. The Ewaso Ng’iro River borders the reserve, providing a year-round water supply. These two factors make for a great game viewing experience! Sundowner drinks in the bush are served prior to returning to your lodge for dinner.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTSUNDOWNER DRINKS This evening, enjoy the legendary tradition of safaris with a memorable happy hour in the bush, complete with sunset views over the Ewaso Ng’iro River!
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Day 5: SHABA–OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
Wonderful Weavers & Wildlife Sanctuaries Depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. En route, stop at Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers, a project aimed at building sustainable livelihoods for local women through social and economic activities. After lunch, visit the [LF] Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary, then set out for an afternoon game drive.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITECONSERVATION HEROES Learn more about the plight of chimpanzees during a visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary offers a long term home to orphaned and abused chimpanzees—a moving example of wildlife conservation for future generations.TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT INTO THE WILD A guest favorite, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is in the heart of the conservancy with magnificent views of Mount Kenya. Globus guests enjoy tents situated directly in front of the floodlit waterhole where wildlife comes to drink day and night for a vantage point directly from your private verandah!
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Day 6: OL PEJETA–LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
High & MightyMorning game drive in Ol Pejeta. Then, journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa to Lake Nakuru National Park. Settle in to your lodge prior to dinner and gaze at the lush landscape from your private patio or open-air lounge.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: LAKE NAKURU
At the Water’s EdgeYour morning game drive includes an exclusive [LF] bush breakfast. Keep your eyes out for giraffe, impala, flamingo, striped hyena, and a variety of birdlife along the water’s edge. Free time at your lodge before an afternoon game drive.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITEBREAKFAST IN THE BUSH As part of your morning game drive, you’ll be treated to this time-honored safari experience in Africa’s unmatched landscapes, reminiscent of Africa’s early explorers. Sip mimosas as you revel in this memorable experience in the wild.
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Day 8: LAKE NAKURU–MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Jewel of KenyaThis morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, typically from August to early November, their population grows by almost 2 million, providing a bountiful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. After lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 9: MAASAI MARA
Magical MaraMorning and afternoon game drives plus free time to relax at your camp. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Tonight, a [LF] farewell dinner in the bush features a traditional Maasai dance performance.
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITECULTURAL GEMS The Maasai people bring a history of rich culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. Your special farewell dinner in the bush includes a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating an ancient culture amid the majestic wildlife who find sanctuary here. The perfect ending to a spectacular safari adventure!
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Day 10: MAASAI MARA–NAIROBI
So Long, FarewellEmbark on a final game drive before flying back to Nairobi, where a day room is reserved for your use. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm.
(Breakfast)
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