The Essence of Kenya
(A Luxury Lodge and Tented Safari)
Departure Date: November 20, 2003
Itinerary
From the heights of Mount Kenya to the fabulous Masai Mara, The Essence of Kenya
takes you to the most fabulous game reserves and introduces you to the predominant
tribes of the areas.
After a day of sightseeing in Nairobi, you are off on your Safari. Your first
destination is Mountain Lodge in the Mount Kenya National Park. At 7,200 feet,
this game sanctuary is home to elephant, buffalo, rhino, water buck, lion and
leopards. As you drive up Mount Kenya, watch for elephants and leopards in the
forest. There are no bells or sirens to disturb your slumber at Mountain Lodge,
no midnight runs in your pajamas to a public viewing room, simply look out your
picture window or step onto your private balcony.
From the cool damp of Mount Kenya, we will drive to our next destination, Samburu,
in the hot arid semi-desert of the North. Your lodge sits in the forest on the
banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Samburu is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs,
elephant, giraffe, baboons, gereunk, gazelle and so much more. In addition to
your game drives, you will go on a Sundowner and a visit to a Samburu Village.
Say goodbye to your drivers at the Samburu Airstrip as you board your flight
to the fabulous Masai Mara. Your lodgings will be at Kichwa Tembo, a deluxe
luxury tented camp at the western border of the Mara. The western edge of the
Masai Mara is home to a spectacular animal population. In addition to your game
drives, you will visit a Maasai Village and enjoy a special farewell dinner.
| Evening departure from the United States for our flights to Nairobi. (meals aboard flight) | |
| Nairobi, Kenya. East Africa. Norfolk Hotel. Evening arrival. Transfer from Komo Jenyatta Airport to our Nairobi lodgings at the famous Norfolk Hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. (Meals aboard flight) |
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| Nairobi - Norfolk Hotel Our day begins with breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we are off for a full day in Nairobi. We will visit the Giraffe Center, a sanctuary for the magnificent Masai Giraffe. Food pellets are provided so that you can feed these gentle animals by hand. A visit to the Karen Blixen Home takes us back in time to the era of this great writer whose work was published under the name of Isak Dinesen. Among her famous works are Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass. A stop at the Butterfly Center allows us to see the "jewels of Africa" in free flight. A stop at the Bomas of Kenya offers a view of Kenya in Miniature. Eleven traditional villages represent native life in Kenyan tribes such as the Kikuyu, the Luo, the Maasai and the Kisii. The world famous Harambee Dancers perform a selection of the thirty tribal dances in their repertoire. Tonight, dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant of Nairobi. (Breakfast & Dinner)
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| Mount Kenya - Mountain Lodge After breakfast at the hotel we are off on safari in our private vehicles. Our guides will drive us through the lush fields and coffee farms en route to Mount Kenya. In the Kikuyu language, the name used in speaking of the Supreme being is Ngai. The mountain of brightness (Mount Kenya) is believed by the Kikuyu to be the resting place of Ngai. Ngai cannot be seen by mortal men, he is a distant Being, but he manifests himself in the sun, the moon, the stars, rain, rainbows, lightning and thunder. Although Ngai does not take part in the day to day lives of men, he is called upon in times of crisis, birth, death, initiation and marriage. On our way to Mt. Kenya we will stop in the town of Murang'a. On a hill overlooking the town is the Church of Saint James and All Martyrs. The Church is dedicated to the Christians who were killed during the Mau Mau uprising for refusing to take the oath demanded by the guerrillas. In 1955, the Archbishop of Canterbury blessed the Cathedral as a memorial to the souls lost, primarily Kikuyu. Inside, the church is painted with wonderful murals by Kenyan artist, Elimo Njua. The murals are fascinating as they are painted from an African perspective, the people in the murals are Kikuyu and the Nativity scene, The Last Supper and the Crucifixion scene are painted with a Kenyan backdrop and peopled with Kikuyu people and Kenyan flora and fauna. The murals are unlike anything you will find in the United States, but no less moving. We will arrive at Mountain Lodge in time for a late luncheon. Mountain Lodge is a viewing lodge, each room has its own private balcony which looks over a water hole and salt lick. You will have unblocked views of the animals from your private, en suite room. The Lodge also boasts public viewing rooms, balconies and a blind which is reached by an underground passageway. You must be silent in the blind as you will often be close enough to animals to hear them munching on grass! Don't leave your room without your camera. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) |
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| Mountain Lodge to Samburu - Samburu Serena Safari
Lodge This morning after an early breakfast, we set out for Samburu. We will leave the cool, damp of Mt. Kenya for the desert land of Samburu. After entering the reserve, enjoy your first game drive en route to your lodgings at the Samburu Serena. The Serena is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the middle of the Game Reserve. Accommodations are in thatched cabins built of exotic African woods. All rooms have private verandas with views of the river and the wildlife, en suite bathrooms and overhead fans. After getting situated in your cabin, you are off on an afternoon game drive. Watch for the long-necked gerunuks as they munch leaves standing on their hind legs, elephants, reticulated giraffe and leopards. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
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| Samburu Serena Safari Lodge Your day begins with the sound of monkeys and baboons as they play in the trees. You might see Samburu tribesmen as they bring their cattle to the river for water. After breakfast, we are off on our morning game drive. We return to camp for a full English style breakfast. After breakfast, consider an optional bird walk with an ornithologist or an optional walking safari into the bush with a Samburu guide. After lunch, take time for a swim in the lovely pool or perhaps a nap before your afternoon game drive and a visit to a Samburu Village. At dusk we will enjoy one of the loveliest experiences in Kenya, a sundowner. Watch the sun set over the African plain while enjoying drinks from the full bar and hot hors d'oeuvres grilled over a bar-be-cue. Marvel at the African sky with the Big Dipper, North Star and the Southern Cross in full view before being transported back to the lodge for dinner. As you fall asleep in your cabin, listen to the sounds of the Kenyan night. (Champagne Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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| Samburu to Masai Mara - Kichwa Tembo Your early morning game drive will take you to the airstrip in preparation for your flight to the incomparable Masai Mara. Bid your drivers farewell and board our plane for the most exciting game reserve in Africa. We land at the Kichwa Tembo airstrip and are transferred to this luxury tented camp. On your way to your lovely tent, equipped with modern en suite bathrooms with tiled floors, stop for a look at the beautiful pool area and bar. After lunch, relax by the pool or write in your journal on the deck by the bar. Your afternoon game drive begins when the lions begin to stir. After they have slept all day in the warm African sun, they prepare for a night of hunting. Expect to see large prides of lion, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and antelope. Perhaps your driver will find a leopard hiding in the shadows of the river. At sunset, the cars return to camp. Stop off for high tea and sandwiches in the lounge before you enjoy a steamy hot shower. Then meet at the bar to talk about what you have seen. After dinner, return to your tent where you will find that your steward has placed a steaming hot water bottle in your bed. ( Champagne Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Dinner)
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| Maasai Mara - Kichwa Tembo Your day begins with early morning coffee or tea served on your private veranda. Watch the monkeys and baboons and resident warthogs at play. At 6:30 we are off for our early morning game drive. The cheetahs are active while the lions sleep, watch for these magnificent cats hunting the delicate Thompson's gazelle. The game drive is followed by breakfast and then a trip to a Maasai Village. If you are invited into one of the villagers huts, definitely go inside. The warriors will do a traditional dance, photographs are permitted. We will return to camp for lunch, but don't get too comfortable, after lunch we will be off on another game drive. Tonight, after dinner take some time by the night fire to discuss your day's sightings. (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Dinner)
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| Maasai Mara - Kichwa Tembo Your morning begins with the rising sun and hot coffee or tea served to you on your veranda. As you drink your morning beverage, the plains before you come into view with herds of animals grazing on the savanna. The sun breaks the horizon with a riot of pinks and oranges and we are off on our early morning game drive. The cubs frolic in the prides, the cheetah hunt on the plains and the baboon tribes are off on a day of exploring. When the sun is high we return to camp for breakfast. Enjoy the late morning with a book, your safari journal or a swim in the pool. After lunch you will have time to organize your camera bags and water jugs for the afternoon game drive. As the lions begin to stir, the cheetahs disappear and the leopards take to the trees. Evening is the time of the hunt for the jungle king. After your game drive, stop at the bar lounge for tea and sandwiches before your hot shower. Tonight, a farewell dinner under the stars. (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Farewell Dinner)
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| Maasai Mara - Nairobi Enjoy your early morning coffee or tea served to you on your veranda before your early morning game drive. Take your last photographs of this magnificent land. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip and your flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, we will be transferred to the Norfolk Hotel. After check-in, enjoy lunch in one of the five restaurants in the Hotel. Take time for a nap and a hot shower before repacking your bags for our evening departure. Enjoy your last dinner in Africa in one of the Hotel Restaurants. After dinner, we depart for the airport and our evening flight home. (Breakfast)
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| Arrive Home |
Pricing
$452.00 Single Supplement
What's Included
All Accommodations
All Meals as Shown
All Domestic Flights (Exclusive of round trip airfare to Nairobi)
All Activities as Shown
Private Cars and Drivers as Shown
Tips
Not Included
Round Trip Airfare to Kenya
Travelers Insurance
Visas
Drinks
Personal Laundry
Personal Sundries