| The
Essence of Kenya
(A Luxury Lodge and
Tented Safari)
Departure Date: November 20, 2003
Itinerary
| Pricing
| What's
Included
Itinerary
Print 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.
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Day 1 |
Evening departure
from the United States for our flights to Nairobi.
(meals aboard flight) |
|
Day 2 |
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) |
|
Day 3 |
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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Day 4 |
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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|
Day 5 |
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) |
|
Day 6 |
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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|
Day 7 |
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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Day 8 |
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) |
|
Day 9 |
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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Day 10 |
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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Day 11 |
Arrive Home |
Pricing
$2970.00 Double Occupancy
$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
For more information or to reserve space on this tour,
contact
DreamCatchers, Inc. |
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