Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Airport Pick-up
Game Drive in Kenya Upon your arrival at Nairobi International Airport, our local safari representative will escort you to the hotel in the downtown area. The rest of the time will be free for you. You can either take a rest in the hotel or explore the neighborhood on your own. Things to Know:1. Yellow Fever Vaccine: Visitors who stopped at countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission before arriving in Kenya or set South Africa, or Tanzania, as the next destination are required to receive vaccination against yellow fever and obtain the certification, which you will be asked to present at the customs. 2. Plastic Bag Ban: Single-use plastics such as plastic carrier bags and flat bags are not allowed in Kenya, or you may be fined. Plastic suitcases and zip-lock bags used to pack personal hygiene products are out of the prohibited list. 3. Currency & Tipping: USD issued after 2013 can circulate in Kenya but is less cost-effective than using Kenyan shilling (Ksh). It is advised to exchange some Ksh at the airport or banks in the downtown area where the exchange rate is better. Local shillings are expected if you want to tip, and we suggest you budget on tipping about 1,300 Ksh (10 USD) per person per day. 4. Plugs & Sockets: Most places in Kenya provide British Standard plugs and sockets, type G, and so remember to bring a plug converter. Free Time Suggestion:If you arrive on weekends, Maasai Market, a 10-minute drive from your hotel, is a good place to kill time. Every weekend, local people sell their homemade traditional handicrafts, such as wood carvings, leather goods, and beads made of colorful stones here. Sometimes, they also perform Masia music and dances to attract guests. ► Tip: In Nairobi, hailing a car on Uber or Bolt is convenient and the latter is cheaper. Be careful of staring at your phone when sitting near the car window in case of a bike gang. In addition, please maintain vigilance of your belongings. Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: Drive to Amboseli National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
In the morning, we will drive for 4 hours southwards around 230 kilometers (143 miles) to Amboseli National Park. Upon arrival, check into the lodge and have lunch. After a short break, we will start an afternoon game drive in the park. Amboseli is the filming location of The Lion King. When driving through the endless grassland, the characters in the movie will come into your eyes lively. Following herds of elephants and lions arriving at the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, you seem to be personally in the Outlands where Banzai, Shenzi, and Ed (three hyenas) live in the movie. When dusk comes, the sun is like a fireball falling on the plain, and acacias and animals form a beautiful painting under the crimson sky. If you want to capture the perfect view, our guide will drive to a safe place where you can get out of the car to take photos. ★ Our Strength: Pop-up Roof Safari VehicleYou will be escorted by a 4×4 pop-top roof land cruiser on safari, whose enclosed body is dustproof and can ensure your safety while driving at a high speed. The openable windows and top are not only ventilated but also convenient for taking photos. Compared to the pop-top roof vans provided by other operators, our vehicle has more comfy seats and can better handle complex terrains with upgraded wheels and tires. In addition, equipped with drinking water devices, it can ensure water safety in game drives. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 3: Enjoy a Full-Day Game Drive in Amboseli
After having a big breakfast, we will take an exhilarating full-day game drive in Amboseli National Park. In addition to looking for lions, zebras, and leopards, you may also come across hippos, black rhinos, wildebeests, and other rare wildlife. After some drive inside the park, you will be escorted to ascend to the top of the Observation Hill, where you can overlook the entire park and admire Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, if weather permits. While the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro stands tall in Tanzania, the most breathtaking images of the peak are often captured from the vantage point of Amboseli National Park. After the guided game-viewing drive, you will return to the lodge for a good dinner. Then, you will spend an unforgettable night in the lodge under the starry sky. Tips for Game Drive:1. Remember to take some Dramamine to beat motion sickness that may be caused by bumpy roads. 2. Please stay in the car unless the guide permits you to get out to avoid danger. 3. Please avoid groveling on the car or leaning out of the window when taking photographs. 4. It is better not to scream or shout at animals because they may be scared off. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 4: Fly back to Nairobi and Drive to Mount Kenya
Today, we will first drive to the Amboseli airstrip to take a scheduled flight for 1.5 hours to Nairobi. Then, our guide will drive you to the next leg of your safari. Along the way, we will pass some tea and coffee plantations. After a 4-hour drive, you will arrive at the Fairmont Mountain Kenya Safari Club, where Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was one of the major members, and Prince William once proposed here. Located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, it offers a magnificent view of the pyramids-like snow peaks. After a short rest, you will be escorted to explore the resort, breathe fresh mountain air, and visit an animal orphanage. Actually, it is more likely an animal welfare home, as it not only adopts animal orphans but is home to those who have lost their ability to survive in the wild, including llamas, ostriches, hyenas, lions, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, buffalo, and even a 100-year-old tortoise. If interested, you can take part in some charge activities on your own, such as horse riding, tennis, fishing, swimming, and jungle trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fairmont Mountain Kenya Safari Club (5 stars)
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Day 5: Head to Samburu National Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, we will drive northwards for around 3 hours to Samburu National Reserve. Located in the arid bush forest north of Nairobi, it has also been described as one of the top three dreamlands for wildlife photographers. Upon arrival, we will first get lodged and enjoy today's lunch. In the late afternoon, you will be guided to start an exciting game drive, and our driver will accompany you to look for the animals in the reserve. Compared with the vast Masai Mara and barbaric Amboseli, Samburu seems more delicate with diverse topography. Hills, bushes, rivers, and plains provide comfortable habitats for different animals. In addition, since it is not on the main tourist route, fewer visitors step here, so it is much quieter than Masai Mara, and you can admire animals up close. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp (4 stars)
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Day 6: Enjoy a Full-Day Exploration of Samburu
Today, you will spend a whole day in Samburu National Reserve, which is not only home to the famous African Big Five, namely elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and leopards, but also breeds the rare Special Five: reticulated giraffes, grevy's zebras, Somali ostriches, beisa oryx, and gerenuks. It is said that elephants receive great respect in Samburu, as people here believe they have ties of consanguinity with these big guys. When the elders encounter an elephant’s skull, they always put grass and smear saliva (representing water and good growth) on it to show their respect.
As it's scorching at noon on the grassland, animals generally rest during this time. We will take a morning and an afternoon game drives when it's more likely to see animals hunting and fighting and take some fantastic pictures. After a full day exploration in the reserve, you will be escorted to return to the lodge for today’s dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp (4 stars)
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Day 7: Fly to Masai Mara National Reserve, Afternoon Game Drive
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to the Samburu airstrip to take the scheduled flight to Masai Mara National Reserve, the jewel of Kenya's game parks. Depending on the transit airport, it will take you 1.5-3 hours on the way. The reserve is the home of the "Big Five," as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, wildebeests, hippo, impala gazelle, and numerous other wildlife, including hundreds of species of birds. Upon arrival, you will be accompanied to check into the luxury-tented camp. After lunch, you could take a rest and then depart on an afternoon game safari. As the temperature is comfortable and the animals have eaten their fill in the afternoon, you can easily see lions roaming on the savanna, vultures eating the remains of killed antelopes, and cheetahs napping on the tree. Mentioning cheetahs, do you know how to tell the differences between them and leopards? It’s really easy as cheetahs have two black “tear stains” on their face, while leopards do not. ★ Our Strengths in Masai Mara:1. We arrange three days in Masai Mara for you, increasing your chances of seeing the Great Migration more than other tours. 2. The camp we booked for you is near the Mara River, where you can hear the roar of hippos and see wildebeests crossing the river if lucky. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp (4 stars) Hippos in Masai Mara Antelopes in Masai Mara
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Day 8: Enjoy a Full-day Game Drive in Masai Mara
This full day will be devoted to Masai Mara National Reserve, the world's largest wild mammal park, with 95 species of mammals and 450 species of birds. Today, you will be escorted to seek the Big Five, wait silently to watch the spectacular scene of lions fighting for food, or capture some pictures of the flying cheetah. You may also encounter elephant groups wandering leisurely on the rolling plains.
★ Witness the Great Migration - Millions of Wildebeests Crossing Mara River
If you come here from July to October, you may admire the spectacular views of wildebeests going across the Mara River. The procession, which might be more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long, marches from Serengeti to Masai Mara to find a grassland with ample food suitable for breeding. Wildebeests and zebras are the best partners during the migration. Intelligent zebras always act as pioneers leading the wildebeests away from dangers and finding safe places to cross the river, while wildebeests can always take zebras to water resources by using their keen sense of smell. After the safari, we will return to the lodge and have dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp (4 stars)
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Day 9: Enjoy Another Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve
It is the last day for you to explore this fantastic reserve. Today, you may wake up early, before dawn, because of the singing birds and the naughty monkeys. If you haven’t seen the Great Migration in the past two days, our guide will try his best to drive you to find the majestic scene of wildebeests crossing the Mara River. ★ Get an Insight into Masai Mara’s Local TribeIf interested, you will be guided to visit the traditional Masai tribes and learn about their culture and traditions. Upon arrival, villagers will greet you with big smiles and lively music. Stepping into their settlements, you will see huts built using mud, grass, and cow dung with thorn fences around to against wild beasts. With a deep visit, you will meet women in vibrant attire decorated with colorful beads, and men in cloaks, called Shukas in the local language, which are sun-protective and can scare off wild beasts. You may also encounter locals who sell jewelry and traditional crafts to tourists. Remember to bargain if you want to buy, as they may overcharge. ► Tip: You may meet some villagers touting souvenirs during the visit. Just reject them if you don’t want to buy them. Nevertheless, remember to bargain if you want to take some home as gifts because they are always overcharged. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp (4 stars)
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Day 10: Fly Back to Nairobi, Airport See-off
This morning, you will say goodbye to the bush and be transferred to the Masai Mara airstrip, where you will take a scheduled flight for about 1 hour back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Upon arrival, our guide will drive you to have lunch at a nice restaurant. After that, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your homebound flight. Since transport in Nairobi is congested, it is recommended that you set 30 minutes aside. Bon Voyage!
If you don’t think our 10-day Kenya safari tours can fully satisfy your craving for Africa, Tanzania is here waiting for you. Contact our consultant if you are interested in the Kenya-Tanzania tour. We are very delighted to serve you!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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