Essence of Kenya
This popular road safari covers the varied landscapes of Kenya’s mountainous region, lakeland and iconic savannah plains all in one tour. See the beautiful scenery of the Aberdares, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara with comfortable lodges and transport by 4×4 safari vehicle. The tour operates weekly – departing Nairobi on Mondays.
The tour first visits Aberdare National Park – an area of 767 Km2 covering the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges of Central Kenya. The topography is quite diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes. Animals easily observed in the park include; the black rhino, leopard, baboon, black and white colobus monkey and sykes monkey. Rare sightings include those of lions, the golden cat and the bongo- an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland are spotted and melanistic serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s francolin, sparry hawk, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
We then move on to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru was crowned a national park in the sixties and – in addition to its attractive lakeland scenery – it offers opportunities to see lion, leopard, black rhino, hippos, giraffe, reedbuck, waterbuck, hundreds of species of bird and much more.
The tour concludes at the Maasai Mara National Game Reserve – a magnificent landscape of open plains bisected by the Mara River and its tributaries, and punctuated by marshes and forests. This reserve supports the highest density of game to be seen anywhere considering its size. During the seasonal migrations, the reserve is home to up to a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebra that move into the area from the neighbouring Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania. The reserve is home to all the “Big Five” and it is also possible to observe; baboon, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox, jackal, and the rivers abound with hippos and crocodiles.
ABERDARE
LAKE NAKURU
MAASAI MARA
LENGTH
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT
ALL YEAR
FROM
US$1,953
Essence of Kenya
This popular road safari covers the varied landscapes of Kenya’s mountainous region, lakeland and iconic savannah plains all in one tour. See the beautiful scenery of the Aberdares, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara with comfortable lodges and transport by 4×4 safari vehicle. The tour operates weekly – departing Nairobi on Mondays.
The tour first visits Aberdare National Park – an area of 767 Km2 covering the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges of Central Kenya. The topography is quite diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes. Animals easily observed in the park include; the black rhino, leopard, baboon, black and white colobus monkey and sykes monkey. Rare sightings include those of lions, the golden cat and the bongo- an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland are spotted and melanistic serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s francolin, sparry hawk, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
We then move on to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru was crowned a national park in the sixties and – in addition to its attractive lakeland scenery – it offers opportunities to see lion, leopard, black rhino, hippos, giraffe, reedbuck, waterbuck, hundreds of species of bird and much more.
The tour concludes at the Masai Mara National Game Reserve – a magnificent landscape of open plains bisected by the Mara River and its tributaries, and punctuated by marshes and forests. This reserve supports the highest density of game to be seen anywhere considering its size. During the seasonal migrations, the reserve is home to up to a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebra that move into the area from the neighbouring Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania. The reserve is home to all the “Big Five” and it is also possible to observe; baboon, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox, jackal, and the rivers abound with hippos and crocodiles.
ABERDARE
LAKE NAKURU
MAASAI MARA
LENGTH
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT
ALL YEAR
FROM
US$1,953
Itinerary in Detail
DAY BY DAY
Tour Experiences
Day 1
Your safari adventure begins with a pickup by our 4×4 safari vehicle, featuring a pop-up roof for optimal wildlife viewing. You will enjoy a scenic drive to Aberdare National Park, where you will arrive at the Aberdare Country Club for a delightful lunch.
In the afternoon, you will transfer to The Ark Tree Lodge, where you can spend your evening observing the fascinating wildlife as they visit the nearby salt lick and waterhole. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be provided at The Ark Tree Lodge.
Day 2
After enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, you will check out of The Ark Tree Lodge and board the transfer vehicle to Aberdare Country Club for breakfast. Following your meal, our driver will assist you in collecting the remainder of your luggage before continuing your journey in a 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicle down the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park.
En route, you will embark on a game drive, arriving at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge for check-in and lunch. After a relaxing afternoon at the lodge, you will proceed on an afternoon game drive in the park, returning later for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will check out and embark on a drive southwest in a 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicle to the Masai Mara National Game Reserve. Upon arrival, you will check in and enjoy lunch at Keekorok Lodge. After a period of relaxation, you will proceed on an afternoon game drive, returning later for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Day 4
You will enjoy a full day in the Masai Mara National Game Reserve, featuring scheduled game drives in a 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicle during the early morning, mid-morning, and afternoon. All meals will be provided, and you will spend the night at Keekorok Lodge.
Day 5
After breakfast, you will check out and embark on your return journey to Nairobi city in our 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicle, arriving in the mid-afternoon. You will be dropped off in Nairobi or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
An optional excursion and lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden are available at an additional cost upon request.
Tour Experiences
Day 1
Pick up by our 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and start your safari with a drive to the Aberdare National Park, arriving at Aberdare Country Club for lunch. Later in the afternoon transfer to The Ark Tree Lodge where you will spend your evening observing wildlife as the animals come to the nearby saltlick and waterhole. Dinner and overnight at The Ark Tree Lodge.
Day 2
After a cup of tea or coffee check out of the Tree Lodge and board the transfer vehicle to the Aberdare Country Club for breakfast after which our driver will assist you to collect the rest of your luggage before continuing (by 4×4 pop-up roof safari vehicle) down the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. Take a game drive en route to Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge for check in and lunch. Relax at the lodge, then proceed on an afternoon game drive in the park returning later for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Early breakfast and then drive through the bush into Amboseli National Park for a full day there with good views of Kilimanjaro and close-up observation of elephants, as well as many other species. Return to camp in Selenkay Conservancy later in the afternoon after a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in the camp at Selenkay.
Day 4
After an early breakfast transfer to the airstrip for the 08.30 am flight back to Wilson Airport (arrives 09.10 am) to connect to the 10.00 am flight to the Mara, arriving at 11.00 am. Upon arrival at the airstrip in the Mara you will be transferred to the Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy and shown to your tent, before having lunch and relaxing in camp. In the afternoon you will head out on an evening game drive in the conservancy to see some of the wildlife for which the Mara is famous. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Wake up at dawn and enjoy an early game drive in the conservancy on the look out for the big cats, returning to camp for a late breakfast followed by an escorted nature walk and then lunch. In the afternoon enjoy another game drive in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy with a night drive as you head back to camp driving in the dark with a spotlight for the chance to see the nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight at camp in Ol Kinyei.
Day 6
An early breakfast followed by a full day of game viewing in the Mara Reserve, taking a picnic lunch. Return to the camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 7
A final short early morning game drive in the conservancy followed by breakfast and then leave camp to transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Kenya.
Rick McIntyre
Rick McIntyre
Hello, I'm Rick, based in Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years in the travel industry and a passport filled with stamps from over 70 countries. My heart was captured by Africa during my first visit to Kenya, and since then, I've journeyed back repeatedly, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Whether you're dreaming of a "once in a lifetime" vacation or you're a seasoned safari traveler, I'm here to assist in planning your perfect African adventure.
You can contact me at rick@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +1-877-710-3014, and together, we'll make your African dreams a reality.
Rachel Chambers
Rachel Chambers
Rachel resides on the vibrant West Coast of Canada, specifically on Vancouver Island. She has a profound love for travel, having explored nearly 30 countries. However, it was a solo journey to Africa that truly ignited her passion. Upon stepping foot in Botswana for the first time, Rachel was captivated and knew she needed to explore more of the continent. Since then, she has ventured solo to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, where she traveled with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps.
It was during these experiences that Rachel realized her desire to be a part of the Gamewatchers team. More about Rachel
You can contact Rae at rae@gamewatchers.com or call +1-250-588-9112
Julie Roggow
Julie Roggow
Greetings, I'm Julie Roggow, and I come to you with over two decades of immersion in the world of travel. My journey into the heart of safari adventures began as I traversed Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, capturing the essence of these mesmerizing landscapes through my lens. Among these remarkable destinations, Kenya and the Porini safari camps hold a special place in my heart. Their unique blend of wilderness and conservation resonates deeply with me.
My passion for travel is matched only by my dedication to sharing that passion with others. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your very first safari, I'm here to ensure that planning your safari vacation is an enjoyable and seamless experience.
Feel free to reach out to me by email at julie@gamewatchers.com or through our toll-free telephone line at +1-877-710-3014. Let's embark on an unforgettable safari journey together, where the wild beauty of Africa awaits to enchant and inspire you.
Brad Wierman
Brad Wierman
Hello there, I'm Brad, and my safari odyssey began with my first expedition to Kenya in 1984. Since then, I've had the privilege of guiding and exploring various African destinations, from Tanzania to Ethiopia, Rwanda to Zambia, and beyond. Yet, after 34 years, East Africa still captivates me like no other. My most recent adventure here was in June 2018. As an Environmental Conservation major in college, I found my perfect match in Gamewatchers and Porini Camps, whose groundbreaking conservation efforts in Kenya are unparalleled. The moment you witness an elephant in the wild for the first time, you're irrevocably hooked, just as I was. Whether you're embarking on your inaugural safari or your tenth, I'm here to curate the ideal experience tailored to your expertise level, accommodation preferences, and budget.
I'm based in Bend, Oregon, and you can reach me at brad@gamewatchers.com or by calling +1 224-558-1887. Let's make your safari dreams come true!
Talk to a Specialist
Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Kenya.
