Paka Kubwa - Big Cat Safari
Paka Kubwa means “Big Cat” in Swahili and this safari allows guests to immerse themselves in an authentic wildlife and cultural safari in pioneering and in globally recognized conservancies, engaging with communities in a meaningful way and striving to have the travellers leave (and return) as friends. This 8 day adventure offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa hosted and guided by local Masai members and leaders of the community. The Big Cat Safari experience takes you to rich and iconic locations in Kenya including Nairobi National Park, Selenkay Conservancy in Amboseli, Ol pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia and Ol Kinyei & Naboisho Conservancies and Mara Reserve. Guests get to stay at gold eco-rated facilities and the tour visits two of three IUCN Green destinations in Kenya – Ol Kinyei and Ol Pejeta Conservancies.
US$ 4,766
amboseli
OL KINYEI CONSERVANCY
selenkay
LENGTH
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT
ALL YEAR
FROM
US$ 4,766
Paka Kubwa - Big Cat Safari
Paka Kubwa means “Big Cat” in Swahili and this safari allows guests to immerse themselves in an authentic wildlife and cultural safari in pioneering and in globally recognized conservancies, engaging with communities in a meaningful way and striving to have the travellers leave (and return) as friends. This 8 day adventure offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa hosted and guided by local Masai members and leaders of the community. The Big Cat Safari experience takes you to rich and iconic locations in Kenya including Nairobi National Park, Selenkay Conservancy in Amboseli, Ol pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia and Ol Kinyei & Naboisho Conservancies and Mara Reserve. Guests get to stay at gold eco-rated facilities and the tour visits two of three IUCN Green destinations in Kenya – Ol Kinyei and Ol Pejeta Conservancies.
amboseli
OL KINYEI CONSERVANCY
selenkay
LENGTH
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT
ALL YEAR
FROM
US$4,390
Itinerary in Detail
DAY BY DAY
Tour Experiences
Day 1
Pick up from Nairobi airport (or central Nairobi) and transfer to Nairobi Tented Camp. This offers a superb alternative to staying in a hotel in the busy city centre. The camp is located in the heart of Nairobi National Park and it is the first accommodation of any sort to be allowed in this unique safari destination. There isn’t anywhere else in the world like it: a wilderness escape where you can savour the feeling of being in the wilds of Africa in the heart of thick forest but right on the doorstep of the city of Nairobi. Includes morning and afternoon game drives (or visit the renowned Elephant Orphanage), lunch, dinner and drinks.
Day 2
Early breakfast then transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson (domestic) airport for the short (40 minutes) early morning flight to Selenkay / Amboseli. Met at the airstrip and transfer to the nearby Porini Amboseli Camp, with a game drive en route, to stay 2 nights. After lunch you will have an escorted walk to a nearby Maasai village to gain an insight into the way of life of the communities living outside the Selenkay Conservancy. You will then drive back into the Selenkay Conservancy. All the big cats have been seen in the Conservancy as well as elephants and a wide range of species including large numbers of giraffes, zebra, and antelopes. There are also less common animals to be seen such as the long-necked gerenuk gazelle, lesser kudu and African wildcat. Enjoy a sundowner at a scenic spot overlooking Kilimanjaro then continue with a night game drive and return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Awake to the noisy calls of the birds. After an early breakfast, we drive through the bush on our private track into Amboseli National Park, for a full morning of game viewing. Following a picnic lunch in the park, we return to camp later in the afternoon. In the evening you will go on a game drive in Selenkay Conservancy, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic viewpoint, followed by a night game drive. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Early breakfast and then drive through the Conservancy to the airstrip for the flight to Wilson Airport, connecting onto the 10.20h flight to Nanyuki (arriving at 11.30h). You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to Porini Rhino Camp, located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Lunch and afternoon tea in camp and then head off on a game drive with your driver-guide in the camp’s 4×4 safari vehicle to explore the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Return to Porini Rhino Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Full day in Ol Pejeta with game drives and walking activities from camp. Other activities (optional and at a supplement) include a visit to the Endangered Species Boma which houses the World’s last two remaining Northern White Rhino and Lion Tracking. Dinner and overnight at Porini Rhino Camp.
Day 6
Early morning game drive and breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for the flight to the Masai Mara. You will be met and transferred to Porini Mara Camp, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon you will have a game drive with a sundowner at a scenic spot followed by a night game drive with spotlights to search for nocturnal animals, including the elusive leopards which are resident in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, before heading back to camp for dinner. Overnight at Porni Mara Camp.
Day 7
Enjoy a full day to explore the Conservancy at your leisure, or opt for an exhilarating game drive in the renowned Masai Mara Reserve. Should you choose the latter, a picnic lunch will be provided in the park before returning to camp in the late afternoon.
In the evening, unwind with a sundowner in the Conservancy, followed by a night game drive to discover the nocturnal wildlife. Conclude your day with dinner and an overnight stay at Porini Mara Camp.
Note: From July 1 to September 30, a one-day fee to view the Migration in the Reserve is already included in your package.
Day 8
Early morning game drive in the conservancy returning for breakfast. Mid-morning transfer to the airstrip for the 11am flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson airport (arriving 12.15h). Transfer to the international airport or a Nairobi hotel (hotel not included but can be added at a supplement).
Extra Nights can be added at any camp. Alternatively, extend your stay by flying to the Kenya Coast or the Spice Island of Zanzibar to relax on the pure white beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Tour Experiences
Day 1
Pick up from Nairobi airport (or central Nairobi) and transfer to Nairobi Tented Camp. This offers a superb alternative to staying in a hotel in the busy city centre. The camp is located in the heart of Nairobi National Park and it is the first accommodation of any sort to be allowed in this unique safari destination. There isn’t anywhere else in the world like it: a wilderness escape where you can savour the feeling of being in the wilds of Africa in the heart of thick forest but right on the doorstep of the city of Nairobi. Includes morning and afternoon game drives (or visit the renowned Elephant Orphanage), lunch, dinner and drinks.
Day 2
Early breakfast then transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson (domestic) airport for the short (40 minutes) early morning flight to Selenkay / Amboseli. Met at the airstrip and transfer to the nearby Porini Amboseli Camp, with a game drive en route, to stay 2 nights. After lunch you will have an escorted walk to a nearby Maasai village to gain an insight into the way of life of the communities living outside the Selenkay Conservancy. You will then drive back into the Selenkay Conservancy. All the big cats have been seen in the Conservancy as well as elephants and a wide range of species including large numbers of giraffes, zebra, and antelopes. There are also less common animals to be seen such as the long-necked gerenuk gazelle, lesser kudu and African wildcat. Enjoy a sundowner at a scenic spot overlooking Kilimanjaro then continue with a night game drive and return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Awake to the noisy calls of the birds. After an early breakfast, we drive through the bush on our private track into Amboseli National Park, for a full morning of game viewing. Following a picnic lunch in the park, we return to camp later in the afternoon. In the evening you will go on a game drive in Selenkay Conservancy, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic viewpoint, followed by a night game drive. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Early breakfast and then drive through the Conservancy to the airstrip for the flight to Wilson Airport, connecting onto the 10.20h flight to Nanyuki (arriving at 11.30h). You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to Porini Rhino Camp, located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Lunch and afternoon tea in camp and then head off on a game drive with your driver-guide in the camp’s 4×4 safari vehicle to explore the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Return to Porini Rhino Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Full day in Ol Pejeta with game drives and walking activities from camp. Other activities (optional and at a supplement) include a visit to the Endangered Species Boma which houses the World’s last two remaining Northern White Rhino and Lion Tracking. Dinner and overnight at Porini Rhino Camp.
Day 6
Early morning game drive and breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for the flight to the Masai Mara. You will be met and transferred to Porini Mara Camp, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon you will have a game drive with a sundowner at a scenic spot followed by a night game drive with spotlights to search for nocturnal animals, including the elusive leopards which are resident in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, before heading back to camp for dinner. Overnight at Porni Mara Camp.
Day 7
After an early breakfast, leave camp and spend the day game-viewing in the famous Masai Mara Reserve with a picnic lunch in the park. Later in the evening have a sundowner in the Conservancy and night drive then dinner and overnight at Porini Mara Camp.
Day 8
Early morning game drive in the conservancy returning for breakfast. Mid-morning transfer to the airstrip for the 11am flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson airport (arriving 12.15h). Transfer to the international airport or a Nairobi hotel (hotel not included but can be added at a supplement).
Extra Nights can be added at any camp. Alternatively, extend your stay by flying to the Kenya Coast or the Spice Island of Zanzibar to relax on the pure white beaches of the Indian Ocean.
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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.
