JAMBO – KARIBU!! It is ‘touch down’ at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Representatives of Twiga Tours, your hosts in Kenya eagerly await your arrival in traditional African style – wet towels and bubbly. It is a tradition in Africa to present a gift as an expression of our joy and happiness – what better gift than an authentic (branded) safari hat and other safari essentials! Thereafter transfer to your hotel in Nairobi, Kenya’s colourful capital city to check in to your city hotel. Rest of the day or evening is spent at leisure.

Meals: LDBB
Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel

After a hearty breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. Enroute enjoy a brief stop at the Rift Valley View Point to enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the valley below. The Great Rift Valley is part of an intra-continental ridge system that runs through Kenya from north to south. The rift escarpment road is of historical significance as it was built by Italian Prisoners of War during World War II. As you cross the valley, you pass Mount Longonut, a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha proceed onwards towards Lake Nakuru. You arrive at the lodge to a very warm welcome, check-in then lunch.

This afternoon you depart on a game viewing. Some of the interesting places to visit include the baboon cliff, the lion hill and the Mau escarpment. The park is home to various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impalas, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Meals: LDBB
Accommodation: Mbweha Safari Camp

After breakfast depart for Kenya’s famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. You start the day venturing through the Great Rift Valley travelling to the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife Game Reserves, the Masai Mara.

Meals: LDBB
Accommodation: Tipilikwani Luxury Tented Camp

After a sumptuous breakfast at your lodge, depart for a full day’s adventure. Be on the look-out for the big five that Masai Mara is famous for; these include the lion, savannah (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the black rhino. Be on the look out for any of the game that may have eluded you on your previous game drives. You may even be so lucky to witness a leopard or a cheetah sprint and make a kill! Return back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Balloon Safari
Today’s adventure begins just before dawn. Flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crew inflate their craft. The first, pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies and the hot air balloon fills then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a game-viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective. Apart from the occasional hiss of the burners, a lion’s roar, elephants crashing through the bush, baboons perched in the tips of the trees startled and screeching to see something above them, the flight above the Masai Mara plains is magically silent. At the end of the flight, the passengers are treated to a champagne breakfast in the bush, complete with flowers. China and crystal are set out on the table that is placed under a convenient acacia tree. The finishing touch to the flight is a game drive back to the camp, and the possibility of seeing the same pride of lions, or herd of elephants that had been viewed while ballooning. A flight certificate is issued on completion of the balloon safari. Back at Camp/lodge enjoy a sumptuous lunch and a well deserved rest.

Visit to an ‘off the beaten’ track Masai Manyatta
This afternoon, you may opt to visit a traditional Maasai Manyatta (off the beaten track) and experience the culture of this world famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries -interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions.

Meals: LDBB
Accommodation: Tipilikwani Luxury Tented Camp

This morning enjoy your breakfast then check-out. Unbelievable but true, your good bush moments have come to an end. You bid farewell to your wonderful lodge manager and his team then depart to Nairobi. Not empty handed though, with you are photographs – a capture of the special moments you have had on this tour to immortalize the experience. Your guide driver will transfer you to the Carnivore restaurant for lunch (if time allows) then drop you at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your onward flight.

Meals: L