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Essential Kenya

Kenya Safari Holidays - Leopard in the Masai Mara

Click on the name of the camp or lodge for details. 

9 days from £1685

An affordable Kenya safari taking in Mount Kenya, the Great Rift Valley and the Masai Mara
 

KENYA SAFARI HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

SAFARI CHOICES

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Kenya Airways from London Heathrow (see below).  If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrival in Nairobi.

On arrival in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital city, you will be met by a representative of World Discovery and taken by private transportation to your centrally-located hotel. The remainder of the day is free.

NAIROBI'S ONLY TENTED CAMP
If you would prefer to get straight into safari mode on arrival, there is now the option of the excellent 8-bedroom Nairobi Tented Camp, the only accommodation in Nairobi National Park (opened in 2012).  Please ask for a quote.

DAY 3 - Mount Kenya region.

Today you will be driven north of the capital to the Serena Mountain Lodge, located at 2,134 metres above sea level on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain.  The lodge overlooks a waterhole and salt lick where you can view elephants, buffalo and other wildlife.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 - Lake Nakuru.

Today drive through some of the most exciting scenery in East Africa, giving you an unrivalled view of the majestic Great Rift Valley. Your destination is Lake Nakuru National Park with its huge concentrations of flamingos that inhabit the shallow, alkaline lake, along with Marabou Stork and pelican. Search the magnificent yellow-barked acacia trees for the elusive napping leopards. Look for incredible wildlife, such as the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, white and black rhino, lion, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck and baboon.  Accommodation will be at the Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, with its enchanting chalets overlooking the lake. In the afternoon a game drive will be provided in the park.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - Masai Mara.

Your destination today is the jewel in Africa's crown, the Masai Mara, host to the most spectacular array of wildlife on earth, constantly changing as the plains game follows ancient migration routes under the watchful eyes of the lion, leopard and cheetah that prey on the vulnerable. Three nights will be spent at the Sarova Mara Game Camp set on an elevation surrounded by two streams. There will be time to relax after lunch on this first day, followed by your first game viewing drive in the Mara where you will hopefully enjoy seeing all the animals known as the “Big Five”.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 6 AND 7 - Masai Mara.

Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings, such as a pride of lion stalking their prey, a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree or a herd of elephant. Spend exciting days driving across the limitless plains in search of wildlife in one of Kenya's most spectacular areas. This vast, open space is like nowhere else on earth; merely to be here is to be inspired.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

Recommended Reading.

THE MARSH LIONS by Brian Jackman with Jonathan and Angela Scott.  Reissued by Bradt in February 2012 (originally published in 1982), this is the classic account of life in the Masai Mara.  Thoroughly recommended.

DAY 8 - Return to Nairobi.  Depart for home.

You have the option of taking an early game drive before breakfast. Drive back to Nairobi to arrive in the afternoon.  Enjoy an early dinner at the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant, followed by your transfer Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 9 - Arrive UK.

Morning arrival the UK.

EXTEND YOUR STAY

At the end of a busy schedule of gameviewing on safari, why not spend a few days of relaxation at one of our selected beach resorts?

MOMBASA, THE SWAHILI COAST

Mombasa on the shores of the Indian Ocean offers you swaying palm trees and pristine white sand beaches - perfect for taking it easy or trying your hand at a variety of watersports. We recommend the excellent Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa.

Or perhaps the exotic island of Zanzibar?

ZANZIBAR SERENA INN

Located in historic Stone Town, the Zanzibar Serena Inn, a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is a haven of tranquillity and opulence.

International Flights

We recommend the direct services of Kenya Airways from London Heathrow. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Nairobi. Depart at 20.00; arrive Nairobi at 06.30 (next morning)
Nairobi/Heathrow. Depart at 23.45; arrive Heathrow at 06.45 (next morning)
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also operate daily flights between London and Nairobi.

Kenya Safari Holidays: Essential Kenya (Tour Reference: WDKE007)
2013 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

* Supplements will be charged during the Easter and Christmas periods.

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel, lodge and camp accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms or tents with ensuite facilities.
• 6 full breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout by luxury 4x4 land cruiser.
  
• All gameviewing as shown.
  
• Conservancy and National Park entrance fees.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Your Kenyan Visa.  A Single Entry Visa for UK passport holders currently costs £30.  The application form can be downloaded from the Kenya High Commission's website.  You can either obtain the visa in London prior to departure (a passport-size photo is required and there is a 3 day turnaround), or you can pay for the visa on arrival in Nairobi (recommended) at the start of your holiday for the same price (you will need to take the form but no photo is needed).  

A deposit of 30% of the selling price is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Kenya safari holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.