9-Day Big Five Kenya Private Safari - Mid-Range

Nairobi to Tsavo West

We depart by road for Tsavo West National Park. Arrive in time for lunch then an optional afternoon or evening game drive. Tsavo West is the most visited section in Tsavo National Park, offering many attractions apart from its wildlife. The foremost is the famous Mzima Springs where up to 227.3 million litres of cool crystal clear water flows out of the ground through porous volcanic rocks. The water is believed to originate from Chuyulu Hills, via an underground river.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Full Day Game Drive Tsavo West National Park

After breakfast, we have a full day game drive, packed lunch provided. Other interesting places to visit are the Roaring Rocks, which get their name from the wind that hurtles through them. From here there are wonderful views over Tsavo from the top of a 98m rock face; similar views can be experienced from the poacher's lookout. The volcanic Chaimu Crater, less Than 200years old and composed of black coke, is worth visiting and can be climbed if one is interested. The area is a good place to look out for klipspringer, a small antelope that's as agile as its Swahili name mbuzi mawe(mountain goat). In the south-west corner of Tsavo West is Lake Jipe, which has the Kenyan-Tanzanian border running through it.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park

Early Morning start and drive to Amboseli National Park, check in at your accommodation. Afternoon game drive after lunch. Amboseli National Park is situated due south of Nairobi. Most of the park consists of a dry, ancient lake bed and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland, while in the southern area there is a number of small, rocky, volcanic hills. Around the swamps Ol Okenya, Ol Tukai and Enkongo Narok, the vegetation is lush with yellow-barked acacias and phoenix palms.

Kibo Safari Luxury Camp

Full Day Game Drive Amboseli National Park

Left unharassed by poachers, elephants feeding and bathing in the swamps must form the highlights of any Safari. Rising early for good views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up over the summit with packed lunch provided, an optional visit to a Masai village can be planned after breakfast. A visit reveals the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. Despite its changing habitat, Amboseli National Park is possibly the best wildlife area In the whole of Africa to experience elephants at close range. Lef unharassed by poachers, elephants feeding and bathing in the swamps must form the highlights of any Safari.

Kibo Safari Luxury Camp

Amboseli to Lake Naivasha

An early morning drive to Lake Naivasha, it is the highest and the most beautiful of the Rift Valley lakes. At 1910m (6200f), the water is fresh and the lake is fringed with dense clumps of papyrus (ancient Egyptian once used this to make paper). Kingfishers use the papyrus as a perch, herons hide in it while searching for food. Naivasha is yet another area popular for bird watching (over 400species have been recorded). It is also a favourite weekend retreat for Nairobi residents, who come here to sail, water ski and fish. There are no crocodiles in the lake as the water is too cold for them, due to altitude but there are a number of hippos. Along the lakeshore, vineyards produce grapes for the country's fledgeling wine industry.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort

Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara National Reserve

An early morning drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve, it holds on as one of the few places left on earth where wildlife still lives comparatively undisturbed, in the numbers that once roamed the plains and forests of Africa. As the northern tip of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara hosts the spectacular seasonal migration of many thousands of Wildebeest, Zebras and attendant predators. Arrive in time for lunch then have an afternoon game drive.

Mara Ndovu Lodge

Full Day Game Drive Maasai Mara National Reserve

Spend the full day exploring Mara in search of the Big Five. You will have picnic lunches in the Reserve as you scale the Mara beauty sited at the banks of Mara river. Optional: In the evening, Visit the Maasai village for a Maasai cultural tour at USD 20. Learn about the Masai community and interact with the local Maasai people. A overnight at the Masai village can be organized upon request. A balloon safari at USD450 per person can be organized early morning on this day then proceed with the normal program. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place: the great migration.

Mara Ndovu Lodge

Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

Early morning pick up then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, across the equator, southwards of Bogoria, lies the Rift Valleys most famous lake Nakuru. Known all over the world for its flamingoes, it's alkaline and is recognized as being one of the natural wonders of the world. Lake Nakuru is now a rhino sanctuary, harbouring a population of over 40 black and over 60 white rhinos, but the flamingoes, of course, have always been the main attraction. At times there may be almost 2million flamingoes in the residence, forming a stunningly beautiful deep pink band around the edge of the lake shore. Arrive in time for lunch then have an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

We wake up at 6 am for a sun rise game drive. At 9 am, we drive back to accommodation for brunch then depart for Nairobi. Lunch en-route and arrival in Nairobi in time for lunch. Transfer after lunch to the hotel or airport.