Summary
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DestinationOl Pejeta – Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara – Diani Beach – Nairobi
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Days12 Days
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TransportLand Cruiser
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Meal PlanBreakfast Only
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Pick up and Drop offYes
Accomodation
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Stay Duration11 Nights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara
- Accommodation: Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge. The lodge is located on the eastern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, nestled in the Oloolaimutia Hills. This elevated position provides stunning panoramic views of the savanna below.
- Activities: After arriving and settling in, enjoy your first game drive in the afternoon. The lodge’s location near the reserve’s gate gives you quick access to prime wildlife viewing areas.
- Key Attractions: As you drive into the Mara, keep an eye out for vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and various antelopes. The Mara is famous for its concentration of predators, so your first game drive could bring a sighting of a lion pride or a cheetah on the hunt.
Day 2-3: Full Days in Maasai Mara
- Accommodation: Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge.
- Activities: Two full days of game drives. Take an early morning drive to catch predators when they’re most active, and a late afternoon drive to see the animals as they prepare for the night.
- Key Attractions: Beyond the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), the Maasai Mara is a birdwatcher’s paradise. You can also opt for an unforgettable hot air balloon safari at sunrise (additional cost of 450 USD per person) for a breathtaking aerial perspective of the plains, or a visit to a local Maasai village for a cultural immersion.
Day 4: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
- Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge. This lodge is located on a range of hills that form the western limit of the Great Rift Valley, offering spectacular views over the vastness of the landscape and the lake itself.
- Activities: The drive from the Maasai Mara is a full day of travel. Arrive in the afternoon and, after checking in, head out for a game drive within Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Key Attractions: The park is a sanctuary for both black and white rhinos, making it one of the best places in Kenya to see these endangered animals. The lake itself, depending on water levels, can be home to thousands of flamingos, creating a vibrant pink spectacle.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
- Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort. Situated on 150 acres of grassland, the resort is a wildlife haven itself, with resident giraffes, waterbucks, and monkeys freely roaming the grounds.
- Activities: A final morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, followed by a short drive to Lake Naivasha. In the afternoon, you will take a boat ride on the lake Naivasha for bird watching and visit Crescent Island for upclose encounters with herbivores.
- Key Attractions: The resort’s expansive grounds are a key attraction where zebras, waterbucks gaze on your garden view, but the main highlight is a boat trip on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and a huge variety of birdlife, including the impressive African fish eagle. You will also visit Crescent Island, a unique walking safari.
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
- Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge. Located just outside the Kimana Gate on the edge of Amboseli National Park, the lodge is set within wooded gardens with excellent views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Activities: This is a long travel day, transitioning you from the Rift Valley to the southern plains. Settle into the lodge upon arrival.
- Key Attractions: The drive itself offers a changing landscape of Kenya. Upon arrival, the resort’s location provides a stunning perspective of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.
Day 7: Full Day Amboseli
- Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge.
- Activities: A full day of game drives, with morning and afternoon sessions to explore the park’s different ecosystems.
- Key Attractions: Amboseli is world-renowned for its enormous herds of free-ranging elephants against the backdrop of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The park’s swamps and marshes are also great for spotting buffalo, hippos, and various water birds.
Day 8: Amboseli to Diani
- Accommodation: Swahili Beach Resort. A luxurious 5-star resort located directly on the pristine sands of Diani Beach. Its architecture blends traditional Swahili design with modern luxury.
- Activities: After a final early game drive in Amboseli, you’ll be transferred to a nearby airstrip for a flight to Diani. This journey saves you significant time compared to driving, train or coming back to Nairobi to catch a flight. The rest of the day is for relaxation at the resort.
- Key Attractions: The transition from the dusty savanna to the white sands and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean is a highlight in itself. Enjoy the resort’s private beach and spectacular infinity pools.
Day 9-10: Full Days in Diani
- Accommodation: Swahili Beach Resort.
- Activities: These days are for leisure and optional excursions. You can relax by the pool, enjoy the beach, or engage in various water sports.
- Key Attractions: Diani Beach offers a variety of activities. On one of the days, consider a dhow trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for snorkeling and dolphin spotting. Other options include visiting the Colobus Conservation sanctuary or simply enjoying the resort’s extensive amenities, including its spa and multiple restaurants. These activities are optional.
Day 11: Diani to Nairobi
- Accommodation: Tamarind Tree in Nairobi
- Activities: Enjoy a final breakfast and some last-minute sun on the beach before your flight back to Nairobi from Ukunda Airstrip. You’ll be met at Wilson Airport and transferred to your final stop.
- Key Attractions: The last views of the Kenyan coastline and the flight over the diverse landscapes of the country.
Day 12: Depart Kenya
- Enjoy your final breakfast and be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your international departure.
Know before you go
What's included?
- Accommodation
- Meals as indicated (FB on safari, BB in Nairobi, Swahili Beach on full board)
- Park fees in Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli and Crescent Island.
- Game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver/guide
- Domestic flight from Amboseli to Diani and Diani to Nairobi.
- Bottled water on safari
What's is excluded?
- International flights, travel insurance, and visa fees
- Optional activities (balloon safari, night drives, excursions)
- Personal expenses and tips
