Day 1
DEPART
Depart the USA to Nairobi.

Day 2
NAIROBI
Arrive Nairobi where you transfer to your luxury hotel for overnight.

Days 3-5
MERU NATIONAL PARK
On the morning of Day 3, you are transferred to the Wilson Airport to board your flight to the Meru National Park. This lush park is one of Kenya's lesser known and less often visited reserves. As it benefits from Mt. Kenya's generous rainfall, it has abundant jungle, tall grass and swamps. The park became world famous as the place Elsa, the lioness, was returned to the wild in the story Born Free by Joy Adamson.

Here you encounter more diversity of species than in any other park in East Africa. Meru is famous for its birdlife with forest, riverine and arid species. Regular sightings include elephant, white rhino, eland, beisa oryx, gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Grant's Gazelle, greater and lesser kudu, and their predators - lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. From your private cottage you will enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding park with its scattered kopjes and baobab trees. The open-planned rooms have been designed individually, incorporating rocks into the structure.

Days 6-7
LOISABA WILDERNESS
On the morning of Day 6, fly to Loisaba Wilderness - 95 square miles of private wildlife conservancy situated in central Kenya on the edge of the Likipia Plateau. Loisaba Wilderness is the same size as the Ngorongoro Crater and larger than many of Kenya's principal National Parks. To the north lie the grassy plains of the plateau; to the south, the plateau breaks into valleys, cliffs and escarpments that frame stunning views up to the snows of Mount Kenya. At their base lies a different riverine ecosystem fed by the banks of two major rivers, the Ewaso Ng'iro and the Engare Narok.

During your stay you may trek through the bush with camels and Maasai hosts to discover the hidden life of the African savanna through the eyes of people to whom all this wonder is normal. Take daily game drives through the wild canyons of the two great rivers that span the vast property. More adventurous travelers may mountain bike, ride horseback or river raft.

The wilderness is a haven for more than 250 species of birds and 50 species of wildlife. Elephant, buffalo, Grevy's zebra and greater kudu abound. The area is also rapidly gaining a reputation for exceptional big cat sightings. Even wild dog, thought for many years to be extinct in the region, are now regularly sighted.

Situated in the heartland of the nomadic Samburu and Laikipiak Maasai people, Loisaba also offers a rare insight into people, cultures, traditions and a way of life that has existed for centuries. Learn how farm management and local communities work together to preserve the environment and the wildlife that abounds here.

Days 8-10
SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK
On the morning of Day 8, charter to the Samburu National Park which lies astride the Uaso Nyiro River in the shadows of Mount Kenya. Besides the plentiful general game animals, some of the more rare species may be found here such as the long-necked gerunuk, the Grevy's zebra, the unusual reticulated giraffe and the Beisa oryx.

Your luxury camp is situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiri River and shaded under acacia trees. Elephant watching is the special treat at this camp, with 750 known elephants in the area. Aside from game drives, you will be able to go on bird walks along the river and among the hills accompanied by Samburu warriors to track radio-collared elephants which are part of an ongoing study of migration habits. You may also walk up the Sacred Mountain, "Ololokwe," which is a wonderful experience. The Samburu people also serve as hosts and often entertain with feasts and dancing ceremonies.

Accommodations are in spacious, breezy, octagonal sleeping tents covered with a thatched roof and feature connecting bathrooms, open-air showers and big comfortable beds and chairs.

Days 11-13
MASAI MARA
On the morning of Day 11, fly to your luxury camp in the Masai Mara bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo Reserves. This untouched 22,000 acre exclusive concession offers privacy and abundant wildlife. The Masai Mara is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya and is the Kenyan section of the Serengeti Plains. The Mara is 200 square miles of open rolling grassland dotted with distinctive flat-topped acacia trees tucked away in the south-west corner of the reserve. It offers breathtaking views and an extraordinary density of animals including "the Big Five" (lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros) and many varieties of plains game. Apart from the seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent year round.

Each traditional white canvas tent is luxuriously furnished with safari antiques from the 1920s and features private en-suite bathrooms with bucket showers, safari-style tubs (on request) and flushing lavatories. Each tent has a canopied veranda and is situated to ensure privacy.

NOTE: July and August are the best months to be in the Mara to witness the wildebeest migration when millions of these ungainly beasts stray north from the Serengeti in search of lush grass before turning south again in October. The Wildebeest and zebra are tracked by predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena while being circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. It is truly a staggering experience!

Day 14
In the early afternoon, charter back to Nairobi. Transfer to the international airport for your international flight homeward.

NOTE: This is just one example of many custom itineraries we can do for you in this diverse country.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are no set departure dates for this trip. Please contact EXPLORE as to the time you would like to travel and we can book this itinerary or another customized itinerary for you.

Tour Includes:
All ground transport upon landing in Africa; all air charters in Africa; all accommodation; all meals at all camps/lodges (except dinner in Nairobi), most soft beverages, some house wines, beer & water with meals at most accommodations; laundry throughout; guides throughout; park fees; all activities in itinerary.

Tour Excludes:
Intercontinental airfare; internal commercial African air; medical immunizations; passport fees; visa fees; accident/baggage/medevac and cancellation insurance; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; medical expenses; airport departure fees and taxes; gratuities; telephone or fax charges; room service; and other items of a purely personal nature.

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