Day 6

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008

Laikipia Conservancy - Samburu Game Reserve

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip to board the chartered plane for a short, but scenic flight to Samburu Game Reserve. On your drive to camp, watch out for herds of impalas, Grant gazelles, and African buffalo as you enter the Samburu National Reserve. In the afternoon, set out for a game drive.

Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Club (Permanent Tented Camp) (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

Samburu Game Reserve

Early morning and late afternoon game viewing, when animals are most active and the light is best for photography. Return to the lodge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Today you stay close to the Ewaso Nyiro River, where vast herds of plains game come to drink, braving lions in the grass, leopards in the trees, and giant crocodiles on the river's banks. Stars of Samburu not easily seen elsewhere are the reticulated giraffe, the long-necked gerenuk antelope, and the elegant Grevy zebra.

Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Club (Permanent Tented Camp) (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008

Samburu - Sweetwaters Sanctuary

Head Southwards to the Northern foothills of Mt. Kenya, a 17,058-foot dormant volcano with a glistening cap of ice and snow. Cross the equator, and watch the water demonstration before continuing on to Sweetwaters. Embark on an afternoon game drive, with a chance of seeing chimpanzees in the sanctuary. Back at the camp, say hi to Morani, the pet rhinoceros, and watch animals as they come to drink at the watering hole.

Tonight, you may opt for a night game drive, where you have a chance to see the nocturnal animals. The drive is conducted by an experienced guide at the camp, in vehicles that are outfitted with special "night spot lights". (The cost is currently $50 per person, subject to change, and is not included in the tour package. Make arrangements with the Camp upon arrival.)

Overnight Sweetwaters Private Camp (Permanent Tented Camp) (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9

Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008

Sweetwaters Sanctuary - Lake Nakuru National Park

Cross the equator again and leave the majestic Kenyan highlands and drive down the Eastern escarpment of the magnificent Great Rift Valley. Stop at the thundering Thompson Falls, and then enjoy a short scenic drive to your lodge. In the afternoon,  take a leisurely game drive, which takes you through Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its pink flamingoes. Drive to the edge of the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water; see the sweeping view from the top of Baboon Rocks; then look for warthogs and waterbuck as you leave the park. If you are lucky, you'll spot an elusive leopard.

Overnight at Lion Hill Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10

Monday, Oct. 6, 2008

Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast, we drive past Lake Naivasha., and traverse the Rift Valley ascending its Western rim. We are now in Masai country, where sedentary crop farming gives way to nomadic cattle herding. Red-clad, spear-wielding Maasai warriors tend their multi-colored herds among the wild animals of the Loita Plains, admirably unimpressed by the presence of large predators. Relax in your room or by the swimming pool before embarking on our afternoon game drive in this expansive game reserve, perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitors may see animals in the same abundance as existed a century ago. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge or Sarova Mara Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Days 11 and 12

Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 7 and 8, 2008

Masai Mara Game Reserve

Morning and afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's best and most scenic game park. August - October is the peak of the legendary wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara. At the Northern extremity of the unique Serengeti ecosystem, blessed with a permanent water supply, the Maasai Mara has a thriving, permanent population of plains game, augmented in the dry season (August through October) by two million gnus and zebras migrating from the vast, parched Serengeti plains. The abundance of prey attracts many predators like lion, leopard and jackal.

Elephant and buffalo are quite common, while even the much rarer rhino might come out of the thicket for you. Hyenas are plentiful and the cheetah, a 60-miles-per-hour daytime hunter, is often seen.

Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge or Sarova Mara Camp (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008

Masai Mara Game Reserve - Nairobi - Overnight Flight Nairobi - Europe

Another early morning game drive to complete your list of wildlife sightings. After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to the airstrip for the scheduled flight back to Nairobi, departing Masai Mara at 11:00 am, arriving at Nairobi's Wilson Airport approximately by noon. We will be met and transferred to the Norfolk or Serena Hotel, where rooms are reserved for day use. This evening we transfer to the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant for our farewell dinner, before transferring to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. (Breakfast and dinner)

Overnight flight Nairobi - Europe

(In-flight catering)

Day 14

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Early morning arrival in Europe. In transit, transfer to:

Flight Europe - USA (In-flight catering)

OPTIONAL, individual safari extensions: