LIFE, LOVE & ELEPHANTS
Nairobi . Masai Mara . Lake Nakuru . Amboseli . Tsavo . Mombasa
We can learn a lot from elephants. Their sense of family, their deliberate gentleness despite size and strength, and their willingness to trust.
This amazing safari comprises unparalleled wildlife viewing in Kenya's most popular national parks, includes two powerful giveback experiences, and follows in the footsteps of one of Kenya's leading philanthropists and champion of elephant conservation, the late Dame Daphne Sheldrick.
Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya's most iconic, game rich park. You'll enjoy spectacular Big Five game viewing and have the opportunity to add a hot air balloon safari over the savannah. Visit Amboseli, famous for its large populations of elephant, and stunning views of Kilimanjaro. In Tsavo National Park, where Daphne and David Sheldrick's love story - with each other and elephants - began you'll see elephant, hippo and other amazing wildlife.
The safari ends in Mombasa where an optional beach break is possible.
You will return home having supported two highly effective philanthropic organizations, holding indelible memories of Kenyan wildlife, and may be having made new friends.
Duration:
7 days / 6 nights
Price:
From $3299 per person sharing
Includes:
Airport transfers
Safari transportation in a pop-top safari vehicle
2 nights Nairobi hotel, with breakfast
2 nights Masai Mara Safari Lodge/Camp, all meals
1 night Lake region resort, all meals
1 night Amboseli Safari Lodge, all meals
2 nights Tsavo lodges, all meals
Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary visit
Giraffe Center visit
Empowering Women Kikuyu tribal visit
Departures:
Private safari: Daily, year round
Women-only group: March 2023
Day 1 Arrive Nairobi
On arrival at Nairobi International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Stay: Nairobi hotel (B)
Day 2 Nairobi
The story of Kenya has many chapters. This day is filled with diverse experiences and is your giveback. Combine visits to two of Nairobi’s best-known wildlife conservation centers with a small-scale farming program that is changing the lives of Kenyan women. You getup-close to giraffes from a raised walkway at the Giraffe Centre, which has been instrumental in saving the Rothschild giraffe from extinction, and watch adorable baby elephants and hear about the complex process of returning them to the wild at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the most successful elephant rehabilitation program in the world. Spend an insightful afternoon as guests of endearing and entrepreneurial women at a grassroots social enterprise project in a rural Kikuyu community.
Stay: Nairobi hotel (B, L)
Day 3 Nairobi - Masai Mara National Park
Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, we travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the rift escarpment across acres of wheat and barley, before reaching the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch, set off on our first game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Stay: Masai Mara camp/lodge (B, L, D)
Day 4 Masai Mara National Park
Following an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp mid-morning. After lunch, and perhaps a siesta, set off on another game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplementary cost)
Stay: Masai Mara camp/lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5 Masai Mara National Park - Lake District
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai-Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Naivasha around midday. Following lunch and a siesta, depart on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Stay: Lake Naivasha resort (B,L,D)
Day 6 Lake District - Amboseli National Park
Following breakfast, leaving Lake Naivasha behind, you continue towards Nairobi. Meet your fellow travelers’ that join from Nairobi and then head south east towards Amboseli arriving for a late lunch. In the afternoon depart on an afternoon game drive returning as the sun sets.
Stay: Amboseli lodge (B,L,D)
Day 7 Amboseli - Tsavo National Park
Following early breakfast, depart to Tsavo West arriving your lodge for lunch. The journey takes you east, across the spectacular Shetani lava flow, a reminder of the molten outpouring that spilled down the scenic slopes of the nearby Chyulu Hills over the last three centuries. A zig‑zagging road through scrub thorn and acacia leads you into Tsavo National Park, which together (East and West) form the largest of Kenya’s parks. Following lunch depart on an afternoon game drive, including a visit to Mzima Springs with its underwater viewing holes. Return to the lodge as the sun sets.
Stay: Tsavo lodge (B,L,D)
Day 8 Tsavo National Park - Taita Hills Sanctuary
This morning, following early breakfast, and a gamedrive enroute to the gate, continue to Taita Hills Sanctuary arriving for lunch at Taita Hills Safari Resort. Following lunch, transfer to Saltlick Lodge. After a short siesta, depart on an afternoon game drive, returning late afternoon. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, viewing elephants and other game from lodge’s underground hide or from the lodge balcony.
Stay: Taita Hills lodge (B,L,D)
Day 9 Taita Hills Sanctuary - Mombasa Coast
Early breakfast is served today before continuing your journey to Mombasa, where you will be dropped at the airport for departure, or may choose to add a beach break to your trip at one of the beautiful beaches to the north or south.
(B)