 |
|
|
|
| |
Mountains and Nomads |
|
A Private lodge safari of Kenya's North; Aberdares, Mt.Kenya, Samburu and Buffalo Springs |
Ref: KL03
10 days
from £1684 (minimum 2 passengers)
|
|
Destination:
Kenya
<
Go Back
|
|
Cover the northern safari circuit from the Aberdares and Mount Kenya region up to Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves. The emphasis of this safari is placed on spending adequate time at favoured places and the itinerary is designed to ensure comfortable driving distances. Highlights are the Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves, which lie astride the brown waters of the Uaso Nyiro River.
This rugged and beautiful area is typical of northern Kenya, and is home to the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, oryx antelope, Somali Ostrich and gerenuk. You will stay in some of the best available lodges, situated in beautiful locations to give views out over the Savannah or surrounding countryside. Often you have the luxury of game viewing from the comfort of the lodges outdoor lounges while enjoying a cool drink. All lodges provide en-suite facilities and many have small swimming pools. Comfortable minibuses with guaranteed window seats are used on all trips and they are equipped with large roof hatches to ensure perfect game viewing and photographic conditions.
The Swahili word "safari" means journey and over the years Kenya has become one of the most popular destinations for such an experience. Justifiably so, boasting diverse and beautiful landscapes and the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent. Situated on Africa’s east coast, Kenya straddles the equator and its eastern coast is lapped by the Indian Ocean. The Rift Valley and central highlands form the backbone of the country, and this is where Kenya’s scenery is at its most spectacular. The Humid coastal belt includes the Tana River estuary and a string of good beaches.
Western Kenya takes in the fertile fringes of Lake Victoria and some prime game parks. The vast, arid north-eastern region is where Kenya is at its wildest and in places almost untouched by the modern world. Kenya’s flora and fauna defies easy description. The vast plains of the south are dotted with flat-topped acacia trees, thorn bushes and the distinctive bottle-shaped Baobab tree. On the rarified slopes of Mt Elgon and Mt Kenya, bamboo forests sprout and even higher up is the bizarre groundsel tree, with its huge cabbage-like flowers, and giant lobelias with long spikes. If you are more into fur and feathers, then head for the teeming game parks. Lions, buffalos, leopards, elephants and rhinos all cavort openly in at least two of the major parks. Endangered animals such as the black rhino are slowly making a comeback and sanctuaries for these creatures can be visited in Tsavo and Lake Nakuru national parks |
 | Click map to enlarge |
Day 1 | Depart the UK. | Day 2 | Arrive in Nairobi. You will be met and commence your safari by driving north to Aberdare Country Club, with breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. The rest of the day is at leisure with several optional activities, such as a refreshing swim or a stroll in the surrounding countryside, where you may encounter zebra, giraffe and other savannah game. | Day 3 | After breakfast set off north to the Samburu National Park, arriving at your lodge in time for lunch. Relax and spend the rest of the afternoon viewing game. On the banks of the life-giving Uaso Nyiro River and the adjoining game reserve elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and the more common savannah game are to be found. | Day 4 | The next two days are spent in the Samburu/Buffalo Springs National Reserves, with morning and afternoon spent viewing game. Samburu National Reserve lies on the hot and arid fringes of the vast northern region of Kenya. It lies within the lands of the colourful Samburu tribe and because of their terrain are home to wildlife species rarely found elsewhere, including Grevys zebra, gerenuk gazelle, oryx, reticulated graffe and the Somali ostrich. Some of these species are so well adapted to the dry area that they can go for long periods of time without water, surviving only on moisture obtained from their food. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and the more common savannah gane are all abundant here. One of the main features of the area is the Uaso Nyiro River, with its large population of crocodile. | Day 5 | Your second day at Samburu. A typical day on safari starts with a cup of tea or coffee at sunrise, before you embark on an early morning game drive. This will usually last until mid-morning, when you return for a large breakfast. There is then time to relax until lunch and about mid-afternoon, as the day cools and the animals become more active, you start your second game-drive until sunset. It is then back to the lodge for your evening meal and the chance to relax with a drink under the stars of the African night. | Day 6 | After breakfast leave for Sweetwaters Luxury Tented Camp, set on a 22,000 acre rhino sanctuary in The Ol Pejeta Game Ranch. This is home to the endangered black rhino, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and plenty of other savannah game. The afternoon is again spent viewing game. Those interested in experiencing the bush at night have an opportunity to do so at Ol Pejeta, as it is one of the few places in Kenya offering night game viewing. | Day 7 | Take a short drive after breakfast to Mountain Lodge, arriving in time for lunch, a lodge situated in the forest at the foot of Mount Kenya at an altitude of over 1,900 metres. Throughout the day and night observe various forest game as they visit the waterhole and saltlick, ensuring plenty to see and photograph. | Day 8 | In the morning you continue to your lodge situated on the shores of Lake Nakuru, one of the beautiful Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Nakuru, a large alkaline lake on the bed of the great rift valley, has earnt its fame as the home of one of the greatest bird spectacles in the world- a myriad of more than one million pink flamingo, which seasonally use its waters to feed on the abundant algae which thrive in its warm waters. Lake Nakuru has a great deal to offer besides its magnificent birdlife however; here you will also find lion, leopard, buffalo and other savannah and forest game which makes the game viewing so worth while. Game viewing in the afternoon. | Day 9 | After breakfast return to Nairobi arriving in the early afternoon. Leave for the airport in time for your flight. | Day 10 | Arrive UK. |
Accomodation - Click Here for Full Accomodation Information
|  The Aberdare Country Club
Just a two-hour drive from Nairobi, on a good paved road, The Aberdare Country Club nestles on the slopes of Mweiga Hill. All rooms and cottages have spectacular views of the plains below, the Aberdare Mountains to the west and Mount Kenya to the east.
The Club's 1,300 acre wildlife sanctuary abounds with Thompson and Grant's Gazelle, Zebra, Giraffe and the more reclusive leopard.
You can walk or ride through this unspoilt paradise, play a round of golf - watched by a family of warthog, fish for trout , play tennis or just relax by the pool or in the beautiful gardens.
There are 28 twins and 18 double-bedded rooms, 36 of which are in cottages. A total of 107 guests can be catered for. The bedrooms are tastefully furnished and all have a private bathroom with shower. The cottages have two bedrooms, each with interconnecting doors, and most have fireplaces. A balcony provides superb views of either Mount Kenya or a pretty woodland where bushbuck often come to graze. more >> |  Sweetwaters
This 24-000 acre reserve saddling the Equator, is situated within Ol Pejeta Ranch enjoys magnificent views across the plains to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, and has an abundance of wildlife and tropical vegetation. Sweetwaters is the closest reserve to Kenya's Capital Nairobi to boast all of the "Big 5" game - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo.
There are many advantages to visiting this private reserve. As it is a private reserve, guests can enjoy special activities not permitted in the Kenyan National Parks and Reserves such as game walks, night game drives, horse-back game rides and meals in the bush. The reserve boasts a plethora of wildlife - over 400 species of birds, lion, elephant, rhino and cheetah to name just a few. The night game drives, a highlight of your stay in Africa, allow frequent sightings of the elusive leopard and other nocturnal species. more >> |
Departures Between | Price from | 01 Apr 04 - 30 Jun 04 | *£1684 | 01 Sep 03 - 11 Dec 03
01 Jan 04 - 31 Mar 04
01 Sep 04 - 11 Dec 04 | *£1726 | 01 Jul 03 - 31 Aug 03
12 Dec 03 - 31 Dec 03
01 Jul 04 - 31 Aug 04 | *£1956 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
Price is per person based on two sharing and includes:
- International flights.
-
4* Lodges/tented camps throughout
-
All Travel and game-viewing in open-topped minibus
-
Driver and Guide
-
Full-board throughout
Not included: Drinks and personal expenditure.
|
| |
|
|
|
Mountains and Nomads
A Private lodge safari of Kenya's North; Aberdares, Mt.Kenya, Samburu and Buffalo Springs
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
