The Discovery Journey to

Kenya

 

Experience the circle of life where it all began – Africa. As you journey across some of its most beautiful regions – Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and the legendary Maasai Mara experience the magic simplicity of life on safari. Reset your biological clock to the rise and set of the sun. Discover a kaleidoscope of colors, wildlife and people that have changed little throughout the centuries and at night return to comfortable lodge and tented camps where entertainment is created around the fire much as it has since the beginning of time – telling  stories of the past, present and future that seems as infinite as the endless plains of the Serengeti.

 

Days 1/2 - New York/London/Nairobi

Depart New York on your overnight flight to London. Connect with your Kenya Airways flight to East Africa. This evening arrive in Nairobi where your Classic Escapes expert naturalist and driver/guides will escort you to your elegant, Victorian hotel. THE STANLEY HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Days 3/4/5 - Mount Kenya Safari Club/Samburu Game Reserve

Begin your exploration of this magnificent country as you drive on its rugged roads, through rich farm land, en route to Samburu Game Reserve.  Stop for lunch at the legendary Mount Kenya Safari Club, set high on the slopes of Africa's second highest mountain. Continue past the equator to Samburu which lies on the hot and arid fringes of the vast northern region of Kenya.  The Reserve is within the lands of the colorful Samburu people and home to a number of wildlife species rarely found elsewhere in Kenya: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. Enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife viewing and at night the rhythmic performance of Samburu dancers as they leap high into the air. Learn about the research at Save the Elephants, founded by renowned conservationist and elephant researcher Iain Douglas-Hamilton, from one of the researchers, and relax poolside at your beautiful lodge situated in the Shaba national Reserve. Your luxury thatch-roofed bedrooms, all tastefully furnished with local material of Mazera Stone and timber off-cut walls, face the river, each with sumptuous en-suite bathrooms. Spring water flows throughout the lodge go form beautiful water cascades that sparkle into Uaso Nyiro Rver, famous for the crocodiles that you will see from a safe distance.  SAROVA SHABA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 6/7 - Lake Nakuru National Park

Drive to the Great Rift Valley, a geological fault-line that stretches round one-sixth of the Earth’s circumference and is visible from space. Over 2,000 feet deep and 30 miles wide with bubbling springs and geysers, the landscape is spectacular. Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, a shallow alkaline lake that is world-renowned for its flamingos – at times hundreds of thousands of these birds give the lake a pink shimmering glow.  The park boasts a huge variety of animals, including leopard, buffalo, waterbuck, baboon, Rothschild’s giraffe, and rhino. Birding is awesome with over 450 species in the park. Meet with American Mary Wykstra from the Cheetah Conservation Fund who will discuss her efforts to save this magnificent animal in Kenya and join you for dinner.  Your lodge is situated within the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, built in a natural dais, overlooking one of the world’s greatest ornithological spectacles. Enjoy the vista from the privacy of your own verandah.  Local dancers perform traditional dances nightly.  SAROVA LION HILL LODGE.  (B,L,D)

  

Days 8/9/10 - Maasai Mara/Northern Serengeti

Set out on your drive to the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most famous game reserve, with its classic savannah grasslands, plentiful animals and spectacular vistas. You have three full days to experience exciting wildlife viewing across the dreamlike endless plains, home to lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, rhino, giraffe, zebra and hippo. There are also over 500 resident species of birds including larks, sunbirds and the Lilac-breasted Roller. The drama of the migration unfolds here, as each year up to two million wildebeest, thousands of zebra and an escort of carnivores cross the plains following the rains and succulent new grass.  Visit a school and, duties permitting, enjoy a lecture by a Maasai ranger. Exciting optional activities (at additional cost) include witnessing dawn over the Serengeti from a hot air balloon, flying to Lake Victoria to fish for giant Nile perch, or visiting a Maasai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life. Your luxury tented camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams and hidden amidst wide gardens with manicured lawns. At night resident guitarists play by the fireside and local Maasai perform traditional dances beneath a canopy of stars. SAROVA MARA . (B,L,D Daily)

 

Days 11/12 - Maasai Mara/Nairobi/London/USA

Photograph the awesome sunrise before driving back to Nairobi.  (An optional flight is available for $200 per person.)  A day room awaits you at the THE STANLEY HOTEL. This afternoon, you may shop in town or at the African marketplace, or bask in the sun at your hotel’s lovely pool. Tonight savor a farewell barbeque at the Nyama Choma Ranch Restaurant before being escorted to the airport for your return flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)

 

Optional Extension to Rwanda

Not ready to return to the U.S? Extend your wildlife adventure with a primate safari to Rwanda. Fly to Kigali, capital of Rwanda. Often called the "land of a thousand hills," Rwanda is a mountainous country with a moist, temperate, tropical climate. Driv eto the Volcano National Park, the site of Dian Fossey's celebrated gorilla habituation and anti-poaching project, and was the location of the film Gorillas in the Mist. The free-standing volcanic mountains, whose daunting slopes swathed in giant bamboo clumps and montane forest, rise imperiously to above 13,000 feet. Visit some of the beautiful volcanic lakes, the perfect place to relax before beginning your gorilla trek. Local guides and porter will carry your personal items and assist you on your trek up the slopes of these ancient volcanoes to see the mountain gorillas. Your group will have the opportunity for two treks per person (2nd trek at an additional cost) to see these gentle giants. Your newly opened lodge has stunning views of the volcanoes and the beautiful valley and hills beyond.

 

Your Safari Includes:

• Round trip air transportation between New York and Nairobi.
• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• American breakfast in Nairobi; all meals while on safari.  All meals on extension.
• Farewell dinner in Nairobi at the Nyama Choma Restaurant.
• All wildlife viewing by private minibus, driven by a naturalist driver/guide.  A window seat is guaranteed.  Landrovers will be used in the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Lecture by researcher of Save the Elephants while in Samburu.
• Lecture by Mary Wykstra of the Cheetah Conservation Fund while in Lake Nakuru.
• Lecture by Maasai ranger (duties permitting).
• Complimentary bottled water in vehicles.  Complimentary field glasses in vehicles.
• Organization escort will accompany the group with a minimum of 6 passengers.
• Professional Naturalist with a minimum of 10 passengers.
• All applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities.
• All park entry fees.
• Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.

2006 Dates	Price Main Trip	Single Supplement Price/Main	Optional Extension	Price Extension	Single Supplement Price/Ext
Jun 3 - 14	$4,195	$395	Rwanda	$2,695	$395
Sep 16 - 27	$4,995	$695	Rwanda	$2,795	$495
Nov 4 - 15	$4,395	$595	Rwanda	$2,695	$495

*Prices do not reflect applicable departure taxes.

Call Today to begin planning your journey of a lifetime (800) 627-1244