Then travel to the striking Rift Valley to continue your search for the ‘big five’ in the Maasai Mara.

 

Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park

Your driver/guide will meet you at your Nairobi hotel at 7.30am for a trip briefing before departing for stunning Aberdare National Park.  Set mostly in the Aberdare Mountains, this park is known for soaring peaks and deep valleys containing streams, waterfalls and rainforest.  This region came to fame in 1952 when King George VI died; Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were staying at Treetops Lodge so the Princess became a Queen in Aberdare.  Other notable past guests at this iconic safari lodge include Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford and Sir Paul McCartney.

Your lodge has been built so that guests can enjoy up-close game viewing over a waterhole that attracts a range of the many animals that are plentiful in Aberdare.  These are floodlit at night so you can enjoy watching nighttime activity at the waterhole until late.

 

Day 2: Aberdare National Park to Lake Nakuru National Park

Shortly after breakfast you’ll depart for Nakuru National Park, a Rift Valley soda lake made famous for its huge population of pink flamingos that line the shores of Nakuru in their thousands, sometimes millions.  That afternoon you’ll have your best chance of seeing both black and white rhino during your game drive.   Both species are protected by a sanctuary so the park enjoys high concentrations of these rare animals.  Lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and waterbuck are also abundant.

 

Day 3: Lake Nakuru National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve

An early breakfast ensures you’ll get to the internationally acclaimed Maasai Mara in time for lunch; a beautiful drive along the way will take you through the striking western walls of the Great Rift Valley.  Your first Mara experience will take place with an afternoon game drive through this special place.   World-renowned for being home to the seasonal Great Migration when the plains are filled with migrating wildebeest and zebra; there are also thousands resident wildlife year round, including the ‘big five’ animals of buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard and elephant.

 

Day 4: On safari in the Mara

A full day of game viewing awaits in the stunning Maasai Mara grasslands, providing a uniquely African panorama to compliment the many photographs you’ll no doubt be taking of animal encounters.  You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at a hippo pool in the bush and afterwards you’ll have the option of continuing with your safari or visiting a traditional Maasai village.

 

Day 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi

You’ll be up early to make the most of the best time of day for game viewing. Predators are winding down from a night of hunting and prey start to relax and become more active as the sun gets higher.  For this reason your last game drive will be before a late breakfast that you’ll take at your lodge.  After checking out you’ll be driven back to Nairobi where your expedition concludes.

 

Your African expedition includes…

• Four nights accommodation based on two people sharing a room.  Single and multi-occupancy rates are available on request.

• All meals as follows:  breakfast every day, except the first day, with tea & coffee included; daily lunch, either a picnic lunch or at your accommodation; dinner every night except the final night.  Please note that any additional snacks or beverages should be settled directly with your accommodation provider.

• A fully trained English-speaking driver/guide with extensive African tour guiding and safari experience.

• Transport in a specially converted 4×4 safari jeep with a pop-up roof for enhanced game viewing. Single seating on either side of an aisle ensures that all guests get a window seat.

• All entrance fees to the parks and reserves detailed in the itinerary.

• Pick up or drop off at Nairobi airport if required.

• Please note that personal expenses such as laundry costs, telephone calls and beverages are not included along with any additional optional tours and tips.

Duration:  4-nights/5-days, starting and ending in Nairobi.

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Parks & Reserves:  Aberdare  |  Nakuru  |  Maasai Mara

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Accommodation:  Serena Lodges  |  Sopa Lodges  |  Sarova Lodges

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Game Drives:  One full day, three half days plus time to enjoy daytime and nighttime game viewing over the waterhole at your Aberdare lodge.

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Trip Highlights:  Aberdare National Park |  Treetops Lodge  | Night game viewing | Lake Nakuru National Park | Huge flocks of flamingo  | Rhino sanctuary | Rift Valley Drive  |  Maasai Mara Reserve (home of the ‘Big Five’)  | Great Migration (seasonal)

 

ACCOMMODATION:

All our stays are with three of the most respected accommodation providers in Africa. Sarova, Sopa and Serena hotels, lodges and resorts. They have all been chosen for their African sympathies;  connection to the local people; support for local enterprise and suppliers; as well as their knowledge of local customs.

To explore their offerings please click here.