13 Day The Plains Of Africa: Kenya Wildlife Safari

A continent of adventure stirs the soul in Kenya, the heart of safari country. Your adventure begins today!

After breakfast, travel to Aberdare National Park. Inside this isolated volcanic range, peaks reach as high as 14,000 feet. Indigenous forests surround you on all sides, and red soil stirs under brilliant waterfalls. Set your eyes on Mweiga Hill, where a welcome party of giraffes wait to greet you at your lodge. Overlooking the park, enjoy the lodge’s amenities at leisure this afternoon.

Discover the magic of the Shaba, Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserves – home to some of Africa’s most exotic wildlife – particularly two species you can only find north of the Equator: Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Arrive at peaceful Shaba National Reserve, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon, head for Buffalo Springs – a starkly beautiful semi-desert that’s a mecca for birds and wildlife. On your game drive in this remarkably serene landscape, see if you can spot the “Big 5” – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos.

Marvel at the striking contrast of sand, sky, and bush during a morning game drive inside Samburu National Reserve, a tiny gem of Kenya’s North Country. Return to Shaba Reserve for lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Bring your camera as you continue searching for the elusive “Big 5.” Make sure to look up for the approximately 350 species of birds that call this region home. As the sun sets over the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, enjoy a traditional Sundowner, and relish the chance to deepen your cultural experience. In the company of a Samburu tribe member, learn about the culture, traditions, and folklore of the Samburu region and its people.

Journey to the forests of Aberdare National Park in the heights of the Aberdare Mountain Range. An amazing experience awaits you upon arrival to your lodge, The Ark. This incredible place is an experience all on its own. Surrounded by forest and wildlife, The Ark offers four viewing decks that make it easy to watch the game go by. Tonight, join your Tour Manager for a discussion about conservation efforts and anti-poaching measures in the region. Many animals visit the salt lick and the Ark’s floodlit water hole throughout the night. So you don’t miss any of the action, you can choose to be notified through the unique buzzer system of any wildlife sightings.

To the middle of the Earth and beyond! Hit the road for a spectacular, mountain-kissed journey on the way to Nyahururu waterfalls. One of the Great Rift Valley’s soda lakes, Lake Nakuru is a haven of ecological diversity surrounded by picturesque ridges and wooded, bushy grassland.

Wake up in the embrace of Nakuru’s acacia forest. This is one of the continent’s more perfect national parks. During this morning’s game drive, make sure your binoculars are ready – this is rhino country. Find this park absolutely brimming with wildlife, on the ground and in the air. Regale in a true taste of Africa: a traditional breakfast prepared right in the bush. Unwind at your lodge before continuing your journey through the park on an afternoon game drive. Return just in time to witness one of Nakuru’s unforgettable sunsets.

Welcome to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of Kenya’s best spots for game viewing. Your tented accommodations in the Mara provide you with all the deluxe amenities of a proper lodge, with the added adventure of being on level with the wild. Graced with an astounding collection of wildlife including lions, giraffes, zebras and elephants, the Mara offers an unsurpassed safari experience on your game drive this afternoon. After a Mara sunset, head over to your tent and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the animals in the distance.

Ernest Hemingway said, “I never knew a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy.” During our early morning game drive, enjoy the grassy plains and rolling hills of the Masai Mara. This is truly nature’s greatest theater, where savanna, cloud shadows and amazing wildlife spot the horizon. Tonight, indulge in a traditional bush dinner, complete with a Masai dance performance.

Return to Nairobi and visit the farmhouse of Karen Blixen for a true Out of Africa experience. Have Rothschild giraffes eating right out of your hand (literally!) at the Giraffe Sanctuary. Get an up-close-and-personal meeting with these fantastic creatures whilst feeding them from a platform that stretches as far into the sky as they do.

This morning, experience an impact moment when you visit Ocean Sole, a social enterprise that turns ocean debris into colorful works of art. Learn about their mission to clean the waterways and grow the Kenyan economy. You’ll also get a chance to peruse their collection of products before continuing on to Amboseli National Park. Later, learn about Masai culture during a visit to a local village (an enkeng in Maa, the Masai language).

Take to the plains for an afternoon game drive in the breathtaking aura of snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Complement your journey with an opportunity to give back to nature with a “seedball.” The compact balls of seed limit the cost of planting indigenous trees around the world. A moment of impact can grow into a lifetime of change, so toss your seedball out the window anytime during your stay in Amboseli.

Today will start with an early morning game drive followed by breakfast back at the lodge. All of Amboseli is at your feet during morning and afternoon game drives. Derived from the Masai word meaning “salty dust,” this unique corner of Kenya is one of the best places in Africa to see hundreds of elephants up close. Wildebeests and zebras are ever-present, plus there’s a good chance you’ll see a cheetah and a hyena or two.

Today is your last full day on the continent and your last chance to spot some more members of the elusive “Big 5.” If you haven’t tossed your “seedball” into the wilds yet, now’s your chance to make an impact on the continent you’ve grown to love.

Return to Nairobi for your departure for home. You may choose to reserve a day room to freshen up prior to your flight.