Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Naro Moru (L,D)
We depart Kenya's modern capital of Nairobi at 9 am. Driving in our private mini van we travel northwest through the farmlands of the Kikuyu people. We’ll stop along the way at exotic fresh fruit stands and a local homestead to see how tea leaves and coffee beans are grown, eventually reaching the village of Naro Moru. This village sits just 10 km south of the equator and is located at the foot of Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain at 5199 m. Naro Moru is the most popular starting point for treks to the mountain and home to most of our guides and cooks.
Day 2 Sweetwater Game Reserve / Local Weaving Project
After breakfast, we take a short drive from the Southern into the Northern Hemisphere as we pass over the Equator on route to the Sweetwater Game Reserve. Spend the morning on a game drive where elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, warthog, oryx, impala, gazelles and many other species may be seen. Not to be missed is the famous Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary which houses chimpanzees that have been abused or caught by traps. After lunch in Nanyuki, visit a local locally-sponsored weaving project. This will be a good chance to do some shopping for authentic Kenyan goods from the people who make them. We will return to Naro Moru for dinner and overnight at the new Mt. Kenya Hikers Lodge.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru National Park
After an early breakfast we will descend into the Great Rift Valley and the flamingo paradise, Lake Nakuru. We will arrive at Nakuru town in time for lunch and check into the Wildlife Club of Kenya Hostel, located in the park. The afternoon will be spent on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake is a shallow soda lake, renowned for its huge concentration of brilliant pink flamingoes. The famous ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson defined it as "the greatest bird spectacle on earth". You don't have to be a bird lover to see this stunning park with over 400 bird species not to mention the rhinos, giraffes, water buffalo, and baboons.Day 4: Elsamere Conservation Center
From Lake Nakuru we will continue to enjoy the astounding scenery as we journey down the ancient Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha where we will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at the former home of naturalist Joy Adamson and learn of her life in Africa. She is best known for her book, Born Free, which described her experiences saving the life of the lioness Elsa. This evening will be open, giving you time for a short walk, catch up on journaling, practice your Swahili with the cooks or just relax, taking in the sounds and smells of Kenya.
Day 5 - 8 Maasailand
Refreshed from the previous night, we will drive southeast to Narok, stopping for lunch and rendezvous with one of our Maasai Guides. From Narok our drive will take us deep into a remote area of the Maasailand, a region most tourists never get to see. En route to our hiking destination in the Morijo and Loita Hills, we catch our first glimpses of the Maasai in their native land as they herd cattle and goats, striking in their stunning red shuka blankets and multi-colored beaded jewelry.
For the next three days we will travel and live among the Maasai, a native African tribe whose culture celebrates the life-sustaining wonders of the African Serengeti. We will spend the days trekking through valleys and over hills, frequently encountering the Maasai as they go about their traditional way of life. We'll have a chance to visit a local school, talk with tribal elders and experiencing the traditional Maasai culture. As we hike we'll see the abundance of plants and trees that inhabit the land while learning about their many medicinal and practical uses. At night there will be a campfire, around which tales of the Maasai and their traditions are told.
Day 9 - 10 Maasai Mara Game Reserve
The world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve is widely regarded as the best game-viewing park in Kenya. Masai Mara features varied terrain, from rolling savannahs to riverine forests. Zebras, gazelles and impalas roam expansive, golden grasslands punctuated by distinctive flat-topped acacia trees. The "Big Five" (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) also roam these open plains. With its rolling grasslands and wide-open savannah, the Masai Mara is the kind of African landscape you might see in the movies. Here at the northern boundary of Serengeti National Park we will explore this remarkable African savanna. The sheer density of wildlife creates a true animal kingdom if there ever was one.
Day 11 Nairobi - Overnight Train
We will finish our visit to the Mara with an early morning game drive, and then travel back to Nairobi where we can visit some craft markets before catching the legendary overnight train to the coastal city of Mombassa. The train has comfortable “sleeper cabins” with four bunks* and includes two meals, served with turn of the century old English silverware. In the early 1900's the East Africa Railway was instrumental in developing this region.
* Private rooms are available for an additional cost
This marks the end of the land section of the “Safari” section of the trip. If time is limited, individuals may choose to end their safari experience here.
Day 12: Malindi (D)
After arriving in Mombassa, the largest city on the coast, we will travel north by motor coach to the town of Malindi where we will get a chance to go snorkeling in the Malindi Marine National Park. From the park headquarters we will rent our equipment and board our private glass-bottomed speed boat. Cruising out to one of the parks most beautiful coral gardens where we will spend our time snorkeling through coral reefs surrounded by schools of tropical fish in the warm Indian Ocean. In the afternoon there will be time to relax and explore this historic Swahili Costal Town.
* Cost of snorkeling is extra, approximately $10 -$15 (USD)
Day 13: Lamu (B,L,D)
From Malindi we will continue up the coast to the historic Muslim island town of Lamu where we will start our sailing voyage the following day. Lamu is a region that almost appears frozen in time. The physical appearance and the character of the town have changed very little over the centuries. The narrow, winding streets accommodate only pedestrian or donkey traffic. The population of Lamu remains almost exclusively Muslim. Men still wear full length khanzus (robes) with kofia caps while women cover themselves in the black wraparound cloth common in other Islamic cultures. From this majestic place we will depart on our sailing voyage the following day.
Day 14: Sailing to Kiwaiyu
When the wind and tides are favorable to sail we will proceed by dhow (unmotorized Swahili sail boat) through the protected waters of the Kiunga Marine Reserve to the secluded tropical island of Kiwaiyu. Depending on conditions the journey could take 8 to 24 hours. It's not uncommon to spend the evening sailing under the stars. Our dhow will have an experienced, fun and energetic Captain and crew who will teach the basics of sailing these historic vessels while singing traditional Swahili sailing chants.
Day 15 - 16 Kiwaiyu
At Kiwaiyu, encounter unspoiled, white, sandy beaches and a small native village of 200 inhabitants. We will have two full days on the island to relax and explore the surrounding area. Optional activities will include snorkeling the coral reef, visiting the islands village school, wind surfing, day sailing in the dhow, body surfing in the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, learning how to cook traditional Swahili food and relaxing on the beach. The evenings will be filled with dancing and singing with the sailors in their traditional tribal language. Day 17 Matondoni and Lamu On our way back to Lamu we will stop over in the small village of Matondoni, a Muslim boat-building village and home of our sailing crew. Here we will be treated to a traditional 'end of voyage' feast prepared by the families of our crew.
Day 18 Nairobi (B,L) Catch a short flight from Lamu back to Nairobi. Our Kenyan experience ends in Nairobi where we will have our final banquet at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, considered ‘Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience'. This open-air restaurant specializes in exotic meats (vegetarian options available), has strikingly different food, service and entertainment compared to anything ever seen in East Africa and beyond.
Day 19 Depart Nairobi
Submitted by shawnstratton on Wed, 2006-07-12 18:58.