Migration Discovery
7 Days: Kenya
Fully Guided Self Drive
Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha,
Hells Gate NP, Nakuru NP
Itinerary
For those with little time but a desire to experience the best of Kenya. Starting our journey in Nairobi the hub of East Africa and vibrant Capital of Kenya we drive a short distance to Lake Naivasha where we enjoy high tea at Elsamere; the home of "Born Free" and take an early morning walking safari to spot hippos, giraffe and zebra to name a few animlas. We continue through Hells Gate NP to the 7th natural wonder of the World, the Masai Mara, and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Masai Mara is well known for its Big Cat population set amongst stunning classic African savannah landscape. We game drive through this wondrous park before departing for Lake Nakuru. We visit a working farm and local women's knitting project before entering Lake Nakuru NP, a small but rewarding park teeming with pink flamingoes, white rhino, giraffes and buffalo to name a few.
Sunday - Day 1: (driving distance 100km) - Lake Naivasha
Our journey begins in Nairobi, the buzzing Capital of Kenya. We take some time to be acquainted with our vehicles and the rest of the small group before visiting the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage a short drive from our base. The baby elephants are allowed out to play every morning, an hour of entertainment watching the babies play in mud pools, kick a soccer ball and slurp massive bottles of formula. This not a zoo but a place where orphaned elephants are hand-reared before being re-educated and released into the wild. It is possible to adopt a baby elephant or rhino - the perfect gift for animal lovers back home.
After a hearty lunch we drive to Lake Naivasha at the bottom of the famous Rift Valley arriving in time to set up camp and become acquainted with our natural surroundings. We camp on the shores of Lake Naivasha, devour a large dinner expertly prepared on open fire and fall asleep as hippos graze in the distance. (Lunch and dinner included)
Monday - Day 2 (driving distance 40kms) - Lake Naivasha
We start the day with a gentle walking safari around the Green Crater Lake. This is one of the very few game parks in Africa without predators making it safe to walk. A rare opportunity to stand close to giraffes, zebra, antelope, flamingos and warthogs to name a few. We return to camp for a hearty brunch. In the afternoon we drive a short distance to Elsamere and enjoy High Tea at Joy Adamson's House. Joy and George Adamson became famous for their unique work with lions, the most famous being 'Elsa'. The movie 'Born Free' was about Elsa's life. We enjoy High Tea overlooking Lake Naivasha while Colobus monkeys try to steal scones from our plates! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Tuesday - Day 3 (driving distance 200kms) - Masai Mara Game Reserve
We depart Lake Naivasha and drive into Hells Gate NP. A short game drive as we continue to the end of the Park before making our way along back roads to the town of Narok and the World Famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. Arriving in the afternoon in time to enjoy a rewarding game drive. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Wednesday - Day 4 (variable) - Masai Mara Game Reserve
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous park; bordering Tanzania and the Serengeti; it boasts the famous Migration and the well documented Mara River crossing of wildebeest and zebras seen between July and August each year. We spend the day game viewing at leisure, taking our time to stop and watch the animals as they cohabitate together. While game driving we will stop to photograph wildlife like: leopard, wildebeest, lion, rhino, warthog, cheetah, gazelle, zebra, giraffe, elephant, buffalo plus many more. At night we camp falling asleep to the sounds of Africa. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Thursday - Day 5 (driving distance 220kms) - Njoro
We rise early morning and enjoy a final game drive in the Masai Mara before departing for Njoro near Nakuru Town. We arrive in the afternoon and enjoy a steaming hot shower and home cooked meal. After dinner we can enjoy a glass of wine while sitting around the open fire telling stories of our experiences with African wildlife. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Friday - Day 6 (driving distance 80kms) - Lake Nakuru National Park
We drive the short distance to our last but certainly not least impressive game park – Lake Nakuru NP. The park resembles scenes from Jurassic park – a large lake in the centre surrounded by rough sharp cliffs and dense forest. The setting is as dramatic as the game viewing. As we enter the park we are presented with tens of thousands of pink flamingoes happily perched in the shallows of Lake Nakuru; around the edges of the Lake it is not unusual to see lion, Rhino, buffalo, zebra, gazelles, waterbucks, families of warthogs and lone hyenas all within a short distance of one another. We spend a full day exploring the park before the short drive back to Njoro. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Saturday - Day 7 (driving distance 180kms) - Nairobi
We enjoy a bit of a sleep in before departing Njoro for Nakuru Town. Nakuru Town boasts a vibrant local souvenir market worth taking some time to explore and buy extra souvenirs before making our way back to Nairobi arriving approx. 3 pm in the afternoon. (Breakfast and lunch included)
Includes: Airport pick-up and drop-off, 1 night pre trip and 1 night post trip accommodation, fully equipped expedition Land Rover (fuel, insurance and permits); Meals as per indicated on the itinerary, camping accommodation in Large walk-in safari tents, lead vehicle with 2 experienced crew (driver, tour leader/safari cook); All activities and entrance fees as per the itinerary; maps and local information.
Each vehicle is equipped with drinks cooler, first aid kit, stereo, radio contact between all vehicles, inverter to charge small appliances, walk-in safari Oz-tent, camp beds, camping chairs, table, tools and spare parts, spare tyres.
Excludes: Flights, visa, personal spending money, comprehensive travel insurance, bedding (sleeping bag, pillows), items of a personal nature, snacks, drinks, international driving permit (if applicable).
The best time to experience the Masai Mara is during the months of June, July and August when the Great Wildebeest Migration is occurring. The plains are full with hundreds of thousands of zebra and wildebeest with lions, leopard, cheetahs, hyenas and other predators not far behind... for a once in a lifetime experience of driving across the Mara plains watching one of the greatest spectacles in the Animal Kingdom in the 7th Wonder of the World.
The Migration Discovery is available for groups throughout the year by special request.
Click here to view Migration Discovery image gallery
