Kenya Wildlife Safari

Mum keeping busy with her cubs in the Masai Mara, Kenya

Duration: 8 Days

Location: Kenya

8 Day Kenya Wildlife Safari guided self drive

This short safari is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds and explore Kenya’s best kept secret private game reserves. Game driving through Ol Pejeta Conservancy will bring you face to face with a plethora of wildlife including the last 3 remaining Northern White Rhino in the World. A night game drive at Swara Plains private conservancy will leave you in awe of nocturnal Africa while Amboseli NP will take you breath away as herds of elephant gracefully glide across the plains while Kilimanjaro provides the picturesque backdrop.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY…

We have been on several African safaris but this one was incredible. Meeting the last Northern White Rhino at Ol Pejeta is an experience that will stay with me and my wife forever. Thiemo was a brilliant guide, very knowledgeable and a fabulous cook (loved our hot “engine” lunches!!). Thank you for an amazing experience. We will be back for another adventure with you.

8 Day Kenya Wildlife Safari Highlights

Enjoy an amazing guided self drive safari to the hidden gems of Kenya away from the regular tourist trail
Gaze at Africa’s most iconic mountains Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro while Elephants glide across the plains
Meet the last 3 remaining Northern White Rhino at Ol Pejeta Private Conservancy
Be entertained by orphaned Chimpanzees at Sweetwater Sanctuary
Seek the Big 5 and Little 5 while game driving through Ol Pejeta, Swara Plains and Amboseli NP
Be amazed at what you will see on a night game drive through Swara Plains private reserve
Soak up the rich diversity of Kenya’s landscape from highlands to semi-arid plains
Be dazzled by the friendly and welcoming people of Kenya while on your Kenya Wildlife Safari
Zebra cooling off in the marshes of Amboseli NP

Day 1: Incredible views from Champagne Ridge

Champagne Ridge overlooking the Great Rift Valley is a hidden gem known by only a privileged few; boasting incredible views all the way to Tanzania. Upon arriving at the airport you will be met and transferred to this piece of paradise in the heart of Masai Land only 1 hour from Nairobi. It is from here we will start your Kenya Wildlife Safari.

The Castle is the perfect place to start your safari, away from the hustle and bustle of the big congested noisy city of Nairobi. Surrounded by acacia trees with zebra grazing in the plains The Castle offers African feel without compromising on comfort.

Driving Distance: 50kms
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Day 2: The charming town of Nanyuki

We depart The Castle and make our way to the foot of Kenya’s largest mountain – Mt Kenya and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Today we skirt around Nairobi as we drive toward Northern Kenya through picturesque landscape. The area around the town of Nanyuki is well known as farming land with many large land holdings blending conservation and wildlife protection with ranching. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is just one example of successful ranching blended with wildlife protection.

We will be amazed at how the landscape changes as we drive our Land Rover Defenders on country roads on our Kenya Wildlife Safari.

Driving Distance: 250kms
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Rhino and Mt Kenya

Day 3: The last of a species at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

We spend the day game driving at leisure through Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a fabulous private game reserve and one of the best managed parks in all of Africa. Not only does Ol Pejeta boast one of the highest populations of white and black Rhino in Africa it also boasts a thriving big Cat (and little cat) populations.

Ol Pejeta is home to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the last 3 remaining Northern White Rhino. Game driving through Ol Pejeta is simply stunning with Mt Kenya providing an incredible backdrop to the plains littered with a variety of African wildlife. To top it off Ol Pejeta is home to the Big 5 – Rhino, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant and Leopard making it a park not to be missed on your Kenya Wildlife Safari.

Driving Distance: 50kms plus game driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Quaint and Charming Swara Plains

Our next stop on our incredible Kenya Wildlife Safari is Swara Plains. Swara Plains is another private conservancy and although smaller than Ol Pejeta is just as stunning, we will be wooed with over 3000 game animals and several hundreds of various bird species scattered amongst 20,000 acres of wildlife sanctuary.

Swara Plains is committed to protecting local and migratory bird species through creating several large wet areas for birds to nest, breed or simply check in for a few days rest while migrating to and from Europe!

Local Masai wedding ceremony

We arrive in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxing game drive before checking in to our accommodation for the night. Away from the crowds of the large well known Kenya Wildlife Service National Parks we enjoy Swara Plains largely to ourselves, no other vehicles blocking our view or occupants making loud noises hoping to attract the attention of wildlife, it is just us and wild African animals enjoying the tranquil African way of life.

As the sun starts to set we make our way out in the reserve for an evening game drive to see what nocturnal animals we can spot! Again we enjoy the park largely to ourselves as our local guides point out incredible weird and wonderful nocturnal wildlife.

Starting a self drive trip from our base in Kajiado near Nairobi with some basic instructions and a bit of a joke

Starting a self drive trip from The Castle near Nairobi with some basic instructions and a bit of a joke

We enjoy a relaxed country style dinner in the small quaint lodge, and tell some stories of our adventures before retiring for the night.

Driving Distance: 200kms plus game driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge

Day 5: Waking up to Mt Kilimanjaro

We enjoy a hearty breakfast before a final game drive in Swara Plains. We depart the private conservancy and, staying off the main roads, we weave our way through dirt bush tracks toward Amboseli NP, the border to Tanzania and Mt Kilimanjaro.

As we drive along we are amazed at the amount of wildlife scattered in the open plains living in harmony amongst the several traditional Masai homesteads we pass. It is hard to believe the amount of wildlife as we pass herds of giraffe, zebra, eland, ostrich and gazelle totally disinterested by our presence. Today could be described as a full day game drive as we make our way to the outskirts of Amboseli NP.

Arriving at our lodge we are a little dusty and ready for a dip in the Lodge pool. We check in and enjoy a cool swim while Mt Kilimanjaro smiles at us in the distance.

Driving Distance: 150kms plus game driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp and Lodge

Cheetah cubs. Nothing is cuter or fluffier!

Day 6: Amboseli NP the park that never disappoints

Amboseli NP is second in popularity only to the Masai Mara Reserve, not only does Amboseli NP promise outstanding game viewing but also incredible (and the best) views of Mt Kilimanjaro in Kenya and Tanzania! Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to view “Kili” as the clouds lift and the light is pure.

Amboseli NP snuggles the border to Tanzania and with Mt Kilimanjaro rising 6kms above the savannah plains we are treated to picture perfect views of the mountain while herds of elephant gracefully glide across the plains.

The game park is small compared to many others in its league, at only 390km², so it makes for a high concentration of wildlife in a small compact area. The wetlands are fed by the cool waters from Mt Kilimanjaro offering watering holes all year round supporting a rich diversity of wildlife including lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant, hyena, cheetah and giraffe to name a few. The wetlands also provide perfect conditions for bird-life housing at least 300 species, “twitchers” will not be disappointed!

We spend the entire day leisurely game driving through the park, stopping for a delicious picnic lunch at the lookout point while overlooking the stunning plains, wetlands and Mt Kilimanjaro.

Driving Distance: 10kms plus game driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp and Lodge

Day 7: Rift Valley views

We depart Amboseli NP and take several back-roads as we make our way back to The Castle just outside of Nairobi on the edge of the Rift Valley.

We drive through areas unknown by tourists giving us a true unique African experience. As we make our way on dirt tracks we pass traditional Masai huts, quiet dusty villages and herds of cattle and goats.

Very civilised way to complete our guided self drive Kenya wildlife safari

We arrive back at The Castle and enjoy a final meal together as the sun sets over the vast plains of the Rift Valley

Driving Distance: 150kms
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Day 8: Homeward Bound

We bid farewell to the Rift Valley as we are transferred to the airport to return home.

Meals: Breakfast

The trips costs are split into 2 sections, Land Price and Local Payment.

Land Price: Is payable in full 90 days prior to departure. This is payable in United States Dollars (USD$).
Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post-dated 2009 USD$ Cash only.

Tented camp accommodation is proper glamping.

Please note there is a bond of USD$1,500 per vehicle, this will be added to the invoice to be paid with the final payment. Once the vehicle and equipment has been inspected at the end of the expedition, and should there be no unreasonable damage, or claim from a third party the bond will be refunded.

8 Day Kenya Wildlife Safari guided self drive includes

Airport or Hotel pick-up and drop-off
1 night pre trip and 1 night post trip accommodation
Entry fees for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Swara Plains and Amboseli National Park
Fully equipped expedition Land Rover Defender
Meals as per indicated on the itinerary
Accommodation in a range of guest houses, lodges and hotels as per itinerary
Lead vehicle with experienced crew
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, camping chairs, table, tools and spare parts, spare tyres.