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9 Day Best of Kenya Safari

Overview

This 9 day Best of Kenya safari is ideal for those interested in observing the Big Five and big cats in Kenya. The journey includes visits to Amboseli National Park, Aberdare, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve. Activities encompass game drives, cultural encounters, and bird watching.

Safari Summary

Day 1: Pickup from Nairobi or the airport and transfer to Amboseli National Park (approx. 4 hours drive)
Day 2: Game drives in Amboseli National Park
Day 3: Transfer to Aberdare for an evening game drive (approx. 6-7 hours drive)
Day 4: Morning game drive and transfer to Samburu National Reserve
Day 5: Game drives in Samburu National Reserve, with opportunities to spot the unique “Samburu Specials”
Day 6: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 7: Morning game drive and transfer to Masai Mara
Day 8: Morning and evening game drives in Masai Mara
Day 9: Transfer from Masai Mara to Nairobi or JKIA for your flight

TRIP ITINERARY

Tour Plan

Day 1

Pick Up from Nairobi /Hotel and Transfer to Amboseli National Park

Your guide will meet you at the hotel or the airport for the drive to Amboseli National Park, approximately 4 hours. Depending on your arrival time, you may have lunch en route or at the lodge before embarking on an evening game drive. Amboseli is renowned for its spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its rich wildlife, including elephants with impressive tusks.

Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Day 2

Game Drives in Amboseli National Park

Enjoy full-day game drives in Amboseli, both in the morning and afternoon. The park is home to diverse wildlife such as zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and the Big Five, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and buffalo. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the over 400 bird species. The park offers outstanding views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Day 3

Transfer to Aberdare National Park for an Evening Game Drive

On this day, you will embark on a scenic drive to Aberdare National Park, stopping for lunch at Aberdare Country Club. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park. Aberdare is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, and bushbucks. Rare sightings might include the Giant Forest Hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat, and the blue duiker.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Ark Lodge

Day 4

Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Samburu National Reserve

Start your day with breakfast and after go for a game drive in Aberdare. proceed to Samburu National Reserve, enjoying a scenic drive with an enroute lunch. Arrive in Samburu in the afternoon for an evening game drive.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 5

Game Drive in Samburu National Reserve

On this day, you will enjoy a full day of game drives in Samburu National Reserve. The reserve is known for its rich wildlife, including the rare northern species: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx (collectively known as the Samburu Specials). The reserve is also home to over 900 elephants. Experience the local Samburu community with a visit for cultural insights.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 6

Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After an early breakfast, check out and drive from Samburu National Reserve to Lake Nakuru National Park, passing by Nyahururu Waterfalls. Enjoy lunch and then an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru. This park is renowned for its diverse bird species, including flamingos, and is one of the best places in Kenya to view the highly protected black and white rhinos. The park also hosts lions, leopards, waterbucks, giraffes, hyenas, buffaloes, baboons, vervet monkeys, and gazelles.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Waterbuck Hotel

Day 7

Transfer from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, check out and drive from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara. Along the way, you will see Lake Elementaita, Lake Naivasha, and Mount Longonot. Enjoy lunch in Narok Town before continuing to the game reserve. Check in and embark on an afternoon game drive that lasts until sunset.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 8

Full Day Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve

Experience a full day of game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve, including both morning and evening excursions. The Masai Mara is famous for its abundant wildlife, particularly the Great Migration, which sees over 1.5 million wildebeests arrive from July to November. This reserve offers one of the best opportunities to view the Big Five: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.

Meals: All Meals Included
Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 9

Return to Nairobi

On your final day, enjoy a morning game drive before traveling back to Nairobi or JKIA for your international flight.

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

Includes

Airport transfers on the first and last day
Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
Fuel for the entire trip
Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
All Park entrance fees
Drinking water while in the vehicle

Excludes

International airfares
All expenses of personal nature such as drinks and tips

TOUR MAP

GENERAL FAQs

General FAQs

Can I reschedule or cancel this trip?

Rescheduling: You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date within 12 months at no additional cost.
Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit of the total tour price is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour departure date. Bookings not secured with the appropriate deposit will be released.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancel between 90 and 45 days before departure: 20% penalty of the tour price.
- Cancel within 45 days of departure or no show: 100% penalty of the tour price.

Availability and Accommodations

Reservations: Accommodation and activity availability is not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed with the final itinerary and deposit payment. If any quoted accommodations are unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute them with suitable alternatives, which may affect the final quoted price.

Insurance

Requirement: All clients must have medical and travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Rates

Subject to Change: Tour rates are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to maintain rates, but changes in government taxes or operating conditions may be passed on to clients.

Permit Cancellation Policy

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

Guarantee: A Gorilla Permit is guaranteed only upon receipt of the deposit ($800 per person per trek) as it must be paid immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Cancellation Fees

More than 90 days before tracking: 25% cancellation fee.
89 to 46 days before tracking: 50% cancellation fee.
45 to 9 days before tracking: 75% cancellation fee.
8 to 0 days before tracking: 100% cancellation fee.

Important Information

Age Requirement: The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
Health: Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be allowed into the rainforest jungle to see the gorillas.
Safety Protocols: Masks must be worn at all times, and a distance of 10 meters must be maintained between you and the gorillas.

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