11 Days Flying Package with a Taste of Conservation as your Highlight

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Start Nairobi / End Nairobi

Coming to Africa on Safari?  Why not do your bit for conservation by choosing a safari that contributes directly to African Conservation Foundation, provides hands-on conservation experience, and stays at sustainable, Eco-Friendly Lodges or Camps whenever possible?  These one of a kind safaris carried out in partnership between African Conservation Foundation and Sureway Tours, provide a wonderful and satisfying Safari experience with a great African ambiance, while giving something back and putting the least possible pressure on the environment.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by your Sureway Tours representative who will transfer you to your Hotel.

You will be spending the night at Purdy Arms, a private guesthouse with a wonderfully home-from-home feel, situated in a quiet residential area just outside the city.  The house has just six comfortable rooms and extensive gardens, and is perfectly situated to visit The Giraffe Centre.

The Giraffe Centre is the home of the Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife, and is well known for their sterling work on a breeding program for the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.  A visit to the Giraffe Centre is an excellent way to kick off your Kenya Safari in a meaningful way; the Centre is a non-profitable organization and your entrance fee, and proceeds from any souvenirs you buy at the gift shop will go towards conservation of these wonderful rare Giraffe.  At the centre you can interact with the Giraffe, feed them from the feeding platform and go for a lovely nature walk or have a quiet cup of tea in this lovely setting.

Back at Purdy Arms you can relax around the gardens before enjoying a delicious dinner.

Overnight at Purdy Arms.

Day 2: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast your driver will be on hand to transfer you to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Amboseli National Park, to start your wonderful Kenyan Safari.

On arrival at Amboseli airstrip you will be met by representatives of Tawi Lodge who will transfer you to your home for the next three days.

Tawi Lodge is part of the Tawi-Kilitome Conservancy, which has been established on property leased from the local Maasai community, and provides an essential corridor for the famous Amboseli Elephants to reach swamps which are vital to their continued welfare in this Eco system.  There has been significant encroachment on their habitat from farming and other settlements in recent years, which has brought them into increased human-Elephant conflict.  Maintaining this corridor is essential, and by spending a few nights at this amazing Lodge, you will be contributing directly to their conservation efforts.  (All additional donations are very welcome!)

Not only will you be assisting in this excellent wildlife initiative, you will also enjoy first-class hospitality in a Lodge that is very eco conscious, and takes great care to leave the smallest possible footprint in this pristine wilderness.  Lighting and water systems are solar powered, but there is a charging facility for your electronics.  Your very comfortable room (with stunning views from your private deck) has an en-suite bathroom with both a bath-with-a-view and a shower, and your every need will be taken care of by your butler! The Lodge has a lovely pool and a Spa for those essential little treats!

You will arrive in time for lunch and then have some free time to settle in and prepare for your first game-drive in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Tawi Lodge.

Day 3 & 4: Amboseli National Park

For the next two days you will have the chance to fully enjoy this amazing Lodge, and Amboseli National Park which is just a fifteen minutes drive away, on the foothills of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain, across the border in Tanzania.

Amboseli National Park is renowned for its huge Elephant herds. Actually, the park is one the best places in Africa to get really close to free-raging Elephants, according to most Elephants viewing enthusiasts.  You will also see Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest and other plain animals. It’s an adventure identifying the over 40 types of raptors in the park and over 400 bird species such as the Hammerkops, Crakes, Kingfishers and Pelicans.

The park is home to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, and you will have the opportunity to visit them and learn all about their projects which include monitoring the Amboseli Elephant population and their fight for their conservation and welfare.

Tawi Lodge offers 2 guided game drives each day, walking tours, bird-watching excursions and night drives, in addition to fabulous bush-breakfasts, packed lunches and other surprises, to make sure there is never a dull moment.

If you need some down-time, spend a few hours admiring the wonderful view from your private deck or the pool area.

Dinner and overnight at Tawi Lodge.

Day 5: Amboseli National Park – Samburu National Reserve

After breakfast it is time to say farewell to your host and transfer to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Samburu via Wilson Airport. On arrival at Samburu Airstrip, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to SamburuIntrepids Lodge, your home for the next 3 nights.

After lunch you can settle into your fabulous luxury tented room, set on an elevated private deck overlooking the river; look out for Elephant and Crocodiles!  The tented accommodation gives a really genuine East African safari ambiance, and has all the comforts of home, including a very good en-suite bathroom and a draped king-size four-poster bed.

SamburuIntrepids overlooks the banks of the UasoNyiro River where herds of Elephants, Buffalo and Zebra come daily to drink together with the rare “Northern species” of reticulated Giraffes, Beisa Oryx and the long necked Gerenuk antelopes.

Intrepids Lodge also has a wonderful organic Eco-garden which provides a large percentage of the fabulous fresh vegetables and herbs that feature in the delicious meals you will be enjoying – guests are welcome to visit.
Dinner and overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp.

Day 6 & 7: Samburu National Reserve

You will have two full days to enjoy Samburu, and the Camp has a long list of activities to enhance your visit.  Make the most of morning and afternoon Game drives, optional guided nature walks, bush breakfasts and dinners under the wide African skies.  You can also attend lectures on local culture and wildlife or make a cultural visit to one of the neighboring Samburu communities.

Dinner and overnight at SamburuIntrepids Camp.

Day 8: Samburu National Reserve – Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to the exciting Maasai Mara National Reserve.

On arrival at the Airstrip you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to Ilkeliani Camp, your Eco-friendly base in the heartland of the Maasai tribe.  Ilkeliani is situated in a beautiful river-side position, overlooking the Talek River which is frequently visited by Elephants, and guests can enjoy some very special viewing moments without leaving the camp!

The accommodation and public areas at Ilkeliani are perfectly designed for relaxation and provide guests with an authentic “under canvas” African safari ambiance, enhanced by modern touches.  Each beautifully equipped tent is situated in a shady position under the indigenous trees and offers an en-suite bathroom and a private deck with a day-bed for afternoon naps and night-time star-gazing.

Dinner and overnight at Ilkeliani Camp.

Day 9 & 10: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Ilkeliani is one of the Maasai Mara’s permanent Eco Camps, designed along Eco-friendly principles, to limit the impact of commercial tourism on the pristine environment.  Solar power is used for lighting and heating, but you will not have to do without modern conveniences – there are charging facilities for your camera and phones, and there is free Wi-Fi to keep you in touch with the outside world.

The wonderful staff at Ilkeliani are all from local communities, and all the guides are Maasai tribesmen who have lived in the area all their lives and have a wealth of knowledge which they are eager to share with visitors.  Your daily game drives will be planned by the guides, who have up-to-the-minute knowledge of where to take you for the best possible sightings.

Take an early morning game drive deep into the heart of the Mara, in search of bathing Hippos, strutting antelopes, or darting Zebras. The reserve is home to many of the species on your list – think Fox, Impala, and loads of other small mammals, but what makes the Maasai Mara so special is its access to Africa’s “Big Five” – the five most dangerous animals in the land: the African Buffalo, African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Leopard and Lion. Big Cats are particularly prevalent and you can reasonably expect excellent sightings, particularly if your visit coincides with the annual Great Migration.

Choose an exhilarating Hot-air Balloon excursion on one of your mornings in the Mara for one of the most unforgettable experiences of your safari (Extra fee applies).  You will drift silently over the awakening savannah as the sun creeps over the horizon, and the animals below become active.  This magical add-on concludes with a champagne breakfast when you are back on the ground and includes game-viewing transfers back to the camp.
Full day game drives with a packed picnic lunch are also available as are guided walks.

Dinner and overnight at Ilkeliani Camp.

Day 11: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi

After breakfast you will bid farewell to the Camp hosts and your guide before your transfer to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi.

You will be met at Wilson Airport for your transfer to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch your flight back home  / should you wish to have an extra night in Nairobi arrangements will be done.

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