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7 Day Oryx Safari
offered by supplier M19599 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 7
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 10
people
Destination(s):
Kenya
Specialty Categories:
National Parks
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 125 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2225 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Samburu/Buffalo Springs Game Reserves
After an early breakfast, drive through the agricultural and hilly mosaic of small scale farms, pineapple and cattle ranches via Nanyuki and Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve. Samburu came to international limelight in the early 2000 when a lioness adopted two Oryx babies, each at different times, akin to the Biblical garden of Eden. Remote and rugged, this reserve provides some of the most colorful photography and unique game viewing in the country. After a brief afternoon rest enjoy tour first game drive. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Lodge or similar 360Km/6hrs. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 2: Samburu/Buffalo Springs Game Reserves
Spend early morning and afternoon game viewing drives in this reserve which covers 40 square miles (104 square kilometres). Ololokwe Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to our game viewing, as we search the unique game only found north of the equator;- straight-horned Beisa Oryx antelope, long-necked Gerenuk gazelle, Blue legged somali ostrich and the grevy zebra, The dirty brown Ewaso Nyiro river is dotted with doum palms and meanders through the reserve giving it an oasis setting. All meals at Samburu Lodge or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Mount Kenya
Breakfast and check out. Drive south to your hotel situated in the shadow of Mt Kenya, Kenya's highest mountain at 17,000 feet (5,199 metres).The massive size of this mountain and its gleaming and eroded snow covered multiple peaks dominates the surrounding countryside and even affects the local climate. The Kikuyu tribe believed that their god, Ngai, lives on Mount Kenya and so they would always build their homes with the doors facing towards the mountain, to welcome their god. in Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge build deep in the forest. Enjoy game viewing at the floodlit water hole and salt lick from the comfortable lounge areas or from your room at any time of night. Dinner and overnight Serena Mountain Lodge 190kms/41/2hours NB: A warm jacket/sweater is highly recommended. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park
Breakfast and check out. Drive via Nyahururu town with stop at the Thompson's Falls, named after Joseph Thompson the first European to walk from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880's. Proceed thereafter to the Lake Nakuru National Park, home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingo. This park also provides sanctuary for Rothschild giraffe, black and white rhino and the elusive leopard. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon enjoy game drive by the lake shores lined with flamingoes, host of other birds and wildlife. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge 270 kms/3hours. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Depart after breakfast to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. It offers wonderful scenery, plenty of game and is perhaps the only place left in Kenya where visitors may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge followed by an afternoon game drive in this vast and expansive reserve teeming with game. Dinner and overnight Keekorok Lodge or similar 365 kms/6hours. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Full day with morning and afternoon game viewing drives in search of the 'big five'. Masai Mara is the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and is home to prides of lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffes, herds of elephants and zebras, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game. All meals and overnight Keekorok Lodge or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Nairobi. Drive back to Nairobi and drop off hotel or transfer airport for onward connections. 365 kms/6 hours. Includes: (B).
Notes:
- Accommodation Information:
* Samburu Serena Lodge
Set in a landscape of endless skies, dust-red plains and palm-fringed rivers, this refreshingly rustic lodge is renowned for the timeless beauty of its landscape and the serene tranquility of its setting. Nestled amidst the acacia groves that border the crocodile-filled reaches of the Uaso Nyiro River, the lodge stands center-stage to miles of lion-stalked grasslands, elephant-studded plains and wildlife-teeming bush. It is also ideally placed for visits to the neighboring parks of Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserve. Experience the serenity and tranquility of Samburu at the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge.
* Mountain Lodge
The only ‘tree hotel’ ever to be built on the slopes of Kenya’s legendary Mount Kenya, Mountain Lodge offers a matchless game viewing opportunity whilst combining a glorious panorama of mountain vistas with the primordial splendors of an ancient rain forest. Floating 2,195 m high on the flanks of Kenya’s highest mountain and secreted deep within her largest forest reserve, the lodge offers not only the champagne-clarity of mountain air, the tranquility of the forest and a colorful cavalcade of wildlife but also the chance of scaling the icy peaks of Africa’s second-highest mountain.
Guests can also awake to the trumpeting of elephant, fall asleep to the symphony of the African night or sit in stillness and observe the fascinating interplay of the animals as they arrive to drink, bathe, spar and forage around the water hole. Finally, they can venture down to the secret viewing hide by the water’s edge and experience the awesome thrill of being only meters away from some of the most massive beasts on earth.
* Lake Nakuru Lodge
Situated in Lake Nakuru National Park this lodge offers beautiful views of the acacia forests and the lake. Wildlife can often be seen in front of the lodge, either from your room or from the main areas. A pool gives you the opportunity to cool down and relax when you are not out on game drives. Deluxe room.
* Keekorok Lodge
Amid the vast sweeping plains of the savannah stands Keekorok, the Masai Mara's first game lodge, in the direct path of the spectacular annual mogration. Built in 1962, on the site of a 1920's hunting camp, against the backdrop of Kenya's most magnificent scenery, Keekorok boasts an abundance of wildlife, sunsurpassed for its numbers and diversiry. After undergoing recent renovations, Keekorok offers you a unique safari experience: an environment of contemporary African style and natural charm, with all the magic of the Masai Mara. Spot the "Big Five" on a single morning game drive, or enjoy a leisurely sundowner on the elevated 300m walkway and see hippos and other animals and birds, without even leaving the lodge.
- Location and park information:
* Samburu Game Reserves
Lying in the lower curve of the dry northern Kenya region, the three reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba make up a combined area of over 235sq. kms, and are well worth a visit to view an ecosystem that spans arid terrains, hills, shrubland and grassland. The main water source, the Uaso Nyiro River, feeds the riverine forest and swamp. The patches of forest and doum palm dotting the landscape provide an ideal setting for exuberant primates, sombre hippo and sedate crocodile. Elephant families visit the river’s shallows to give themselves a shower or immerse themselves totally in the invigorating, cool water.
The exciting animal life also includes game only seen north of the equator, namely grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. Other residents are gerenuk gazelle, the Somali ostrich, ‘big five’, and more common savannah game. As the name implies, this is Samburu land. The Samburu are a colorful tribal people who have lived in harmonious accord with nature over the years, maintaining cultural conservation practices based on a deep respect for the ecosystem.
* Mount Kenya
This 715sq. km park is named after Kenya’s highest mountain, said to be home of the Kikuyu God, “Ngai”. Mount Kenya rises to a height of 5,199m and above the 3,200m contour it forms a biosphere reserve. The mountain consists of three principal zones: the rocky peak with its crown of glaciers, tarns and snowfields; the alpine zone with distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle slopes covered in upland forest and bamboo jungle, fed by natural mineral springs. The Tana River, largest and longest in Kenya, begins its journey here meandering eastwards for hundreds of kilometers before spilling into the Indian Ocean.
The forest belt is teeming with plants and animals including 11 unique species. Suni antelope, Mount Kenya mole rat, montane viper, black fronted duikers, giant forest hog, and genet cat, are some of the animals on the list. For the seasoned and physically fit climber, the trek to the peaks is a little difficult and one is advised to spend some days getting acclimatised before making that journey. The climb itself is well worth the effort, seeing the different birds and animals, vegetation, and the changing landscape up close.
* Nakuru
The most famous of the Great Rift Valley lakes, Lake Nakuru is renowned for its magnificent bird life, especially the flamingos which seasonally flock there in their thousands. This 188sq. km park is a paradise for those who are particularly interested in ornithology and also offers the opportunity of seeing white rhino, the rare Rothchild’s giraffe, large herds of buffalo and an abundance of various plains game. Sightings of leopard resting in the branches of acacia trees are very common.
The 40sq. kms. alkaline Lake Nakuru lies within the park and has been given the conservation world’s Ramsar Site designation. As you move further afield into the woods, you find black and white colobus monkey and closer to the escarpment walls and rocky ridges, mountain reedbuck, dik dik, rock hyrax and klipspringer, making game viewing well worth while.
* Masai Mara
Justifiably one of the most famous reserves in Africa, its’ dominant feature are the great rolling plains of savanna grasslands, which sustain the greatest variety of wildlife in Africa and indeed in the world. The concentration of game is at its highest from July through October when the Mara is host to the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest. However, game viewing is excellent year round with giraffe, buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest and Thompson’s gazelle offering a rich choice for the predators lion, leopard and cheetah. It should be noted, however, that during the rainy season, the grass is fairly tall in some areas, which may affect visibility and restrict game drives slightly.
The Maasai people, after whom the park is named, are nomadic. While on game drives, you will often notice young tribesmen herding their cattle amongst the plains game. They are colorfully attired, usually wrapped in bright red cloths, and armed with spears.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Kenya
Nature & Wildlife
National Parks
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, ext: 19599
