Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to The Sarova Stanley hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at The Sarova Stanley Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
The Sarova Stanley Hotel
Situated in the city centre, it was where the travellers, including Earnest Hemingway, gathered for a drink at the legendary Thorn Tree Café before or after a long safari. A message board on the acacia xanthophildea tree is used by travellers to make contact with fellow travellers. The 220 room hotel has been refurbished to a high standard and still retains the original Victorian charm. Bedrooms with private bathrooms are very comfortable while the restaurants serve excellent international cuisine. The gym is excellent, pool large and conference facilities extremely modern.
Day 2: Nairobi - Masai Mara National Reserve
Leaving Nairobi mid morning, you'll travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. You'll pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Keekorok Lodge on a full board basis.
Keekorok Lodge
Keekorok Game Lodge was opened in 1965 and lies at the southern end of Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 280 kilometres from Nairobi. It is sited in the direct path of the annual migration and was the first lodge to be built in the Mara. At the height of the migration, Keekorok is surrounded by a swarming mass of animals and there is hardly need to go on a game drive. Keekorok's charm lies in the liberal use of local building materials. Sand stone, cedar wood and other indigenous materials are used in all rooms and public areas. In front of the lodge there is a 300m elevated walkway that meanders through a small riverine forest to a small bar at one end. This overlooks a dam where resident hippo and other game are regularly seen.
Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve
Early morning and afternoon game drives.
Overnight at Keekorok Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 4: Masai Mara - Lake Nakuru
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, you'll travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mau Escarpment, before arriving at Lake Nakuru lodge for lunch. The waters here are often coloured shimmering flamingo pink, from thousands of the beautiful birds lining its shores. After lunch you will take an afternoon game drive in Nakuru National park before continuing to Lake Nakuru lodge for overnight.
Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge on a full board basis.
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Lake Nakuru Lodge is situated in the heart of one of Kenya's most densely populated wetland National Parks, (Ramsar site) only two leisurely hours' drive from Nairobi, through beautiful forested uplands and passing a series of lakes. On the outskirts of the bustling market town of Nakuru lies a truly remarkable national park which has achieved international fame. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park - and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is over 50 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion. Lake Nakuru Lodge is in the south-east ecological niche of the park, with commanding views of the lake and the flamingos for which it is justly famous. Lush gardens surround the lodge and cottages. There is a good programme of activities and evening entertainment.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru - Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast you will depart with a picnic lunch, leaving Lake Nakuru behind, you continue towards Nairobi and then head south towards Amboseli. There will be an afternoon Game drive in the park returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge on a full board basis.
Ol Tukai Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge was opened in June 1996 and lies at the heart of Amboseli National Park approximately 266kms due south of Nairobi. The lodge is set at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and is probably the best wildlife arenas to view elephants at close range. Most of the park consists of a partially dry, lake bed of evaporated salts and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland. Around the swamps the vegetation is lush with yellow barked acacia and phoenix palms. You can see most types of game in the park including rhino, giraffe, gazelle, lion, cheetah and leopards. Birdlife is prolific too, especially around the swamp areas. Cottage style accommodation spreads out on either side of the main lodge. The architecture is unobtrusive with lots of wood, local stone and slate. There are two double rooms especially designed for the disabled and ramps for wheelchairs are the norm. Each room has an uninterrupted view of either the wetlands or Mt. Kilimanjaro, with the occasional dust trail of safari vehicles viewing game in this most beautiful of Kenya's game parks. The crystal clear figure of eight swimming pool, shaded by the occasional acacia tree, has ample sun beds and mattresses available for guest use.
Day 6: Amboseli National Park - Tsavo West National Park - Taita Hills Game Reserve
An early departure after breakfast takes you east, across the spectacular Shetani lava flow, reminder of the molten outpouring that spilled down the scenic slopes of the nearby Chyulu Hills over the last three centuries. A zig-zagging road through scrub thorn and acacia leads you into Tsavo National Park, which together (East and West) form the largest of Kenya’s parks. Spotting game as you go, especially gerenuk, Lunch at Kilaguni Lodge, after lunch there will be a game drive in the park and a visit to Mzima Springs with its underwater viewing holes and arrive at your lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Saltlick Lodge on a full board basis.
Saltlick Lodge
Salt Lick Lodge is located in the heart of a private Wildlife Sanctuary which lies adjacent to Tsavo National Park, therefore playing an increasingly important role in the protection and conservation of Kenya's wildlife heritage. All rooms are built in two storey blocks from a central pod and linked together by elevated platforms overlooking a salt slick and small waterhole. Rooms are spacious and have all the necessary modern conveniences. The restaurant, bar and main balconies have views over the water hole and salt lick, which is constantly in use by local park residents. There is also an underground hide for closer encounters.
Day 7: Taita Hills - Tsavo East
After breakfast enjoy a morning game drive in Taita Hills Game Sanctuary, lunch is at Taita Hills Game Sanctuary before continuing your journey to Tsavo East National Park with game drive enroute arriving at your lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Aruba Lodge on a full board basis.
Aruba Lodge, Tsavo East
The 40 deluxe rooms each have a terrace overlooking the plains or the Aruba dam. Each room is designed to provide utmost comfort ensuring a pleasant stay. The rooms also contain an ensuite toilet and shower facility with bathroom accessories. A variety of room types are available double rooms, triple rooms, rooms for the physically challenged and adjoining rooms, making it family-friendly. The new Aruba Lodge lies on the northern bank overlooking the Aruba Dam that was originally constructed across the Voi River in 1952. This and other nearby watering holes are favourites for large mammals especially the herds of elephants that are often dramatically coloured red from the soil, and are quite a spectacle as they majestically traverse back and forth across the plains. Also to be found are the Burchells zebra, the Maasai giraffe, and impala, Grants Gazelle, Lesser Kudu and the reserved but somewhat bad tempered cape buffalo. Other mammals include waterbuck, the fringe eared Oryx, the long necked and graceful gerenuk and if you are lucky the rare Hirola or Hunter’s hartebeest can be spotted. Lions, cheetah and the occasional leopards and a myriad species of birds are also resident’s of the park. This particular eco-region is noted for the pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) among other reptiles and lizards.
Day 8: Tsavo East - Mombasa
After breakfast enjoy a morning game drive returning to the lodge for lunch before continuing your journey to Mombasa, aiming to reach your beach hotel late afternoon.
Nairobi to Mombasa Odyssey Safari Rates 2009
| Travel Dates |
Per Person Price |
| 01 Mar 09 to 31 Mar 09 |
$2,255 |
| 01 Apr 09 to 25 May 09* |
$2,079 |
|
26 May 09 to 25 Jun 09
|
$2,238 |
| 26 Jun 09 to 31 Oct 09 |
$2,295 |
| 01 Nov 09 to 15 Dec 09 |
$2,225 |
*A Supplement of $50 per person per night applies between 10 April and 13 April.
All rates are based on two people sharing. Please contact us for single supplement amounts.
Child Rates
One child aged under 2 years free sharing with 2 adults
One child aged 2-11 years sharing with 2 adults pays 50% of safari cost
