Day 01: Nairobi:
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight:      Fairview Hotel (BB)    

Day 02: Nairobi – Tsavo West
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, transfer to the Wilson airstrip and fly Nairobi – Tsavo (dep 0730-0820). Arrive at the Tsavo West National Park and drive to your camp, Finch Hattons Tented Camp. Have the morning at leisure with lunch. In the afternoon set out for a game drive in the park.

Finch Hattons is located in Tsavo West National Park which combined with neighbouring Tsavo East forms Kenya’s largest National Park – and one of the largest in Africa. It’s entire ecosystem constitutes 10 million acres of pure, untouched wilderness, encompassing open savannah, riverine and montane forests and freshwater springs.  A dominant feature of Tsavo West is the jet-black lava outcrop known locally as Sheitani (devil). Winding through the hills and peppered with caves, Sheitani is a reminder of the volcanic forces that brought Tsavo into being.

It is this massive scale that sets Tsavo apart from Kenya’s other National Parks and Reserves.  Exploring the park from Finch Hattons you will rarely see another vehicle or any other sign of human presence as you track game. Tsavo is known for it’s herds of “red elephants”, their skins stained by the ochre dust and mud.  The park is home to over 12000 elephant – one of the largest populations in East Africa.  Other commonly seen species include giraffe, zebra, eland, buffalo, impala, hartebeest, bushbuck, wildebeest and many more.

Return to the camp before sunset for dinner.

Overnight:      Finch Hatton’s Camp

 
Day 03: Tsavo West
Full day spent in Tsavo with early morning and afternoon game drives.
Your afternoon game drive takes you to the Mzima Springs, where a gushing supply of fresh, crystal clear water has created an oasis for wildlife.  It is home to several pods of hippo, crocodile and shoals of barbell and catfish.  A specially constructed underwater observatory provides visitors with a unique view into the underwater world of Mzima.

After the game drive, you will end up at the beautiful Chyulu hills for a sundowner cocktail. “Sundowners” are an African tradition, conveniently facilitated by the fact that on the equator, the sun sets at basically the same time every day! Safari-goers gather after a game drive to relax and watch the sun go down while enjoying their favorite cocktail or beverage. After your sundowners transfer back to your camp. Dinner in the camp.

Overnight:      Finch Hatton Camp                           

Day 04: Tsavo West – Amboseli
Breakfast in the camp then check out. Depart and drive on the camp vehicles to Amboseli National Park, set at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Drop off at Tortillis Camp in time for lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, set out for an evening game drive. The park may be best known for its herds of elephants and the ground-breaking research began by Cynthia Moss in the early 1970’s.

A game drive through Amboseli takes you across this vast lakebed ‑ often dry, but still very swampy in some areas. Amboseli is best known for its great herds of elephant ‑ you’ll often find many of them standing knee‑deep in the water, spraying themselves to keep cool.  But there’s a lot of other game here too ‑ cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, many types of gazelle and other plains game ‑ and it’s all set against the amazing backdrop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro showing all its glory.

Overnight:      Tortillis Tented Camp                       

Day 05: Amboseli
Breakfast at the camp. Full day in the Park with morning and afternoon game viewing drives in the wild with picnic lunch.  Amboseli National Park is situated near the border of Kenya and Tanzania in the south east region of Kenya about 250 kms from Nairobi. Magnificent views of snow-capped Kilimanjaro are dominant. The best time to see it, however, is early morning or just around sunset. This is Africa’s highest mountain – some call it “the rooftop of Africa”.

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest at 5896 metres (19,344 ft) and one of the highest volcanoes in the world, attracting trekkers and climbers from every corner of the world. The geological origin of the Kilimanjaro massif is strictly related to the formation of the Rift Valley, dated back to the early Pleistocene, about one and a half million years ago. Since those times the mountain’s volcanic activity was merely concentrated in three locations: the craters of Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi. They evolved separately but, a few hundreds of thousands of years ago, their summits were all above 5000mt. Slowly Shira first, and Mawenzi later on, became extinct, whereas only Kibo remains active.

Kibo’s eruptions covered up with lava parts of the eroded Shira crater, originating the plain today known as “Shira Plateau” and creating the almost flat lava plain called “The Saddle”, towards Mawenzi. Kibo’s last eruption occurred 100 000 years ago, when it reached a height of more than 5900mt. In all, nine lava groups associated with earlier eruptions have been identified by geologists. At present Kibo is a dormant active volcano: a strong sulphur smell sometimes prevails inside the crater and fumaroles still escape from the inner Ash Pit.

The origin of the name “Kilimanjaro” is still shrouded in mystery. In Kiswahili, the word Kilima literally means “small hill”, while -najaro means “greatness”. The last word also means “caravan” in Kichagga, the language of the skilled people settled around the lower slopes. According to ancient myths, Njaro is also the name of a fearful demon who was living on the summit. Last but not least: for the Waswahili people, drivers of caravans during the past centuries, the word Kilimajyaro was meaning “landmark”.

In the evening, return to the camp for dinner.

Overnight:    Tortillis Tented Camp             

Day 06: Amboseli – Sweetwaters
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip and fly Amboseli – Wilson – Nanyuki (0820hrs/0900hrs. connect 0915hrs/0950hrs). Pick from the airstip and transferred to your camp Sweetwaters, which is located at the heart of the private24,000acre Sanctuary with magnificent views across the plains to the peaks of Mount Kenya..Our luxurious camp overlooks a watering hole, where you may see a variety of wildlife. Have the rest of the morning at leisure and afterwards enjoy your lunch at the restaurant overlooking the water-hole. This evening enjoy a night game drive on special vehicles with over-head flood lights.

Overnight:      Sweetwaters Tented Camp                

 
Day 07: Sweetwaters – Nairobi:
Breakfast at the Camp. Transfer to the airstrip and fly Nanyuki – Wilson (1020hrs/1215hrs). Met by Pakawa Adventures Representative and drive along Langata Road through Ngong Village and continue to the Karen Blixen Museum for lunch. After lunch, your afternoon excursion will follow in the footsteps of Karen Blixen (author of “Out of Africa”) contained in the house, which was her home for many years.  A considerable effort was undertaken to retrieve much of the original furniture, which was sold off upon her return to Denmark.  The area is now a green residential neighborhood, named Karen, in her honor.

The tour continues with a drive through the residential area of Langata to the Giraffe Center.  The Center is located on the estate of Betty Leslie-Melville’s Giraffe Manor and is the headquarters for the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife and the “home” of Daisy, the famous Rothschild giraffe.  During your stop here, you will have time to relax, enjoy the grounds of this lovely estate and possibly even feed the giraffes.  A specially designed observation platform offers some superb photographic opportunities.  Be sure to bring your camera.

In the evening, proceed to the famous Carnivore restaurant for dinner and afterwards transfer to your city hotel for overnight.

Overnight:    Fairview Hotel      

 
Day 08: Nairobi – Samburu
After breakfast, transfer to Wilson airport and fly Nairobi – Samburu (0915hrs – 1030hrs). Arrive Samburu Game Reserve which is located in a semi-arid area and well known for its variety of game species including the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s  Zebra and Gerenuk. Pick from the airstrip and transfer to your lodge. Have the rest of the morning at leisure with lunch at the lodge / camp. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive. Dinner in the Camp.

Overnight:   Larsens Camp                          

Day 09: Samburu
Game drives today are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This extraordinary region of Kenya is characterized by a vast, open landscape including forests, rock outcroppings, dried riverbeds, thorn scrubs, red dirt and volcanic rock. You may observe Africa’s rarest game including the long-necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, the shy beisa oryx and the reticulated giraffe. It is common to view crocodiles, storks, elephants and leopards by the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro during the evenings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Camp.

Overnight:      Larsens Camp                       

Day 10: Samburu – Masai Mara
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip and fly on a scheduled service Samburu / Maasai Mara (0915hrs/1045hts). Arrive at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. You will be met by your hosts – camp staff, at the landing strip and transferred to your camp. Lunch in the camp followed by some time to settle in. Afternoon game viewing drive in the reserve. Masai Mara is a magnificent landscape of open plains bisected by the Mara river and its tributaries, and punctuated by marshes and forests. Certainly the most frequented game reserve in Kenya, Masai Mara supports the highest density of game to be seen anywhere considering its size. During the seasonal migrations, Masai Mara is home to up to a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebra that move into the area from neighboring Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania. The reserve is home to all the “big five” and it is also possible to observe; baboon, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox, jackal, cheetah, and the rivers abound with hippos and crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at your camp.

Overnight:   Main Governors Camp                                    

Day 11: Masai Mara
Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Masai Mara.

The Mara is also known for its abundance of lions – particularly the superb black maned males.

You may see lots of elephants here often in large herds, as well as – if you’re lucky – leopard, cheetah and rhino. All of the Big Five are residents here. 

The site of Governor’s camp was at one time reserved for the exclusive use of Kenya’s colonial governors and their royal guests. It’s truly a special location. Classic safari style tents with en-suite baths look out over the vast plains or onto the hippo and crocodile-crammed river. The camp is not fenced so elephants may stop by for nocturnal munchies and hippos grazing make lawn mowing unnecessary. Weather permitting, breakfast and lunch are served outside and dinners alternate between the campfire or inside the mess tent.  The bar tent is a favourite hang out and the gift shop allows for some serious retail therapy, it’s chock a block with Maasai handicrafts and other treasures. The chef provides the ultimate in bush cuisine, often serving Nile perch freshly caught in Lake Victoria the same day. Game drives are in Governor’s own 4WD vehicles and are offered in the early morning, mid-morning and again in the afternoon. Every game drive is a new adventure with the entire Maasai Mara at your door.

Overnight:  Main  Governors Camp                                    
 
Day 12: Masai Mara
Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Masai Mara.

On this day an optional hot air balloon ride would provide a perfect way to start your day in this safari country.

“Take to the skies for the ultimate Maasai Mara wildlife adventure, soaring in a hot air balloon over herds of game to the inner reaches of the Mara. You’ll ascend in the early morning, when winds are calmest. Watch as the professional crew fills the balloon with hot air. Slowly the big, colorful bag begins to bulge and take shape. Now board the traditional wicker gondola basket while the expert pilot makes the final adjustments. As the pink and red fireball of the sun rises in splendor over the plains, you’re up, up and away – for the flight of a lifetime! Your balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the Mara, with only the intermittent whisper of the balloon’s gas burners punctuating the silence of your majestic flight. Because wind and weather conditions vary, every flight is a new and different experience! From your vantage point about 50-500 feet above the reserve, you have a fantastic 360-degree bird’s-eye view as one of the most dramatic scenes in nature unfolds beneath you. Depending on the season, you might witness herds of antelope flowing like schools of fish across the plain, groups of elephants grazing undisturbed in a remote ravine, lionesses stealthily stalking a herd of grunting wildebeest, or zebras conferring in a confusion of black and white stripes and bark-like calls. After your incredible flight, it’s time to come back down to earth for breakfast. As you sip champagne and dig into a splendid breakfast of sizzling bacon, eggs, sausage, home-made breads, fresh tropical fruit and steaming cups of Kenyan coffee or tea under the clear blue sky, you might wonder what all the ordinary people are doing on this perfect African morning! Before leaving, the pilot will present you with your balloon flight certificate, and then you’ll enjoy a game drive back to the camp. No flight of the imagination can match this airborne experience!

Note:   Comfortable clothes, a hat or visor, sunglasses, sunscreen and a light jacket or sweater are recommended. This tour is optional and not included in the price. All Meals in the camp.

Overnight:   Main Governors Camp                                    

 
Day 13: – Maasai Mara – Nairobi – USA
After breakfast bid farewell to the camp staff and transfer to the nearby airstrip for the scheduled flight to Nairobi. (1100hrs – 1215hrs). Arrive at the Wilson airport and met by Pakawa Adventures representaive. Transfer to your hotel for lunch and dayroom. (dayroom available upto 1800hrs).
In the evening, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your home-bound departure flight.