Kenya in Depth

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Nairobi, Amboseli, Chyulu Hills, Samburu, Maasai Mara

This tour is ideal for more adventurous travelers or repeat visitors to Kenya who wish to experience more off-the-beaten track destinations as well as Kenya’s most iconic game parks.

Begin in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, with a stay at one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. During flexible private touring, visit an elephant and rhino orphanage run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Also visit the Karen Blixen House, where the writer of Out of Africa lived, and the Giraffe Centre to learn about and feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Other touring options around Nairobi include participating in philanthropic activities and visiting local museums and crafts galleries.

Next, fly to Amboseli National Park, one of the best places in Africa to get close to elephants in the wild. The semi-arid terrain mixes with wetlands, attracting hippos and numerous species of water birds. Sightings of other animals such as lions, hyenas and zebras are also common. The park also has spectacular views of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy daily game drives, including excursions in the early morning, when views of Mount Kilimanjaro are clearest and elephants can often be seen grazing and playing as the sun rises.

Continue with a stay at a luxury lodge on a reserve bordering Chyulu Hills National Park, a beautiful volcanic mountain range with excellent views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Chyulu’s verdant knolls and golden sunrises are believed to have inspired Ernest Hemingway’s Green Hills of Africa. The region is in the path of elephant migrations and home to zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and other animals. Enjoy daily game drives, walking safaris, horseback riding, mountain biking and night drives. Artisans of Leisure can arrange other activities, including visits to local villages and scenic flights around Mount Kilimanjaro. An experience not to be missed is sleeping outside on a private rooftop “star bed” and waking up to the majestic sight of Mount Kilimanjaro at sunrise.

Fly to a safari lodge in a wildlife conservancy near Samburu National Reserve. This arid landscape studded with acacia trees is home to the rare Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostriches, reticulated giraffes, beisa oryxes and gerenuks. In addition, more than 350 bird species and an abundance of lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants inhabit the region. The lodge is set high on a rocky promontory and has sweeping views over the beautiful plains and mountains. Enjoy daily game drives, as well as other activities such as walking safaris, visits to local villages and markets, excursions to caves to see Samburu rock art, special meals in the bush and opportunities to witness traditional Samburu ceremonies.

Continue to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most legendary safari destination. Maasai Mara is famed for its stunning scenery and abundance of wildlife, as well as for being one of the places (besides the Serengeti in Tanzania) where one may witness the annual great wildebeest migration. Spend three nights at one of Kenya’s most luxurious and historic tented camps, located in one of the only parts of the Mara where black rhinos are still found. During exciting and informative game drives, look for rhinos and other members of the Big Five: lions, buffaloes, elephants and leopards. Cheetahs, zebras, Maasai giraffes, ostriches, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species are also seen frequently. If desired, activities such as walking safaris, river fishing, special meals in the bush, and more can be arranged. Return to Nairobi, where you will be assisted to your international flight.

Our Kenya tours include the very best safari guides and vehicles, and the most deluxe hotels and luxury safari lodges in the country. Upon request, we can further customize each tour to include private charter flights and special experiences such as hot-air balloon rides, luxury mobile safaris, philanthropic activities, and special meals in the bush. This tour can also be incorporated into a multi-country tour that combines destinations elsewhere in Africa or Europe.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Nairobi VIP immigration assistance upon arrival. Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Nairobi Full-day private city touring Day 3 Nairobi – Amboseli Private transfer and scheduled flight to Amboseli National Park for 2 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 4 Amboseli Morning and afternoon game drives Day 5 Amboseli – Chyulu Hills Transfer and scheduled flight to Chyulu Hills for 2 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 6 Chyulu Hills Morning and afternoon game drive and activities Day 7 Chyulu Hills – Samburu Transfer and scheduled flights to Samburu National Reserve for 2 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 8 Samburu Morning and afternoon games drive. Options for cultural touring Day 9 Samburu – Maasai Mara Transfer and scheduled flight to Maasai Mara National Reserve for 3 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 10 Maasai Mara Morning and afternoon game drives Day 11 Maasai Mara Morning and afternoon game drives Day 12 Maasai Mara – Depart Nairobi Transfer to airstrip for scheduled flight to Nairobi to connect with international flight

Hotels

Nairobi: Hemingways Nairobi or Giraffe Manor Amboseli:     Tortilis Camp or Tawi Lodge Chyulu Hills:   Ol Donyo Samburu:   Saruni Samburu Maasai Mara:  Mara Plains or Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp

Cost

$29,290 Per person (double occupancy)