15 NIGHTS – DCKQ014 KENYA WILDLIFE TRAIL

Day 1
Met on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, briefed by a Destination Connect representative. Proceed to the campsite Paradise lost in Kiambu for relaxation and lunch. At 1400hrs visit the nature trail, explore the caves and enjoy boat rides, camel rides, ostrich feeding, walk to the water fall. All meals and overnight at the camp.

Day 2
Depart 0700hrs with lunch boxes and drive north through the lush Kikuyu farmlands and coffee plantation to the cool Kenyan highlands to arrive at the Samburu National Reserve and proceed to the campsite. At 1600hrs enjoy a game drive to introduce you to the game in the area. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 3
Full day in the reserve with game drives at 0630hrs and 1600hrs respectively. Samburu is famous for its rare mammals that only survive north of the equator. These are the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Beira Oryx and grevy's zebra. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds, grown hornbills and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here. All meals and overnight at the camp.

Day 4
Depart 0700hrs with packed lunch for a visit a to Samburu village located near the Samburu Market. This gives an opportunity to interact with the samburu villagers in a typical village and experience the lifestyle, music, and dance which is very distinctive. Then proceed at 1100hrs to Lake Baringo. Arriving this fresh water lake in the afternoon, enjoy 1600hrs boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile, fish eagle and a great variety of birds. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s small Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed acacia forest. Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are effortlessly seen from the shore, as is a magnificent display of water birds. This is Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different species native to the country and more than 450 sighted here; a bird watcher's haven.

Day 5
A 30km drive south to the spectacular Lake Bogoria with hot springs and geysers being the main attractions. Spent 2 hours exploring the geysers. Proceed to Lake Nakuru. The lake has been called ‘the new home of the flamingo’ with a nomad population of up to two million birds. Lunch and relax. Enjoy a game drive at 1600hrs.

Lake Nakuru National Park (180 sq km) is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, white and black rhinos.The park is an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the night at a camp in the Park.

Day 6
Depart 0700hrs and drive to south through Narok, to Acacia Campsite in Maasai Mara. The camp faces the scenic Meguarra Hills and the stream that meanders by the bottom of the camp is particularly attractive feature with animals coming to drink. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.

Day 7
0630hrs game drive in the reserve. At midmorning a visit to a maasai village neighboring the Reserve. At the maasai village you get to experience a day of a maasai.
Spent the morning exploring the manyattas and listening to presentations by the maasai about their culture, and interacting with the maasai villagers, You can learn how to make their beaded jewellery. In the afternoon enjoy music and dance performances by the maasai. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight. A visit to a local school can be organized on request.

Day 8
Have 0630hrs and 1600hrs game drives in the Mara Reserve. The Mara home to hundreds of plains game together with the predators that feed on them.

Day 9
Morning game drive then depart for Nairobi. Pass through Narok for souvenir shopping and drive on to Nairobi arriving in the afternoon. Lunch at The Nandos. Dinner and overnight at Paradise lost.

Day 10
Depart Nairobi at 0700hrs and drive Amboseli National Park to arrive by noon, lunch en route. Drive to the campsite, Relax and enjoy a game drive at 1600hrs. Dinner and overnight at the camp. This park is situated at the foothills o f Mt. Kilimanjaro with the mountain creating a spectacular backdrop and a supply of underground springs which meander the park.
Day 11
Have game drives at 0630hrs and 1600hrs in the Park. The waters from melted snow drain down the mountain under lava flows and surface on the Amboseli plains, creating a green belt of swampland amidst dusty plains. Here elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wildebeest, hyena, jackal, warthogs, zebra and the Masai giraffe are likely to be seen. In the afternoon visit a maasai village.

Day 12
Depart at 0700hrs for Tsavo West National Park with packed Lunch. There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the Park towards Chyulu hills is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani flow an example of a recent volcano. Have an excursion to the caves at the hills. Then Set up camp. Dinner and overnight at the camp

Day 13
0630 hrs game drive around the Park. Relax at camp and have lunch. At 1400hrs visit the Mzima Springs. These crystal clear pools are a favourite hangout for hippos and crocodiles. The main attraction is a submerged viewing tank which was designed so that people could watch the hippo's antics underwater, but since it was built the hippos have retreated shyly to the other side of the pool. The good news is that you get a great view of the fish. The underground water that feeds the pools filters up through the volcanic rock of the Chyulu Hills. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 14
0630hrs game drive then breakfast. After breakfast depart Tsavo for Mombasa arriving in time for an African lunch at Ngomongo villages. Afternoon at Ngomongo villages and dinner at Beach cottages.

Day 15
In the morning visit to the Marine Park (3hrs). Activities within the marine park include viewing of coral gardens, marine life, fish and other marine life from glass bottomed boats, snorkeling, diving and swimming.
At noon have a Mombasa City Tour(2hrs). The colourful island town of Mombasa with its blend of ancient and modern buildings on the Indian Ocean is Kenya principal port and the country's second's largest city. A comprehensive tour of the islands includes the Arab Old Town, with its maze of narrow twisting alleys displaying the beautiful carved doors and Arab verandas, bazaars with curio and antique shops, the Dhow Harbour (still in use), a Hindu temple, a visit to the Akamba wood carvers and a drive to the bazaar for a short shopping expedition. The highlight of the tour is probably the visit to Fort Jesus.
Built in 1593 by the Portuguese to guard the entrance to the Old Dhow Harbour, it is the Island's Landmark. Four hundred years old, the fort still stands and serves as a historical museum
The rest of the afternoon is spent at the white beach. Dinner and overnight at the cottages

Day 16
Breakfast then depart Mombasa.

On this tour you will learn about
Kenyan Culture,
Geographical features formation of the Rift valley and Volcanic Activities,
Cultural heritage and history
Conservation (and justification for conservation) of biological diversity and cultural diversity, through ecosystems protection
Wildlife Management
Game viewing

Activities:

Bush Orienteering

The Rangers are divided into groups and learn to find their way through the bush using traditional methods (sun and stars), compasses and watches, as well as high-tech Global Positioning Systems equipment.

First Aid

You will be presented with practical lessons on how to treat and administer to shocks, snakebites, bleeding, circulation problems, and other debilitating conditions.

Bird Identification

Through a variety of lessons and bush walks, our avian experts help students to learn how to identify African birds through their calls, bills, feet, habitats and plumage patterns.

Tree Identification

Through a similar variety of face-to-face encounters, students learn how to identify various key tree species, their importance and roles in their environment, and their local and medicinal uses.

Mammal Behavior Studies

Guided Bush Walks

Animal Obstacle Course