Kenya in Depth

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Nairobi, 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 city. During private touring, visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage, which is run by a charitable organization that helps save the lives of orphaned elephants and rhinos and is active in community outreach and anti-poaching programs. 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 visiting Nairobi National Park—the park is known for its population of black and white rhinos—to go on a game drive, participating in philanthropic activities and visiting local museums and crafts galleries.

Next, fly to a private conservancy 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. If desired, one morning, enjoy a sunrise hike. Artisans of Leisure can arrange other activities, including visits to local villages, excursions to nearby Amboseli National Park 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.
Conclude at a private conservancy bordering 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. During exciting and informative game drives, look for 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. Upon request, private charter flights and additional activities such as walking safaris, hot air balloon rides, local village visits, local school visits, special meals in the bush, philanthropic activities, and more can be arranged.

Return to Nairobi, where you will have access to a day room and then be assisted to your international flight.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Nairobi Arrival assistance. Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Nairobi Full-day private tour Day 3 Nairobi – Chyulu Hills Private transfer to airport for scheduled flight to Chyulu Hills. Arrival transfer to lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 4 Chyulu Hills Morning and afternoon game drives and/or activities Day 5 Chyulu Hills Optional sunrise hike. Morning and afternoon game drives and/or activities Day 6 Chyulu Hills – Samburu Transfer to airstrip for scheduled flights to Samburu National Reserve. Arrival transfer to lodge for 2 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 7 Samburu Morning and afternoon game drives and/or option for cultural touring Day 8 Samburu – Maasai Mara Transfer to airstrip for scheduled flight to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Arrival transfer to luxury camp for 3 nights. Afternoon game drive Day 9 Maasai Mara Morning and afternoon game drives, with option to visit local Maasai village and/or local school Day 10 Maasai Mara Morning and afternoon game drives Day 11 Maasai Mara – Depart Nairobi Transfer to airstrip for scheduled flight to Wilson Airport. Private transfer to international airport for day room access and departure assistance

Hotels

Nairobi: Hemingways Nairobi or Giraffe Manor Chyulu Hills:     Ol Donyo Lodge Samburu:   Saruni Samburu Samburu:   Saruni Samburu Maasai Mara: Mahali Mzuri, Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp

Cost

Upon request