Kenya wildlife safari
| country: | Kenya |
| location: | Masai Mara |
| departures: | 2010: 28 Mar, 11 Apr, 25 Apr, 9 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec, 26 Dec 2011: 2 Jan, 16 Jan, 30 Jan, 13 Feb, 27 Feb |
| price: | From £450 (8 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Kenya wildlife safari
Launch yourself into the animal kingdom in Kenya's finest game parks on this amazing wildlife adventure. Staying in the world-famous Masai Mara, experience superb game viewing as well as the fascinating culture of the Masai tribespeople. Head off the beaten track to search out elephants, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, flamingos and lions against the impressive backdrop of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. It's one African safari you'll never forget.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Nairobi. The journey begins in Kenya's multicultural capital. Get to know this modern city with its colourful markets and atmospheric bars. |
| Day 2: | Lake Nakuru. Pitch tents alongside glistening Lake Nakuru then head out on an afternoon game drive. Fringed by acacia trees, the lake shimmers pink throughout the year as hundreds of flamingos descend upon it. Keep an eye out for other wildlife; the savannah area also boasts a wide variety of animals including giraffes and lions. |
| Days 3-4: | Lake Naivasha. Discover this birdwatchers' paradise ringed by flat-topped acacia trees. In free time its possible to cruise the lake to spot hippos, trek into Hell's Gate National Park to explore its dramatic caves and gorges or simply relax in the lakeside surrounds. |
| Day 5: | Loita Hills. Travel across the Great Rift Valley floor to Loita Hills, right in the heart of Masai country. Tonight, camp among these friendly, semi-nomadic tribespeople and learn about their ancient culture. Perhaps pick up a local recipe while sharing a campfire meal. |
| Days 6-7: | Masai Mara National Reserve. Help the Masai milk their cattle before tackling the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve: a huge area of woodlands and open plains backed by the striking Esoit Oloololo Escarpment. Safaris through the park might reveal prides of lions, herds of elephants and maybe even a stealthy cheetah. In the rainy season this area is flooded by over a million wildebeest on their annual migration. |
| Day 8: | Nairobi. Travel through Masai farmlands and back to the urban jungle of Nairobi. |
traveller reviews for Kenya wildlife safari
There were many memorable parts including singing and dancing with the Masai, trying to comprehend the sheer number of flamingos at Lake Nakuru, watching the vultures tear apart the carcass of a wildebeest and having a barbeque with the Masai. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. The central tenet of the Awards, in which winners are nominated by tourists, is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.
how this holiday makes a difference
 For every week that our passengers spend in Africa, we plant a tree in Kenya through the Woodlands 2000 Trust, a local NGO. The Woodlands 2000 Trust is a wonderful project that provides seeds and seedlings with planting materials as well as land-planning, tree survival and woodlot management services. It aims to increase reforestation and bio-diversify in semi-arid regions, and also to create sustainable and profitable tree products micro-industries that contribute to alleviating poverty. We believe strongly in low impact tourism and so during this trip we use existing locally owned facilities and camp ground such as the one used in Nakuru. By using locally owned and run facilities we are helping the local communities that we visit. There is a local guide based permanently in the Loita which is his home base. He knows the area, its culture and way of life, the flora and fauna exceptionally well and you will have a great opportunity to interact with him and the local Masai. You will have an opportunity purchase their artefacts, bead necklaces, belts, shukas and even see how they are made. The time we spend here will again benefit the local community. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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