Great Parks of Kenya with Mount Kenya (QKE) - 2014 / 2013

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12 days from Nairobi to Nairobi


Great Parks of Kenya with Mount Kenya
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia

Vacation Overview

On this magnificent vacation to Kenya, visit some of the remarkable game reserves to see giraffe, cheetah, zebra, leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, gazelle, hyena, Cape buffalo, and more—all in their native environments. Imagine the thrill of seeing these majestic animals as they sunbathe on grassy land and roam across the vast savannah grassland. You’ve seen it on TV and now is your chance to see it up close and personal.

Among the many highlights of this tour are Samburu National Reserve, with its diverse population of wildlife—including some rare animals not seen in other parts of the country—and over 300 species of birds, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. Also visit Amboseli National Park, where you’ll have the best opportunity to see elephant up close, and look for Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and many bird species. It also offers you views of impressive 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and among the tallest freestanding mountains in the world. Visit a local Maasai village and a local Samburu village to learn more about these semi-nomadic tribes. Also, see Nyahururu Falls, a 243-foot waterfall; Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its pink flamingos; and Lake Naivasha, where you will take a cruise to view resident hippo. Finally, spend two nights at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, originally the retreat of movie star and club founder, William Holden.

Spectacular wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and the chance to learn about new cultures—all are offered on this thrilling Kenya vacation.

Similar Vacations that may interest you:

NAIROBI
Visit the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Center

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Game drive; Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite bush breakfast; Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite visit a Maasai village

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Four game drives

LAKE NAIVASHA
Cruise on the lake

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Game drive

NYAHURURU FALLS
Visit the falls

OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
Game drive; visit a Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite chimp sanctuary

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Three game drives; Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite visit a Samburu village

MOUNT KENYA
Time at leisure

NOTES:

  • Carefully maintained safari mini-buses carry a maximum of six passengers, ensuring you’ll always have a window seat. They also feature a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography.
  • Check with your travel agent or physician regarding the latest health requirements for travel to Kenya. This may require inoculations prior to travel and/or taking anti-malaria pills.
  • All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.
  • We do not recommend this vacation to people with serious back problems, as it can be quite rough on some East Africa roads and game park trails.
  • Due to limited capacity on safari vehicles and flights, your suitcase must be soft-sided and cannot exceed 33 lbs.
  • Some minor changes in your daily itinerary may be expected due to wildlife migrations and viewing.
  • Small-Group Discovery – We never allow more than 20 travelers on our Small-Group Discovery vacations, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the destination and local culture.


DAY 1Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya

Welcome to Africa! Arrive this evening, check in to your hotel, and prepare for your safari adventure!

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DAY 2Nairobi-Amboseli National Park

This morning, visit the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM, dedicated to the author of Out of Africa. Next, stop at the GIRAFFE CENTER, a non-profit organization focused on saving the Rothschild’s giraffe. Here you will learn a bit more about this sub-species and have the opportunity to feed them. Enjoy lunch, then continue on to AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. This evening, enjoy dinner at your lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 3Amboseli

Rise early this morning for a special Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite BUSH BREAKFAST. Sip on a mimosa as you savor every moment of this memorable experience. Afterward, enjoy a GAME DRIVE. Amboseli is best known for views of spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at some 19,341 feet. The park affords you the best opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You might also spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and others. During the heat of the day, relax at your camp. Later this afternoon, visit a Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite LOCAL MAASAI VILLAGE, where you will learn about this semi-nomadic tribe, famous for herding cattle and their distinctive red clothing. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 4Amboseli-Nairobi-Maasai Mara National Reserve

Today, drive to Nairobi for your flight to MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE. Take a GAME DRIVE this afternoon before settling in at your lodge for the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 5Maasai Mara

Enjoy MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES in Kenya’s most famous game area. The Maasai Mara is part of the Serengeti ecosystem, boasting a strong permanent game population. During July and August, the Great Migration of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest enlarges the population by almost 2 million. This provides a wonderful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. Keep your eyes out for elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo, too. During the heat of the day, enjoy time at your lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The Serengeti National Park is a well known animal sanctuary and its annual migration 
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DAY 6Maasai Mara-Lake Naivasha-Lake Nakuru National Park

One last GAME DRIVE in Maasai Mara before heading for the Great Rift Valley, home to some of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world. Lake Naivasha is the highest of all the lakes and features pristine fresh water. Here you will take a CRUISE around the lake to view the resident hippos. If you are lucky, you might even spot a fish eagle. Continue on to LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, famous for its population of pink flamingos that feeds in the alkaline water of the lake. Other animals you may see on your GAME DRIVE include waterbuck, giraffe, impala, and striped hyena. This is also your best chance to see a white rhinoceros, commonly spotted here. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 7Lake Nakuru-Nyahururu Falls-Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Leave Lake Nakuru and stop at NYAHURURU FALLS, also known as Thompson’s Falls. Then, continue east toward Mount Kenya to OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY, the largest black rhino sanctuary in all of East Africa. After lunch, enjoy a GAME DRIVE in the conservancy, and stop at the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite CHIMP SANCTUARY. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary was established to provide a long-term home for orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Here, see the chimps and learn more about their plight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 8Ol Pejeta-Samburu National Reserve

Travel to SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE, known for its arid landscape and unique wildlife. Due to the dry climate, grasses are sparse, making animals easier to spot. Meanwhile, the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which borders the reserve, provides a year-round water supply. These two factors make for a great game-viewing experience. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon GAME DRIVE, where you have the chance to see rare animals you will not see in other parts of the country. Commonly referred to as the Samburu “Special 5,” this includes Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that feeds while standing on its hind feet. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 9Samburu

Today, enjoy MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. In addition to the Samburu “Special 5,” the reserve is home to an abundance of other species. Large numbers of elephant and Nile crocodile can be seen, as well as waterbuck, Kirk’s dik-dik, and Grant’s gazelle. Where there is prey, predators can be found, so lion, cheetah, and leopard are often spotted. The reserve is also a great place for bird watching, with over 300 species. During your afternoon game drive you will visit a Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite LOCAL SAMBURU VILLAGE, where you will learn a bit more about their culture and day-to-day life. Between game drives, there’s time to relax at your lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 10Samburu-Mount Kenya Area

This morning, travel to the Mount Kenya area, where you will spend the next two nights at the world-famous Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Originally the retreat of movie star William Holden, the club’s founder, illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind prior to your journey home. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 11Mount Kenya Area

A full day at your leisure to enjoy the facilities and activities offered. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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DAY 12Mount Kenya Area-Nairobi-Homebound Flight

This morning, transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Nairobi, where your tour ends with lunch. We have secured a day room for you at the Ole Sereni Hotel, before a transfer to the airport for your late-evening flight. Book homebound flights after 5 pm. (Breakfast, Lunch)

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NAIROBI Safari Park Hotel (SF)
AMBOSELI Kilima Safari Camp (F)
MAASAI MARA Ashnil Mara Camp (SF)
LAKE NAKURU Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (F)
OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY Sweetwaters Tented Camp (SF)
SAMBURU Ashnil Samburu Camp (SF)
MOUNT KENYA Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (MD)

American breakfast daily, 11 lunches, 10 dinners

Four Ways Globus Eliminates the Hassles

VIP Access
Skip the lines and get special treatment at the must-see attractions.

Perfect Hotels
We’ve done the work to find just the right hotels in just the right locations.

Tour Directors
Take your heads out of the guidebook and let expert guides make every destination fascinating.

Transportation
Leave the navigating to us – and just sit back and enjoy the ride.