The Spirit of Kenya

Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi International airport – Stanley’s hotel You’re guide and our SafariWise representative will meet you at the International Airport of Nairobi. We transfer you to the Stanley’s Hotel in Nairobi for a safari briefing and overnight. Accommodation: Stanley’s Hotel Meals: N/A . .

Samburu

Day 3: Samburu Serena Lodge Game drives around Samburu National Park. Accommodation: Samburu Serena Lodge Meals: Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner . .

Lake Nakuru

Day 5: The Ark – Lake Nakuru After breakfast, we proceed to Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley soda lakes and best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos nesting along the shores. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon Rocks. Also of interest, an area of 188 km around the lake fenced off as a sanctuary to protect Rothschild giraffe and black rhinos. At Lake Nakuru, we also go on an early morning game drive. Overnight at the Lion Hill Lodge at Lake Nakuru, beautifully located close to the entrance with a view towards Lake Nakuru and its flamingo flocks. Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter. The lake catchments is bounded by Menengai crater to the north, the Bahati hills to the north east, the lion hill ranges to the east, eburu crater to the south and the Mau escarpment to the west. Three major rivers, the Njoro, Makalia and Enderit drain into the lake, together with treated water from the town’s sewage works and the outflow from several springs along the shore. Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. A northern extension was added to the park in 1974 and the lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon Rocks. Also of interest, an area of 188 km around the lake fenced off as a sanctuary to protect Rothschild giraffe and black rhinos. Location: Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru District of the Rift Valley Province. It covers an area of 188 km2. Major attractions: Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total. Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos. View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge etc. Waterfalls: Makalia Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands. Overnight at the Lion Hill Lodge at Lake Nakuru, beautifully located close to the entrance with a view towards Lake Nakuru and its flamingo flocks Accommodation: Lion Hill Lodge Meals: Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner . .

Masai Mara

Day 7: Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara After breakfast we proceed to Lake Naivasha where we enjoy a beautiful boat trip on Lake Naivasha, a true bird sanctuary. On our way along the lakeshores we see hippos socializing lazily in the shallow waters or hiding in dense papyrus forest. Lunch will be taken at Elsamere, a haven for lovers of nature, set in Acacia forest on the banks of Lake Naivasha. It is the former home of the late Joy Adamson who, together with her husband George, became world famous for their pioneering conservation work and relationship with lioness Elsa, as told in her best selling book ‘Born Free’. After lunch we make our way to Masai Mara with viewing various games on the way, birds, herds of Antelopes, Zebra, giraffe, Elephants, gazelle, etc. At Masai Mara we go for an afternoon game drive with a big chance of seeing the’ Big five’ and many other wild animals set to retire for the day. Lake Naivasha: At 1880 metres above sea level, Lake Naivasha is the highest of the Rift Valley Lakes. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Kenya and one of only two freshwater lakes in the rift valley, the other being L. Baringo. Lake Naivasha is unusual in having no known outlet, normally a prerequisite for a freshwater lake! The lake edge supports dense vegetation which, in turn, supports a thriving bird population including the Grey-capped Warbler, Spectacled Weaver, Brimstone Canary and Red-billed Firefinch. All told the area has a bird list of over 350 species. Masai Mara: With an area of 1510 km² the Masai Mara is not the largest game park in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous. The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa. It is at the bottom of the Siria Escarpment. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with seasonal riverlets. In the south-east region are clumps of the distinctive acacia tree. The western border is the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 km from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists. While on the way, we visit a Maasai local village (Manyata) and take photos of Maasai with their culture attires. The Maasai live in Kraals arranged in a circular fashion. The fence around the kraal is made of acacia thorns, which prevent lions from attacking the cattle. It is a man’s responsibility to fence the kraal, while women construct the houses. Traditionally, kraals are shared by an extended family. However, due to the new land management system in the Maasai region, it is not uncommon to see a kraal occupied by a single family. The Inkajijik (Maasai word for a house) are loaf-shaped and made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and cow’s urine. Women are responsible for making the houses as well as supplying water, collecting firewood, milking cattle and cooking for the family. Warriors are in charge security while boys are responsible for herding livestock. During the drought season, both warriors and boys assume the responsibility for herding livestock. The elders are directors and advisors for day-to-day activities. Every morning before livestock leave to graze, an elder who is the head of the inkang sits on his chair and announces the schedule for everyone to follow. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people who lived under a communal land management system. The movement of livestock is based on seasonal rotation. Contrary to many claims made by outsiders, particularly the Hardinian school of thought, this communal land management system allows us to utilize resources in a sustainable manner. Each section manages its own territory. Under normal conditions, reserve pastures are fallowed and guarded by the warriors. However, if the dry season becomes especially harsh, sections boundaries are ignored and people graze animals throughout the land until the rainy season arrives. According to Maasai traditional land agreement, no one should be denied access to natural resources such as water and land. Accommodation: Mara Serena Lodge / Keeroko Lodge / Mara Savora Tented Camp Meals: Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner . .

Masai Mara

Day 9: Masai Mara Game drive at Masai Mara. Accommodation: Mara Serena Lodge / Keeroko Lodge / Mara Savora Tented Camp Meals: Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner . .