Our professional guides are there to assist you every step of the way. Even though there is a general outline of your safari, your guide will talk with you regarding each day’s plans. He will tell you about the country you are visiting, its history, traditions, the area you are visiting, what you see; he will take you to the loveliest places, look after any formalities or negotiations with the local people, and take care of your safety and comfort. They all are proficient in bush craft, and can also tell you about the local traditions, wildlife, identify the birds, and help you learn more about the world around you. All our guides speak English as well as their local language and some speak French and Spanish as well. Days will vary depending on your specific schedule, road conditions, and what you would like to do. A typical day may unfold like this:
You will get up before dawn when hot coffee and tea are served. The air is cold as the sun rises and shimmers on the open plains. This is the best time to see the wildlife. Your camera is ready to go and you have layered your clothing to keep you warm. Head into the bush and search for lions, elephant, giraffe and plains game. Each turn will offer something unique - a lioness and her cubs, a herd of elephant moving to a waterhole, a cheetah stalking a gazelle. Your morning game drive lasts about two hours, depending on what you see. Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast there is time to relax from being up at sunrise or now is the time to participate in any additional activities that the lodge may offer – such as walks, village visits, or bike rides.
Lunch is usually served in camp/lodge, unless you are out for a full day’s game drive, when they will have a picnic lunch. You will head out again in the afternoon; searching for the special species that may have eluded you. As the sun sets, return to camp for a hot shower. Then indulge in a delicious dinner and after dinner drinks in the lounge. There may also be a chance to sit around the campfire exchanging tales of the bush. Everyone retires early with great anticipation of the next day's adventure!
When you are out on safari your schedule is flexible at most locations; however, some locations have set times for game drives or walks. You can always talk with the hosts of the camps/lodge to adjust schedules and they will try to accommodate you. The restriction will be to stay within park rules and travel times required to get you to your destination. Your guides will always give their recommendations but are there to listen to your needs.
JAMBO KENYA SAFARI CLASSIC
13 Jan 2019 To 23 Jan 2019
Itinerary 1 : DAY 1 AND DAY 2 SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
JAMBO! This morning you will be met by GMTours Customer Care Representative at the airport who will brief you on your program ahead and introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the Kenya safari. Drive north to the beautiful Samburu Reserve which along with Buffalo Springs & Shaba is part of the area known as 'Samburu'. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. Spend the afternoon discovering the unique wildlife of the reserve, which is famous for its elephants and lions. Return to the camp.
On your next day enjoy game viewing drives in this park famous for the Samburu special five with an optional visit to the Samburu villages.
After breakfast drive to Serena Mt. Lodge, which is situated at 7,200 feet on the slopes of Mount Kenya, your unique quarters are ringed by a dense rain forest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds emitted by creatures of all sizes. The lodge is regarded by many as having the most consistently high record of animal “visits” and sightings in the area. Stop over will be at the equator view point, Nanyuki is the equator town that also serves as a popular base for people climbing Mt. Kenya. At the equator the water drains in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction North or south of the Equator. They will be a person to demonstrate the same before proceeding to Serena Mt. Lodge.
All rooms are en-suite with spacious verandahs and the main areas of the lodge overlook an illuminated waterhole. Your room is rustic and comfortable, and overlooks a water hole frequented by a variety of wildlife. Wildlife viewing throughout the day and night include elephant, buffalo, rhino, giant forest hog, waterbuck, and maybe leopard and lion. In the evenings, listen for the rolling call of the Green Ibis. A specially constructed bunker affords close-up views at the waterhole and is connected to the lodge by a
short tunnel. While relaxing on your verandah, keep an eye out for curious and bold Sykes monkey looking for an opportunity to steal your food!
After breakfast drive south to Lake Nakuru. Arrive in time for lunch at the Flamingo Hill Camp, which enjoys sweeping views across the lake. Lion Hill Lodge impresses every guest with its panoramic view of the pink shoreline created by millions of flamingos on Lake Nakuru. The Lodge is situated within the Lake Nakuru National Park Rift Valley Province and is surrounded by natural flora and fauna in its beautiful grounds.
Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's first and largest rhino sanctuary where sightings of both black and white rhino are almost guaranteed and where you have a higher than average chance of spotting a leopard. Other wildlife includes; lion, hippo, the rare Rothschild's giraffe, Colobus monkey, numerous plains game and 450 species of birds.
After breakfast and a short briefing by your driver guide, drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to 'the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth', the annual migration of over one million wildebeest. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's most popular reserve. Arrive back in lodge in time for campfire cocktails and dinner.
Your day will be spent on safari in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya's largest lion prides and elephant herds. Other predators include leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena; while in the Mara River you will see fat pods of hippo and vast Nile crocodiles. Other highlights include giraffe tops, gazelle, zebra, buffalo and over 550 species of birds.
Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience. Alternatively visit a Masai village and get learn the Masai culture at an extra cost.
This morning drive to Naivasha arriving in time for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride to the crescent island - The Park where you walk with the Animals! There is just one “Crescent Island Game Park” and it is located on Lake Naivasha, Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. There are more animals per acre than any other Kenyan Park, hence many film companies have been to the Island to film the herds of Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Zebra and Gazelle.
They are not fenced in, which allows the wildlife on the mainland to come in as they lose their habitat to development and the ever increasing population. Hippo graze all over us at night then sleep under the acacia or rest in the water by day. The giraffe who were born on the Island return to give birth; sometimes you see three generations at a time. Hyena come to hunt at night but are not resident on the island, the many python that live here can be seen occasionally with a kill. Groups of Buffalo come and go but they are always monitored.
From the top of the hill there is a 360 degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares. Walking along the ridge in the golden hour before sunset whilst watching the animals grazing with the water shimmering beyond is what Africa is all about. Take a boat back to the lodge.
This morning after breakfast, you will drive to Amboseli National Park which is famous for its large elephant population roaming across the vast grassy plains, the big five, and the majestic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa among other species of flora and fauna.
Lunch will be at your lodge before proceeding for an afternoon for a game viewing drive.
Full day in the Amboseli National Park with two game drives. You drive through across this vast lake bed, often dry but swampy in some areas. We have a lot of game here like cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, gazelles and herds of elephants all set against the amazing back drop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro showing all its glory.
If you wish, for a nominal fee, you can also visit a Masai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life and see their colorful culture.
The air is cold as the sun rises and shimmers on the open plains. This is the best time to see the wildlife. Your camera is ready to go and you have layered your clothing to keep you warm.
