Itinerary

Day 1: USA / LONDON

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Depart Boston or another departure city for London, England. Check your luggage to Nairobi (NBO).

Day 2: LONDON / NAIROBI

Monday, August 03, 2009

Upon arrival in London, group flight travelers should proceed to the British Airlines gate in Terminal 5, to meet your tour manager and traveling companions for the flight to Nairobi. This evening arrive in Nairobi and proceed to the lovely quiet suburb of Karen. Overnight in the historic Karen Blixen Cottages,located on the estate once owned by the famous author of Out of Africa.

Accommodation: KAREN BLIXEN COTTAGES (view website)

Day 3: NAIROBI / SAMBURU

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Fly by charter plane to Samburu National Reserve, situated north of Mount Kenya on the fringe of the desolate Northern desert region. This small reserve is home to species more adapted to the arid environment of the region. We spend the next three nights at our private tented camp, set on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Ewaso Nyior River. The river was created by melting glacier ice, which forms the boundary between the park and the pastoral lands of the Samburu People who guard our camp. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 4: SAMBURU

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Morning and afternoon game viewing drives allow ample time to explore this rugged and picturesque area to observe its abundant wildlife. The reserve is rich in mammal species rarely found elsewhere in significant numbers, and our explorations should yield sightings of lion, elephant, Dik-Dik, and unique northern desert species such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk. Sightings of cheetah and leopard are more rare, but possible. Along the reserve’s acacia-fringed rivers, crocodile and groups of hippo can be seen. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 5: SAMBURU

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Continue the exploration of the reserve through morning and afternoon game drives. This arid reserve lies within the lands of the Samburu people, a pastoral tribe related to the Maasai and distinguished by women who wear layers of beads around their necks and the men’s colorful adornment and high-jumping dances. Each day usually concludes with a hot shower, a cold cocktail and time to share our day’s adventures with each other around a campfire followed by a delicious dinner prepared by our attentive camp staff. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 6: SAMBURU / MOUNT KENYA REGION

Friday, August 07, 2009

Depart Samburu and travel to the slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain at 17,000 feet. A World Heritage Site, the mountain is home to Kenya’s largest forest reserve, featuring a great variety of flora and fauna in several distinct vegetation zones. The mountain is one of Kenya’s largest watersheds, and is the home to several glaciers and lakes. Arrive at our permanent tented camp.Tonight experience nocturnal activity on a night game drive. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: SWEETWATERS PERMANENT CAMP (view website)

Day 7: MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Arrive at the world-renowned Mount Kenya Safari Club, the former country retreat of actor William Holden. Situated in the shadow of Mount Kenya and straddling the equator, this oasis in the African bush offers a chance to relax while surrounded by over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, bowling greens, and beautiful ponds. We spend the afternoon visiting the animal orphanage of a neighboring ranch,home to many orphaned species including lion, cheetah, bongo, and lynx. Conclude the afternoon game viewing from the club’s platform overlooking a water hole adjacent to the Likii River. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB (view website)

Day 8: MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB / MAASAI MARA

Sunday, August 09, 2009

This morning, we take a charter flight to the Maasai Mara, located in the southwest corner of Kenya on the border of Tanzania. The northern extension of the celebrated Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara is avast expanse of undulating grass and woodlands that are alive with game year-round. Our trip is timed to coincide with the great migration of wildebeest returning to the fresh grasses of the Mara followed by their predators, assuming climatic conditions cooperate. Exploring from our remote camp on a secluded stretch of the Talek River allows us superb game viewing without encountering many other tourists. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 9: MAASAI MARA

Monday, August 10, 2009

This world-famous reserve, located in the Great Rift Valley, offers an extraordinary density of animals as well as breathtaking views across savannah grasslands, and rolling hills. During game drives we may encounter a panoply of African game from wildebeest, zebra, buffalo,leopard, lion, cheetah, and hippo, and witness the ongoing drama of their interaction. In between game drives, we learn about the Maasai people with an opportunity to visit a remote village, enter their traditional dung-hut homes, and learn about medicinal plants. In the evening, we gather around the campfire to discuss the day’s events over drinks. Then slip between clean sheets on a real bed and be lulled to sleep by the night sounds of Africa. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 10: MAASAI MARA

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Among the most interesting cultures on earth, the independent and nomadic Maasai continue to practice traditional age-old rituals and customs,including moving their great cattle herds across the savannah with the changing of the seasons. During our visit to the Mara we can observe the inherent conflict between their pastoral life-style and wildlife preservation. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRIVATE TENTED CAMP

Day 11: MAASAI MARA - MALINDI

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

After a final early morning game drive, fly to Malindi on Kenya’s eastern coast. Malindi was founded as a Swahili town in the 14thcentury and has hosted such famous guests as Vasco da Gama, Zheng He, and Ernest Hemingway. Check into the wonderful Hemingways Resort, a luxury resort hotel located on the white sand beaches of Watamu Bay, on the Indian Ocean - an unrivaled setting. The balance of the day is free to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the beach. Then relax over dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HEMINGWAYS RESORT (view website)

Day 12: MALINDI

Thursday, August 13, 2009

This morning we visit the Watamu Marine Reserve. Established in 1968 as the first of its kind in East Africa, the park features extensive marine biodiversity from coral reefs and sea grass beds, to mangroves and mudflats. The waters are usually most calm in the morning hours so we choose this time to either snorkel or use a glass bottom boat to view this rich protected marine environment that includes over a hundred species of coral, where Surgeonfish, Snappers, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Pufferfish, Butterfly fish, Triggerfish and many, many others can be observed. This afternoon we explore the archaeological site of Gede. Founded during the 13th century and later mysteriously abandoned, this village is a well-excavated and preserved site depicting the Arab-African culture that traded along the coast Among the surviving ruins are the sultan’s palace, a mosque, several pillar tombs, and other stone houses. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HEMINGWAYS RESORT

Day 13: MALINDI

Friday, August 14, 2009

We devote an entire day to enjoying an experience that few American travelers ever have, a visit to Arabuko Sokoke National Park. This is the largest existing fragment of the tropical forests that covered much of the East African coast and is an important habitat for endemic and endangered animals including Clarke’s weaver, Sokoke Scops owl, golden-rumped elephant shrew and many other species. In addition to the birds and mammals, there is an extraordinary variety of butterflies and reptiles. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HEMINGWAYS RESORT

Day 14: MALINDI / NAIROBI / LONDON

Saturday, August 15, 2009

This morning, fly to Nairobi where rooms have been reserved at Karen Blixen Cottages until departure this evening. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner before transferring to the airport for the overnight flight to London. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: DAY ROOMS AT KAREN BLIXEN COTTAGES

Day 15: LONDON / USA

Sunday, August 16, 2009

This morning, arrival into London, and connect to flights home.