The Plains of Africa

Prepare to see an Africa you’ve only known in your dreams, and one you never knew existed. Explore Kenya’s wildlife, up close and personal, against stunning vistas across the plains of Africa.
Hotel Name: Sarova Stanley Hotel

A continent of adventure stirs the soul in Kenya, the heart of safari country. Your adventure begins today!
Hotel Name: Aberdare Country Club

Visit Area: Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of the country of Kenya. Nairobi is one of the most prominent cities in Africa, both politically and financially. The United Nation's Office at Nairobi is the UN's Headquarters in Africa. The UN Environment Program and the UN Human Settlements Program also have their main offices here. The population of Nairobi is estimated to be about 3.14 million.

After breakfast, travel to Aberdare National Park. Inside this isolated volcanic range, peaks reach as high as 14,000 feet. Indigenous forests surround you on all sides, and red soil stirs under brilliant waterfalls. Set your eyes on Mweiga Hill, where a welcome party of giraffes wait to greet you at your lodge. Overlooking the park, enjoy the lodge’s amenities at leisure this afternoon.

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Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Sarova Shaba Lodge

Visit Area: Aberdare National Park
This is an ecologically diverse area with lush valleys and high peaks that reach up to 14,000 feet. It’s also home to some of Africa’s most exotic wildlife including two species only found north of the equator. Bring your binoculars and your camera. You won’t want to miss a thing!

Discover the magic of the Shaba, Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserves – home to some of Africa’s most exotic wildlife – particularly two species you can only find north of the Equator: Grevy’s zebra and the reticulated giraffe. Arrive at peaceful Shaba National Reserve, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon, head for Buffalo Springs – a starkly beautiful semi-desert that’s a mecca for birds and wildlife. On your game drive in this remarkably serene landscape, see if you can spot the “Big 5” – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos.

Breakfast Included
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Dinner Included

Visit Area: Shaba National Reserve
The Shaba National Reserve is a large protected area in northern Kenya. The Shaba Reserve has a lot of dramatic scenery including river-side forests, scattered woodlands and dry grasslands. This reserve was the setting for the film version of Out of Africa.

Marvel at the striking contrast of sand, sky, and bush during a morning game drive inside Samburu National Reserve, a tiny gem of Kenya’s North Country. Return to Shaba Reserve for lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Bring your camera as you continue searching for the elusive “Big 5.” Make sure to look up for the approximately 350 species of birds that call this region home. As the sun sets over the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, enjoy a traditional Sundowner, and relish the chance to deepen your cultural experience. In the company of a Samburu tribe member, learn about the culture, traditions, and folklore of the Samburu region and its people.

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Hotel Name: The Ark Hotel

Visit Area: Samburu National Reserve
Life among this tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists revolves around their cows, sheep, goats, and camels. Dressed in traditional red clothing, they are great cultural ambassadors who welcome tourists to participate in traditional ceremonies, food and dances. Pay them a visit and don’t forget to purchase a handcrafted souvenir to remember them by.

Journey to the forests of Aberdare National Park in the heights of the Aberdare Mountain Range. An amazing experience awaits you upon arrival to your lodge, The Ark. This incredible place is an experience all on its own. Surrounded by forest and wildlife, The Ark offers four viewing decks that make it easy to watch the game go by. Tonight, learn more about the conservation efforts and anti-poaching measures in the region. Many animals visit the Ark’s floodlit water hole throughout the night. So you don’t miss any of the action, you can choose to be notified through the unique buzzer system of any wildlife sightings.

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Hotel Name: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Visit Area: Sundowner
Sundowners have special meaning in Africa. They’re not just cocktails. They’re rituals that celebrate the end of an exciting day. It’s a throwback to the days of tented safaris when men would share a toast while watching the sun go down. The location is perhaps the most important part of the ritual which must be performed outdoors with a spectacular view.

To the middle of the Earth and beyond! Hit the road for a spectacular, mountain-kissed journey on the way to Nyahururu waterfalls. One of the Great Rift Valley’s soda lakes, Lake Nakuru is a haven of ecological diversity surrounded by picturesque ridges and wooded, bushy grassland.

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Visit Area: Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is a lake that lies to the south of the city of Nakuru in central Kenya, in the rift valley. The lakes abundance of algae attracts many species of wildlife including flamingos, as well as warthogs and baboons. The lake is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

Wake up in the embrace of Nakuru’s acacia forest. During this morning’s game drive, make sure your binoculars are ready – this is rhino country. Find this park absolutely brimming with wildlife, on the ground and in the air. Regale in a true taste of Africa: a traditional breakfast prepared right in the bush. Unwind at your lodge before continuing your journey through the park on an afternoon game drive. Return just in time to witness one of Nakuru’s unforgettable sunsets.

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Hotel Name: Sarova Mara Camp

Visit Area: Masai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large, 600 square mile game reserve in Narok Country, Kenya. It is named after the Maasai people who were the ancestral inhabitants of the area. The reserve is referred to as just Maasai Mara by the locals. It is world famous for its abundant population of lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Welcome to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of Kenya’s best spots for game viewing. Your tented accommodations in the Mara provide you with all the deluxe amenities of a proper lodge, with the added adventure of being on level with the wild. Graced with an astounding collection of wildlife including lions, giraffes, zebras and elephants, the Mara offers an unsurpassed safari experience on your game drive this afternoon. After a Mara sunset, head over to your tent and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the animals in the distance.

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Admittance: Karen Blixen Home
The Karen Blixzen Home is a working museum located about 6 miles outside of Nairobi in Kenya. The museum used to serve as the home for Danish author Karen Blixzen, who is most famous for her novel Out of Africa, which chronicles her life and seventeen years at this home.

Ernest Hemingway said, “I never knew a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy.” During our early morning game drive, enjoy the grassy plains and rolling hills of the Masai Mara. This is truly nature’s greatest theater, where savanna, cloud shadows and amazing wildlife spot the horizon. Tonight, indulge in a traditional bush dinner, complete with a Masai dance performance.

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Hotel Name: Sarova Stanley Hotel

Visit Area: Amboseli National Park
This park is famous for its open spaces where lions and elephants roam free, giving you an up close (but not too close) view of these magnificent animals in the wild. Snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, hovers over the breathtaking landscape.

Return to Nairobi and visit the farmhouse of Karen Blixen for a true Out of Africa experience. Visit the Giraffe Sanctuary and get up close and personal with these fantastic creatures.

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Hotel Name: Ol Tukai Lodge

Admittance: 11 Game Drives
A trip to Africa is not complete without experiencing wildlife safari. These safaris allow you to get up close to the wild animals and see them in their natural habitat. On these safaris you will most likely see the "Big 5" game: the African lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos) which are nicknamed the "Big 5" because they are the most difficult animals to catch. On safari you will not only witness the animals, but you will also be surrounding by beautiful scenery and stunning landscapes as well.

This morning, experience an impact moment when you visit Ocean Sole, a social enterprise that turns ocean debris into colorful works of art. Learn about their mission to clean the waterways and grow the Kenyan economy. You’ll also get a chance to peruse their collection of products before continuing on to Amboseli National Park. Later, learn about Masai culture during a visit to a local village (an enkeng in Maa, the Masai language). Take to the plains for an afternoon game drive in the breathtaking aura of snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Complement your journey with an opportunity to give back to nature with a “seedball.” The compact balls of seed limit the cost of planting indigenous trees around the world. A moment of impact can grow into a lifetime of change, so toss your seedball out the window anytime during your stay in Amboseli.

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Admittance: Africa's "Big 5"
Numerous game drives take you out to catch a glimpse of the “big 5” (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos). Kenya is a great place to be for spotting these magnificent animals as large numbers of them call the region home. How many of each can you spot?

Today will start with an early morning game drive followed by breakfast back at the lodge. All of Amboseli is at your feet during morning and afternoon game drives. Derived from the Masai word meaning “salty dust,” this unique corner of Kenya is one of the best places in Africa to see hundreds of elephants up close. Wildebeests and zebras are ever-present, plus there’s a good chance you’ll see a cheetah and a hyena or two. Today is your last full day on the continent and your last chance to spot some more members of the elusive “Big 5.” If you haven’t tossed your “seedball” into the wilds yet, now’s your chance to make an impact on the continent you’ve grown to love.

Breakfast Included
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Dinner Included

Return to Nairobi for your departure home. You may choose to reserve a day room to freshen up prior to your flight.

Breakfast Included