Hakuna Matata — Kenya

Departure from Nairobi towards Masai Mara. During the journey, we will cross the splendid landscapes of the Great Rift Valley where we will make a short stop to admire and photograph the evocative panorama. Arrival at Mara Gate and after completing the entry formalities, we will begin our first photo safari towards the camp in search of the big cats, which are very numerous in the park. The Masai Mara reserve is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya.

It offers breathtaking spectacles, as well as an extraordinary density of animals, including the “Big Five” and a remarkable variety of fauna and flora: the immense plain, the rounded hills, the rainforests, and the acacia woodlands. The predominant characteristic is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles which from the Serengeti plain in Tanzania, crossing the border with Kenya and the river of the same name, reach the grasslands of Masai Mara.

The migration begins towards the end of June and is followed by large predators (for them, a period of intense hunting activity begins): lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas while vultures and other birds of prey circle in the sky. Apart from the seasonal migration, the wildlife is abundant all year round: elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, and felines. Arrival at the camp, check-in, lunch, and relaxation. Departure for another game drive until sunset in search of elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, and other typical savannah animals. Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Full day to explore the vast plains of Masai Mara, starting before breakfast with an early morning game drive, the best time to capture animals looking for their meal.

After this first game drive of the day, return to camp for breakfast, and then depart again for another game drive with our packed lunch (prepared by our tented camp) until lunchtime. This time we will dedicate ourselves entirely to the spectacle of the great wildebeest migration and the migrating herds. We will reach the banks of the Mara River, a migration point, where the complex and dramatic river crossing takes place, and the spot to locate crocodiles and hippos. Your driver will find a quiet spot under the shade of an acacia tree for lunch where you can admire the surrounding landscape.

After lunch and rest, we will depart again for another afternoon game drive in search of felines until sunset, or if you prefer, you can visit a traditional Maasai village, get a glimpse of their homes and lifestyle. Let yourself be welcomed by the songs and dances of the locals, a sacred ritual that is part of their rich tradition. Return to the tented camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Wake up, breakfast, check-out, and departure towards Lake Nakuru, a perfect oasis for a different safari. Lake Nakuru National Park was founded in 1961 and is known as a sanctuary for water birds. The lake is famous for being the place to witness the greatest bird spectacle in the world, as it abounds with algae that attract and feed millions of pink flamingos. Due to the color of their plumage, flamingos give Lake Nakuru a suggestive uniform pink color unique in the world.

In addition to flamingos, the lake attracts over 450 other bird species: Egyptian geese, kingfishers, sea eagles, herons, the endemic secretary bird, and many white pelicans flock to the lake shore. Plus there are marabou storks, often referred to as nature's “undertakers” because they feed on the intestines of recently deceased flamingos, competing with hyenas that roam the shoreline.

But there are not only birds; the park hosts a good number of easily visible mammals, such as hippos that can be seen snorting and splashing at various points around the lake during the day, impalas, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and warthogs. The lake also has a reputation for being an important refuge for endangered species, particularly the Rothschild giraffe and black and white rhinos, so much so that the park is now an important rhino sanctuary in Kenya.

Arrival at the lodge, check-in, buffet lunch, and relaxation. After resting, we will depart for another game drive until sunset to see as many animals as possible. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Early wake-up, breakfast, check-out and departure for the first photo safari of the day exiting the park and transfer to the famous Amboseli National Park. Amboseli National Park is one of the most famous parks in Kenya and is known as “the land of giants” for its numerous elephants. Inside the park, in addition to elephants, you can also spot gazelles, impalas, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, rhinos, hippos, ostriches, zebras, giraffes, and other animals. There is also an extraordinary quantity of birds, including raptors and aquatic birds that concentrate towards the swamps and springs.

Amboseli is also the place to go to see the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa; the best time to see it is at dawn or dusk, when the clouds lift and the light is clear. Expected arrival for lunch at the lodge located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, check-in, relaxation and departure for another photo safari towards Lake Amboseli where you can see hippos, flamingos and many other animals.

Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

The journey in Kenya continues: early wake-up, breakfast, check-out and departure for the first photo safari of the day heading towards the exit of the park. We will then leave Amboseli National Park to enter Tsavo West Park. New scenery and new emotions await you!

Once inside Tsavo West Park, we will stop for a brief break at Mzima Springs for a walking safari accompanied by a ranger. A splendid natural oasis where you can see hippos, Nile crocodiles and many fish. To admire the animals that inhabit the waters, an underwater observatory has been built, accessible from a jetty. Once descended from the large windows, you can see fish and, if lucky, even a few hippos playing in the water.

After this walking safari, we resume our jeep and continue the photo safari towards our lodge. Arrival at the lodge, check-in, buffet lunch and relaxation. The location of this lodge is fantastic because you can admire a breathtaking panoramic view of Tsavo West.

After lunch, we will begin another game drive in search of the rhino in the famous Rhino Sanctuary: a central place in the park, fenced to protect rhinos from poachers. Return to the lodge in the evening, then dinner and overnight stay. During dinner, if you are lucky, there will be a sighting of a leopard that will come to eat right in front of your eyes.

Wake up, breakfast, and check-out. We will do another photo safari before leaving Tsavo West Park for Tsavo East Park. To go to Tsavo East Park, we will take the road via the Manyani Gate which leads us to Mudanda Rock, a rock about 1.5 km long and 20 meters high with a waterhole at its base. Here you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Tsavo East National Park, and in the dry season, you can see animals going to quench their thirst and enjoy a nice mud bath!

Tsavo East National Park is another unmissable destination for spotting animals and is characterized by its red earth. The vegetation is lower and sparser compared to Tsavo West, so it is easier to spot animals. In this park, large herds of buffalo and elephants can be spotted, as well as giraffes, hyenas, lions, impalas, zebras, and many other animals.

After being at Mudanda Rock, we will continue our photo safari towards Voi Safari Lodge (or similar), check-in, lunch, and rest. After lunch, departure for another game drive in search of as many animals as possible until sunset. Return to camp, dinner, and overnight stay.

Wake up at dawn and begin the penultimate morning game drive in search of predators still hunting. Return to camp, breakfast, and check-out.

After check-out, we will leave the park to reach Watamu.

Arrival at your resort at lunchtime.

During the return journey, it will be possible, if you wish, to stop at a school or village along the way.