Comfortable safari at an intimate camp with stunning scenery and abundant wildlife

Kenya is home to an astonishing array of wildlife and landscapes, and is a gameviewer's paradise. This short trip includes both the glittering lakes of the Rift Valley and the rolling savannah of the Masai Mara - made famous by the incredible yearly migration of millions of wildebeest and zebras. Kenya's birdlife is also amazingly rich, with four hundred species at the Rift Valley lakes alone; the rosy-pink view of the flamingo population on Lake Nakuru is particularly spectacular. We stay in only two bases to minimise travel and maximise gameviewing. Our lodge at Elementaita is an ideal place to relax after an overnight flight and to explore Lake Nakuru National Park, the best small park in East Africa with a large concentration of rhino. In the Masai Mara we generally use Kicheche Mara Camp, an eco-friendly luxury tented camp situated in the heart of one of the most prolific wildlife areas on earth. The Masai Mara fulfils all expectations of endless plains, steep escarpments and abundant game.

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
On arrival, we meet with those not travelling on the group flight at the Holiday Inn Hotel (at approximately 8am). We drive north to the edge of the escarpment over the Rift Valley before descending into the valley and running parallel to Lake Naivasha, arriving at Lake Elementaita after approximately three hours. This is one of Kenya's famous lakes and home to many thousands of flamingos. After lunch at the lodge there is plenty of time for an afternoon optional game walk (recommended) on which you might see plains game including gazelle, impala and sometimes giraffe as well as plenty of birdlife. Alternatively you can simply relax by the pleasant hotel swimming pool with views down to the lake.

Day 3
Early start for a full day's game drive at Lake Nakuru, about 30 minutes away. The national park (285 km sq) is world-renowned for its teeming flamingo population made famous by Denys Finch Hatton's flight over it in the film 'Out of Africa'. Nakuru is also the best place in East Africa for white rhino and it is not unusual to see at least a dozen in a day. Coupled with this, there is a healthy buffalo population, many other plains game and frequent leopard sightings. A picnic lunch is taken at one of the picturesque sites inside the Park. We head back to Elementaita as the sun sets and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 4 - 6
A long, beautiful and bumpy drive to the Mara on which we stop for lunch in Narok. We will arrive in the Mara mid to late afternoon and after being shown to our large walk-in tents, there will be a short evening game drive. This is the first of several game drives in this remarkable game area. Game drives start right from the camp, as it is not uncommon to have game wandering through the camp at some stage of the day or night. Meal times are a delight taken in the shade at brunch or under the stars in the evening. During time off you can relax in your private tents, the lounge tent or indeed in the hammocks outside the tents. If you fancy a lie-in one day or an optional nature walk, this can easily be arranged. It is the game and scenery that make this area so incredible: huge prides of lion feasting on an abundance of plains game. Once a year the plains darken with the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. This is an astonishing spectacle of almost two million plains game searching for the best grass. It is impossible to predict the scale or the exact timings of the migration into the Mara as this varies from year to year, but it occurs some time between July and October. At this time the plains game are relentlessly pursued by the big predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. The private camp, which is exclusive to Exodus clients, often has a pride of lion close-by and their call, accompanied by the cackle of the hyena, is a frequent night-time companion. As a climax, there is the also the option of taking a sunrise balloon ride over the African plains (subject to the weather conditions and availability).

Day 7
A final game drive or walk before a big breakfast fortifies you for the long journey back to Nairobi. A picnic lunch will be taken en route. The last night is spent in Nairobi, perhaps enjoying a final meal with the group. Many groups enjoy a meal (own expense) at the Carnivore. Here you can sample a variety of meats including ostrich and camel. (the other game meats are no longer available due to licensing restrictions). Depart Nairobi.

Day 8
Arrive London.

Cost: £1,699. Deposit of 10%, with remainder payable 8 weeks before departure