Kenya Safari (7 nights) and Beach Holiday (7 nights - flexible)
This is a fantastic safari and in fact our best selling Kenya trip as you'll see a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes, and stay in some really nice accommodation. All your meals and game drives are included in the cost, and everyone gets a window seat in the 7 seater vehicle.
The beach part of the holiday is flexible - you can change the duration, the hotel or even just do the safari. The beach hotel featured is again our best selling and has had wonderful feedback from customers over the years.
Please note that for this trip, flights normally depart the UK on a Sunday, but if you wanted to do a bit extra in Nairobi, for example visit the giraffe centre or elephant orphanage, then you can easily fly out to Kenya a day or two earlier.
Your Itinerary
1 night at The Ark Lodge
2 nights at Ashnil Samburu Camp
1 night at Aberdare Country Club
1 night at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
2 nights at Ashnil Mara Camp
7 nights (flexible duration) at Pinewood Beach Resort
On arrival you are taken to a local hotel to freshen up and store any beach luggage before departing for the Aberdares (180 km). You'll have lunch at the Aberdares Country Club and then travel on to the Ark Lodge where you can spend the afternoon on the deck looking out over the waterhole.
I stayed at this lodge myself on my first visit to Kenya, and the main reason was the fantastic waterhole right in front of the decking areas, so you get a panoramic view of the wildlife that comes to drink such as elephants.
There is a special deck for viewing at ground level which makes for brilliant photographs, and they have an intercom system so that a buzzer sounds in your room when there's something special to see.
Drive north across the equator to the Samburu National Reserve (190 km). On arrival lunch is included and then in the late afternoon, you'll enjoy your first game drive.
The Samburu area is much drier and more arid than other parts of Kenya, and the wildlife including elephants, giraffes and lions are attracted to the river. Another bonus is that it's a much less crowded reserve than say the Masai Mara.
The camp is made up of around 30 luxury tents situated along the river bank, and every one comes with a great view of the river.
When not watching the wildlife, there is a pool and bar.
Morning and late afternoon game drives in this open savannah which is traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River. The river is populated by hippos and crocodiles, whilst the park is home to a host of animals including several species which are rarely seen in numbers elsewhere, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffes and long-necked gerenuks.
Depart after breakfast and travel to the Aberdares (190 kms) and the Aberdare Country Club.
After lunch enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Solio Game Reserve, a wildlife conservancy which plays a major role in the protection of black rhinos.
Another lovely property in an area teaming with zebras, giraffes and gazelles, and nestled on the slope of a hill in the Aberdares Highlands. There's a swimming pool, spa and bar to enjoy when not on game drive, or you could watch the peacocks on the green lawns.
After breakfast, descend into the Great Rift Valley and continue to Lake Naivasha (200 km) and the Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Following lunch, enjoy an afternoon boat ride on the lake.
This lodge is set on the shores of Lake Naivasha and a slightly larger resort than the others with just over 80 rooms. There's lots to do including boat rides on the lake which you'll do as part of your itinerary, doing a nature walk or going bird watching. There's also a good pool and bar area.
Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve (320 km). Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
The Masai Mara has one of the biggest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and is a highlight of any trip to Kenya. Between late July and early October the numbers are swelled even more by over a million wildebeest and zebras migrating from the Serengeti to the green grasses of the Masai Mara. If you're very lucky, you may even see a river crossing where wildebeest cross the Mara River and try to evade the waiting crocodiles.
Ashnil Mara Camp is situated in the main Masai Mara Reserve by the Mara River, and very close to one of the prime crossing points. Similar to your Samburu accommodation it has luxury tents which all have a wooden deck overlooking the plains.
Your day starts with a couple of choices - either an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, or a hot air balloon flight over the Masai Mara followed by a bubbly breakfast in the bush. While this does cost extra, it's a once in a lifetime experience.
Lunch is included, and then in the late afternoon another game drive
After breakfast, it's sadly time to leave. There's a fairly long road transfer (300km) included back to Nairobi where you'll pick up your stored luggage and then be transferred to the domestic airport terminal for your flight to Mombasa. On arrival in Mombasa, a transfer to your hotel is included.
If you're not going to the coast then the transfer will be back to the international airport for your flight home.
As an alternative, you can fly back to Nairobi by light aircraft at extra cost. There's a couple of different timing options and also a light aircraft flight directly from the Masai Mara to Mombasa, although please bear in mind the strict luggage restriction on all light aircraft of 15kg.
Enjoy 7 nights at your chosen beach resort (duration is completely flexible if you would like a shorter or longer beach stay). Optional upgrade to All Inclusive. Other hotels available, please ask for details.
At the end of your stay a transfer back to the airport is included for your onward flight back to the UK via Nairobi.
This has been a favourite for many years - excellent value for money, not too big, right by the beach and with a great friendly atmosphere. Meals are lovely too with vegetables picked from their own gardens.
How you can change this trip to suit
If this trip doesn't quite suit, then we have quite a few alternatives. Along the same lines we have shorter 4 or 5 night safaris but still visiting a few different regions and staying in different lodges. Please call us for details.
The alternative is to stay in just one place which would usually be the Masai Mara, and usually for just 3 or 4 nights rather than a week. Popular options for this are Governors Camp (inside the Masai Mara main reserve) and Kicheche Bush Camp (in a conservancy) but there are many more. Travel would be light aircraft from Nairobi to a nearby landing strip and back again. The benefits of these safaris are that you vastly limit the time travelling, and can stay in some luxurious, even world class safari accommodations. Prices can be significantly higher than the 7 night safari featured due to accommodation rates and needing a light aircraft.
Guide Prices
As prices vary widely throughout the year, please call us for an exact quotation. In general, April and May are the cheapest times to go but these months can also be very wet.
July, August and September represent peak months for both prices and wildlife viewing.
What's Included?
- All flights including flight meals
- 7 night Kenya safari with ALL MEALS included
- 7 night beach extension to Mombasa on a Half Board basis (optional upgrade to All Inclusive)
- All transfers
- All game drives and park fees
- All airport taxes and fees
- Services of a representative
- ATOL Protection - as this is a flight inclusive package, you are fully covered under the ATOL financial protection scheme
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do we get a window seat on the safari bus?
A. Yes - you get a guaranteed window seat on all days.
Q. How many people are in the safari group?
A. Maximum 6 - although if you are a party of 7 and all want to be together, then we can get you in.
Q. What luggage can I bring?
A. The luggage allowance on the flights is generous at 2 checked bags per person if flying Kenya Airways, but one should be a soft bag which you will take on safari with you. The other bag, usually a suitcase, would be left in Nairobi for the duration of your safari.
Q. What clothes do I bring for the safari?
A. Cotton t-shirts are ideal to keep cool, although avoid bright colours such as red. There will be early starts so a light jacket or cardigan might be useful.
Q. When can I book the hot air balloon trip?
A. In theory at any time, but if you really want to do it, then please book well before leaving the UK.
Q. And is it worth it? It seems a lot of money.
A. I've done it myself and it's a once in a lifetime experience to float high above the plains watching wildlife below.
Q. Who are the flights with?
A. Kenya Airways, although we have costumers that also fly BA or KLM. No airline has perfect timings for trips such as this, but we'll talk through the options with you.
Q. Do I need a visa?
A. Not any more, but you do need an electronic travel authorisation which we'll ensure you have full details for.
Q. Do I need jabs?
A. Yes - anti malaria is necessary for Kenya - please see your GP or travel nurse a couple of months before departure.
Q. What else do I need to pay for?
A. Tips to the safari driver, souvenirs, drinks on safari, and optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara. Plus lunch and drinks in Mombasa unless upgrading to All Inclusive.
Q. Can I do this trip on a private basis?
A. Yes you can book the safari on a private basis at an additional cost. If there's say 4 of you then it's quite a good and cost effective upgrade.
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