DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Kenya
Depart for Kenya

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, gateway to your thrilling safari in Kenya; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, acclimate to your new time zone and prepare for the African adventure that awaits you
Overnight: Nairobi

DAY 3, Saturday - Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
This morning, visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn about how the orphan elephants, raised by the orphanage, are later released into the wild. Elephant calves are brought here from all over the country to receive specialized care from highly dedicated staff. Perhaps, you'll arrive there just in time to see them being exercised and bathed. Then, drive towards the Ngong Hills for a tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, once the farmhouse of the prominent author of Out of Africa. After lunch on your own, continue to Kazuri Beads Workshop, which started in 1975 as a tiny workshop making ceramic beads by hand. Today, this center produces fine examples of genuine African jewelry out of clay gathered from nearby Mt. Kenya. End the day at the Giraffe Centre where you hand-feed the Rothschild Giraffe, an endangered species, from an elevated feeding platform and learn more about their extensive conservation efforts. Dinner tonight is at a popular local restaurant
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Evening Game Drive in Samburu National Park
Travel north this morning towards Samburu National Park, a spectacular 60-square-mile reserve known for its unique wildlife, rarely found in other Kenyan parks. Here, view different species of giraffe, zebra, beisa oryx and the long necked gerenuk, along with lion, cheetah, and leopard. Besides the numerous varieties of wildlife found in this game reserve, the park is also a bird haven. En route, stop for lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant, built in an enormous fig tree below Mount Kenya. Arrive in Samburu, with its arid hills leading to the lush forested ravine of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Along these river banks, the majority of the animals gather for the promise of water. This evening, set out on your first game drive and watch the colorful African sunset before returning to the camp in time for dinner
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Samburu National Park
Morning game drive today in the midst of this rugged and beautiful semi-arid desert of northern Kenya. Perhaps you'll see a lion, ostrich, or even a family of elephants wandering the hills. After lunch at the lodge, an afternoon drive takes you to a different area of the park. Return to the lodge for leisure time. Tonight, after dinner, an interesting lecture and discussion with a Samburu naturalist. You'll learn more about the principles and tribal traditions of the villagers living in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Game Viewing in Aberdare National Park
Today, travel southwest to the heart of Aberdare National Park. Arrive at The Ark, one of Kenya's iconic tree lodges. The Ark is designed with layers of decks overlooking a floodlit watering hole and salt lick that attracts a huge amount of wildlife all day and night. The many different balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you up-close to the animals; see elephant, buffalo, bushbuck and occasionally a rhino
Overnight: Aberdare National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
Today, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, dominated by the shallow waters of the lake at its center, best known for its pink flamingos, white rhino, lion, and the elusive leopard. The birdlife here is absolutely superb, with over 450 species recorded - at certain times of year there are over a million flamingos. Drive to the edge of the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water, see the sweeping view from the top of Baboon Rocks, then look for warthogs and waterbucks. Nakuru is also one of the best places in Kenya to see black and white rhino, and for making daytime leopard sightings. Afterward, continue to your lodge where you will spend the remainder of the evening at leisure
Overnight: Lake Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Afternoon Game Drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Early drive to the magical Masai Mara National Reserve in the southwest corner of Kenya, renowned for its spectacular game viewing. The breathtaking savannahs of the park are a stunning backdrop to a diverse and abundant wildlife population throughout the entire year. Lunch at the camp, before going out on the afternoon game drive
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve
A fabulous sunrise experience! Arise before dawn to participate in today's optional Hot Air Balloon Safari. Take off in a hot air balloon as you watch the breathtaking sunrise over the Masai Mara. Drift above the beautiful landscape, watching wild game roam the vast plains below. The finale is a sumptuous champagne breakfast before returning back to camp. Today's game drives through the spectacular Masai Mara reserve focus on the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino), as well as antelopes, gazelles, hippos and a variety of birdlife. A lovely dinner tonight celebrates your final night in the Mara
Optional: Sunrise Balloon Safari & Breakfast (AM)
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Travel to Nairobi, Depart Kenya
Bid farewell to the Mara this morning and return to bustling Nairobi. Passengers with early evening flights will then be transferred directly to the airport. Passengers with late evening flights will have a day-use hotel room and be transferred to the airport later in the evening. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 6:30 PM
Day Use: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast