This site will be my trip blog (similar to the live blog I did for Italy). To get notifications of blog posts (email or RSS), use one of the subscription options on the right. In the meantime, here is the itinerary for September 2017. Hopefully, September is a great time of year to visit, as the "Great Migration" of animals will be in Kenya. This is a classic "safari", glamping-style. The last part of the trip will be to Rwanda to visit mountain gorillas, same area as Gorillas in the Mist. Much of the narrative comes from the tour operator, with my added commentary in italics.
Enjoy!
Days 1-3: Flights to Africa
Flights SFO to Nairobi
There are no direct flights from the US - you connect via Europe or the Middle East. Total hours: 21+ hours - yikes!
Day 3: Nairobi, Kenya
We will be waiting for you when your flight arrives Nairobi. A transfer is provided to Eka hotel.
Day 4: Nairobi, Kenya
Breakfast is included and then we will pick you up and take you Nairobi Tented camp. A game drive is included in Nairobi National Park, lunch, and transportation to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in time for the 5PM special entry.
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| Orphan Esampu, who I have "adopted" and will meet |
Dinner is included at Nairobi Tented camp.
Day 5: Amboseli, Kenya
Early morning transfer included to Nairobi Wilson airport. A flight (35 minutes) is included to the first camp. Your guide will meet you when your flight arrives. Start looking for wildlife right away. Lunch at the camp followed by an escorted walk with Maasai warriors to a village to get an insight into their fascinating culture and way of life. Overnight stay at Porini Amboseli safari camp.
Amboseli is a great place to see large herds of elephants up close, lions, cheetahs, huge troops of baboons, and hyenas! Photographers love taking photos of snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background with animals filling the foreground!In Selenkay conservancy, enjoy exclusive wildlife viewing away from crowds where the guides are allowed to drive off-road to get you closer to the wildlife.
Day 6: Amboseli, Kenya
After an early breakfast, your guide will take you to Amboseli National Park for a morning game drive within the Park to see the elephants at close quarters, followed by a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you will return to Porini Camp for a rest and then an evening game drive in Selenkay Conservancy, ending with a sundowner at a scenic spot. Return to Amboseli Porini Camp for dinner after which there will be a night game drive using a spotlight to seek out some of the nocturnal animals such as aardvarks (antbears), serval cats, bat-eared foxes and possibly even the elusive leopard. Overnight Porini Camp.
Day 7: Laikipia/Samburu, Kenya
Early breakfast and then your guide takes you into Amboseli park and on to the airstrip to fly to Samburu, arriving by 1 pm for lunch at the Samburu Intrepids, where you will stay for 2 nights. Afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve.
Day 8: Laikipia/Samburu, Kenya
Game drives in Samburu National park. This is a very beautiful area where huge herds of elephants are common, lots of monkeys (even around the camp), and also a great area to look for leopards! The “special five animals” (Orynx, blue-necked Ostrich, grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk) are common in this area.
Tour operator suggests keeping your tent door super secure when you are out - because monkeys will come in!
Day 9: Masai Mara, Kenya
Early morning game drive and then after breakfast you will fly from Samburu to the Masai Mara to stay the next 2 nights at Porini Lion Camp. You’ll be met upon arrival and start wildlife viewing right away, on the way to Porini Lion camp. Lunch, and afternoon game drive. Later, take a night time game drive looking for nocturnal wildlife. Overnight stay at Porini Lion.
This is a great area for lions, cheetahs & leopards!
Note: the Porini Lion area has the highest density of lions in Africa
Escape from the tourist trail and opt for a more authentic safari adventure when choosing your Maasai Mara Accommodation. The award-winning, eco-friendly Porini Lion Camp offers a unique opportunity to take guided walks with Maasai Warriors and experience day and night game drives within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy – a pristine and exclusive 33000-acre wilderness set aside for wildlife conservation and low-impact tourism.
Porini Lion Camp is located in unique and stunning setting on the banks of the seasonal Ntiakatiak River within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. This location is home to an abundance of animals including the Mara’s renowned Big Cats.
There is unsurpassed game-viewing within the conservancy due to its unspoiled natural state and the Porini Lion Camp - with just ten tents – ensures guests have a genuine “away from it all” experience deep in the African bush.
- At Porini Amboseli & Porini Lion, day AND night time game drives are included.
- Off-road driving advantages at Porini Amboseli and Porini Lion get you closer to the wildlife and away from crowds.
- Walks with Maasai warriors are optional but included at Porini Amboseli and Porini Lion.
Day 10: Masai Mara, Kenya
A full day in the Masai Mara reserve with a picnic lunch when you can expect to find lions as well as many of the other species found in the Mara which include leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephant, rhino, topi, eland, wildebeest, zebra, hippo and buffalo.
Day 11: Masai Mara, Kenya / Nairobi Kenya
Breakfast and a walk with Maasai warriors or early morning game drive and then look for wildlife on the way to the airstrip. A flight back to Nairobi Wilson airport is included. Upon arrival, we will take you to Eka hotel. Check in to your room and relax or use the pool. Overnight stay at Eka hotel.
Day 12: Kigali, Rwanda
A transfer is included from Eka hotel to Nairobi Int’l airport where you can check in for your onward flight to Rwanda.
Rwanda
You’ll be met upon arrival at Kigali Int’l airport, Rwanda.
A Kigali city tour is included. After an included lunch, travel with your guide on one of Earth’s most scenic drives toward Volcanoes National Park.
Overnight stay at Mountain View Gorilla Lodge.
Local entertainers are usually at Mountain View Gorilla Lodge, weather permitting, before dinner.
Note from Julie: I have stayed here several times and really enjoyed it. There is a fireplace in the room which they will light to keep you toasty at night. In the morning, wake up to views of volcanoes!
Day 13: Rwanda Breakfast and then Gorilla trekking.
Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!
Lunch and then afternoon visit the “Twin Lakes” Ruhondo and Bulera. Twin lakes, Burera and Ruhondo are real gems you must not miss.
Their deep blue water is surrounded by high hills. From these come immense waterfalls that decorate volcanoes in a spectacular way.
Through splendid excursions in the "land of a thousand hills", you discover sublime colors, and unforgettable beauty. Meals and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 14: Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park – Kigali
Breakfast at the hotel. Then, time allowing, your guide can take you to a locals handicraft market on the way to Kigali airport. Check in for your onward flight home.
Kigali to SFO
