DAY 01: NAIROBI COUNTY – LAKE NAIVASHA
Day Itinerary
Depart Nairobi at 08h00 and arrive at Lake Naivasha for lunch. After lunch, have a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and visit the Crescent Island, a curious peninsula /archipelago, which is filled with different species of herd animals and one is able to freely walk around the island. Dinner and overnight at ELEMENTAITA SENTRIM LODGE.
Basis
Half Board :– Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Activities
Lake Naivasha is surrounded by stands of papyrus and is a bird-watchers paradise. Waterbirds exists in great variety and abundance and over 400 birds have been recorded on the lake. Fish eagles and ospreys, herons and egrets, lily-trotters, red-knobbed coots and black crakes can be found within the area of this beautiful lake, which also supports around 500 resident hippos and introduced sport fish including the Nile perch, the North American red swamp crayfish and various aquatic plants.
DAY 02: LAKE NAIVASHA – KAKAMEGA COUNTY
Day Itinerary
Depart Lake Naivasha at 08h00 and arrive at kakamega for lunch. After lunch, proceed on a panoramic tour of Kakamega town, and the Crying Stone, where your professional guide will give a brief history about the Luhyia community. Dinner and overnight at RONDO RETREAT.
Basis
Half Board :– Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Activities
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is the only equatorial tropical rainforest in Kenya 6000 ft, left over from past millennia when dense rain forest stretched from West Africa, across Central Africa and into the highland areas on the west and eastern walls of the Great Rift Valley. The forest includes some of Africa’s greatest hard and soft woods: Elgon teak, red and white stink woods and several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. Splendid orchids sit amongst the branches of the larger trees. The trees create a complete environment for the birds, insects, butterflies and wildlife, so plentiful in the area.
Bird watching: 330 species of which some are found nowhere else in the country. The common one being the Blue turaco. Kenya is ranked among the leading countries with 1090 species of birds. Not surprisingly, more and more Kenyans are becoming keen birders, and all over the world bird-watching is a fast-growing hobby. The country is endowed with over 62 bird watching locations that are globally recognized as Important Bird Areas. Kakamega forest national reserve is one of them. Butterfly watching: over 400 species of butterflies. There are 7 kilometers of trails with a team of ranger guides to escort visitors through the forest. The indigenous trees lining the trails are identified on signs with their local and scientific names. The walk to Buyangu Hill, the highest point in the forest, is a must for visitors.
DAY 03: KAKAMEGA FOREST & NABONGO CULTURAL CENTRE
Day Itinerary
After breakfast, transfer to the Tropical equatorial rainforest of Kakamega which is a living museum of unique and rare species. The lush forest has many good walking trails and the wide variety of unique plants and animals make for a truly fascinating trek. Walking beneath the lush forest canopy the deep shade is pierced by flashes of colour, exotic birdcalls and the scents of wood, flower and moss. For bird and butterfly watchers, this is the place to visit. Lunch at your hotel. In the early afternoon drive to Mumias town to visit the shrine of the famous Wanga Kingdom (Nabongo Cultural Centre). Dinner and overnight at RONDO RETREAT.
Basis
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Nabongo Cultural Centre.
It is about 30 kilometers from kakamega, build in 2008 a haven where one can find the community’s cultural artifacts and age-old habits. The center comprises of traditional Luhya homestead, complete with huts for the man of the house, the wives and sons. A mausoleum where the past Kings (Nabongo) were interred; Nabongo Wanga, Nabongo Mumia 1 and Nabongo Netia lie. Next to the past Nabongos’ graves is a space where the current King could be laid to rest some day.
The Wanga Kingdom was the first organized administration in Africa that puzzled the missionaries and explorers. Historians believe that the Kingdom was established in the 16c and collapsed during Kenya’s colonial and independent times however it was revamped by the current King Peter Mumia. The King took the throne as Nabongo in 1974, but his quest to reclaim the celebrated Wanga Kingdom has not been fruitful due to the prevailing modern democracy that leaves no room for traditional elders in the government. Though an Up-hill task he is optimistic and enthusiastic that with support from the government department for Culture he will realize this dream. Dinner and overnight at RONDO RETREAT.
DAY 04: KAKAMEGA FOREST – RUSINGA ISLAND
Day Itinerary
Departure from Kakamega at 8am and arrive at Rusinga Island for lunch. After a bit of relaxation we have a walk to Tom Mboya Memorial grave site and thereafter go back to the hotel for dinner overnight. (music and bonfire). Dinner and overnight at WHITE STONE RESORT.
Basis
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 05: MFANGANO ISLAND
Day Itinerary
We will depart for Mfangano Island for hiking exercise and later have lunch at Siambi Resort. We will cross by engine boat to Takawiri Island then catch water bus at 3pm to Rusinga Island for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at WHITE STONE RESORT.
Basis
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 06: RUSINGA ISLAND – MASAI MARA NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
Day Itinerary
After breakfast climb the Western Escarpment of the Rift Valley and head towards Maasai Mara. With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit here. Enjoying views of the picturesque Maasai tribesmen herding cattle on the way, you arrive in time for lunch and a well deserved rest! Afternoon game drive includes searching for the Big Five, elephants, Buffalos, lions, Rhinos and leopards, before returning to your lodge as the sun sets! Dinner and overnight at MARA SENTRIM TENTED CAMP. Distance Approx. 270 kms – 5 hrs drive
Basis
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 07: MASAI MARA NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
Day Itinerary
Early morning game drives in the reserve, a great opportunity to explore the vast flora and fauna of this magnificent reserve. After a rewarding game drive, return to your lodge for late morning breakfast. Lunch and late afternoon game viewing drive.
OPTION: A full day game drive with picnic lunch boxes (full day game drive including visits to the Mara River, Kenya Tanzania Border Post and a great chance to view the “Big Five”. You will have picnic lunch at Hippo Pool. Return to your lodge late in the afternoon). Visit the nearby Maasai village as an optional excursion. Dinner and overnight at MARA SENTRIM TENTED CAMP.
Basis
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 08: MASAI MARA NATIONAL GAME RESERVE – NAIROBI COUNTY
Day Itinerary
Depart after breakfast and journey back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch. Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital, is a well-planned modern city of over two million inhabitants. It is justly described as a garden city as its broad avenues are lined with flowering plants and shrubs. Situated at an altitude of 1600 metres, it enjoys hot sunny days and cool evenings. Places of interest to the visitor include the Municipal Market, the ornate Jamia Mosque and the National Museum with its adjacent Snake Park and Aviary. There are several art galleries exhibiting work by local artists, displays of tribal dancing, two theatres, and variety of good restaurants and wealth of fascinating curio shops. Later transferred to the Airport for your departure flight. Distance 270 kms 4.5 hrs drive.
Basis
Breakfast:– Breakfast