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Overview
Embark on an African safari with northern frontier country of Samburu. The Samburu Game Reserve is home to rare species such as the reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich and other animals that can withstand the hard, arid conditions. Get lost in the superb scenery of the Great Rift Valley Lake of Nakuru, watching thousands of pink flamingos against an electric blue sky. Then finally head to Maasai Mara, walk on the plains which host the greatest animal spectacular on the planet.
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Departure from Canada
Board your overnight flight to Nairobi today
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Day 2:
Nairobi Arrival
Upon arrival in Nairobi, claim your bags and proceed towards arrival hall. Our representative will meet you and assist you with your transfer to hotel. (Standard check-in time is 3:00 pm)
Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel NairobiMovenpick Hotel Nairobi
Mkungu Close, Off Parklands Rd, Nairobi, Kenya+254 709 548000Set in the upscale Westlands neighbourhood, this luxury hotel is 3 km from the Kenya National Theatre and 20 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Polished rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows provide free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded suite add balconies and/or separate sitting areas.
A revolving restaurant features panoramic city views, while 2 other refined restaurants serve tapas and international cuisines. There’s also an open-air swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa.
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Day 3:
Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Your Kenya wildlife safari starts. You will be driven north past the equator to the northern frontier district to Samburu National Reserve, situated about 350 km north of Nairobi in the semi-arid part of Kenya. Ewaso Nyiro River, the only water source in the dry season, bisects the reserve and apart from providing water to live, the river is home to some of the biggest Reptiles in the region and attracts a good number of birds. Close to 300 different species have already been recorded. You will arrive in Samburu in time for lunch. After lunch you will embark on a game drive in search of resident wildlife species like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, and the blue-necked Somali ostrich, all of which are rare elsewhere in the country. Your dinner and overnight will be at the spectacular lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Samburu InterpidsSamburu Interpids
00200, Samburu Samburu, Kenyahttps://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/samburuintrepids/hotel-overview.html+254 722 205 894Samburu Intrepids is a lush oasis on the banks of the great Uaso Nyiro River in Samburu Game Reserve. The tented luxury camp is a delight to be in – deliciously cooled by the river breeze and the forest. The camp sits on raised decks overlooking the brown river where the elephants sometimes make an appearance or the crocodiles come out to lounge by the river’s banks. -
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Day 4:
Samburu National Reserve
You will spend the full day in Samburu National Park and participate in early morning and evening game drives.
The highlights of Samburu Game Reserve include its scenic beauty, rivers, and forests. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserve has numerous permanent springs and a wealth of wildlife, which includes leopards, hippos, elephants, lions, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, and crocodiles in the Ewaso Nyiro River. In addition, over 365 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuaries.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Samburu InterpidsSamburu Interpids
00200, Samburu Samburu, Kenyahttps://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/samburuintrepids/hotel-overview.html+254 722 205 894Samburu Intrepids is a lush oasis on the banks of the great Uaso Nyiro River in Samburu Game Reserve. The tented luxury camp is a delight to be in – deliciously cooled by the river breeze and the forest. The camp sits on raised decks overlooking the brown river where the elephants sometimes make an appearance or the crocodiles come out to lounge by the river’s banks. -
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Day 5:
Samburu National Reserve – Aberdare National Park
After breakfast, depart for the Aberdare region, arriving in time for lunch at Aberdare Country Club. After lunch, you will be transferred in the lodge vehicles to The Ark Lodge. The Ark overlooks the Yasabara waterhole, perhaps the largest salt-lick in the Aberdare Mountains and the haunt of a variety of forest game unequaled in Africa. This tree-lodge is uniquely shaped to resemble the actual Ark, designed with decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for viewing the animals visiting the salt-lick and waterhole. A ground-level bunker at The Ark provides excellent photographic opportunities, and the Yasabara waterhole is floodlit by night to enable all-night viewing of the game.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: The Ark LodgeThe Ark Lodge
Aberdares National Park Entrance Gate, Nyeri, Kenyahttps://thearkkenya.com/+254 733 799990Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, iconic and yes, quirky. The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attracts a host of awesome wildlife.
The Ark has four viewing areas from which to observe the ever-present animal activity at the waterhole and saltlick. There is also a ground level hide – the perfect spot for the discerning photographer. From this vantage point, photos of animals can be taken at eye-level.
So as not to miss any animal sightings, the resident guide will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. Simply throw on your provided robe and slippers, grab your camera and view nightlife at the waterhole!
The sister property to The Ark the Aberdare Country Club, is a short distance away and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Activities include a game walk on our 1300 acres, golf, tennis, horseback riding, relaxing at our health club, taking a dip in the swimming pool, or simply enjoying the gorgeous gardens.
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Day 6:
Aberdare National Park – Lake Naivasha
After breakfast depart for Lake Naivasha. Check in to Lake Naivasha Country Club.
From the top of the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, you can see Lake Naivasha sparkling in the sun thousands of feet below.
Naivasha is one of the gems in a necklace of Rift Valley lakes. Perfect for both the active and leisure traveler, Lake Naivasha Country Club offers an abundance of activities to please all tastes. The resort dates back to the 1930s when it was first opened as a staging post for Imperial Airways flying boat service from Durban to Dublin. Since then it has transformed into a sprawling 55-acre property with a variety of accommodation and guest facilities. Have lunch at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Lake Naivasha Country ClubLake Naivasha Country Club
Naivasha, Kenya+254 703 048000Located on the shores of the Naivasha Lake, the Country Club features a pool and a spa. It organizes a variety of activities in contact with the surrounding wildlife, and is 62 mi from Nairobi.
Accommodations at the Country Club Naivasha is elegantly decorated, including tiled floors and wooden furniture and interiors. They all come with a private bathroom, and some of them include a balcony with garden views.
With its own produce of fruit and vegetables, the restaurant offers both à la carte and buffet options. A rich breakfast buffet is served every morning, while barbecue facilities and a bar are also available.
Activities organized at the Club Naivasha Lake include visits to the Crescent Island Private Sanctuary, located 25 minutes’ away by boat. Three bird watch walks a day are also available.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is 71 mi away, and the property can arrange a shuttle service upon request at an extra charge.
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Day 7:
Lake Naivasha – Maasai Mara Game Reserve
After a comfortable breakfast, we depart stunning Lake Nakuru for the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the jewel among Kenya’s game reserves. The enormous reserve is actually part of the vast Serengeti plains and is well-known for its spectacular wildebeest migration. It is the true home of the BIG FIVE: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo. Its name derives from the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who still call the wide plains of Kenya and northern Tanzania home. As we travel through Maasai land, we occasionally come across a solitary Maasai Moran (Warrior) standing on one foot while herding hundreds of cows, goats, and sheep. His only defense against the dangerous wildlife surrounding him to all sides is a single stick or spear!
Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara, we comfortably take lunch at our camp before exploring the huge reserve on a late afternoon game drive. In the evening, we relax around the campfire and enjoy an excellent dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Keekorok LodgeKeekorok Lodge
Located in the Masai Mara nature reserve, Keekorok Lodge offers traditional-style accommodation with a private patio. The property has an outdoor pool with a terrace and views of nature.
The spacious rooms have a ceiling fan, mosquito net, hypoallergenic bedding and a balcony with views of the garden, the pool or the reservation.The Lodge houses the Hippo Bar, which serves traditional dishes and overlooks the lake, and The Elephant Deck Restaurant, where you can enjoy a typical savannah dinner.The property has a 24-hour reception and a children’s playground. Guests can go on safaris through the Keekorok nature reserve.
The property organizes a shuttle service to the Keekorok airfield upon request. -
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Day 8:
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Add-on – Early morning Hot Air Balloon Safari –
There is nothing more peaceful and dramatic than drifting over the savannah as the sun peeks over the horizon and floods the land with light.
Alternatively, sleep in a bit before going on another full-day game drive and have some amazing wildlife encounters. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge. This day of Safari adventure is exclusively spent in the Maasai Mara. We lookout for the park’s Big Cats, the Big Five, and the abundance of wildlife and natural wonders found in Kenya’s most famous game reserve. Remember to keep a sharp lookout; you may witness a dramatic hunt, a solitary Leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree, or a herd of elephants protecting their young from predators. The Maasai Mara has one of the richest wildlife ensembles in the world, hosting over 95 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Game viewing is never dull here, and patience is usually rewarded with unique sightings.
Between July and October (usually best in July and August), we can witness the famous Wildebeest and Zebra migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. A massive accumulation of 1.5 million Wildebeest, 200,000 Zebras, and 350,000 Gazelles stretch their legs over 2000km in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Keekorok LodgeKeekorok Lodge
Located in the Masai Mara nature reserve, Keekorok Lodge offers traditional-style accommodation with a private patio. The property has an outdoor pool with a terrace and views of nature.
The spacious rooms have a ceiling fan, mosquito net, hypoallergenic bedding and a balcony with views of the garden, the pool or the reservation.The Lodge houses the Hippo Bar, which serves traditional dishes and overlooks the lake, and The Elephant Deck Restaurant, where you can enjoy a typical savannah dinner.The property has a 24-hour reception and a children’s playground. Guests can go on safaris through the Keekorok nature reserve.
The property organizes a shuttle service to the Keekorok airfield upon request. -
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Day 9:
Maasai Mara Game Reserve - Nairobi
After a good night’s sleep, we wake up early for a spectacular morning game drive. The Maasai Mara has been the setting of the well-known movie ‘Out of Africa’.
Its astonishing wildlife is the star of the show, providing drama and intrigue against the backdrop of spectacular scenery.
Fueled by our impressions, we take breakfast in the mid-morning hours, before returning to our lodge for a proper breakfast. After breakfast, we start our journey back to Nairobi, enjoying lunch on the way. In Nairobi, our driver safely brings you back to your hotel.
Add-on – The Carnivore Restaurant Experience. Experience Nairobi’s most exotic meal at The Carnivore Restaurant, choosing between an all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner in a garden setting.
Fill your plate with ostrich, crocodile, and camel meats roasted on Maasai swords over a charcoal pit then carved tableside. Both lunch and dinner include soup and a range of side dishes, followed by desserts and Kenyan coffee.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hilton Garden Inn NairobiHilton Garden Inn Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenyahttps://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/nboapgi-hilton-garden-inn-nairobi-airport/+254 20 4075000Along Highway A104, this polished hotel is 7 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and 14 km from the Golden Palace Casino.
Airy rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Suites add sitting areas with sofabeds.
An airport shuttle is complimentary. Other amenities include a rooftop infinity pool, a fitness centre and guest laundry facilities. There’s also a contemporary restaurant and event space.
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Day 10:
Nairobi departure
Today marks the end of your Kenya Safari Vacation. you take home a big smile and a lifetime of memories – that much is certain!
After breakfast and check-out, you’ll be transferred to Nairobi airport for your flight home.
Select a gateway:
Prices include Roundtrip Airfare from - .
What’s included
- 07 Nights’ Accommodation in listed hotels or similar based on DBL / TWN sharing basis
- Daily Breakfast
- 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
- Entrance to the attractions as specified in the itinerary.
- Transport in 4X4 touring vehicles
- Drinking-Water
- Services of English-speaking driver/ guide for all transfers and sightseeing
- International return airfare from preferred departure city
- Air taxes and fuel surcharges
- All local applicable taxes
What’s excluded
- All other meals
- All other sightseeing or Services
- Gratuities for meals, tourist guides, drivers
- Beverages during the meals
- Visa fee
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls, and laundry
- Any other services or Items not mentioned above as included
- Local city taxes if applicable to be paid directly at hotels upon check out
Recent Reviews
Hi Nazir, We really enjoyed our trip to India that you arranged. The site selections were fantastic (as our travel MD commented), the hotels were comfortable, the drivers were highly skilled, and our tour guide Harry was brilliant and so well informed. He adapted to our interests with ad hoc additions that added much to our experience. Rajeev kept in touch with us as well along the way. So thanks again for this memorable experience.
Arnie Funk and Sharie Edwards
Vancouver, Canada
Good afternoon Nazir, We want to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Northern India. Everyone who dealt with us on this journey, being yourself with planning and booking, Rajeev the head of operations in Delhi, Yajur our tour guide and mentor during the tours and everyone else involved, deserve rave reviews. All were knowledgeable, professional, passionate in what they did and more than willing to do that little bit extra to make our trip an exceptional experience. I cannot praise these people enough. Along with your staff, the tour program, the places we visited and the local people with whom we interacted have made us appreciate and be amazed of a country, people and culture which apparently we really knew so little about. Our minds and eyes have been opened to a wonderful place which now we hope to see more of. Oh, and going by our tour group the shopping was great also. We want to thank you and everyone involved for creating a wonderful experience for us. Best regards,
Murray and Pat E.
Edmonton, Canada
We want to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip with your tour company. Right from the onset our business class flights to our guides, bus drivers and wonderful food and accommodation we felt really well taken care of. We had a very congenial group of new friends on our bus tour to Delhi, Agra, Rathambore Park, Jaipur and we left them reluctantly to go to Darjeeling. Our trip to Varanasi was likewise a wonderful adventure. Again, our guide and driver treated us like their parents! Our trips down the Ganges will be ever remembered. Your agent in Delhi, Rajeev was always in touch to make sure we were happy and well taken care of. The only negatives were things out of anyone's control- the pollution, the lack of wine stores and the basic need for more jobs for the poor! But that is India! Thank you again for making our trip so memorable. Sincerely,
Ralph and Margaret Franksen
Delta, Canada
Hi, Nazir. Sorry, I haven't written sooner but I have had a bad cold since returning from our amazing India trip. Both Stuart and I had a wonderful experience as it was much more than either of us expected. As our guide Yajure explained to us, India has been "cleaning itself up". What a wonderful surprise. Delhi being a bustling mega city, was a joy to experience in the few days we were there. Our bus rides, while exciting due to the different "vehicles, animals and people on the roads, made our journeys very colorful. Yajure was a wonderful, generous and knowledgeable guide. He is a walking encyclopedia. He was extremely accommodating and adaptable at a moments notice. Seeing the Taj Mahal, Buddha's birthplace, the Red Fort, the Ganges in Varanasi and of course the city of Jaipur brought the trip to life. It was all mesmerizing. Your colleague Rajeev in Delhi was very helpful and kind and protective of us. Although he was mourning the loss of his dear father, he made himself available to us. So that's it Nazir. We certainly will not hesitate to recommend your company to any of our friends and family. Yours truly,
Shelley Rosen and Stuart McPherson
Aurora, Canada
Namaste, and thanks for the email Nazir. My husband and I are still under the powerful influence of India – having thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks we had there. It’s really difficult to synthesize our experience but I will try to give some feedback. Both of us felt that we learned so much and really broadened our understanding of cultural and political issues in addition to seeing, tasting, smelling, and tasting some of India’s diversity. I really appreciated the diverse environments: urban, heritage sites, forest reserve, streets/river exposure in Varanasi, the roadside rural life viewed as we traveled between major sites. I’m especially glad that we added on the Varanasi trip which broadened our experience considerably. We were ever so fortunate in the timing (just after the monsoon season) and got to see a relatively ‘green’ India. Several local guides commented that we were a ‘lucky’ group in terms of being in the right places at the right times for certain things – such as seeing tigers, getting to the Taj Mahal just prior to its ‘mudding’. The tour itinerary was well planned and varied – given that any group of 22 people will have different preferences. We found our tour guide to be excellent: knowledgeable, flexible, and always anticipating when/where changes might be needed either for our comfort or safety. Many thanks for that. And he was ever so patient in spite of challenging situations. I’m a cautious traveller (in contrast to my husband) but even I felt very safe. Our guide was extremely good at keeping us together while also allowing plenty of photo ops, cooling down periods, and preparing us for the next point of interest. The tour guide was very good with history and cultural information that made the bus travel time both informative and seem shorter. All contacts were very friendly, courteous, and helpful. One hardly mentioned an issue and it was addressed; To summarize, the trip was amazing! We are so very glad we went and still bask in India’s glow. Fond memories, great photos, and a great appreciation for the country and its peoples! Please convey our thanks to all who made the trip possible. Regards,
Cynthia Toman (on behalf of Earl as well)
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, The India tour was excellent. The accommodations and meals was great , spicy but you get used to it after a couple of days, The hotel staff making every effort to accommodate and attending to any request from the tour participants. The tour bus was quite satisfactory with the driver and assistant quite helpful, keeping the bus clean. The Tour guide was excellent and quite knowledgeable about the history of the Indian civilization. Also handling the tickets to the various sites so the was little delay getting in and experiencing the splendor that is India Pick up and drop off from the airport went without any incidence. Overall, a great experience that will not be forgotten.
Anirud and Hafeeza
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, Greg and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to India. We were impressed with the excellent service from all Explore India personnel. Your choice of hotels, points of interest and breakfasts were excellent. Our driver and bus helper were especially good. Thank you for a wonderful trip. Ram, ram
Elaine and Greg
Burnaby, Canada
The trip to India was much more than I expected. Often the expression....Go to India and change your Life....that is what I experienced! From weather, hotels, food, transportation to our guides...top grade!!!! Thanks you for putting this wonderful vacation together for us!!! It holds memories for a Lifetime!!! When I get some photos edited I will send you a link! Great Job!
Linda Swanson
Nelson, Canada
Just returned home and trying to get over the jet-lag. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip – would hardly recommend your tour company. (first time with your company). The itinerary was well planned, transportation and accommodations were excellent and so was our tour guide. Had planned on staying in China for an additional 10 days but did not realize it was a Chinese holiday and we were not able to book any additional trips. Had I known this, I probably would have booked an additional tour with your company.
Polly Gretchin
Hope, Canada
Apologies for the delay in regard to this reply. It has been 3 weeks since we got back but the first one was an adjustment to time and travel. There are just not enough good words to describe the trip but it was definitely spectacular and above expectations. Exceptionally well organized and highly professional personnel were involved in the tour. India is just so remarkable as there is so much history. We crammed and read 3 books about the country in advance but there is so very much more to learn. To be able to travel there and have professional tour guides with that depth of knowledge was fortunate indeed. Can’t say enough about the calibre of Sandeep Singh regarding his professionalism, knowledge, organizational skills and overall ability! Hilal Lone did a good job for us during the Kashmir part of it! Besides the 2 guides, there were a lot of people to acknowledge in regard to the success of the trip. Unfortunately we won’t be able to name everyone. However, we will start with yourself Nazir. Being patient, personable, and responsive in terms of direction up front made for easier planning. Those who headed up organization at the other end, such as Rajeev Sharma, went beyond the call of duty to get their part of the operation right. If only for our jetlag the day after we arrived, he would have got us to a cricket game! Rafiq Mohamed did his part as well for the Kashmir leg of the trip. Last but not least, people such as the driver, Dalit Singh Walia, and his assistant Anand Mishra, made the journey what it was. The wondrous architecture we saw was at times almost surreal. They were so advanced in this regard so very long ago! Because some were so spectacular and precise, pictures do not quite do it justice, one has to simply see it! Also so impressed with the people of India. Massive population but they have found a way to make it work. Seemingly caring to each other and respectful and friendly towards tourists. Maybe the “hawkers” not so much. To a certain extent, one even adjusts to the heat. After time spent at the sites the air-conditioned vehicles helped in this regard. Small detail maybe, but cold bottled water always being available was quite important. The tour offered a good mix and variation of experiences. The trip into the forest was definitely special. Viewing the wildlife, especially the Bengal tiger, will always be a memorable lifetime experience. The quality of accommodation was very high. The variety and selection for meals offered up something that I expect everyone could be satisfied with, as we were. Never knew anything about Explore India before the trip. Now that we do and experienced it, we would certainly highly recommend your company and the tour! Cheers,
Marilyn & Emil
Saskatoon, Canada
Check & Compare
You can read hundreds of online reviews of destinations and hotels, but with our up-to-date first-hand knowledge, we will be able to compare and contrast different options and ensure we find something that is just right for you.
You will travel like a member of our own family. We are a family owned and operated luxury travel company.
Planning a trip needs careful care and attention to detail and that is where Explore World Journeys comes in with the passion to make every tour a hassle-free and memorable one for each of our guests.
Be sure to take notice of our standard of accommodation, the specialized sightseeing trips, the seamless flow of the itinerary, the comfort of the coach you will travel in, the customized dining experiences, and much more.
TRAVEL CONFIDENTLY WITH EXPLORE WORLD JOURNEYS
No company is big or small when you have 100% capability of exceeding guest expectations. A rating of 10 out of 10 does not adequately reflect the level of the experience and value of the tour that we provide to India especially for the first time visitors. Explore World Journeys success can be traced all the way back to those early days of learning what it means to be a host and to this day, our motto is to treat the guest like a member of the family. A sure testimonial to the business, given the fact that many Canadians have travelled not one, not twice, but three times with Explore World Journeys, the early teachings seem to have paid off, as luxury tours with us is a sought-after experience in Canada and beyond.