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Discover the real Kenya—a land of beauty and diversity populated by thousands of unique species of flora and fauna including elephants, lions and rhinos. We have designed this program to allow you to enjoy and truly study your surroundings at a leisurely pace.
Level: Moderate
(Minimum: 8 pax)
(Maximum: 16 pax)
Highlights:
Nairobi;
• Learn about the intriguing life of Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa” at her Kenyan home and coffee plantation
• Visit the giraffe center and feed the endangered Rothschild giraffe a top a raised platform
• Visit the Museums of Kenya and learn pre-and post colonial history. Also, learn the contribution of the Louis and Mary Leakey to our origins through archeological excavations and thousands other specimens gathered by scientists.
Maasai Mara;
• Search for the Maasai Mara large prides of lions, cheetahs, zebras and wildebeests, visit an authentic traditional Maasai enkang (homestead)—not Manyatta, and partake in a blessing ceremony characterized by dance, fortune telling and traditional prayers.
• Enjoy numerous game drives and observe the spectacular migration across the plains of the Mara.
• Visit genuine Maasai Enkang (homesteads) (not the commercial villages), and enjoy a rare moment (not available to ordinary tourists) to experience and learn from us about our incredible nomadic way of life.
• Join the group for a spectacular diner served under the bright stars of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and cool African night popularly known as Bush Diner.
• If you can, count the stars in the dark, clear sky!!
Mara Special Activity: It’s your turn to prepare lunch or dinner..! Partake in the cooking class where you are taught how to make some of Kenya’s favorite dishes such as Ugali and Sukuma, mbuzi and chapatti. At the end of this exercise, you will receive a printed recipe for your use back home.
Amboseli;
• Visit and learn from Amboseli Elephant Research Project scientists at the research station
• Encounter Africa’s largest elephant herds at Kenya’s oldest National Park and learn about their family and social behavior as explained by researchers.
• Join on Maasai warriors on a nature walk along the park and learn from our naturalists and birds experts.
• Visit a Maasai warriors’ Manyatta and learn about the ongoing sacred ceremony (which takes place once every 15 years.
Important Note: Opportunity to visit this sacred village only applies to 2015 departures as the next warriors’ graduation ceremony will be in 2030).
Salt Licks;
• Enjoy the closest ever proximity of the huge elephant bulls, buffaloes, warthogs, hartebeests, zebras as they drink water just feet away from the restaurant deck.
• Visit the World War II Museum and learn about the fascinating history of the war. Visit site of the first shots that marked beginning the war in East Africa.
• Enjoy the most spectacular sunsets atop one of the highest peaks in the area.
Meals: 29 total: (6B,4BR,10L,9D)
Accommodation:
Nairobi: The Sarova Stanley, Panafric or Eka Hotel (five-star)
Maasai Mara National Reserve: Sarova Mara Game lodge within the park
Amboseli National Park: The Oltukai Lodge—marsh view wing or Mt. Kilimanjaro view wing.
Salt Licks Sanctuary: Sarova Salt Licks Lodge
Educational Itinerary;
DAY 1-3:
Overnight flight from US………1 night
Arrival Nairobi………………….....2 nights
Enjoy a field excursions to the home of the legendary Danish author Karen Blixen, whose famous memoir “Out of Africa” related her experiences as a European settler in the bush country of Kenya. Visit the Giraffe Centre, and feed giraffes from a raised observation platform. The Giraffe Center was established in 1989 to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe and has become one of Kenya’s conservation models.
DAY 4-6
Each year 2 million animals migrate between the plains of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, a journey of 800 miles. Scientists have said this dramatic migration is considered the largest movement of wildlife on planet earth. Go in search of the big cats of Maasai Mara's open savanna, the lion and the cheetah, which use their power and speed to hunt zebras and wildebeests. Indeed, there is no place on the continent that portrays the real, untamed African wilderness than the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
An avid British traveler recently summed up his safari experience in the Kenya and Tanzania as follows:
“I have been coming to East Africa every year for the last 10 years and the Mara has always been the highlight of my African Safari.”
Moreover, US President, Theodore Roosevelt commented when he brought his expedition to Maasai Mara in 1906:
“I am bewildered by the beauty of this land and its magnificent wildlife.”
In the Mara, you have a one in a lifetime opportunity to visit remote Maasai villages and experience our culture in its original form. This experience contrasts conventional tourists’ itineraries that take unsuspecting tourists to commercial villages thus denying them an opportunity to see the real Maasailand and its people.
As part of our signature programs, we take you to Siana Primary School—a model education centre of excellence for Maasai children. The school has uniquely harmonized modern education with the Maasai culture as a cultural preservation endeavor. The students will entertain us with colorful, inspiring traditional Maasai songs. They will also recite poetry, say moving poems and socialize with us at the end of the activity. You will hear from the teachers their efforts to promote western education among our Maasai people while upholding our culture.
DAY 7-8
Flight from Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Connect flight to Amboseli National Park------2 nights
Amboseli National park is one of East Africa’s premier sanctuaries boasting the largest elephant population and oldest and biggest bull elephants in the region. Set on the northern foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli provides exhilarating game drives. Observe large free-ranging elephant herds and a variety of other wildlife species.
Take a nature walk with resident Maasai warriors, and birds’ experts. Visit and learn from scientists at Amboseli Elephant Research Project as they share with you their recent studies in elephant biology, population levels and interactions with other species and Maasai people and livestock.
DAY 9-11
Travel by Tourist Van to Taita Hills Sanctuary and Salt Licks Lodge Taita Hills Sanctuary and Salt Lick lodge is famed for its salt licks where countless species of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hartebeests, warthogs, zebras and wildebeest congregate to nourish their bodies with mineral-rich soils. Elephants and other animals come within yards to drink water from the only waterhole located right at the window of your restaurant. The opportunity to view these magnificent animals from such close range is a memorable experience.
We shall take a tour of World War II Museum and learn the war’s fascinating history in East Africa. Visit site of the first shots that marked beginning of the war in East Africa. Enjoy the most spectacular sunsets atop one of the highest peaks in the area. Ultimately, enjoy a farewell dinner at camp, and celebrate the end of your adventure at a bush diner.
Day 12:
Take and early drive to Nairobi for overnight.
Day 13:
Free day and evening departure to the US. Optional activities are available (on own account) for those who may wish to take short excursions.