Africa Vacations - Luxury African Safari - Exotic African Adventures - Luxury Tent Camps.... Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia

This incredible itinerary combines the four corners of this magnificent country from the Nguruman Escarpment to vast plains of the Masai Mara to the incredible private wildlife ranches of the Laikipia Plateau that lie in the shadow of Mount Kenya. The rugged and hauntingly beautiful lands of the Samburu and Pokot people. Each property is so uniquely different not only in landscape and wildlife but also in the personalities of the people that you will meet, these are all vital to making this the most incredible trip of your life!

Day 1 - Nairobi		Ngong House
Arrive at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the evening where you will be met by the warm, smiling face of your private guide Paul. Paul will transfer you to your homestead or lodge where you may have a light snack before settling in for the night. During your first night in Africa you will probably awaken to the sound of a territorial male tree hyrax who makes a very weird, electrifying call which you may think is some poor tormented soul! In actual fact they are delightful little furry brown creatures that look like a giant guinea pig and are also the closest living relative to the elephant.

Days 2-4 (Nguruman Escarpment)		Shompole
On your 2nd day of safari you will be transferred to Wilson Airport and take a charter flight Shompole airstrip. Shompole lies on the edge of the Great Rift Valley overlooking sun-baked plains and riverine forest, great creased volcanic mountains and lush green wetlands. It is a creation of imagination and the product of a partnership with the Maasai people of that area. Constructed to emphasize the beauty of natural materials combined with flowing water and smooth white walls, the camp is truly an unusual and exquisite place. The lodge consists of six stylishly minimalist rooms, each of which has en-suite facilities and a small plunge pool. It can get very hot in this area so the rooms have an open-plan design to take advantage of the breeze. During the heat of the day the main pool provides another nice area in which to relax. The area does have a small migration pass through it and many species of antelope and predator are present. Some game activities are offered, but canyon walks and trips to see the flamingos at the soda lake, Lake Nortron, make the area special.

Days 5-7: Masai Mara Game Reserve		Cottars 1920s Camp
On your 5th morning wave a teary good-bye to your new friends and once again you'll board a charter flight to the Masai Mara. You will fly over numerous herds of wildlife, Mt. Kenya, the Laikipia Escarpment and the Great Rift Valley until you finally reach the Masai Mara. As you land on a dirt airstrip you will fly low over herds of wildebeest and zebra and marvel at the sheer numbers of wildlife that litter the grassy plains. The Masai Mara is Africa's most prolific wildlife destination. Upon arrival you will be met with a smiling face and enjoy a game drive with your professional guide through the Mara. The Masai Mara holds the greatest and most diverse concentration of wildlife remaining in Africa today. It is home to the Masai people and to small clans of Ndorobo, the traditional hunter-gatherers of East Africa. This place is guaranteed to take your breath away. The Masai Mara is home to several of our private properties, which are hidden in intimate parts of the Mara where you won't see"matatus" (mini buses) and hordes of other travelers. Each of our properties are located in very different, remote regions of the Mara. Each of these properties are as unique as the different regions where they are located. Each day in the Mara will be dramatically different to the next, you may spend hours tracking rhino on foot with an Ndorobo tracker, or sitting quietly for hours observing a typical day in the life of a pride of Mara lions, or let the circus antics of infant cheetah cubs bring tears of laughter to your eyes. The drama of the Mara is never ending, the cycle of life and death is seemingly endless, it is this sheer magnetism that has captivated all of us and will captivate you!

Days 8-10 (Northern Frontier District)		Borana
On the morning of the 8th day you will hug your new friends good-bye and board a charter flight to the Northern Frontier District. Upon arrival, you'll be met by your hosts or one of their guides who will take you on a scenic route back to the property. Once you arrive you'll enjoy lunch before your afternoon activities. As with the preceding property you can either rest or enjoy one of the property's several activities. You will enjoy three wonderful days exploring this incredible wilderness area with guides who will teach you about the plants, the interaction between man and wildlife! Each property is so uniquely different not only in landscape and wildlife but also in the personalities of the people that you will meet, these are all vital to making this the most incredible trip of your life! For the incurable romantics out there, you may decide that on one night you may like to have just have dinner on your own or perhaps you will be surprised by a bush dinner party under the stars with Samburu warriors chanting in the background. The Northern Frontier District is a peaceful wilderness with incredible vistas and beautiful sunsets. It is host to more than fifty species of wildlife from elephant and kudu to klipspringer and the incredibly rare melanistic "black" leopard. The Northern Frontier District is rapidly gaining a fine reputation for big cat sightings with some exceptional viewing of lion, leopard and cheetah and even Wild Dog. People are an integral part of this wild tapestry. Staying here, in the very heartland of the nomadic Samburu, Borana, Maasai and Pokot people, whose, cultures and traditions still move to the beat of an ancient drum, is an experience that affords you a rare and captivating opportunity to interact with a way of life that has stood the test of time.

Day 11 (Nairobi)		Ngong House
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip where you will board a charter flight to Nairobi's Wilson Airport. Upon arrival you'll once again be met by that familiar smiling face of Paul which comforted you so much with your timid entrance into this strange world. Only this time you're well experienced with Kenya's landscape, language, wildlife and people. So this time you greet Paul with a hearty: "Jambo. Habari ako bwana" (Hello. How are you doing man?) And Paul will answer with laughter "Mzuri sana" (Very well). Now you feel like a true Kenyan as you share your experiences with Paul. At this point Paul will drive you around so that you can do some last minute shopping. Later that evening he will drop you off at a Nairobi restaurant for supper. After dinner you'll finally be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time to check in for you overnight flight back home. A tear comes to your eye as you give Paul a final hug, you embrace him as if you were embracing the entire nation - its people, its wildlife, its diverse topography. As you board the plane the culmination of events over the past eleven days begins to settle in. You begin to reflect on the whirlwind of experiences as you settle into your seat. And suddenly you realize how overwhelming and magical your whole experience has been, but you also realize that you didn't have near enough time to discover the secrets of the Dark Continent. As so many of our clients in the past have done, you begin to go over the plans in your head for your next trip to Africa and what you will do differently next time. And then you're eager to get back home to share your stories with your family and friends. You come home not quite the same person as you have experienced eleven days that have changed your life forever.

2 people.......................................$6,395 per person
4 people.......................................$5,965 per person
6 people.......................................$5,995 per person

Included: All accommodations, all meals, all government and hotel taxes and service charges, all land travel, all Intra-Kenya scheduled and charter flights, all park, reserve, and conservation area entrance fees, all game-viewing activities; guided walks, horseback rides, or 4x4 game drives in open top vehicles. All vehicle transfers to/from lodges/camps, airports, hotels, etc.

Not Included: Some alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses, gratuities to drivers/guides and staff members (suggested $5-$10 per person per day). Intra-Kenya Airport departure taxes ($2 per flight payable at departures), Kenya International departure tax ($40 payable at departure), Pre-trip inoculations, International Airfares, Kenya visa fees (estimate $75 per person) and Travel Insurance

*Rates are per person (based on double occupancy) and subject to change in the event of serious currency fluctuations. Please always call for current pricing.

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