Grading:
This is a camp and lodge based wildlife watching safari with limited or gentle walking around lodges.

Focus: Wildlife.

Introduction.
This safari is suitable for anyone of any age, without any great necessity for extreme fitness. Walks will be over flat terrain and at a very leisurely pace, stopping frequently to look at natural history along the way.

The group size will not exceed 8 clients.

As with all bargain tours, this is carefully costed and should numbers fall short of 2 persons we may have to impose a surcharge.

Itinerary:

Day 1:
Upon arrival in Nairobi you will be met by Mbango Safaris airport representative and be transferred to Sarova Stanely Hotel. Overnight at Sarova Stanely Hotel, bed and breakfast.

Days 2 & 3:
After breakfast we leave for Shaba / Samburu National Reserve which is known for its rare northern hemisphere wildlife such as Grevys zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Lesser Kudu and Reticulated Giraffe. Wildlife watching on the way to the lodge and stopping when we spot anything special arriving at our lodge in time for lunch.

Afternoon game viewing drive till late in the afternoon to be back to the lodge just before the night falls, dinner and overnight at Sarova Shaba Lodge.

Day 4:
Lake Nakuru National Park.

After breakfast we leave for the world renowned Lake Nakuru National Park arriving there in time for lunch. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake and host to one of the great ornithological spectacles of the world. Hundreds of thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos (occasionally up to 2 million) traditionally form the carpet of shimmering pink that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Around the lake-shore, Pink-backed and White Pelican swim in the shallows and feeding amongst them are Yellow-billed and Marabou Storks, Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbills, and an almost complete range of ducks, waders, terns and gulls. The piercing call of the African Fish Eagles is a familiar sound at Lake Nakuru and just one of the numerous birds of prey that patrol the park. Mammals too are plentiful, particularly Bohor Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Warthogs and the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe, whilst anyone tiring of the lakeside spectacle will find more than enoughbirds and other wildlife in the surrounding scrub and woodland. Lake Nakuru is one of the places in Africa to find Leopards and the park is also a Rhino Sanctuary with over 60 Black Rhinoceros, although they are some how hard to spot them due to the habitat they prefer. There is also a healthy breeding population of White Rhinoceros.

We are going to spend the days watching wildlife, leaving the lodge with our packed breakfast to be back for lunch and then venturing out again in the afternoon to be back to the lodge just before it gets dark.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.
 

Day 5:
Lake Nakuru National Park.
A full day’s programme of game drives and bird watching in the reserve and a second night here. The park is a wonderfully atmospheric place; Lake Nakuru Park was the setting for a world winning classic film ‘Out of Africa’.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.

Day 6:
Masai Mara Game Reserve.
After a lovely breakfast at Sarova Lion Hill we head off to the world famous Masai Mara. En-route, you will drive past open plains and steep hills, passing through the busy Masai market town of Narok, a riot of colour as the red cloaks of the men and the bright colours of the women's clothes mingle with the many shop fronts, goats and piles of fruit and vegetables for sale. On reaching the Mara you will drive to your base for the next two nights at Sarova Mara Camp, a luxurious bush camp in the heart of Masai Mara.  

The camp is secluded in a thicket of Euclea and African Olives and it impinges so little on the natural inhabitants of this prolific reserve that animals wander through the grounds at any time unperturbed. This bush hideaway welcomes you to a different world, surrounded by sweeping plains, flat-topped trees and breathtaking sunsets.

Whilst at camp you will explore the surrounding area of the Mara by vehicle and optional nature walks are available. Mammals you may be able to see include Elephants, Lions, Leopards (though very elusive), Warthogs, Jackals, Hyenas, Zebra, Wildebeest, Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Eland, Topi, Giraffe, Hippo and many others.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at Sarova Mara Tented Camp.

Day 7:
Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The Masai Mara is probably the most famous wildlife reserve in Africa. It is rising grassland, watered by the MaraRiver and covering an area of 1500 square kilometers. The Mara region has been inhabited by man for at least 2,000 years, the last 200 years  by the Maasai. The area is part of what is now referred to as the Serengeti - Mara eco-system, being joined to the huge Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. In the local (Maa) language Mara means spotted, which is a reference to the patches of bush and trees on the plains. Days will be spent game viewing and enjoying the Masai Mara.

You will be woken with tea or coffee brought to your tent, then early morning game drives set off at sunrise and returning to the camp hours later. We shall have a leisurely bush breakfast in the wilderness. Lunch is served al-fresco in the shade of an olive tree. During the heat of the day, relax and appreciate the silence, punctuated only by birdcalls, or make use the camp facilities.

Afternoon game drives depart at 1600 hours and return at sundown, after which you can freshen up and gather round the campfire for pre-dinner drinks. Dinner is served by candlelight outside or in the dining. A nightcap by the fire can be enjoyed before retiring to your comfortable tent.

The guides will be on hand to show you the flora of the area and explain the traditional uses of the respective trees and plants. There will be plenty of time during the safari to visit Maasai village and learn about the Masai culture and to get a feel for this fascinating culture.

Sarova Mara Camp is a tented camp, which means that the wilderness and all its attractions are very much part of everyday camp life. Though the area is fenced; you may see animals in the camp grounds at any time.

Weather.
The daytime temperatures will average around 15°-25°C and can be cool at night. Kenya enjoys a pleasant climate all year round thanks to it's altitude, except the coastal regions which can be humid. The main rains are in May / June, so days should be clear.

Food and accommodation included in the price.
The tour includes all transport, game drives, accommodation and meals, except for dinner on day one and lunch on the last day. All accommodation is in luxurious lodges and camps in prime wildlife areas. Accommodation consists of spacious, fully insect-proof Selous style tents equipped with proper beds, linen, bedside tables, luggage racks and rugs. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with a dresser, shower and flushing toilet. There are canvas director's chairs on the veranda and hammocks slung between nearby trees to relax in. Most meals are taken al-fresco overlooking the plains or, in the event of bad weather, in the spacious dining. There are fully stocked bars with unlimited selection of wines.

Park fees.
Please note that park entry fees of Masai Mara, Samburu and Lake Nakuru Park is US $ 40 per person per day per park (Total US $ 240 per person) are not included in the cost of the holiday and are to be paid directly at Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu and Masai Mara Game Reserves.

Extra expenses.
The following expenses are not included in the tour cost: park fees, drinks, tips, anything of personal use and souvenirs. Dinner on the first day and lunch on the last day are also excluded and should be budgeted for. Optional balloon flights, Samburu and Maasai Village visits are available plus other optional excursions. Please ask for information while booking.

Entry requirements.
Certain nationals do require visas in order to enter Kenya although there are no visa requirements for citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth countries. Citizens of the following countries are obliged to carry visas: Antigua, Bermuda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guyana, India, South Africa (for visitors staying more than 30 days), Sri Lanka, San Marino, Turkey, United Kingdom and Uruguay. You can complete and print a Visa application form online from www.kenya.visahq.com Visas can be readily obtained at JKIA and Moi International airports on arrival as well as from Kenya High Commissions abroad prior to departure. There is a fee to process a visa, usually between US $ 20 - US $ 100 depending on the category required.

How to book your place.
In order to book a place on this holiday, please call us now on +254 20 211 24 33 / 4. Alternatively, fill our online booking form or you may email us: safaris@mbangosafaris.com  giving us your contact we will get back to you to reserve the safari for you.