Tour Arrives in Nairobi: Kenya Cultural Tour

Day 1
Today the group arrives in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Part of Masai land when the British arrived, this modern capital grew with the development of the railway. Derived from a Masai word meaning "Cold Water," Nairobi is a pleasant mix of colonial British with modern and traditional African influences. Overnight in Nairobi. Dinner if required.

Nairobi & Mt. Kenya Conservation Area: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 2
This morning our group tours to the lower slopes of Mt Kenya, rising to 5199 m (16,728 feet), Africa's second highest peak. The Central Highlands are the heartland of the Kikuyu people. It is a very fertile region, well-watered, intensively cultivated, and thickly forested. The land was coveted by the Europeans who began arriving in ever-increasing numbers once the railway through the area was completed. The settlers established coffee and tea plantations on the eastern slopes and cultivated wheat on the western slopes. The higher regions of the slopes are left to the leopard, buffalo, lion and elephant. Tonight we overnight at a "Tree-Style" lodge, uniquely designed and situated to provide one with an often extremely close-up view of a wide variety of wild animals as they come to drink and cavort. We highly recommend an optional guided tour on foot (approx USD 15, payable locally) offered by the lodge. All rooms have a waterhole view; hot water bottles provided for those cold highland nights. Overnight in Mt Kenya Conservation area. Serena Mountain Lodge. All meals in group.

Mt. Kenya Conservation Area & Samburu National Reserve: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 3
Today the group travels from the "White Highlands," so called because of the large number of Europeans who settled here, northwards to the Samburu National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch. En route the tour may catch a glimpse of the glaciers coating the summit of Mt Kenya. The Samburu Reserve is mainly semi-desert savannah plain, with the seasonal Ewaso Nyiro River supporting a wide variety of game such as elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard and lion as well as dik-dik (a tiny antelope), and warthog. On your afternoon game drive you can almost certainly be guaranteed close-up sightings of elephant, giraffe and gazelle. Overnight in the Samburu National Reserve. Samburu Serena Lodge or similar. All meals.

Samburu: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 4
Today our tour provides a full day of game viewing in Samburu National Reserve where we have a good chance of seeing the so-called "Northerns"-- the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the blue-legged Somali ostrich-- species of animals found only in this dry area of Kenya. In addition, crocodiles can often be seen along the river bank. This afternoon's tour may have an opportunity for the group to pay a visit to a nearby Samburu village (optional expense). The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists well-known for their proud adherence to traditional tribal customs and elaborate personal adornment. Overnight in the Samburu National Reserve. Samburu Serena Lodge or similar. All meals in group.

Samburu, Great Rift Valley & Lake Nakuru: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 5
After an early group breakfast, we tour from Samburu to Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley was created millions of years ago, under the strain of enormous volcanic eruptions which resulted in a giant split in the earth's surface from Syria to Mozambique. Lava flowed into the valley, forming escarpments on either side of the gigantic trough, which can be up to 80 km (50 miles) wide, big enough to be visible from outer space. At the lake, depending on the water levels, we may have the opportunity to see up to two million flamingos, in addition to the over 340 species of birds that have been recorded in the Rift Valley! Lake Nakuru is very shallow, and can fluctuate up to five metres (12 feet) each day. When the water is low, you can see a white band of crystallized soda along the shoreline. This is also one of the best places in Kenya to view the rare White Rhino as we explore the park on our afternoon game drive. Overnight in Lake Nakuru National Park. Sarova Lion Hill Camp Lodge or similar. All meals in group.

Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 6
Early this morning the group tours through Lake Nakuru National Park and the Rift Valley, passing above Lake Naivasha and nearby Mount Longonot, a relatively young volcanic reminder of the Rifts violent past. The tour arrives at our lodge in the Masai Mara National Reserve in time for lunch. The Masai Mara is a natural extension of the Serengeti eco-system and has an amazing concentration of wildlife. The largest population of lions in Kenya is found here, along with large herds of plains game. The Masai Mara may also be the best place in Kenya to view cheetah and the rare black rhino. Later this afternoon the group can enjoy another game tour. Overnight in the Masai Mara. Mara Sopa Lodge or similar. All meals in group.

Masai Mara: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 7
The Masai Mara National Reserve consists of rolling grassland and is located at the northern end of the Serengeti Plain. Considered the best of Kenya's parks, it is on the pathway of the yearly wildebeest migration, which comes north from Tanzania about the end of June and returns to Tanzania around the end of September. "The Mara" sustains all of the "Big Five"-- lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo-- as well as an astonishing wealth of herding animals and other wildlife. You can see the stately Masai men and youth along the road tending their cattle and goats. In the Mara you will have an optional opportunity to ascend over the northern Serengeti at daybreak in a hot air balloon (cost is approximately USD 360). From over 300 m (984 feet) above, you will be able to view the vast land and the myriad animals who inhabit the Masai Mara. During our stay in the Mara, we enjoy a full day game drive in Africa's most famous game park. Overnight in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Mara Sopa Lodge or similar. All meals in group.

Masai Mara & Nairobi: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 8
After breakfast, the group departs for Nairobi. En route, just outside the capital, we tour the Karen Blixen Museum. Baroness Karen Blixen-Finecke emigrated from Denmark to Kenya in 1918 and, in 1937 wrote, under the pseudonym, Isaac Dineson, "Out of Africa." The novel tells the tale of the Baroness's experiences on a Kenya farm. Her home is now a museum, restored to the style in which she maintained it. Tonight will enjoy an evening at the famous Carnivore Restaurant where we can sample exotic roasted meats (vegetarian meals available). Overnight in Nairobi. Tour breakfast and dinner in group.

Departure: Kenya Cultural Tour Day 9
Departure from Nairobi