Every year in Kenya ,from early July to late September, over a million wildebeests and Zebras followed by the big cats cross over the rolling plains of the Maasai Mara setting the most spectacular marvel of mother nature that cannot be witnessed in any other part of the world. This undoubtedly becomes the best times to visit Africa. And that's why the Great Masaai Mara was nominated as the "Seventh Wonder of the World"

Literally, millions of wildebeest and zebra move north from the plains of Tanzania's Serengeti savannah during July and August in search of the lush grass. As the vegetation and water holes dry, the herds start the trek north. Following the rain pattern they cross the Tanzania/ Kenya border to the rich Kenyan Maasai Mara in search of the 4,000 tons of grass they eat each day. By September and early October they start winding their way back to Tanzania

The sight of the mass migration is awesome. Many do not survive this trip as they expire from exhaustion and injury or fall prey to hungry crocodile in the struggle to cross the Talek and Mara rivers. As the migration unfolds, the other side of the river await the predators- lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena and scavenger birds. It is an event one cannot afford to miss.

Day 1: Nairobi /Hilton hotel

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta international airport you are met by our staff and transferred to the Hilton hotel. The rest of the afternoon is spent on a Nairobi orientation sightseeing,featuring visits to Nairobi's principal landmarks and the capital hill to have a panoramic view of Nairobi. We visit the Kenya National Museum with our guide to learn about Kenya's wildlife, geology and human history. Dinner and overnight at the Hilton hotel.

Day 2: Aberdares /Tree hotel

Depart Nairobi After breakfast drive through the Kikuyu countryside, arriving in good time for lunch. After lunch we leave our main luggage at the base hotel and continue with just our overnight bags to one of the famous "tree hotels", deep in the Aberdares Forest a special feature of the lodge where we stay is the floodlit watering hole where we can watch from the lodge itself throughout the night as a great variety of animals come down to drink and lick salt from the water hole. Dinner and overnight at the Treetops lodge.

Day 4: Samburu Lodge

After breakfast drive through north past Mt. Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain at 5,199 meters. We cross the Equator again into the northern hemisphere on our way to Samburu Game Reserve in a semi-desert area of Kenya. Samburu is located on the Ewaso Nyiro River. In this dry land the forested riverbanks are excellent areas to see wildlife, as all animals congregate here to drink, especially at dusk and early in the morning. Late afternoon we take a game drive in the park. Dinner and overnight at Samburu lodge.

Day 5: Samburu Game Reserve

Early morning and afternoon game drives in Samburu Game Reserve. Here we are sure to see many animals some of them not found in many of Kenya's parks. Samburu is also home to the third of Kenya's giraffe species - the Reticulated Giraffe, the Grevy's Zebra .This is also our best chance to see the long-necked Gerenuk gazelle and the straight-horned Beisa Oryx antelope. Down by the river we hope to see crocodiles and hippos, as well as many beautiful birds. Dinner and overnight Samburu Lodge.

Day 6: Samburu / Mount Kenya (Chimpanzee sanctuary)

After breakfast we drive back south from Samburu to the Equator and the slopes of Mount Kenya. Although situated on the Equator, Mount Kenya is permanently covered in glaciers and snow. Here we stay at the Sweetwaters Game Reserve. This very special wildlife sanctuary was originally established to protect and breed highly-endangered Black Rhinos. In 1994 the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary within the game reserve was established and moved a large group of chimps. This afternoon we have a game drive in the reserve and a tour to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Sweetwater's Camp.

Day 7:Sweetwaters / Lake Nakuru

After breakfast we drive across the equator and descend the Nyandarua Escarpment into the Great Rift Valley and visit Thomson Falls. The Valley floor in Kenya is studded with volcanoes and seven lakes. Arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon we take a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park often described as the world's biggest ornithological spectacle. This lake is famous for its flocks of many bird species. This is one of our best chances of seeing rhino and Rothschild's giraffes. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 8: Lake Nakuru/ Naivasha Maasai Mara

After breakfast, depart for the Maasai Mara. Driving south along the Great Rift Valley we come to Lake Naivasha, Naivasha presents a mystery - even though the lake has no apparent outflows, its waters are fresh. Because it is one of the largest sources of fresh water in Kenya, Lake Naivasha attracts a huge variety of birds in large numbers. It is a bird-watchers' paradise. After lunch, we make our way to Kenya's premier wildlife park - the Maasai Mara. Arrive late in Maasai Mara. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sarova Camp.

Day 9: Maasai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast we leave the camp heading west of Mara, the vast open grasslands of the Serengeti-Mara are home to over 3 million large mammals. These include over 1.4 million wildebeest. With them move other herbivores such as gazelles and zebra, also looking for the best grass. Along the way they provide food for big predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. Here we see Nature at its most subtle and, sometimes, most cruel as each animal struggles to survive and reproduce. All meals and overnight at Mara Serena lodge.

Day 10: Maasai Mara Game Reserve

After break fast we continue to explore this miraculous area on our morning and afternoon game drives. This open grassland is home to almost every species of East African wildlife including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras. This is one of the most spectacular sights in the world. Today we also encounter and learn about the Maasai, a proud tribal people struggling to preserve their traditions in the face of modernization. At sunset we will visit a section of the Mara River where we hope to see many hippos and the crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.

Day 11 - Drive Back To Nairobi /Airport

After breakfast, we leisurely drive back to Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant. Day rooms have been reserved until 1800 hrs for your comfort at the Hilton .Later we transfer you to the airport for your home bound/ departure flight.

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT IS US$ 440

Last update: 21-10-2008 09:05