KENYA

The Best of Kenya Adventure and Wildlife

DAY 1: Departure | Flight from Montreal (YUL) via Paris (CDG) to Nairobi Airport (NBO).

DAY 2: Arrival & Tamarind Tree Hotel | Upon landing at the airport our representative was waiting to greet us outside the airport after a very long flight. They assisted with the group’s luggage and provided a short briefing on the exciting days ahead. Enjoy a private transfer to the Tamarind Tree Hotel with a smooth check-in located on the edge of the city. After unpacking there is still enough light to enjoy a drink by the heated swimming pool. Tonight’s dinner was hosted at the hotel known for its eclectic menu featuring fresh Kenyan ingredients and international flavours.

DAY 3: Wildlife Capital Park & Iconic Dining | Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before your adventure begins. Nairobi National Park Game Drive for a transfer to the world’s only "Wildlife Capital." Enjoy a game drive with the unique backdrop of the city skyline, spotting lions, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo. Head to the Giraffe Centre, a sanctuary to meet the endangered Rothschild Giraffes. You can hand-feed endangered giraffes from a raised wooden observation platform, bringing you eye-to-level with these gentle giants, perhaps even get a "giraffe kiss." As you exit the Giraffe Center, cross the street and purchase some hand made African souvenirs from the locals.

Take a short stroll via the secure guest path to the world-famous Carnivore restaurant. Enjoy an array of charcoal-roasted meats carved right at your table until you "lower the flag."

Day 4: Journey from Nairobi to the Land of Giants Amboseli National Park | After breakfast meet your driver-guide for your departure to Nairobi. Head south via the Mombasa Road, passing through the bustling town of Emali as the landscape shifts from urban sprawl to open savannah.

Arrive at the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge. After a warm welcome, settle into your room and enjoy a well-earned lunch at the lodge’s main restaurant. Take an hour to unwind, enjoy the surrounding monkeys and the view of the park. The lodge is famous for its lush gardens and birdlife; you might even see elephants wandering near the park fence from your balcony.

Our first afternoon game safari is world-renowned for its massive, free-ranging African elephants, often seen in large herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park hosts four of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant) along with cheetahs, giraffes and zebras. You'll visit the Enkongo Narok swamp to see hippos and the 400 bird species.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Sunrises & Safari Leisure | Set out at dawn when predators are most active and the light is perfect for photography. On a clear morning, you’ll witness the iconic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro emerging from the clouds as the sun rises over the plains. Return to Amboseli Serena for a full buffet breakfast. Spend the mid-morning relaxing by the pool, visit the lodge's reforestation site or watch wildlife from the observation deck. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in the dining room followed by a "safari siesta"—the hottest part of the day when animals (and humans) typically rest in the shade. Head back into the park as the temperature drops. This is a great time to visit the swamps to see large elephant families bathing and water birds foraging.

Return to the lodge to freshen up, followed by dinner and a second night at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge.

Day 6: Travel from Amboseli towards Lake Nakuru | Heading to the Great Rift Valley Crossing, particularly the dramatic descent from the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in Kenya, offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in East Africa. As you approach, you can expect a massive, abrupt drop in the landscape, characterized by steep escarpments, expansive valley floors and on a clear day, views of volcanic craters like Mount Longonot. Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, perfectly situated on a hill overlooking Lake Nakuru. Enjoy lunch and check into your room. Head into Lake Nakuru National Park afternoon Game Drive. While bird populations fluctuate with water levels, the park remains a premier sanctuary for White and Black Rhinos, as well as the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe and tree-climbing lions. Wind down with dinner and your first night at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.

Day 7: Lake Nakuru Deep Dive into the Rift Valley Sanctuary | After breakfast, head out for your first drive. This is the best time to spot the park's White and Black Rhinos as they graze in the open grasslands. Keep an eye on the fever trees for leopards, which are frequently sighted here. Return to the lodge for a mid-day buffet lunch. The "Lion Hill" location offers a cool breeze and a chance to watch the lake's changing colours from the terrace. Spend your early afternoon relaxing by the lodge’s infinity pool, which overlooks the lake, or take a walk through the lush, manicured gardens. Explore the lake's southern shores and look for the Rothschild’s Giraffe and the vast colonies of pelicans and cormorants along the water's edge.

Return for dinner and your final night at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.

Day 8: Departure from Lake Nakuru and head Into the Great Maasai Mara | After breakfast, leave the Rift Valley and head southwest. The drive takes you through the scenic Mau Escarpment and across vast farmlands populated by the iconic Maasai community in their traditional red shukas. Reach Sarova Mara Game Camp and check into your Deluxe Tent, a luxurious "under canvas" experience that combines the sounds of the bush with modern comforts. Uniquely located within the reserve itself, the camp is surrounded by two rivers and features an exotic forest environment, making it a "hidden oasis" in the plains. Enjoy a fresh meal at the camp's Isokon Restaurant, surrounded by indigenous trees and the camp's permanent birdlife.

Head out for your first Mara Game Drive into the rolling grasslands for your introductory game drive. This is your first chance to spot the Big Five and witness the Mara's legendary golden-hour sunset. Return to the camp to freshen up. Before dinner, you might catch a Maasai traditional dance performance near the campfire. Overnight in your Deluxe Tent.

Day 9 The Magic of the Mara Plains Hot Air Balloon Safari | Early morning rise heading to a breathtaking dawn experience on a hot air balloon safari. Flights lift off for a 1-hour aerial view of wildlife and sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Spend the rest of the morning enjoying the lush camp and pool.

Head back with an afternoon game drive into the reserve as the animals become more active again. Your guide will focus on the vast savannahs to spot cheetahs on the hunt or large herds of elephants and buffalo. Return to the camp to freshen up. Enjoy a final evening of "bush sounds" followed by dinner and a second night in your Deluxe Tent at the camp.

Day 10: Journey comes to an end as we head to Nairobi for our flight back home | Bid farewell to the plains of Maasai Mara and begin your 5-hour journey back toward Nairobi the capital. As you reach the outskirts of Nairobi, the landscape shifts to the rolling green tea and coffee fields of Limuru. Enjoy a lunch in the gardens of this historic family estate the Kiambethu Coffee Farm. Take a guided tour to learn the history of coffee in and see how coffee is grown and processed. After your tour and a final cup of farm-fresh coffee, your driver will transfer you directly to airport.

Homeward Bound | Flight from Nairobi Airport (NBO) via Paris (CDG) to board your flight to Montreal (YUL).