Debonair’s Kenya Safari
September 2018
Day 1: Sat Sep 15, 2018
Nairobi Airport Transfer. Driving Time: 20 minutes. Upon arrival at Nairobi airport a car and driver is waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Accommodation: Fairmont Norfolk
Fairmont The Norfolk. Built in 1904, is one of the most beloved landmarks in the city. Located just minutes away from Nairobi’s best attractions, including the home of Karen Blixen, the hotel is also just steps away from artisanal craft shops and modern shopping centers. Fairmont Norfolk has 170 guest rooms and suites, a heated outdoor swimming pool, health club, tropical landscaped grounds, and a range of restaurants, including the Lord Delamere Terrace, a popular rendezvous for international travelers and local regulars, Fairmont Norfolk is undoubtedly Nairobi’s gem.
Day 2: Sun Sep 16, 2018 Nairobi-Amboseli Driving Time: 5hours approx.
From Nairobi we will drive south via the Nairobi – Mombasa Road to Amboseli National Park. We will be able to see some wildlife on our way to Amboseli National park due to the favorable savannah vegetation, this includes wild animals, different tree species and variety of birds. In the afternoon you will go out for your first game drive in Amboseli NP.
Amboseli NP
Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust”, and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture. Key Wildlife- Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik- dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine
Prolific birdlife features 600 species
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is located within Amboseli National Park, which lies approximately 250 kilometers from Nairobi and close to the Tanzanian border. Secluded within a grove of acacia trees, the safari lodge looks out over the golden savannah plains, with uninterrupted views of the mountain itself. Close by are a series of emerald green swamps, which are fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro. These attract huge numbers of wallowing elephants, hippos, buffalos and plains game.
Our Amboseli safari lodge features a central dining area reached by a timbered bridge over a melt-water stream. The lounge and bar feature a broad terrace and a blazing fire-pit where evening cocktails can be enjoyed.
Day 3: Mon Sep 17, 2018 Amboseli NP
Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Day 4: Tues Sep 18, 2018 Amboseli NP
Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Day 5: Wed Sep 19, 2018 Amboseli-Nairobi-Lake Elmentaita. Driving time: 5 to 6 hours aaprox.
After Breakfast depart for Lake Elmentaita in the Rift Valley. Traffic around Nairobi is very unpredictable and travel times can take anywhere between 5 – 8 hours.
Accommodation: Serena Elmentaita
Uniquely situated on the shoreline of sapphire-blue Lake Elmenteita where hundreds of thousands of birds congregate, the small and exclusive Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp. Today’s Soysambu is a 48,000 acre Wildlife Conservancy, also a RAMSAR site – a wetland of international importance. The alkaline lake’s rocky islands are the only East African nesting site for great white pelicans. 24 luxury tents all with views of the lake. Each tent is tastefully furnished with its own private veranda .Tent facilities include telephone, wireless internet, mini-bar and electronic safe .
Beautiful central restaurant, bar and lounge. Doctor on call 24 hrs. Laundry services. Room service. Swimming pool.
Massage services and beauty parlour.
Day 6: Thurs Sep 20, 2018 L.Nakuru NP
On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.
Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos,waterbuck etc.Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa. Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands.
Extra day
After breakfast you will leave for the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park. You will spend the day in the park and will leave in the morning with a picnic basket.
Accommodation: Serena Elmentaita
Day 7: Fri Sep 21, 2018 Lake Elmentaita
Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation: Serena Elmentaita
Day 8: Sat Sep 22, 2018 Lake Elmentaita-Masai Mara. Driving time: 5hours approx
We will travel via the scenic and amazing floor of the Great Rift Valley heading to the Masai Mara Game park which is one of the most popular and famous game parks in Africa, widely known for its variety of wild animals, the tall, red robed Maasai people with a very unique lifestyle, savannah vegetation and its annual wildebeest migration. In the afternoon you will enjoy your first game drive in the Mara.
Masai Mara Reserve
By the month of September a gentle wind ripples through the tall red oat grass, and the only animals easily visible are the slow moving elephants and giraffes, or a lone topi standing on an abandoned termite mound. A stillness sits across the savannah and the lions of the Mara lie in the shade of the acacias, waiting in anticipation. In late morning, small specks rise up through the bushes by Sand River and within minutes become clouds of dust. A herd of a few hundred wildebeest swarms its way along and then down the dusty river bank. Some of the herd settles for a few sips of water before the throng returns back to the top of the river bank. The migration has arrived. Within a couple of days many herds of thousands of wildebeest are trampling their way through the long grass, snaking their way across to Look-Out Hill and then down to the Mara River.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide the best opportunity to observe the wildlife on the open savannah
Accommodation: Fairmont Mara safari club
Surrounded on three sides by the breathtaking Mara River, and on the edge of the world’s Seventh “New” Wonder of the World – the Maasai Mara – Fairmont Mara Safari Club is the epitome of tented luxury. The Fairmont is a host to a number of fine dining, safari and outdoor activities. The main Masai Mara lodge at the center of camp hosts an indoor restaurant, bar and library with Internet access to keep the relatives up to date with safari adventures. A spacious outside deck overhangs the river and leads to a swimming pool, complete with bar and private massage tents.
Day 9: Sun Sep 23, 2018 Maasai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation: Fairmont Mara safari club
Day 10: Mon Sep 24, 2018 Maasai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drive
Accommodation: Fairmont Mara safari club
Day 11: Tues Sep 25, 2018 Maasai- Mara-Nairobi- Lamu Archipelago: Flight Nairobi-Lamu
Lamu Island is actually only one of many islands in an archipelago of corals, protecting the waters from the deep Indian Ocean. You can make wonderful sailing excursions with the beautiful dhows, during which the wildlife of the sea opens up to you for snorkeling, diving with dolphins or giant turtles, fishing big marlins or small snappers. Closer to the mainland you can watch for crocodiles or hippos along Tana River or you can step off the boat around Mpeketoni to track elephants or lions.
If relaxing is more the name of your game, wonderful beaches and waters are to be found everywhere, beaches secluded for only you and your company to swim, sunbathe, picnic or beaches that are destinations for many parties, where you could find simple or exclusive ones.
Maasai Mara – Nairobi
After breakfast we will drive back to the busy city of Nairobi for the domestic flight to Lamu. On arrival in Lamu you will be transfered to your hotel on the main Island.
Accommodation: Peponi Hotel
The small Peponi hotel is situated at one end of the spectacular twelve kilometer Shela Beach on the Indian Ocean. Flanked by ancient sand dunes, the beach is one of the few remaining untouched, empty stretches of coastline in Kenya. White sands, excellent swimming and an idyllic setting for a walk at dawn or sunset . Peponi is still run by the Korschen family, who opened the hotel in 1967 and still retains much of the character and charm that it had then. Small and personal, it is the perfect rest after a safari or a hide away holiday from modern life.
Peponi has just 28 rooms, which are divided into suites, superior and standard rooms. All rooms at Peponi have ocean views. Suites and Superior rooms are differentiated by their location, size and private outside area with swing bed. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (no baths), fresh flowers, and personal safes.
The New York Times remembered us for our giant prawns but whether it be for fresh seafood and sushi or traditional Swahili style cooking, our innovative breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and stunning settings offers some of the best dining in East Africa.
Day 12: Wed Sep 26, 2018 Lamu Town
Lamu town is one of the oldest Swahili settlement in East Africa, and the oldest continually inhabited town on the East African coast. The town is mentioned by an Arab traveller in 1441. It has been ruled by Omani Arabs, Portuguese and the British before Kenya’s independence in 1963 and has been in history a centre of poetry, politics, arts and crafts and trade. Most of the houses in Lamu Old Town date back to the 17th Century. Lamu Old Town is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
The islands main means of transport is by boat along the shore, often with the traditional sailing dhows, or by donkey on land, as there are no motorized vehicles. The donkeys have their own sanctuary where they can get treatment free of charge.
Several museums on the island showcase its rich history. But the history is still alive and the inhabitants welcoming; you can join the bustling life in the harbour and narrow alleys, relax in shaded cafés with old friends or newly found. This unique culture and atmosphere, together with the a coral archipelago inviting to sandy beaches and exciting boat excursions, make Lamu island a wonderful destination, for a few days, several weeks or a lifetime.
Lamu at your own leisure Accommodation: Peponi Hotel
Day 13: Thurs Sep 27, 2018
Lamu at your own leisure Accommodation: Peponi Hotel
Day 14: Fri Sep 28, 2018 Airport transfer and Flight Lamu-Nairobi
Trip Details and Booking Information
Extra’s and Optionals- Flight Nairobi-Lamu roundtrip price indication approx.$200pp.
Propeller aircraft Flight from the Mara to Nairobi to avoid a 5 hour rough ride is approx. $231pp additional & we can discuss if we want to add this on.
OPTIONAL Amboseli Serena Bush Barbecue breakfast at Observation Hill $ 38pp.
Bush Barbecue Dinner (Exclusive of beverages) $33pp.
Maasai Mara Maasai village visit $ 20pp payment made locally at the village.
Included
13 Bed nights in double or twin rooms
Transport and meals as per the itinerary Game drives as detailed Park fees- Amboseli 3 days, Soysambu Conservancy(Lake Elmentaita) 3days, Lake Nakuru 1 day and Maasai Mara 3days
1 bottle of mineral water per day during safari
Breakfast in Nairobi, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at all of the safari locations and Breakfast is included on Lamu Island.
All park entrance fees, private game drives, touring and ground transportation throughout.
Flying Doctors membership-
We register all our travellers as temporary members of Flying Doctors. Amref/Flying Doctors are the leading providers of medical evacuations for patients in serious medical conditions using both air and ground ambulances in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. When it comes to air ambulance transportation, experience matters. Our pilots and medical professionals are highly skilled and trained.
Not included –
Travel and personal accident Insurance, Beverages,(unless otherwise mentioned)Personal items, vaccinations Optional or any other activities not mentioned in this itinerary. Visa fees and all other items of personal nature.
This is the only official site to use to get the Kenya Visa that you apply for and pay for online $50. https://accounts.ecitizen.go.ke/register
Optional flight from the Mara to Nairobi to avoid a bumpy 5 hour drive $231pp.
Flight from Nairobi to Lamu Island rountrip approx. $200pp.
Gratuities
Vaccinations
Terms and conditions
Confirmation
A prepayment of $1500pp is required to confirm the booking. Final payment is due on June 5, 2018. Some camps/lodges require a deposit to confirm the booking. If the reservation is made within the said days the whole amount must be paid at the time of confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received in writing Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in number of occupancy are subject to cancellation charges as below-
More than 60 days : Loss of deposit
59 – 42 days 50% of total holiday cost
41 – day of departure 100% of total holiday cost
We require that all passengers secure adequate travel insurance, which should in most cases include cover, under certain circumstances, against loss of deposit or cancellation fees, at the time of booking.
Vaccination information-
The World Health Organization recommends the following vaccines for Kenya:
typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, yellow fever.
Yellow fever is required for visitors that visited a country where there is yellow fever.
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Travelers should consult with their doctor and or local travel clinic.
ITINERARY CHANGES
Although every effort is made to adhere to schedules, it should be noted that we might be forced by conditions do so in the client’s interest: Due to unforeseen circumstances outside the control of Bongo Asili Travel ltd such as road and weather conditions, acts of God, natural disasters, epidemics, industrial action, accidents, civil unrest, government action, or war. The company will try to provide an adequate alternative, but can accept no liability for any additional cost incurred. Other changes might be parks and reserves migrations of animals from one region to another etc.
Photos from Debonair’s 2016 Safari:
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