Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

How do you capture the essence of Africa on paper without using up every cliche in the book? No other Continent comes close to it for scale, variety & pure, raw impact. Something special about Africa touches the soul; it is a Continent of 54 immensely diverse countries that is both deeply troubled & profoundly uplifting. The Big 5, a beautiful diversity of Landscapes, Animals, Flora & Fauna & of course, fascinating Cultures.

East Africa is a wild realm of extraordinary Landscapes, People & Wildlife in one of the Planet's most beautiful corners. A Cradle of Mankind, as the first species of the Homo genus evolved here & migrated to the rest of the world. The 2 highest mountains in Africa are located here: Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Kenya. River Nile, the longest in Africa originates from Africa's biggest lake, Lake Nyanza (also known as Lake Victoria).

& Kenya is where the concept of an African Safari began - the magic of the open, Kenya is the land of the Masai Mara, of Wildebeest & Zebras migrating in their millions with the great predators following in their wake, of endangered species like black Rhinos managing to maintain their precarious foothold. Also home to the red Elephants of Tsavo to the massed millions of pink Flamingos stepping daintily through lake shallows. Africa is the last great wilderness where these creatures survive & Kenya is the perfect place to answer Africa’s call of the wild. Game-packed savannahs still reverberates throughout this fascinating country. Come…experience Kenya with us.

Welcome to cosmopolitan enchanting Kenya - the land of the Big Five. Arrive in cosmopolitan Nairobi, the Capital & beating heart of Kenya & East Africa's largest city.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the Hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in & also discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the Hotel, Check-in & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day free to relax or Optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

The name "Nairobi"" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" & is surrounded by several expanding Villa suburbs. The locals are popularly nicknamed 'Nairobians'. A vibrant City with a mix of Races & Cultures, it provides Tourists with Museums, a National Park, Golf Courses, Resorts & posh Night Clubs.

Nairobi is an exciting, frenetic concrete jungle that counterpoints the untrammelled natural beauty to be found elsewhere in the country. One of the largest & most influential cities & an important Financial, Commercial regional Hub.

With a population of over 1 million, Nairobi started life as a simple Railway Depot in 1899, linking Mombasa to Uganda & quickly grew to become the Capital of British East Africa in 1907 & eventually the Capital of a free Kenyan Republic in 1963. During the Colonial period, the City became a centre for the Colony's Coffee, Tea & Sisal industry.

Located on the banks of the Nairobi River, in southern Kenya, the Skyline is dominated by modern high-rise buildings & is a Tourism & Trade Hub. It plays host to major international bodies like the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, UNHABITAT. The City’s business friendly environment makes it suitable to host such august bodies & Investors are scrambling for a share in the Capital.

Nairobi is a city full of contrasts. It is old enough that you can feel its past & multi-ethnic enough for you to experience its rich Kenyan culture.

Nairobi is the city that never sleeps & like other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Nairobi has a vibrant & growing social scene known for its Nightlife, buzzing with a wide variety of entertainment joints from Restaurants, trendy Clubs, Discos. Cinemas & Theatres, Gaming & Casinos, Festivals & Concerts etc.

Most of these entertainment Hubs are usually open all week but are most bubbly on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays when Nairobians seek to get a break from the busy week. Rowdy Nightclubs keep revelers dancing until dawn. Local & Continental hits are dominant on the region's dance-floors, though American hip-hop, Western EDM & Caribbean music also has a steady presence. In the 2010s, a homegrown alternative electronic scene developed, characterized by a frenzy of Music & Dances.

Local Bars are widespread, often decked out in the colors of a local Beer brand. These can be as simple as a couple of plastic tables & chairs set up on a roadside to more elaborate Multi-bar Complexes. Note that Music is often played at a volume that non-Africans would consider abnormally loud, even when there is no obvious place to dance.

Nairobi has the best diverse shopping areas in East Africa providing access to many local & international brands, products & services. Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh, is the largest Mall in entire East Africa. Maasai Market provides a perfect chance for travellers to acquire a variety of Kenyan-made souvenirs & gifts. This sought-after Market offers a diverse selection of items, including Curios, Paintings, Drawings, Clothing, Fabrics featuring East African prints, Jewelry & Wood Carvings.

There are many Options for those who have the time & inclination to explore Nairobi. Some of the landmarks are Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karura Forest, Mamba Village, Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi National Museum, Snake Park and Botanic Garden, Karen Blixen Museum, Railway Museum, Nairobi Gallery, Kenya National Archives, Nairobi Arboretum, Uhuru Park, Central Park, Uhuru Gardens, Michuki Park, City Park, Kazuri Beads, Godown Arts Centre, historical monuments & buildings.

It is the only Capital city in the world with a National Park - home to a plethora of wildlife, including the highest concentration of black Rhinos in all of Africa - within its boundaries & a melting pot for many Kenyan cultures. Dubbed the “Safari Capital of the World” cool, clear Nairobi is the natural departure point for most Safari itineraries on Kenya. A city of contrasts, it is simultaneously the largest, the youngest, the most modern, the highest (1700 metres) & the fastest growing in entire East Africa.

Morning, depart for Mt. Kenya National Park.

Check-in on arrival.

Most Lodges are situated near the water hole which attracts animals at dawn & dusk. Relax in comfort as you watch nature's spectacle.

If you have been craving for some down-to-earth diversity & a taste of the untamed, the misty northern heights of Mount Kenya are now in your reach, thanks to the newly-paved Highway from Nairobi.

Majestic Mount Kenya is the highest Mountain, standing at 5,199 metres, in Kenya & 2^nd highest on the Continent (after Mount Kilimanjaro) located mere minutes from the Equator.

An ancient extinct Volcano, that straddles across Meru & Nyeri Counties, Mt. Kenya is the domain of Kikuyu Tribe, who believe that the Mountain is the abode of their supreme God Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai & Kamba communities. In traditional Prayers & Sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga - Possessor of Brightness.

The name is derived from Kiri-Nyaga the Kikuyu name for Mt. Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness which is Ngai’s official home, a place to be treated with reverence by visitors who come here, seeking divine & spiritual nourishment. To this day, the Tribe keeps their doors open to face the sacred Mountain & some still come regularly to its lower slopes to offer Prayers.

The area is encompassed in Mount Kenya National Park, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Mountain is best seen at dawn, when the days early light silhouettes its impressive snow-capped Summit high over the surrounding plains, 1 of the only 2 snow-capped Peaks in Africa. The scenery & ecological formations surrounding this Site are breathtakingly beautiful. When the clouds part, the views are simply magnificent.

There are 12 remnant Glaciers on the Mountain, all receding rapidly under increased temperatures & taking with it crystalline Caves & snowy Crevasses & the 4 secondary Peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial Valleys.

The melting Glaciers means that climbing the mountain is easier than it has ever been but by no means does it mean the ascent is easy. There are 3 major Peaks - 5199 metres high Batian & 5188 metres high Nelion can only be reached by Mountaineers with advance technical skills. However, Point Lenana at 4985 metres, the 3^rd highest Peak, can be accessed by Trekkers, the usual goal for most ordinary mortals.

With its pristine wilderness, approximately 20 Lakes & Tarns, rugged glacier-clad Summits of great beauty, geological variety, forested middle slopes, Mineral Springs, rare & endangered Wildlife species, high altitude adapted Game, unique alpine Vegetation with 11 species of endemic Plants, the Mountain range is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa.

Wildlife includes Buffalo, Elephants, black & white Colobus & Sykes Monkeys, rock & tree Hyrax, white tailed Mongoose, Suni, black fronted Duiker, Mole Rat, Bushbucks, Waterbuck & Elands. Animals less seen include Leopard, Bongo, giant forest Hog, Suni Antelope, Mt. Kenya Mole Rat, Skinks (lizards), Montane Viper & a variety of Owls. Above 3,500 metres is moorland, with little game other than high altitude Zebra & Eland common in the northern Moorland. Over 130 Bird species have been recorded.

Part of the Mountain’s fascination is the variation in Flora, including Giant Groundsel & Lobelia. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montane forest at 2,000 metres, is mainly Cedar & Podo. At 2,500 metres begins a dense belt of Bamboo Forest, which merges into the upper Forest of smaller Trees covered with high altitude lichen, interposed with Glades.

Visitors can enjoy Game viewing, Mountain Climbing & Camping, Picnic, Bird watching, Scenery & Nature & Photography.

Afternoon at 3.30 pm, embark on a 3 hour Game Drive, accompanied by a Naturalist / Ranger.

Game Drives, timed for when animals are most active which is early mornings & late afternoons, is an excursion by a variety of customised vehicles (could be an 'open' sided 4 Wheel Drive Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep or non 4x4 Tour Vans – all with maximum 8 seats) into the Park to explore & see a variety of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Drive around in search of wildlife scattered through the dense forests around the base of Mount Kenya. Your driver will respect the sanctity of the Park & its animals. Keep your distance when observing any living creature, don't interfere with Predators engaged in the hunt & don't stalk or pursue any wildlife in an undignified, off-putting manner.

Return to the Lodge by 06.30 pm. Freshen up & enjoy a sumptuous Dinner With a range of African specialties, barbeque & international cuisine.

Balance of the evening is free to relax.

After Dinner, take a seat overlooking the Waterhole & Saltlick (if available at your Camp / Lodge) to watch the procession of animals come to drink. 

Early morning, Check-out & depart for Samburu National Reserve.

Enjoy the scenic commute as you drive down the cool slopes of Mt. Kenya, across the plain of Laikipia, passing through quaint Villages, to your Jungle Lodge in the sandy desert region of Samburu. 

Arrive by afternoon. Check-in at the Lodge & relax.

All accommodation & central areas have views of the river & the nearby Waterhole, where large herds of Elephants & other wildlife come to drink. You can enjoy unobstructed views of Game along the river banks.

Off the beaten Safari track & most popular in northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve, part of 3 National Reserves grouped together - Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba - covering an area of about 300 km² is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River which slices through the otherwise bone-dry country.

Although it is not far from the Mt Kenya foothills, the geography here is vastly different, with desert scrub & savannah plains.  Samburu is distinctive for its plains & the dominant feature here is, the River acting as a magnet for Herds of thirsty animals. Photographers love this Park providing high quality game viewing & for its stark lighting & contrasts.

In the arid north of Kenya, water means life. The tree-lined River is permanent & attracts a lot of Game. You are almost guaranteed to see large numbers of Elephants (minimum of 900 as per last census) that have grown particularly accustomed to the presence of humans. They are especially active in & around the muddy waters of the River, where they are regularly spotted bathing & drinking in the morning & you are likely to encounter them along the roads as you explore the Reserve. Unfortunately, the Rhinos have long been wiped out by Poachers. Above all, though, Samburu is known as Elephant Country.

As a Wildlife Preserve, it doesn't disappoint - sightings of the Big Five (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo & Rhino) are prodigious & you have a remote chance of seeing packs of Wild Dog & the critically endangered pancake Tortoise, a rare species besides the endangered Grevy's Zebra characterized by its big round ears & designer pinstripe coat. Cheetah sightings are particularly good, too & do look out for those fabulously unwieldy-looking Kori Bustards (one of the largest flying birds on Earth).

There is a set of animals called the “Samburu Special 5” by the Tribes. They include the Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk & Somali Ostrich.

The River draws wildlife in great numbers, attracting Buffalo, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Warthogs & you may spot a few Crocodiles sunning on the banks. You can also see a variety of stunning Birdlife with over 450 species recorded. Birds of the arid northern bush country are augmented by a number of riverine forest species. Lesser Kestrel & Taita Falcon here, are species of global conservation concern.   5 species categorized as vulnerable have recorded in the Reserve. These are African Darter, Great Egret, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle & Yellow-billed Ox-pecker.

Another species unique to the Samburu region is the Gerenuk (Samburu 5). With luck, you will see some while on your Game Drive. It is amazing to watch them stand on their hind legs to eat! The Gerenuk also known as the Waller's Gazelle, is a long-necked species of antelope found in dry bushy shrub & steppe in East Africa. The word Gerenuk comes from the Somali language, meaning “giraffe-necked”, & leads to another common name, the Giraffe-necked Antelope.

One of the most extraordinary & endearing wildlife events ever witnessed on camera occurred in Samburu National Reserve. A Lioness named Kamunyak adopted an orphaned baby Oryx & nurtured it for several days while a BBC Film Crew observed & astounded locals & tourists watched in fascination.

While the Oryx suffered increasing malnutrition as it was unable to suckle, the Lioness also started to waste away as she traded hunting for instinct-driven mothering. Although the tale could not have ended any other way, the Oryx was finally killed & eaten by other Lions & if the film footage is anything to go on, the loss of her adopted baby broke the Lioness's heart. The event proved so strange, surreal & suggestive of the inexplicable wonders of the animal kingdom that Kamunyak was dubbed "the miracle Lioness" by the Samburu Tribe & thousands believe her action to have truly been an act of God.

Samburu region is also home to Samburu Herdsmen, who can be seen driving their Herds through the dust, dressed in striking red blankets & carrying spears. Cattle, as well as Goats, Sheep & Camels, play a vital role in their way of life & culture. The Samburu are highly dependent on their livestock for survival & their diet comprises mostly of milk & occasionally blood from their cows. Traditionally, Samburu men look after their cattle & they are also responsible for the overall safety of the Tribe.

The Samburu people are some of the friendliest in Kenya. Originally a nomadic Tribe still embraces their nomadic culture & even today, every few weeks, the Tribe will change location to find fresh grazing grounds. Huts are constructed using hide, mud & grass mats strung over poles. A fence is built around the mud huts for protection from wild animals. The Samburu Settlements are called Manyattas. They usually dwell in groups of 5 - 10 families.

The Samburu are closely related to Maasai people who also live in East Africa, but parted ways with them back in the 15^th century, before settling in the Samburu Reserve, where they still reside today. To this day, both the Samburu Tribe & the Maasai speak very similar languages, both derived from Maa.

Many of the cultural practices of the Samburu are still embraced today, but have been influenced by the changes in society. The ‘educated’ or smarter ones jointly run some of the best eco-friendly Game Lodges. The heritage & culture of the Samburu community, along with the more than 44 other ethnic communities in Kenya, continues to fascinate & inspire. The National Museum of Kenya invites everyone to celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of all communities which makes up this great nation.

You will about their love of nature & their deep respect for Elephants, especially. These beautiful mammals have influenced Samburu tribal culture since the dawn of time.

Afternoon at 3.30 pm, embark on a 3 hour Game Drive, accompanied by a Naturalist / Ranger.

Game Drives, timed for when animals are most active which is early mornings & late afternoons, is an excursion by a variety of customised vehicles (could be an 'open' sided 4 Wheel Drive Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep or non 4x4 Tour Vans – all with maximum 8 seats) into the Park to explore & see a variety of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Drive around in search of wildlife scattered through the dense forests around the base of Mount Kenya. Your driver will respect the sanctity of the Park & its animals. Keep your distance when observing any living creature, don't interfere with Predators engaged in the hunt & don't stalk or pursue any wildlife in an undignified, off-putting manner.

Return to the Lodge by 06.30 pm. Freshen up & enjoy a sumptuous Dinner With a range of African specialties, barbeque & international cuisine.

Balance of the evening is free to relax.

After Dinner, take a seat overlooking the Waterhole & Saltlick (if available at your Camp / Lodge) to watch the procession of animals come to drink. 

Very early in the morning, Check-out & depart for Naivasha, leaving the desert landscape & driving through the beautiful, picturesque Rift Valley.

Arrive by evening & Check-in at the Lodge.

Balance of the day free to relax or Optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Naivasha is a small market town in the Rift Valley, located on the shore of Lake Naivasha, along the Nairobi - Nakuru Highway & Uganda Railway.

Its proximity to Nairobi means that Naivasha has long been a popular getaway destination, whether for weekend jaunts or long-term colonial-era soirees. Naivasha's most tantalizing associations are probably with its sordid social goings-on - the area around salubrious Lake Naivasha was once a playground for the rich & famous who lived out a debauched & scandalous existence based in their Ranches & lakeshore Mansions.

The region remains renowned for its huge private Ranches, some of them still functioning Farms - with names such as Delamere, still turning a profit from their dairy products while some others are now converted to high-end Guesthouses.

The area around the town was one of the first to be settled by ‘white’ people & one of the hunting grounds of the hedonistic “Happy Valley'” set, as they were notoriously known.  Their antics were sufficiently attention-grabbing to inspire a blushing page-turner of White Mischief, a racy novel about a 1940s criminal investigation, during which Sir Henry "Jock" Delves Broughton was tried for the murder of the Earl of Erroll, exposing all kinds of social shenanigans in the process. The book went on to become a mildly erotic late '80s movie starring Greta Scacchi, Charles Dance & a young, innocent Hugh Grant.

Between 1937 & 1950, this tranquil Lake was also, Kenya's busiest "Airport" & served as a touch-down point for flying Boats from the U.K. & South Africa for passengers destined for Nairobi. The Aircraft would land on the Lake & travellers would board a bus.

Today, Naivasha stands out as the center of Kenya's massive Flower farming, which has deflated the visual appeal of the area considerably.

Rather than spotting herds of Game around the Lake's shores, you are likely to blanch at the rather unromantic evidence of the sizeable Flower industry that flourishes here. With millions of Blooms finding their way from here to European Markets every day. On a local level, the Flower Farms are a lucrative source of jobs for laborers, meaning that this is a pretty populous area, with many workers filling the Compounds you will pass, as you drive around the Lake.

Naivasha's horticultural output means big business but the downside is that the area is inundated with ugly Hothouses & appalling concrete Living Quarters hastily erected for the large migrant Labor force that has arrived to serve the industry.

Something of an oddity in a land of soda Lakes & Hot Springs, Lake Naivasha boasts clean, fresh water & because of the surrounding fertile soil, the area has become a major production area for Fruit, Vegetables & more recently, Vineyards.

This however, does not bode well for the Wildlife - there are fewer & fewer wild-roaming species to be seen around the Lake, with most Game Viewing happening within protected private Sanctuaries.

Today, the lovely small town of Naivasha, with its cool climate, has become a peaceful haven for Nairobi residents & tourists. The high-altitude, freshwater Lake with its sterling blue waters, fringed by thick Papyrus, is almost 13 km across & its shallow waters are thick with Hippos lazily watching proceedings from the cooling water. In the veil of darkness, Hippos will leave the water to graze on the shores. In the early evening hours, you can listen to their grazing & observe these impressive animals from a safe distance.

Lake Naivasha attracts a variety of animals including Buffalo, Antelope, Giraffe, Warthog & Monkey. And, more than 400 species of Birds have been recorded here. Many can be spotted along the shoreline - from Pelicans & Fish Eagles to Weavers & Warblers. Night time is a very special. You will notice how the sounds of the day fade & are replaced by the songs of the night Birds, snapping of branches & with a little bit of luck the roar of a Lion in the distance.

If you want to see Hippos up close in the water, you can embark on a Lake Naivasha Boat Ride Safari (not included - direct payment). During the leisurely 90 minute ride, you will see dozens of Hippos, with Cormorant & Pelicans on their backs, wallowing in the water. You can also watch Giraffe, Zebra & Antelope as they graze nearby on the shore.

Nearby, Hell’s Gate National Park is well worth a visit, to see its spectacular Canyons, Hot Springs & Wildlife. “Born Free” author Joy Adamson used to live here & her House can be seen by tourists. In Hells Gate’s dry savannah, you can spot Buffaloes, Zebras, Eland Antelopes, Thompson Gazelles, Baboons & more than 100 different species of Birds.

The spectacular Gorge that rips through Park, is one of the most interesting places in the country to explore on foot & views, from the volcanic rim of adjacent Mount Longonot rising from the floor of the beautiful Rift Valley like a monolith, are unbeatable. Visitors can hike through & take a dip in the Hot Springs, dusting off after the hike. A unique feature is the thick Forest that lies within the Crater of the extinct volcano mountain. Wildlife at Mount Longonot include Buffaloes, Elands, Lion, Leopard, Bushbucks, Zebra, Giraffe & Grant’s Gazelles.

Morning, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park.

Check-in on arrival.

Balance of the day free to relax or Optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements

Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, scenic Lake Nakuru National Park encompassing an area of 188 sq km, is Kenya’s most popular National Park. Nakuru (the name is a Maasai term for Swallowing Wind, referring to a dust storm, or Dusty Place) was the first Park in Africa dedicated to the preservation of Bird life. Wildlife comes second, though is equally abundant.

Just north of the Park is Nakuru town, which today has the 4^th biggest urban population in Kenya. Looking at the Park from a higher vantage point, it is startling to see how close human settlements have encroached upon Lake Nakuru & consequently, the Authorities have installed a 74 km electric fence around the Park, making this the only completely fenced National Park in the country. Easy to reach, the entrance is very close to the city.

The Lake's proximity to such a dense human population has some serious drawbacks & pollution from the town has taken its toll on the water. The Park has experienced dramatically fluctuating water levels in recent years & this can affect everything from Flamingo populations to Trail access. Because of the fence around Nakuru, there are no Elephants here but the other Big Five species are regularly spotted.

Nakuru is a large, shallow alkaline Lake, which is what draws Birds & wildlife to its shores. The Lake is renowned for the tens of thousands of pink Flamingos - an estimated 1 million of them covering the Lake's fringes - that has long attracted visitors & compelled Photographers to capture the velvety pink carpet that ebbs & shifts over the water. The Flamingo population has earned the Lake & National Park the moniker “the greatest bird spectacle on earth”.  And when they take to the skies, it is an amazing sight. The best place to view the view Flamingos is from Baboon Cliff with a Lookout Point overlooking the entire Lake - seen from up here, Nakuru looks like a well-formed upside-down map of Africa.

The Birds are here because the soda Lake is a potent breeding ground for Spirulina, the blue-green algae, upon which the Flamingoes feed at the rate of around 551,155 pounds (250,000 kg) of algae per acre a year. When conditions are good, an acre of Lake produces as much as 8 tons of the algae in a year.

It is a spectacular place for Ornithologists. In addition to the Flamingoes, the Lake draws more than 450 other bird species - Egyptian Geese, Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Goliath Herons, Egrets, Grebes, Secretary Birds, Verreaux’s Eagle.

Birdwatchers can also see around half a million great white Pelicans that flock around the lake's shore, to dine on the alkaline-resistant Fish that were introduced here to feed on mosquito larvae in the 1950s.

Most curious of the Birds here are the grisly looking Marabou Storks - often referred to as the "undertakers" of the wild - which feed on the intestines of freshly dead Flamingoes, often competing with the scavenging Hyenas that skulk around the shoreline.

For a small Park, Lake Nakuru really is breathtaking, with the Rift Valley escarpment, dotted with Euphorbia trees, rising up from the lakeshore. Heavy mist sometimes shrouds the Lake & yellow fever Trees, which seem to glow in the early morning. The view from the ‘Out of Africa Lookout’ is as close as you can get to the famous plane journey scene from the film ‘Out of Africa’. The serene landscapes of the area include Grasslands, Marsh, Rocky Cliffs & Sedge. Yellow-barked Acacia trees add to the traditional African wilderness experience.

Wildlife is bountiful with a populous predator presence to reflect the abundance of prey. It is a fantastic place to see Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hippo, Hyenas. The Waterbuck also, is more common than in other Parks. Vervet Monkey & Olive Baboon are easily seen but the beautiful black & white Colobus Monkey is rarer than it used to be. Zebra, Eland & Thomson’s Gazelle are common on the floodplains.

If you are exceptionally lucky, you may even see one of the legendary tree-climbing Lions (apparently, they prefer the acacias). Large Pythons might be seen, as well. Nakuru is also the best place in Kenya to see Mountain Reedbuck with their long, soft, woolly coats, living on rocky slopes, stone ridges & escarpments.

Since 1987, the Park has been designated as a Sanctuary for Rhinoceros. Black & White Rhinos were re-introduced in the 1980s. Nakuru has become one of the most successful Rhino Conservation & Breeding Projects in East Africa that now houses healthy populations of both. Currently there are 150 Rhinos, 80% being white & 20% black.

Nowhere else are you guaranteed to get a photo of a Rhino against a backdrop of thousands of pink Flamingoes sifting food from a shimmering Lake. Whites are easier to see & different groups can be encountered throughout the day, especially around the causeway at the western end of the Lake.

The Sanctuary in Lake Nakuru National Park was established as an initiative by the Kenyan Government to address the catastrophic decline in the Rhino numbers across the country to protect them from Poachers that were continuously killing the already endangered animals.

Lake Nakuru National Park was chosen because it was already a Bird Sanctuary, had the land required, presence of the Lake & vegetation suitable for both the White & Black Rhinos and last but not least, the strategy to erect Fences. A 188 km2 Fence was constructed around the Park & was specifically electrified to keep the criminals out as well as keep the Rhinos within.

At the time of official inauguration in of the Sanctuary in 1987, a private Ranch in Solio donated 17 Rhinos, that were added the 2 that were already there. When the Rhinos arrived initially, they were acclimatized in the holding Pens for some weeks & then released into the wild with the others already there. This acclimatisation helped the animals adjust well to the new Park environment as well as, blend in with the other Rhinos with less or no fights. Till today, over 100 have been added & the current numbers are around 150 +.

Rhinos are huge mammals, second to only Elephants in size & are part of Big 5 group. They are aggressive only when attacked by Predators or Poachers, otherwise, they are very calm & social. Humans are able to approach very close, accompanied by a trained Ranger, of course. Black Rhinos feed in bushy areas & White Rhinos feed in grassland areas. Both species need to be close to a water body all the times.

The Park also houses around 85 Rothschild Giraffe, inhabiting the Acacia forests extending out from the western end of the lake. They were initially relocated here from western Kenya where agriculture has impinged on their natural habitat.

Visitors with more free time, can visit the dormant, dull-looking Menengai Crater, just outside the town, to the north. Views from the top are incredible - crusts of solidified black lava spread outward against the red cliffs below you & you can gaze into the chasm of the crater pit within the volcanic cone itself.

Alas, like all good things, your short glimpse of this enchanting country comes to an end & it is time to say au revoir.

Early morning, Check-out & depart for Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi. *No accommodation has been envisaged.

Balance of the day free to relax or optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

You can opt for a Room if your flight timings mandate (with a supplement cost). You would be transferred to the Hotel & subsequently, in time, we will transfer you to the Airport.

If Room is not required, you would be transferred straight to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey.

 “The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands”- Sir Richard F Burton

Kenya is where the concept of an African Safari began - the magic of the open, the land of the Masai Mara, of Wildebeest & Zebras migrating in their millions with the great predators following in their wake, of endangered species like black Rhinos managing to maintain their precarious foothold. Home to the red Elephants of Tsavo to the massed millions of pink Flamingos stepping daintily through lake shallows. Africa is the last great wilderness where these creatures survive & Kenya is the perfect place to answer Africa’s call of the wild. Game-packed savannahs still reverberates throughout this fascinating country.

With so much more to explore in Kenya & beyond, just a glimpse is certainly not enough do justice to the country. So, you see, you have much more to discover if you come ‘again’ & we will of course, look forward to be able to facilitate that.

Bon Voyage & enjoy the flight. B

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