Wild Horizons: Nairobi, Laikipia & Masai Mara

Nairobi

For your added comfort, an English-speaking airport representative will meet you at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. This representative will walk you through your welcome package documents and itinerary, and they will answer any questions you may have. They will be holding a page board with your name as you exit the arrivals hall.. Upon landing in Nairobi, meet your airport assistant inside the terminal and proceed directly through immigration, baggage collection, and customs, bypassing the queues while all formalities are handled on your behalf.. A private transfer between your hotel and the airport in Nairobi is provided.. A Flying Doctors emergency evacuation insurance policy is included for all guests, covering the cost of an evacuation flight to Nairobi for treatment in the event of serious illness or injury. Medical treatment costs are not covered. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for full coverage.

Accommodation: Karen Gables (B) (Standard Room), Nairobi

Nairobi

Meet your safari guide this morning and set out on a game drive in Nairobi National Park. Kenya's oldest national park located just outside the city center is home to healthy populations of White and Black Rhino, Giraffe, Cheetah, Lion and Buffalo. During the morning hours, many animals are just beginning their daily activities and this provides for outstanding viewing and photography opportunities.. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a world renowned rescue and rehabilitation initiative primarily focused on the well-being of elephants and rhino’s. Since 1977, the Orphan’s Project has assisted in the recovery and reintegration of more than 150 elephants, returning them to the wild herds of Tsavo. Today, stop in for a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, found at the Nairobi Game Park Headquarters. Arriving in time to participate the morning feeding, which takes place between 11am and 12pm, you will have the chance to meet the elephants as well as other endangered animals like the black rhino. This shared visit does not require the fostering of an elephant, however, if you are interested in contributing to the orphanages efforts, please visit https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp to learn more.. Make the trip to the Giraffe Center to learn about the world’s tallest terrestrial animal and to see these wonderful creatures up close and, if you so choose, to feed them by hand! After the Giraffe Center, visit the Karen Blixen Museum – a home once lived in by Karen – and made famous in the film “Out of Africa” featuring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford (consider watching the movie before setting out on your trip). After exploring this landmark, head to Kazuri Beads. An all-woman craft workshop renowned for making handmade ceramic jewelry and pottery, Kazuri – which means “small and beautiful” in Swahili – is a co-operative enterprise founded decades ago by an English woman who wanted to help single mothers become self-supporting. The clay beads, jewelry and pottery are as amazing as the story of its people, making Kazuri Beads the perfect place to round out your day in Nairobi.. There are numerous dining options during your stay in Nairobi, ranging from garden cafés to fine-dining establishments. Your Destination Expert can assist with making reservations. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, requirements, or specific food requests. Karen Blixen Coffee & Gardens – Set within lush gardens near the Karen Blixen Museum, this charming restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance and a menu featuring fresh local ingredients with a global twist. Perfect for lunch or a leisurely afternoon coffee in the shade of acacia trees. Carnivore – One of Nairobi’s most famous dining experiences and a long-standing favorite. Known as the ultimate “Beast of a Feast,” Carnivore offers an all-you-can-eat selection of meats roasted over charcoal and carved tableside. Enjoy everything from traditional cuts to more adventurous options, along with hearty side dishes and sauces. Cultiva – A modern, farm-to-table restaurant with a vibrant atmosphere and an ever-changing menu that highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Expect bold flavors, creative plating, and a stylish yet laid-back setting. Tamarind – One of Kenya’s most renowned seafood restaurants, Tamarind Nairobi offers an elegant dining experience with exceptional service. Enjoy freshly caught seafood, prime meats, and Swahili-inspired flavors in a refined atmosphere. House of Waine – For a tranquil dining experience, enjoy a meal or afternoon tea at House of Waine, an elegant boutique hotel surrounded by manicured gardens. Guests can also book a lunch or dinner package that includes a welcome drink, a selection of teas or coffees, and access to the pool and garden area. Tin Roof Café – A relaxed garden café known for its wholesome, freshly made salads, wraps, sandwiches, and smoothies. With a focus on healthy, organic ingredients, it’s a local favorite for casual lunches and coffee breaks. The Talisman – A beloved Karen institution combining fine dining with a laid-back, artistic vibe. Once the home of wildlife photographer Alan Root, it now offers a menu of international fusion cuisine prepared with locally sourced, organic ingredients. The lush gardens and cozy interiors make it ideal for both lunch and dinner.. Nairobi National Park is a remarkable wildlife reserve located just 4 miles (7 km) south of Nairobi’s city center, making it one of the only national parks in the world set against a capital city skyline. Covering approximately 117 square kilometers, it features open grass plains, acacia bush, and seasonal rivers that support a wide range of wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and one of Kenya’s most successful populations of black rhinos.

Accommodation: Karen Gables (B) (Standard Room), Nairobi

Nairobi, Laikipia

A private transfer between your hotel and the airport in Nairobi is provided.. Board a flight in Nairobi with direct service to Loisaba. Approximate flight duration is 55 minutes. Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.. A shared transfer between the lodge and the airstrip is provided for your onward flight.. Head out to view the wildlife of Loisaba on an action-packed game drive. Whether you set out early in the morning or late afternoon, an informative guide will take you in an open vehicle across the plains, through the bush, or along the river bank viewing the wide variety of game, birds, plants and trees. Loisaba is a true Big 5 destination with access to the Mugie Rhino sanctuary, where sightings of leopards, lions, and wild dogs are quite common. Fishing can also be arranged in the river and dams year round. Equipment, both modern and traditional, can be supplied together with drinks and a picnic.

Accommodation: Loisaba Lodo Springs (AI) (Tented Room (Package)), Nairobi

Laikipia

As the sun begins to rise over the conservancy you will head out for another eventful day on safari with your guide. Loisaba sits on a vital Elephant Corridor connecting the famous Laikipia Plateau and plays a key role in supporting one of Kenya's largest and most stable lion populations. Watch carefully for signs and indications of wildlife as you search for lion, elephants and more this morning. After a successful drive you will return to camp to recharge before your next safari in the late afternoon. Loisaba offers a variety of experiences in addition to game drives which can be arranged during your stay.

Accommodation: Loisaba Lodo Springs (AI) (Tented Room (Package)), Laikipia

Laikipia

Loisaba is immense: bigger than ten of the world's fully-fledged nations. One could spend months exploring this land and never encounter the same view twice. In all likelihood, you will not bump into anyone else while exploring the regions extraordinary natural wonders – spectacular mammals, a kaleidoscopic variety of birds, both endemic and migratory. In other words, Loisaba is ideal for intrepid adventurers. Enjoy complete freedom and choose how you spend your time; trek through the bush, mountain bike down the escarpment, horseback-ride or drive through the wild canyons of the two great rivers that span the vast property. At Loisaba Conservancy, the choice is yours.. Poised on a rocky kopje, the Loisaba Star Beds command sweeping views over a rolling valley and a permanent waterhole, frequented by resident wildlife. Handcrafted four-post wooden beds sit on raised wooden platforms jutting out from a thatched-roof accommodation and are rolled out each night for guests to enjoy the most memorable sleep under the endless African sky. Rustically designed to complement the surrounding environment, each star bed is individually built in harmony with the natural rocky features, incorporating a sitting area, and open plan bathroom with a view. Sip on refreshing drinks by the log fire in the Star Beds lounge, sharing tales of the African bush and enjoy a delicious shared dinner before retiring for the night. A truly authentic, intimate and unforgettable experience, a night spent under the stars at Loisaba Star Beds is highly recommended.

Accommodation: Loisaba Star Beds (AI) (Double Room (Package)), Laikipia

Laikipia, Masai Mara

A shared transfer between the lodge and the airstrip is provided for your onward flight.. Enjoy a short flight from Laikipia with service to the Masai Mara, Kenya. Approximate flight duration is 45 minutes. Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.. A shared transfer between the lodge and the airstrip is provided for your onward flight.. Your expert guide will meet you at your lodge for an afternoon game viewing drive in and around the Masai Mara, today focusing on lions. Typically found in the savanna and grasslands, lions live on average between 10 and 14 years, and are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females, their offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, while the highly distinctive male lion is easily recognized by its mane and large face; one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture.

Accommodation: Kicheche Valley Camp (AI) (Tent (Package)), Laikipia

Masai Mara

Today you will set out on an early morning game drive with your expert guide. The Masai Mara is home to a diverse range of animals. The park is home to the Big Five (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard) and numerous other species including Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impalas, Topics, Hartebeest, Zebra and Masai Giraffe. It's also home to over 450 species of birdlife; among them are vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles and African pygmy-falcons.. Head out in the afternoon on a game drive across the beautiful Masai Mara. As the sun descends and the plains begin to cool, wildlife emerges from the shelter of shade and becomes more active. See if you can spot a herd of elephants as they approach watering holes and rivers to cool down with a drink and mud bath. The largest living land animal on Earth, elephants live – on average – between 50 to 70 years. African elephants are the largest of their species, and with any luck, will be seen firsthand during your exploration of the Masai Mara.

Accommodation: Kicheche Valley Camp (AI) (Tent (Package)), Masai Mara

Masai Mara

Early this morning head out on a rewarding game drive. Today, see if you can spot the elusive leopard. The smallest of the four "big cats," the leopard was once found across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its range has decreased radically because of hunting and loss of habitat. It is now chiefly found in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared to other members of the Felidae family, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more slightly built. The species success in the wild is in part due to its opportunistic hunting behavior, its adaptability to various habitats, its ability to run at speeds approaching 36 miles per hour, its unequaled ability to climb trees even when carrying a heavy carcass, and its notorious ability for stealth. Ever elusive, these animals are one of the prized sightings within the Masai Mara.. This afternoon, head out on an exciting game drive with your guide, keeping your eyes peeled for giraffes. Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. They prefer areas with plenty of acacia trees, an important food source, and can browse at heights that most other herbivores cannot reach. While adults are nearly invulnerable to predation, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs prey on baby calves. Giraffes commonly gather together to eat or socialize for a few hours and then roam off to graze separately. Males establish social hierarchies through "neckings," which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Based on these displays, dominant males gain mating rights to females, who then bear the sole responsibility for raising their young.

Accommodation: Kicheche Valley Camp (AI) (Tent (Package)), Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Nairobi

A shared transfer between the lodge and the airstrip is provided for your onward flight.. This short domestic flight departs from Masai Mara and arrives at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Approximate flight duration is 45 minutes. Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.. Meet your driver for a private transfer between Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.