DAY 1 Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya

Today, land in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, your gateway to the country’s wildlife parks. Meet your Peony Tours representative at the airport and enjoy a convenient transfer to your hotel. Relax and enjoy a good night’s rest to prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences ahead.

DAY 2 Nairobi - Aberdare National Park

After breakfast this morning, leave the bustling city of Nairobi and soak in the views over Kenya’s stunning scenery and villages on your way to Aberdare National Park. Around 10% of all land in Kenya, including its mountains, savannah and forests are designated as national parks and game reserves, and your visit to Aberdare takes you right into the heart of some of Kenya’s most wildlife-rich countryside. Arrive in time for lunch at the famous Aberdare Country Club and then transfer to the Treetop Hotel and your accommodation in The Ark Tree Lodge. This charming lodge overlooks one of the largest salt-licks and waterholes in the Aberdare Mountains, so spend the rest of the day watching the awesome wildlife that come to drink here. Modeled after Noah's Ark, the Ark has viewing decks with balconies and lounges that give you a great vantage point for your game viewing. (Kindly note only an overnight bag is allowed at Ark. Rest of the luggage will be locked up at the Aberdare Country Club at no extra cost.)

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 Aberdare - Samburu National Reserve - Shaba

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to The Aberdare Country Club, where you will reconnect with your driver guide. Then, drive north and cross into Kenya’s remote Northern Frontier Province to Shaba National Reserve bordering the famous Samburu National Park. Once here, enjoy the first of a series of thrilling game drives through the thornbush savannah and dusty plains, which provided the iconic settings for the award-winning, beloved movie, “Born Free.” After lunch at the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, take to the wild with your guide and drive through the 130-kilometer square Shaba much as the Adamsons of Born Free did in the mid-20th century. As you rumble along the rugged tracks, keep a keen watch for the Shaba’s wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, zebra and the reticulated giraffe. 

Game Drive: Afternoon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 Safari in Shaba

Today, your safari experience really picks up steam, with two exciting game drives packed into your day: in the early morning and afternoon. On both two, trundle into the volcanic sandy landscapes of Shaba in search of its herds of exotic wildlife, including elephant, cheetah, giraffe, lions and the rare Beisa oryx. Stake out the reserve’s oasis-like water springs and watch as the animals jostle for space by the water’s edge, and watch for the Shaba’s incredibly diverse and rich birdlife, which includes large flocks of guinea fowl, storks, doves, and sandgrouse. 

Game Drives: Early Morning, Afternoon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 Shaba - Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, leave Shaba and drive to the ancient Great Rift Valley, home to magnificent Lake Nakuru. Surrounded by forest and bushy grassland, this immense and protected expanse of water is home to one of the most remarkable wild bird communities in all of Africa. Here, over a million pink flamingos flock to feed on the lake’s algae, creating an extraordinary spectacle for visitors. Watch, too, for the lake’s other avian attractions, including pelicans, cormorants, and grebes, which can often be spotted near or amid the constantly moving mass of pink created by the hordes of flamingos. This afternoon, take an exhilarating game drive into the rich ecosystem around the lake in search of the area’s 56 recorded species, including rhinoceros and buffalo. 

Game Drive: Afternoon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 Lake Nakuru - Maasai Mara

Today brings the highpoint of your Kenyan adventure, your visit to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya. Extending for 1,800 square kilometers, this legendary reserve is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and consists of vast, well-watered plains that support one of the world’s largest populations of animal groups. Among the many marvels here are a huge number of predators, such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena, the annual great migration, when thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River into the lush Serengeti, and the distinctive Maasai peoples, who live and graze their stock on the edges of the reserve. Savor lunch at the Sarova Mara Game Camp, before taking an unforgettable game drive into the fabled Mara.

Game Drive: Afternoon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 Safari in Maasai Mara

Enjoy the entire day to explore the Maasai Mara, Africa’s richest wildlife viewing area. Head out on three game drives to seek out the reserve’s captivating “Big Five” of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, with the chance to see them, including elephants in some of Africa’s largest herds. 

Game Drives: Early Morning, Afternoon

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 Maasai Mara - Nairobi

Bid a fond farewell to the Maasai Mara and travel back to Nairobi, absorbing the beautiful views over Kenya’s landscapes and the sights of Maasai villages and shantytowns as you travel. On arrival, spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps unwind at your hotel reflecting on the sights and sounds of your safari adventures, or head into the city, one of the largest of Africa’s capitals, to explore independently or shop for souvenirs. 

 

Included: Breakfast

DAY 9 Nairobi -Transfer to Airport

Your exhilarating safari experience comes to an end today, although your memories will no doubt last forever. After breakfast this morning, transfer to Nairobi airport for your homebound flight.

Included: Breakfast