Overview
- 9 days air safari for wildlife enthusiasts, where you get to carry loads of photos and memories of what Northern Kenyan circuit has for you. From Nairobi, the only city in the world with a national park in the suburbs to the remote, wild and unspoilt, Meru National Park which covers 870km2 between Mount Kenya and the Nyambeni Mountains 10 kms north of the equator.
- Flight to Samburu National Reserve in Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, just outside this reserve sits the spectacular tented camp offering ultimate safari in Samburu – Sasaab luxury tented camp. On to the Lewa conservancy home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and Sitatungas. Returning to the place of ‘cool waters’ Nairobi, for a few hours before you flight back home.
Trip Highlights
- Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park.
- Meru National Park Guests staying at Elsa’s Kopje can enjoy inimitable seclusion in the vast expanse of Elsa’s Kopje, boasting 870km².
- Stay at the Winner of the Good Safari Guide’s ‘Best Safari Property in Africa’ award, Elsa’s Kopje is widely renowned as one of the most elegant lodges in Africa.
- A helicopter pad is a 1-minute drive from the lodge.
- Samburu- Westgate Conservancy home to the ‘Samburu Special Five’ (five species unique to the area): the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich. Landscape dotted with mountains, wildlife and a rich cultural heritage, a place of abundant natural diversity with a number of opportunities for adventure in the wilderness abound.
- Lewa Conservancy has one of the highest wildlife densities in Kenya including 12% of the country’s black and white rhinos, and the world’s single largest population of Grevy’s zebra. The Conservancy is home to herds of elephants and buffalo, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, more than 400 species of birds and if lucky, a pack of wild dogs.
- The special ‘Northern Five’ can also been found on Lewa – Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich – rare and unique species found only in Northern Kenya.
Itinerary
Met on arrival at JKIA- International Airport by one of our representatives, and transferred to one of our partner hotels House of Waine which is 37 min (27.2 km) from the airport or similar check-in, and have lunch, afternoon relax after long flight by the pool. This 11-bedroom luxury boutique hotel on 2.5 acres blends the elegance of gracious living with the spirit of modern Africa in an exclusive and serene setting.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on your own account. Overnight at House of Waine
After breakfast, transferred by our driver to the Wilson airport for your scheduled flight on Air Kenya to Meru National Park either Mughwango Airstrip (private airstrip) is a 5 min drive from the lodge or Kinna Airstrip a 45 min drive from the lodge (scheduled flights).
The enroute game viewing drive brings you to Elsa’s Kopje sculpted into Mughwango Hill, above the site of George Adamson’s original camp where he raised and released orphan lions, long before conservation became fashionable. Check-in and lunch with an afternoon siesta by the infinity pool perched on the side of the hill.
In open 4 x 4 Toyota land cruisers, game drives will take you through forests, past giant baobab trees, through clear spring fed streams lined with palms. Known as a lion and elephant country, with many rare species including caracal, the beautiful Lesser Kudu, aardwolf, and over 400 species of birds. Return for dinner.
Meals: lunch, dinner and overnight at Elsa’s Kopje Meru.
Morning wakeup call with tea or coffee, depart for an early morning game viewing drive. Morning is spent at leisure, with a late afternoon game viewing drive before returning to the Lodge/Camp for dinner. Optional activities some at additional charge include Day excursions to the Tana River, Rhino Sanctuary, Guided Walk, River Fishing, Bush Breakfast and Sundowners, swimming and massages.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Elsa’s Kopje Meru.
After breakfast depart on scheduled flight from Meru to Westgate Conservancy Samburu. Met on arrival by the Lodge driver and proceed on a morning game viewing drive enroute to the Lodge/Camp. After lunch, a late evening game viewing drive returning to the camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Sasaab Lodge.
Morning wakeup call with tea or coffee, depart for an early morning game viewing drive. Morning is spent at leisure, with a late afternoon game viewing drive before returning to the Lodge/Camp for dinner and overnight. Optional activities available in detailed itinerary.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Sasaab Lodge.
After breakfast, transferred for your scheduled flight which is about a 10mins drive from the lodge to the private airstrip for flight to Lewa conservancy on a charter flight, arriving at the Lewa airstrip just 20 mins to the Sirikoi Lodge. The Lewa airstrip also allows private or chartered planes to land and deliver guests.
Met on arrival by the lodge/camp driver guide and transferred to the Sirikoi lodge or similar for lunch. Sirikoi Lodge is surrounded by 68,000 acres of the pure wilderness of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and the location of the lodge is truly exceptional. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a very low-risk malaria area with an altitude of 5,500ft and enjoys a lovely and mild spring-like climate all year round, with two rainy seasons in April/May and November.
Lewa serves as a safe refuge for the critically endangered black rhino and the endangered Grevy’s zebra, as well as the elephant, lion, giraffe, wild dog and other iconic wildlife species in Kenya. Afternoon siesta, before a late afternoon game drive in a 4x4 wheel, with the opportunity to see more than 400 species of birds know to have the conservancy as home, returning for dinner.
Meals: lunch, dinner. Overnight at Sirikoi Lodge.
Full day spent in the conservancy with morning, evening and night game drives in your own exclusive and open safari vehicles with their guide, with a ranger on a bush walk, from one of the Lewa hides watch the wildlife pass by, relax in a leather chair on the Sirikoi deck overlooking the busy waterhole and wildlife on the lawns.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Sirikoi Lodge.
Some of the additional activities which may incur extra charges include horse riding across the Lewa plains, walking the canopy bridge, diving into the blue glacial pools in the Ngare Ndare Forest, helicopter excursions up Mount Kenya fly-fishing, or up North to explore the lakes of flamingoes, desert and rocky outcrops.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Sirikoi Lodge.
Morning game drive in the conservancy, return for breakfast and depart to the airstrip for your charter flight back to Wilson Nairobi, you will be met by one of our representatives, for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi, before your final transfer to the international airport for your onward flight, subject to your departure time, a day room will be available at one of our partner airport hotels.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch at Carnivore restaurant. Day room at Four Points by Sheraton Airport.
Accommodations
- Nairobi: Emara Ole Sereni, Sankara Nairobi, Karen Gables, Tamarind Tree Hotel, Ololo Safari Lodge & farm, The Emakoko Boutique Safari Lodge, Crowne Plaza Airport or Hemingways Nairobi.
- Meru National Park: Elsa’s Kopje, Rhino River Camp
- Westgate conservancy: Sasaab lodge, Saruni Samburu (Kalama conservancy an hour 6 mins), Saruni Rhino (Sera Conservancy one and half hour drive)
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Kifaru House, Lewa Safari Camp, Lewa Wilderness, Lewa House, Sirikoi Lodge.
Activities
- House of Waine: Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Centre, House of Waine of Treasures, Mat Bronze, Utamaduni Craft Shop, Birds Paradise.
- Elsa’s Kopje: game viewing drives in 4×4 specially fitted Toyota land cruisers, day excursions to the Tana River, visit the Rhino Sanctuary, guided walks climbing the Mughwango Hills, River fishing, swimming pool, bush breakfast and sundowner, massages, cultural visits.
- Sasaab Lodge: Game viewing, picnic breakfasts, picnic lunch, sundowner, scenic helicopter rides, camel rides, fly camping, quad biking with guide, guided walking safari, swimming pool, children’s activities, Spasaab, bush gym, cultural activities.
- Sirikoi Lodge: Morning, afternoon and evening game viewing drive in own exclusive and open safari vehicles with their own guide, Guided bush walks with an armed ranger, relax at the Lewa hides watching wildlife pass by, relax on a leather chair on the Sirikoi deck overlooking the busy waterhole, and wildlife on the lawns.
- Activities available at extra cost include horse riding, walking the canopy bridge, dive into the blue glacial pools in the Ngare Ndare Forest, Helicopter excursions, fly fishing explore the lakes of flamingoes, desert and rock outcrops.
Trip Inclusions / Exclusions
Trip Includes
- Services of meet and greet by our representatives from the International Airport, Wilson and by our lodge & camp partners as per itinerary.
- Transfers on arrival and departure in Nairobi as per above itinerary.
- Transportation in exclusive and open safari vehicles with their guide at Sirikoi lodge.
- Sasaab has a fleet of specially designed open-sided safari vehicles to ensure maximum game viewing and comfort.
- Elsa's Kopje has open game drive vehicles, current fleet are new, specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser’s.
- Services of an experienced, English-speaking Driver / Guide from our partners in the Reserves, Conservancies and Parks when on air safari.
- Game drives during the day as per itinerary and as organized by the lodges/camps.
- Park entrance fees for game parks, reserves and conservancies as per itinerary.
- 1 night on bed & breakfast accommodation at House of Waine, Nairobi
- 2 nights on full board basis at Elsa’s Kopje Meru National Park
- 2 nights on full board basis at Saasab Lodge Westgate Conservancy
- 3 nights on full board basis at Sirikoi Lodge Lewa Conservancy
- Departure day, lunch at the Carnivore restaurant on last day.
- Transfer to International Airport, day room at airport hotel subject to dept flight time.
- Amref Flying Doctors cover whilst on this safari aimed at providing quality and affordable Air and Ground Ambulance evacuation services.
Trip Excludes
- International flight ticket, Travel documents, Visa
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance from your insurer back at home.
- Specific excursions and services not indicated on the ‘included’ incurs additional charge when booked.
- All personal expenses, telephone calls, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not indicated by lodge/camp as included, laundry charge may be extra in some or our partners properties.
- Tips and gratuities for staff and driver/guide at our partner properties.
- Any additional items not included on this itinerary.
- Subject to your departure flight time, a day room at an airport hotel is available at an extra charge.
FAQs
It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure.
It is recommended not to drink tap water in any location but to drink the bottled water purchased at the hotels, lodge, and camps.
Some of our partners provide kitted out with Maasai blankets and ponchos to keep you warm, sun cream, fridges filled with cold drinks, hot drinks, books and sweets whilst on safari.
Baggage allowance to all our destinations is STRICTLY limited to 15 Kgs per person.
Minimum passenger capacity 12 and maximum 52 passengers.
Most of our partners offer morning, afternoon and evening game viewing drives.
The Panaroma (open game cruiser) model has a maximum capacity of seven passengers used only in the parks.
The Premium model has a maximum capacity of eight passengers, and we use it for only six passengers.
The road safaris have unlimited game viewing drives as per the itinerary, as the lodges & camps also have other activities to capture.
One pair of binoculars, a book on birds and animals
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Fitted with retractable canvas awning and in build picnic table.
In-built fridge and charging ports.
Extra-large panorama windows and pop-up roof.
Not all Lodges and Camps have internet access as some are luxury in remote areas. When on road safari the vehicles provide complimentary Wi-Fi for our guests.
The city hotels do have Wi-Fi access in the rooms and internet cafes are close by.
Yes, you can extend your safari and we enjoy working with you to give you a memorable safari.
In case any medical service is required, an in-house doctor will attend to you.
When need arises we use the Amref Flying Doctor’s short-term cover for Air and Ground Ambulance evacuation services whilst on safari.
Family safaris are best when children are on holiday between late May – late June, and early August – early September, and the festive period 22nd December – 8th January.
Group safaris vary as per budget as the green season begins March – end of June, those who wish to see the Great Migration between July – October.
Any changes on an already confirmed booking can be considered depending on practicalities and availabilities, but there might be a cost associated with these changes.
We do not charge an amendment fee for doing so and will only pass on any extra costs involved in providing additional or alternative services which are incurred or imposed by any of our partners.
When travelling from one point to another it is advisable to have a card/debit card, and change only the cash amount you wish to use each time. For your extras,
We work with a team of all professionally trained drivers of Kenya Professional Guides Association (KPGA) levels of Bronze and Silver with proficiency in various foreign languages including German, Spanish, Japanese and French. English is a must for all driver guides.
No, you cannot feed any animal in the Parks, Reserves, Conservancies.
No, no one should walk within the park between sunset and sunrise.
Walks are only permitted on foot paths with an armed ranger present all the time.
Under the guidance of your driver, all photos and viewing are to be done in the vehicle. He will advise when to sit or stand whilst taking photos subject to the closeness of the animals being viewed.
Please see below recommended guideline which is at your discretion.
Safari driver guide per day, per vehicle $10 – $40 per person.
Restaurant waiter/waitresses per meal $1.50 – $2.00 per person
Porter per bag $ 0.50 – $1.50 per person
Uganda guidelines for tipping:
Trekking porters $10per person
Waiters/Waitress 10% of consumption
Restaurant staff $2.00 per person per meal, at your discretion.
Yes, you can but you will need to buy a local sim card, on arrival for use during your stay. Or use the lodges, camps or hotel landlines to make internationals calls, this will be billed to your room.
All diets are catered for and those on special dietary requirements are booked in advance.
Yes‚ there is a complimentary secure store at our Wilson Airport Office. please inquire from the check-in counter.
The luggage space is restricted, and we recommend one piece of soft sided bag and a small day bag comfortable to be carried on one’s lap. Luggage weight will depend on the itinerary you have booked, kindly check with us at the time of booking.
Our partners have a fleet of safari land cruisers.
We have partnered with lodges and camps who have meals in place for continental cuisine, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten-free diet. However, we request you indicate the dietary requirement at the time of booking.
We as a tour company took into consideration luxury safaris for all guests’ and have partnered with lodges, camps and hotels with the facilities required to host our physically challenged guests.
Terms of reservations and payments based on seasons:
Booking during the green season (7th January – 15th June, 1st November – 21st December) done between 42days prior to the guest’s proposed arrival date, and reservations made less than 42 days prior to the proposed date of arrival, such bookings will only be confirmed upon receipt of a 100% pre-payment.
Bookings during the migration season (16th June – 31st October) and festive season (22nd December – 8th January) full payment is due not later than 60 days prior to the guests’ arrival date on all hotels, lodges and Camps.
Map
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, B10E, Nairobi, Nairobi County, 00603, Kenya
Nairobi County, Kenya
Meru National Park, Meru County, East Kenya, Kenya
Sasaab Lodge, Samburu, Kenya
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Meru County, East Kenya, Kenya
Wilson Airport, Langata Link Road, Nairobi, Nairobi County, 00202, Kenya
Carnivore, slip road, Nairobi, Nairobi County, 00509, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, B10E, Nairobi, Nairobi County, 00603, Kenya
