Kenya Horizons featuring Serena – 8 days

Leave Nairobi after breakfast to Samburu, heading north, you'll pass near Thika and continue north through some breathtaking scenery dotted with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee. After Nanyuki town, you'll continue north, eventually reaching a dusty outpost known as Isiolo, the last major stop on the journey into the remote northern frontier district. From here it's a fairly short hop to Samburu. Arrival at the lodge in time for lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Samburu Serena Safari Lodge on a full board basis. Samburu Serena Safari Lodge Situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, in the centre of the Samburu Game Reserve. All 62 rooms are en-suite, thatched, with fans, mosquito nets and have private verandas overlooking the river. Samburu Serena offers swimming pool, beauty therapy & massages. Recreational activities include game drive, birding walks, animals watching from the large observation terrace, slide shows / lectures, tribal dance performances, camel safaris and relaxing around the swimming pool. There is crocodile feeding nightly, as well as leopard baiting across the river. The property is fenced and conference facilities are available. It’s certainly a spacious, luxurious lodge.

Early morning game drive is followed by breakfast, and time to relax by the lodge pool or the terrace overlooking the river. After lunch there will be another game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Samburu Serena Safari Lodge on a full board basis.

Leave after breakfast and drive south and into the forests of the Aberdare Mountain range arriving at Mountain Lodge for lunch. This is a tree lodge set in a forest glade with a waterhole that attracts all sorts of wildlife during the day and night. The waterhole is floodlit and there is an underground viewing platform. Overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge on a full board basis. Serena Mountain Lodge At 7,200 feet on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Mountain Lodge is ringed by a dense rain forest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds of creatures of all sizes. This is the adventure offered at the 42 room Mountain Lodge where animal sightings are fascinating and frequent. A two and a half hour drive from Nairobi, Mountain Lodge is now managed by Serena Hotels. The comfortable rooms have spacious verandas and private shower rooms. The game viewing is excellent. You can watch the waterhole next to the lodge throughout the day and at night. Local game includes elephant, buffalo, rhino and waterbuck and many birds. A specially constructed viewing bunker connects to the lodge that offers spectacular close-up views of the waterhole. Towering over the landscape are the majestic rocky peaks of Mount Kenya, providing some dramatic photographic opportunities.

An early morning start takes you north?west as you head for Nyahururu, still known to many as Thomson's Falls for its 237?foot cascade. Now travel in a southerly direction to your next destination, the spectacular Lake Nakuru. This is often coloured a shimmering flamingo pink from thousands of the beautiful birds lining its shores. Once in the park, there will be a game drive en route to Nakuru lodge where you will have lunch. Following lunch there is an afternoon game drive you will then continue to Lake Nakuru lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge on a full board basis. Lake Nakuru Lodge Lake Nakuru Lodge is situated in the heart of one of Kenya's most densely populated wetland National Parks, (Ramsar site) only two leisurely hours' drive from Nairobi, through beautiful forested uplands and passing a series of lakes. On the outskirts of the bustling market town of Nakuru lies a truly remarkable national park which has achieved international fame. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park - and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is over 50 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion. Lake Nakuru Lodge is in the south-east ecological niche of the park, with commanding views of the lake and the flamingos for which it is justly famous. Lush gardens surround the lodge and cottages. There is a good programme of activities and evening entertainment.

After an early morning breakfast, drive to Narok town via Mai-Mahiu with a brief a rest stop and proceed on to Mara arriving in time for lunch at a lodge. After lunch, depart for an afternoon game drive en route to Mara Serena lodge arriving as the sun sets. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge on a full board basis. Mara Serena Safari Lodge A masterful interpretation of a traditional Masai village, Mara Serena Lodge seemingly floats on a sea of savannah. A beautiful pool looks out over the wide plains. The rooms are Masai-influenced in style yet extremely comfortable. The main dining room, where delicious meals are served, has three large domes and three small ones depicting Maasai manyattas (villages). Occasionally an African al fresco barbecue is served by the pool overlooking the Mara plains. Fresh fruit juices and cocktails, wines, spirits or liqueurs are available at the bar until late in the evening. At Serena, the views are stunning. It is on this very terrain, stretching endlessly before the lodge, that the annual migrations take place. Millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle pass through on their way to and from their alternative feeding grounds in Tanzania.

Early morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge on a full board bas

After breakfast you’ll depart the Masai Mara and head across acres of rolling wheat and barley farms to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. From here cross the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley whilst keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle before heading up the rift escarpment. You’ll arrive into Kenya’s bustling capital in the early afternoon. Once in the city, you will be dropped off at a city centre hotel or the airport for your ongoing travel arrangements. Children under the age of 7 not allowed at Mountain Lodge Cost Includes • Meet and greet services with assistance at the airport or hotel • All transport and game drives on road safaris will be in a modern safari cruiser (with seven window seats) with an English speaking driver-guide on shared basis • Meals and accommodation as specified • All park fees and government taxes • ½ litre bottle mineral water per person per day on game drives Cost Excludes • Visas and international flights • Airport taxes (clients pay direct) • Driver-guide gratuities • Drinks, dining rooms tips, porterage • Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance • Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature Additional remarks • We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability. • Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.