NPPF PhotoTour Safari to Kenya

12 Day Photographic trip

A safari to the north via the high shoulder of Mountain Kenya to the Game Reserve of Samburu, the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Nakuru, then south over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya's greatest concentration of game - the Maasai Mara.

Day 1- Evening departure from Tampa International Airport to JFK International Airport

Day 2/3 - Samburu
Depart Nairobi 7.30 a.m. passing through the rich agricultural farmland on the slopes of Mount Kenya to the mainly dry scrub land and open Savannah plains of Samburu Game Reserve. Here the Ewaso Nyiro River supports a wide variety of game among them elephant, buffalo, cheetah leopard, lion, grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Oryx and the long necked gerenuk. Dinner and overnight in the lodge.

Day 3 - Samburu
Morning and evening game drives to enjoy this lively park. It is here in Samburu that a lioness adopted a baby oryx , a spectacle that left wildlife experts amazed. Dinner and overnight in the lodge.

Day 4 – Mt Kenya
Depart from Samburu to Mt Kenya region for a visit to the sweet waters chimps' sanctuary. This chimp sanctuary is the only one of its kind in Kenya. Visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of observing the chimps by boat on the Ewaso Nyiro. The riverside forest and the grassland that make up the sanctuary are home to 26-orphaned chimpanzees varying in age from 2-15years. Also found at Sweet waters is Morani - the tame black rhino born in 1974 who was brought here after poachers killed his mother. Dinner and overnight in a lodge.

Day 5 - Lake Nakuru
Early in the morning we head south via Lake Bogoria which is a shallow soda lake with a beautiful scenery and also home to a sizable number of flamingos and other species of birds. The highlight, however, is the boiling hot springs and geysers – hot enough to boil eggs - which also contribute to the beauty of the lake. Don’t fall in! After lunch, proceed to Lake Nakuru in the south - another shallow soda lake that has been described as "an ornithologist’s paradise and one of the world's most magnificent sights". Here you have an opportunity to see up to two million flamingos besides tens of thousands of other birds if lucky. Lake Nakuru also has rhino sanctuary and also harbors lions, warthogs, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippo and many other animals. Dinner and overnight in a campsite.

Day 6 - Maasai Mara
We head further south to Narok and into Maasai Mara Game Reserve arriving by afternoon. Evening game drive followed by dinner and overnight in a lodge.

Day 7 - Maasai Mara
One full day to experience the Mara magic! This is the most popular reserve in Kenya and it is famed for its astounding concentration of game. From the base camp, we explore the Mara region, packed with the elephant, zebra, rhino and all kinds of game throughout the year with the spectacular wildebeest migration from Serengeti occurring mainly in July and August. Being at Maasai Mara is as if you found yourself in “the New York of the natural world” according to some authorities. Indeed, you have the best opportunity of seeing all the “Big Five”. Dinner and overnight in a lodge.

Day 8 - Nairobi
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast at leisure before breaking camp and driving via Narok town where we stop to buy souvenirs or to have a cup of tea. Drive back to Nairobi arriving late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel.

Day 9 - Amboseli
We pick you up from your hotel at 8.30 and drive south to Namanga, on the Tanzania border. This is the land of the Maasai people. Arrive Amboseli in time for a picnic lunch before proceeding for a game drive . It is at Amboseli where you are likely to see large herds of elephants. Dinner and overnight camping.

Day 10- Amboseli
Whole day spent in the park viewing game in this second most popular park in Kenya. Here you have a good opportunity to see all the ‘Big Five’ and a variety of other game with the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro – the highest in Africa - in the background and also visiting the Maasai village to catch a glimpse of their way of life. Dinner and overnight camping.

Day 11 - Nairobi
An early morning game drive before breaking camp and returning to Nairobi. Via Namanga where you will have your packed lunch and also get an opportunity to buy some souvenirs. Drop off at your hotel late afternoon.

Day 12- Depart Nairobi for Tampa International Airport via JFK
Following are the URLs for the lodges:

Samburu Sopa and Mara Sopa Lodges – www.sopalodges.co/kenya

Oltukai Lodge - www.oltukailodge.com

Panafric Hotel Nairobi – www.sarovahotels.com/panafric

Sweetwaters tented Lodge – www.serenahotels.com/sweetwaters

Lake Nakuru Lodge – www.lakenakurulodge.com

Cost per Person $4995 including all domestic and international airfare, all meals, not including alcholic beverages and some beverages on the flights. Some shorter flights may not serve meals and meals/snacks in airports are not included.

Single Room Supplement $900