On Safari in Kenya
Small Group Tour with Cosmos Tours
Candice Harnish
Vacation Travel Advisor | TICO Certified
T: 1-866-926-4070 ext 1205
E: charnish@harveystravel-cwt.com
Kenya: The Trip of a Lifetime.
The morning sun gleams through the dust kicked up by our
safari vehicle as we bump down the gravel road into Lake Nakuru
National Park.
“Giraffe!” someone shouts, and, sure enough, a giraffe is munching on a
thorn acacia just beside the road. He is so close you can hear the branches
crunch and see the morning dew sparkling on the leaves. Before long, you
notice several others nearby — there is never just one! They are
watching us with as much curiosity as we are watching them. This
is my second safari in Kenya, and it never gets old.
Safaris are like nothing I’ve experienced before. Animals I have
only seen in nature specials or in a Disney movie are roaming wild in
their natural habitat. They are not adhering to a script or ensuring our
sensibilities are not offended. They are wild in every sense of the word, and
we have the unbelievable privilege of observing them. Ali, our Cosmos
driver and guide on this extraordinary adventure, regales us with stories
and facts so we understand what we are seeing, why they are behaving that way,
and what they might do next. We are in awe of everything we see.
Early mornings on vacation are especially easy when this is the prize.
Wild animals are up and searching for breakfast before dawn, and so are
we. Well, not searching so much as enjoying a full buffet with an omelet
station, hot coffee, and fresh fruit — but I digress!
Every time we venture into the park, we expect the unexpected. Ali jokes
that game drives are just that, a game of chance, and he is correct. My
first time visiting the Maasai Mara I had a close encounter with lion cubs,
stood on the Kenya/Tanzania border, and watched an ostrich attempt to woo a
mate. The second time I watched a leopard strolling past my window, a baby
gazelle running with its parents, and a group of Maasai men herding
over three hundred head of cattle.
Later, as the sun starts to set — far too soon in my opinion — we
head back to the lodge to clean up and relax a bit before dinner. We are dusty,
sweaty, and tired, but keen to do it all over again the next day. The trip
of a lifetime.
Thinking about a safari but not sure where to start? Call me, and let’s start planning your trip of a lifetime.
Candice Harnish, Vacation Travel Advisor
T: 1-866-926-4070 ext 1205
E: charnish@harveystravel-cwt.com
Cosmos On Safari in Kenya Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya. Welcome to Africa! Check into your hotel and prepare for your Safari Adventure.
Day 2: Nairobi-Nyeri Afternoon Game Drive in Solio Game Reserve This morning, depart for Nyeri, your base for exploring Kenya’s Laikipia region. After lunch, set out on your first exhiliarating game drive in nearby Solio Game Reserve, one of East Africa’s most successful private rhino breeding sanctuaries. Home to over 200 black and white rhinos, it’s common to spot 40 at a time. Dinner at Lodge.
Day 3: Nyeri-Morning Game Drive in Solio. Start your day with a morning game drive. Beyond magnificent rhino there is an abundance of other wildlife making for great game viewing. Spot lion, reticulated giraffe, eland, leopard, cheetah, and much more. Return to lodge for lunch prior to an afternoon at leisure.
Day 4: Nyeri-Nyahururu Falls-Lake Nakuru National Park: Leave Nyeri and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa, where farmers grow corn, wheat, coffee and tea. Stop at Nyahururu Falls, also known as Thompson’s Falls, and then on to Lake Nakuru National Park. After Lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru: Today, embark on morning and afternoon game drives. The park is home to a variety of animals including giraffes, impala, Cape buffalo, flamingo and striped hyena. Between game drives, relax or enjoy the infinity pool overlooking the lake at the lodge. Located on a hillside, the lodge features paths for nature walks and sheltered outdoor terraces for stunning views over the lake.
Day 6: Lake Nakuru-Maasai Mara National Reserve: This morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. After lunch at your lodge, set out in esarch of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo.
Day 7: Maasai Mara: Today, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Mara, as it called by the locals. Part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the reserve boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, the population enlarges by almost 2 million, providing a great food source for predators such as lions, cheetah, leopard and hyena. Optional excursion available.
Day 8: Maasai Mara – Nairobi – Amboseli National Park. Today, board a quick flight to Nairobi. Drive to Amboseli National Park, best known for spectacular views of 10,341 foot Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Take the opportunity to spot a wealth of wildlife, including more than 400 species of birds. Embark on an afternoon game drive before settling into your lodge located in the foothills of Africa’s highest mountain.
Day 9: Amboseli. Morning and afternoon game drives offer a terrific opportunity to get close to the might African elephant, along with the chance to spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog and more. During the heat of the day, relax at your lodge to enjoy the pool, local craft market or card game with fellow travellers.
Day 10: Amboseli – Nairobi. Return to Nairobi, where a day room is reserved for your convenience, before departing for your return home.