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Kenya

Kenya in Depth: How Wildlife, People & Landscapes Intersect

Program No. 24888RJ
Crisscross the equator on this deep dive into Kenya, where you’ll experience its astounding wildlife and the rich culture of its communities.
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  • 24888-KE-Antelopes-Zebras-lghoz.jpg
  • 24888-KE-giraffecenter-2c.jpg
  • 24888-KY-LakeNakura-Flamingos-3c.jpg
  • 24888-KY-Kilimanjaro-Elephant-4c.jpg
  • 24888-KE-MaasaiWomen-5c.jpg
  • 24888-KE-Samburu-Tribe-6c.jpg
  • 24888-KE-Savannah-7c.jpg
  • 24888-KY-Safari-Lions-8c.jpg
Animals & WildlifeMicro GroupNew
Length
15 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
8,499
Flights start at
1,200

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
34 meals ( 12B, 12L, 10D )
4 expert-led lectures
23 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Evening:
Depart on overnight flights from the USA.
Activity Note
In transit to program.
Evening:
Arrivals in Nairobi in the late evening. Meet your Study Leader on arrival and check in to the hotel.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; during the rainy season, streets can be muddy and slippery. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, your Study Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices. Thank you for your understanding. We will then visit National Museum and learn about the rich Kenyan history and heritage. Museum has different sections. We will have guided field trip and you will also have time to explore museum on your own.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will continue to explore the zoo part of the museum and visit the snake park as well that displays different spices that there are in East Africa. After visit we will have panoramic drive around Nairobi. In the afternoon we will return to our hotel and have some time to get ready for our fist safari next day.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local fare. Your Study Leader will be happy to suggest all the options around the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The drive from Nairobi to Tsavo East national Park will take approximately 4 hours and part of the road is unpaved. The game drive will be 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will check out of our hotel and drive from Nairobi to untouched Tsavo West National park. Our drive will be over four hours with some stops. We will see the different sceneries and along the road to Tsavo. This will be our first insight into life in Africa out of the capital. Upon arrival to our lodge we will have lunch and then check in.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Meet your Study Leader for an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of East Africa. Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Park are close to each other and once big park area but long ago were divided by the road and the railway that were built from Mombasa to Nairobi. Tsavo West National Park is rich in bio diversity. The area has wooded, hilly landscapes with volcanic marks and black lava flows. You will witness rugged wilderness of savannah grasslands, Acacia woodlands and lush game viewing. Diversity of plants and bird species is also one of the best in Kenya. This afternoon we will start our first game drive and learn about the nature.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after game drive.
Morning:
This morning we will have our first early morning game drive. We will snack before going for game. Along the drive we will see wonderful nature, scrublands, acacia woodlands and many more different vegetation. Mizima springs is a green oasis that is made up of four natural springs that produces incredible amount of fresh water daily. This is the home of many hippos, Nile crocodile and tilapia fish that we are going to see in clear spring water pool. After our visit we will return to our lodge for breakfast and rest.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After afternoon we will continue to explore the area more and start with our afternoon game drive. This part of east Africa has spectacular volcanic landscape. The western Tsavo, also known as Lava land, is also the home of volcanic Chyulu hills. You will discover rather lush nature, wonderful grassland and on the higher elevations montane forest as well. There are number of different mammals as many different bird species can be found on the hill. After our game drive we will return to our lodge for dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day we will start from Tsavo West toward our lodge in Amboseli and the drive will at least 3 hours and most of the road is unpaved and can be rough some times of year.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Depart after breakfast and checking out for Amboseli Nationa Park also known as the Elephant country at the edge of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is overshadowed by Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at about 19,340 feet above sea level. Amboseli National park is considered a jewel for being the only National park with the highest concentration of elephants per area that can be viewed at very close range. Other game abound including Zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo and the hippo.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
In afternoon meet your Study Leader for an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of Amboseli. Proceed after the introduction on an afternoon game drive on this dusty-flat land of short grass and marshes.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after game drive.
Morning:
This morning we will have early start for our morning game drive to see the first moves of the animals in Amboseli on the plane of Mt Kilimanjaro. Prepare your binoculars for a great game drive, After our morning game drive we will return to our beautiful lodge for breakfast with the best view over the plane overlooking the animals.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
This afternoon your Study Leader will give you a presentation on Cultural heritage of Kenya. The emphasis is going to be on tribes in Kenya that are around 40, You will learn about similarities and differences, about specific ways of life and many more. After presentation we will get ready for our NP Amboseli afternoon game ready to learn and experience more of savanna.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start and includes internal flight to Samburu area via Nairobi Wilson airport. Each segment of the flight is around an hour. Afternoon game drive will be 2-3 hours long, with no restroom facilities available.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast we will check out of our lodge and depart on an early morning scheduled flight to Samburu area to the Northern Kenya. We will need to change the planes at Nairobi. Upon arrival we will instantly experience a semi-arid environment with a game drive on your way to your lodge. Explore this unique park with varied landscape and wild animals. It is famous for the 'Samburu special 5' made up of reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa Oryx, Somali ostrich and Vulturine Guinea fowls.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Afternoon game drive will take place after short afternoon rest. We will learn about different landscape and more rigid life both for the animals and people in this different and hard land. Shaba, Samburu and Buffalo springs form together the large protected area. This dramatic dry grassland, semi desert will offer great experience this afternoon.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after game drive.
Morning:
This morning we will have early start for our morning game drive all the way to Ewasi Nyiro river, meaning the river of mud or brown water. River starts from Mount Kenya and it is very important for the life of all the area. The river is also home to crocodiles that we are going to see along with the other animals. After morning adventure we will drive back to our lodge for breakfast and some rest.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
This afternoon after lunch we are going for Samburu cultural village visit. Samburu are sub tribe of lager group of Maasai tribe and the area is called after them. We will meet the people in a village and learn about their life, habits, language and also about customs and how they have changed in the modern world. After village visit we will continue for an afternoon game drive.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes drive from our Lodge to Ol Pejeta conservancy. The drive will be a bit over 3 hours with the stop for facilities.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast we will check out form our lodge and head for Ol Pejeta Conservancy to arrive in time for lunch. We will take regional road and pas by many small villages and towns on our way. Mount Kenya, the second highest peak, after Kilimanjaro, in Africa will follow our route to the camp. We will see beautiful fertile land and learn about locals and how they live and work today. We will arrive to our camp for lunch and after lunch we will check in.
Lunch:
At the camp.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will explore Ol Pejeta non-for-profit wildlife Conservancy in Laikipia County. First we will visit the chimpanzee enclosure at feeding time during the afternoon game drive. Ol Pejeta is known worldwide being the home to the last living northern white rhino. It also boasts of un-equaled number of both black and white rhino population. Apart from Rhinos and chimpanzees, conservancy hosts a large selection of other African animals. After an exciting afternoon we will return to our camp for dinner and overnight.
Dinner:
At the camp.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes drive from Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru. Our drive will be around 4 hours today and will schedule a couple of stops to break this enduring journey.
Breakfast:
At the camp.
Morning:
After breakfast we will check out from our camp and start drive parallel to the Aberdare mountain range making a brief stop at Thompson's falls as we will decent the rift valley from the East. Today we will also experience Equador crossing on our way and will make a brief stop. We will continue towards Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Vally lakes. Water level varies constantly and this changes the surroundings frequently. Lake is close to Nakuru town, one of the biggest in the area.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will have an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of Lake Nakuru National park by your Study Leader. After presentation we will start our afternoon game drive to enjoy the enchanting landscape of Lake Nakuru national park. It is famous for the rhino, buffalo, impala and hundreds of marine birds. Lake is known for the big number of bird’s spices especially pink flamingoes, pelicans and cormorants. It was here at the height of poaching menace for the Rhino horn is where the government started the first Rhino sanctuary in 1984. After our game drive we will return to the lodge for dinner enjoying the beautiful view of the lake and the area.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Drive from Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara will be approximately four hours with some stops. Afternoon game drive will be 2-3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
This morning we will check out form our lodge and will drive towards Maasai Mara National Park. We will drive through the rift valley floor towards the Mara plains. Maasai Mara is famous for the annual migration of the wildebeests; a phenomenon experienced annually from July through to October. This made the Mara to be considered one of the 8 natural wonders of the world. We will again pass the villages and small towns and enjoy the ride. Upon arrival to our comfortable camp we will have lunch and then check into our tents.
Lunch:
At the camp.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will have presentation on Maasai Mara wild life by your Study Leader. In the afternoon after presentation we will set out on a game drive from our camp keeping a watch for many resident lion prides or the fastest of all cheetah. Maasai Mara is extension of the great plane of Serengeti and part of the great animal migration. This well know National park will offer us new adventure.
Dinner:
At the camp.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is 2-3 hours long, with no restroom facilities available. While not required, participants are welcome to bring donations of clothing and school supplies for the children of the Maasai Village visited in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
At the camp after game drive.
Morning:
In the morning as the light brightens over the Mara, we will head toward another morning adventure to experience Mara mornings and the animals of this splendid savanna. We will see more animals and will enjoy the beauty and serenity of this beautiful land. After our game drive we will come back to our camp for breakfast and rest.
Lunch:
At the camp.
Afternoon:
After lunch your Study Leader has scheduled a brief introduction talk on the Maasai cultural village. It is truly a journey into timelessness, back to the way things have been for thousands of years. Some Road Scholars remain forever touched by the experience, the apparent purity, hopefulness, discipline, and pride of the Maasai people they share this time with. Your Study Leader will prepare you for the reality of this visit and also challenges on an improvised village market they have as the part of their culture. After the visit in the afternoon we will set out on your final game drive. Enjoy the sounds and sights as you say farewell to the Maasai Mara. Later join your Study Leader for a final wrap-up session and presentation.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner in the camp.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is 2-3 hours long, with no restroom facilities available. This day include one internal flight from Mara to Nairobi that will take approximately an hour. Late afternoon transfer to IAJK for the flight home.
Breakfast:
At the camp.
Morning:
This morning we will check out from our camp and head toward the air strip for our flight to Nairobi. We will enjoy additional game drive on the way. After landing at Nairobi we will drive to the hotel for lunch and check in for our day room to rest and prepare for our flight back home.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Afternoon to rest and pack/repack before trip home. Late afternoon transfer to the airport
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
On your own.
Activity Note
Transit from the program.
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