Itinerary

• Trip 1: July 20–30 (main trip); July 29–August 1 (post-tour program)

• Trip 2: July 30–August 9 (main trip); August 8–11 (post-tour program)

Day 1: En Route from U.S. (July 20 or July 30)

Day 2: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya (July 21 or July 31)

Welcome to Kenya! After arrival, meet your Orbridge representative who will assist with group transfers to the historic Fairmont The Norfolk.

Overnight: Fairmont The Norfolk

Day 3: Nairobi (July 22 or August 1)

After breakfast and a safari briefing, visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, considered the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organizations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa. To date, the center has successfully hand raised over 150 infant elephants and has accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo.

Then visit the home of the Rothschild Giraffe at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre. Founded in 1979, this non-profit organization's mission is to educate Kenyan school children and youth on their country’s wildlife and environment. The facility also offers visitors an opportunity to see giraffes in close proximity, including the Rothschild Giraffe—named after a British zoologist and considered one of the tallest in the species.

Afterward, take a short drive to the foot of the Ngong Hills to see Karen Blixen's farm house, which gained international fame after the release of the Oscar-winning movie, Out of Africa.

Overnight: Fairmont The Norfolk (B, L, D)

Day 4: Nairobi / Ol Pejeta Conservancy (July 23 or August 2)

Following breakfast, travel north out of Nairobi through lush tea and coffee estates to Sweetwaters Serena Camp, located in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This 90,000-acre, non-profit, private wildlife facility is situated on the equator in Kenya’s Laikipia District between the foothills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya. Besides endangered rhinos, other rare animals found in Ol Pejeta include the endangered African wild dog, oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra, serval, cheetah, and bat-eared fox. The Big 5, as well as giraffes, baboons, hippos, impalas, and hyenas—plus more than 300 bird species—also call Ol Pejeta home.

Overnight: Sweetwaters Serena Camp (B, L, D)

Day 5: Ol Pejeta Conservancy (July 24 or August 3)

The day consists of a full day exploring Ol Pejeta Conservancy, including morning and afternoon game drives. Stop by the conservancy's rhino sanctuary to see some of the protected and critically endangered rhinos living here. Continue on to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary—established with an agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Jane Goodall Institute—with the mission to provide lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. This facility is home to 43 chimpanzees and is the only place in Kenya where they can be seen.

Overnight: Sweetwaters Serena Camp (B, L, D)

Day 6: Ol Pejeta Conservancy / Lake Nakuru National Park (July 25 or August 4)

Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, described by Roger Tory Peterson as the greatest ornithological spectacle in the world. Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes at an elevation of 5,755 feet above sea level. It's best known for its thousands—sometimes millions—of flamingos nesting along the shores. Other bird species also inhabit the lake and the surrounding area, including African fish eagle, Goliath heron, hamerkop, pied kingfisher, and Verreaux's eagle.

During the afternoon, explore the park during a game drive with opportunities to observe black rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and a multitude of birds.

Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park / Maasai Mara National Reserve (July 26 or August 5)

Travel along the Rift Valley's western rim into the Maasai Mara National Reserve—a northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem and one of the world’s most rewarding wildlife observation sites. The rich savanna is known for its concentration of plains animals. There have been approximately 95 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles and over 400 bird species recorded on the reserve.

Overnight: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Days 8–9: Maasai Mara National Reserve (July 27–28 or August 6–7)

Enjoy two full days of wildlife viewing throughout the Maasai Mara to spot for the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, black rhino, and elephant). Head out with picnic lunch boxes to spend most of the day in the park, returning to camp late in the afternoon. Or take a pre-breakfast game drive and another game drive in the late afternoon. Enjoy a special farewell meal celebrating this wonderful adventure in Africa.

While in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, you may elect to take a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon safari. Enjoy a dawn ascent to experience incredible birds-eye views over the wildlife and vast landscape. (Note: This excursion must be purchased in advance to guarantee availability and is nonrefundable within 90 days of departure.)

Overnight: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (B, L, D daily)

Day 10: Maasai Mara National Reserve / Flight to Nairobi / Depart for U.S. (July 29 or August 8)

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, return to Nairobi for lunch. Afterward, you'll have access to a day room at the hotel for comfortable downtime until your transfer to the airport for evening departures. Guests continuing on to the post tour will partake in a mid-morning game drive after breakfast before taking a flight from Maasai Mara to Amboseli.

Day Room: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (B, L)

Day 11: Arrive in U.S. (July 30 or August 9)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Amboseli National Park Post-Tour Program

Day 1: Flight from Maasai Mara to Amboseli (July 29 or August 8)

Enjoy the remainder of this travel day to explore lodge grounds and take advantage of the property's amenities.

Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge (D)

Day 2: Amboseli National Park (July 30 or August 9)

Set out for Amboseli National Park for two game drives to spot for African wildlife. At just over 150 square miles, Amboseli is relatively small, but its high concentration of wildlife makes for excellent viewing opportunities. In addition to its many elephants, the park is also home to Cape buffaloes, impalas, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Maasai giraffes, Grant's zebras, blue wildebeest, over 100 lions, and over 400 bird species.

Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3: Amboseli / Transfer to Nairobi / Depart for U.S. (July 31 or August 10)

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, return to Nairobi where you'll have access to a day room at the hotel for comfortable down time until transfers to the airport for evening departures.

Day Room: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (B, L)

Day 4: En Route / Arrive in U.S. (August 1 or August 11)

(Itinerary subject to change.)