Singles Safari - Kenya Africa
July 26 - August 5, 2012
$3,299*

Kenya Africa Safari Itinerary

Day 1, Thursday:  Home

Depart from home town on overnight flight to Africa (Airfare on own - Best Single Travel will be glad to assist) 

Your safari adventure begins with a warm welcome by our customer service representatives upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. You will be driven to your luxurious hotel where you will relax in your air-conditioned suite. Nairobi Safari club, formerly a private club for members only is the ideal place to be.

Day 3, Saturday:   Nairobi - Amboseli

After an early breakfast we head via Nairobi and proceed to Amboseli National Park through the statan lava plateau. Beautifully situated beneath the foot of Africa’s highest mountain Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m), the park is well renowned for its huge herds of elephants and various types of other Savannah wildlife such as Giraffes, Bushbuck’s, Kudu, Warthog’s, Zebra’s and over 425 species of birds recorded here. The snowcapped peak of Kilimanjaro rising above white clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli and forms a backdrop to an impressive display of wildlife attracted to this location by swamps and springs fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow. With an airstrip at Empusel Gate, the park is also home to the Masai people, those tall, brave, and proud nomads who live in close harmony with the environment and the wildlife that surrounds them. Amboseli was the location where famous writers like Sir Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark tailored their stories of big game hunting in the wilds of Africa.

Enjoy a game drive en-route, as we arrive in time for lunch at our lodge, situated deep in the heart of the world famous Amboseli National Park. The lodge itself draws on a subtle Maasai cultural motif, featuring natural woodcarvings, traditional artefacts and a glowing selection of local art. The rooms, each with an uninterrupted view over the ever-changing vistas of the African plains, are styled to a traditional Maasai concept featuring beadwork, gourds, hand-painted murals and the clever use of the traditional manyatta bent-brushwood effect so as to blend.   

Day 5, Monday: Amboseli - Mt. Kenya

After an early breakfast we head for Nairobi, “The City Under The Sun” for an early lunch. Heading further north, we drive through coffee plantations to the Mountain Lodge. The Lodge, which comes alive at night with the various sounds of animals, is one of the exotic “Tree Hotels” situated in the heart of Mt. Kenya’s forest reserve. All of the rooms have large window from which you can look beyond the trees to observe the endless parade of wildlife. You can watch these animals from the safety of your room or from a specially built viewing bunker connected to the lodge by a tunnel, which affords you an amazing up-close view of the animals as they visit waterholes and saltlick.

Day 6, Tuesday: Aberdares - Samburu

After breakfast, we drive we drive northward through Nanyuki town , crossing the northernmost foothills of Mount Kenya, until we reach Isiolo town and then down into the thorny landscape of Samburu country (Filming location of the Hit CBS Survivor III, series). The life-giving Uaso Nyiro River plays a major role in the ecosystem of this region.

Our lodge beautifully incorporates the existing natural springs as one of its special features. The 1989 movie “Born Free”, a true-life story of George and Joy Adamson was shot in the Game Reserve and some of the scenes were shot at the lodge. An open-air restaurant over looking the river, swimming pool, curio shop, bars, and it’s location at an oasis make it a perfect base from which to explore the Shaba Reserve, as well as its sister reserve - Buffalo Springs to the west.

Lunch will be served at the lodge, where spring water flows throughout the lodge to form beautiful water cascades and sparkle into the Uaso Nyiro River. You’re also able to view crocodiles in the river below from the safety of the viewing platform located on the lodge grounds.  Apart from being the only location in Kenya where you will find Gerenuk, the reserve is renowned for its unique collection of other species of animals, such as Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Grey Zebra, Cheetah, and Lions. After enjoying an afternoon Game (wildlife) viewing in the reserve filled with scenic beauty, we return for dinner.

Day 7, Wednesday: Samburu

Before dawn we head out in search of Africa’s wild cats. From the game drive we return to the lodge for breakfast and some rest and relaxation or perhaps read a book/novel, sunbathe and go for a refreshing dip in the uniquely designed swimming pool before heading out again on your afternoon game drive.

Day 8, Thursday: Samburu - Lake Nakuru

After an early breakfast bid farewell to Shaba as we drive south through Isiolo, crossing the foothills of Mount Kenya. Heading west we make a brief stopover at Nyahururu Falls, still known to many as Thomson's falls for its 237ft cascade. After the stopover, we drive to our next destination Lake Nakuru known as an ornithological paradise by birdwatchers.

After the stopover, we drive southward to our next destination Lake Nakuru. Located in the Great Rift Valley 1750 meters above sea level, Lake Nakuru is known as an ornithological paradise by birdwatchers because it is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth boasting any where between one and two million lesser and greater pink flamingos that feed on the abundant algae thriving in the lakes warm waters. It is one of the few parks that have been specifically established (Gazetted) for the protection of birds specifically flamingoes, with more than 450 species of birds recorded here. The park has also been established for the protection of endangered species such as the rhino and is home to Columbus monkeys, Leopards, Giraffes, and a variety of plain antelope.

Lunch will be served at our lodge, which is situated in the south ecological niche of the park. The lodge blends in perfectly well with its natural surroundings and animals often patrol peacefully close to the lodge adding to its captivating magic. An afternoon game drive around the lakeshore will be the main feature for the afternoon.  Dinner & overnight.

Day 9, Friday: Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

Today our safari will take us to the jewel of Kenya’s parks, the world famous Masai Mara Game (Wildlife) Reserve. This is Kenya’s number one park and is always on every tourist’s “Must see list”. Full of life with various types of animals and birds, Masai Mara crown’s the climax of every safari in Kenya. Its rolling grasslands and acacia savannah have time and again been captured on film with the movie “Out Of Africa” being the most famous. Masai Mara is home to the “Big Five” (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Rhino) and over 450 bird species. Apart from the big five, the Masai Mara is most famous for the spectacular annual migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other animals from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July or August. During this crossing, hundreds of animals are swept away by the first moving Mara River and others are killed by the ferocious African Crocodiles. This crossing gives true meaning to the phrase “Survival of the fittest”.

Your home for the following two nights will be at one of the excellent Mara Sopa lodges. “Sopa” means welcome in the Masai language and true to its name, the lodge and its staff offer first class customer service and accommodations under a welcoming atmosphere. Set in the Oloolaimutia valley the lodge blends in perfectly well with its surrounding hillside landscape. P.S don’t forget your swimming suit for a midday or night swim under the star filled African sky. After lunch and some time for relaxation, our driver/guide will take us for an afternoon game drive in search of the shy and elusive leopard, the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, lions, buffalos, and many others. As the sun starts to edge its way dip into the African horizon it will be the perfect opportunity to photograph the beautiful Mara landscape.

Day 10, Saturday: Masai Mara

We start the day off with an early morning game drive before dawn, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Enjoy a swim in the pool under the African sun or just sit back and relax for the rest of the morning.

In the afternoon we return to the bush in search of wildlife, such as Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelle, elephants, lions, and the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, among others.

Day 11, Sunday:  Masai Mara - Nairobi - Safari Ends

After breakfast, we drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch at a local resturant. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of Nairobi “The City Under The Sun”, including the famous Giraffe Center (maybe you will get kissed). Tonight enjoy our Farewell Dnner at the world famous Carnivore Restaurant considered “Africa’s greatest eating experience” (if you love barbecue it doesn’t get better than this), and home to the “Simba Saloon” one of the most popular night clubs. Thereafter you will be transferred to the Airport for your safe journey home