Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive Nairobi Airport on board your flight. Met and greeted with our 'traditional welcome style and escorted to Nairobi Safari Club by APTDC Staff. This evening, a safari briefing is conducted by your tour manager in readiness for your upcoming safari, Overnight at Nairobi Safari Club, [Bed & Breakfast].
Day 2: Kitengera Conservation Area
After a heartening breakfast, depart for Ormakau Maasai Village, which is one of the community Based Projects supported by APTDC. On the way you will have a short break at Kitengela Town (a town frequented by the Maasai to buy their weekly rations), here you will have a chance of visiting a traditional cobbler who will teach you how to make custom designed tyre sandals popularly known as "Jesus shoe". After the lesson you will be confronted with a challenge of making your own shoe with the assistance and supervision of the cobbler and his assistants, the shoe will be given to you as a souvenir. After the challenging and enjoyable task, we will take you to Ormakau Cultural Village where you will be welcomed by the Maasai with a traditional dance, a local guide will take you round the village and you will have a chance of buying souvenirs from their make shift market, here your bargaining power will be put to test!
Later you will be taken on a nature walk, where the guide will explain to you how various tree were used for various uses. The nature walk will end at the point where you will open up your lunch boxes, which will be complemented with maasai barbeque meat. After your lunch, you will be taken by the maasai Morans on cattle herding expedition where you will learn techniques such as; protecting cattle from predators, milking and tapping drinking blood from cattle. After this unique and exciting venture you will board your tour buses for your drive back to Nairobi, as you board the vehicle a maasai Oloibon (Maasai ceremonial leader) will bless you and wish you a save journey. Dinner and overnight at Nairobi Safari Club [Bed & Breakfast].
Day 3: Mt. Kenya Region
Early breakfast, then drive north towards the slopes of Mt. Kenya arriving at Mountain Rock Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon take a guided walk to the MAU MAU (A group of guerilla fighters who fought for Kenya’s independence) caves, where they used to hide. The guide will give you the history of Kenya's independence struggle which will be spiced with the culture of the Kikuyu Community who lives around the Mt. Kenya, later visit one of the local school supported by APTDC, where you will have an opportunity of examining local education settings. This evening you will be entertained by the traditional dancers, during the dance you will have a chance of practicing your dancing skills in an African dancing floor. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Rock Lodge. (Full Board)
Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park
Depart for the "Pink Lake" which is home to over 2 million migrant flamingos, on the way you will stop at point at where the north and south halves of the equator meet. Have a photo session and a chance of signing your endearingly certificates, to certify you have visited the equator! Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park via Thomson Falls arriving in the late afternoon. Depart on an afternoon game drive in search of the flamingos, endangered black rhinos and the leopard. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. (Full Board).
Day 5: Lake Naivasha
Early morning game drive in Nakuru Park then return to the lodge for late breakfast. Depart shortly for Lake Naivasha arriving Elsamere Conservation Centre in time for lunch. The Centre is the home home of the late Joy and George Adamson who both became famous for their conservation work. It is named after Elsa, the lioness whose life is recounted in Joy's book 'Born Free'. After lunch, you will take a boat ride in the only Rift Valley fresh water lake. This evening you will be invited to watch a video, "The Joy Adamson Story" and visit the museum and shop at the centre. Dinner and overnight at the Centre. [Full Board].
Day 6: Proceed to Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast depart for the famed and Kenya finest game reserve - Maasai Mara Game Reserve to arrive in time for lunch. Lunch at the spectacular Ilkelian Camp, which is located on land owned by the local Maasai people alongside the Mara Reserve. This is prime wildlife country and from Ilkeliani Camp this afternoon you will explorethe surrounding savannah plains to seek out the huge variety of wildlife species for which the Mara is famous, in particular the large population of lions,returning for dinner and overnight at Ilkelian Camp, [Full Board].
Day 7: Full Day Masai Mara Game Reserve
Morning game drive in the game- filled plains of Mara. This reserve gives your the opportunities to view the big five [Lion,buffalo,leopard,elephant and rhino] as well as hippo, and abundance of the plain games. Overnight stay in your lodge. Keekorok Safari Lodge. This after you will be taken on a 1-2 hour walking safari through the savanna for wildlife viewing with the Maasai as guides and interpreters of their lands whereby you will walk amongst giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest. [Full Board].
Day 8: Back to Nairobi and Depart
After breakfast, say 'Kwaheri' - a Swahili word for bye to Masai Mara and leisurely drive back to Nairobi, arriving at around mid-day. Day rooms have been reserved until 1800 hrs for your comfort. Before departure you will have time to discuss the success of your trip with your tour manager who will award you a certificate to show that you traveled responsibly and touched the hearts of the poor and marginalized communities in Kenya. Later we transfer you to the airport for your homebound/departure flight.
APTDC sees itself as being rooted in the local community. It is a non-profit enterprise and the safaris aim to take the tourist to places to experience authentic interaction with the natural and cultural heritage of Kenya and its rural people. Interaction and participation with local people will result in a better understanding for the visitor of the psyche of the Kenyan people and their land. 80% of the daily tour cost goes back into community development.
