12 Days Touch of Wilderness
This is a truly unique opportunity to experience wildlife conservation efforts first-hand in the African wilderness. Immerse yourself in prime wildlife area of Mara without the crowds and connect with nature in a way you didn’t dream possible. Fly to Rwanda for once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the rare mountain and learn about their conservation success story. Enjoy the luxury stay in award-winning Eco-lodges not only for minimizing their environmental footprint, but also for their pioneering wildlife conservation projects and most importantly for their support and cooperation with local communities.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Price
- Before You Go
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrival And Fly To Naboisho Conservacy
Game Drive and Community Visit
Full Day Game Drive
Transfer To Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Explore The Conservancy -Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Transfer To Mara North Conservancy
Game Drive And Walking Safari
Fly To Rwanda
Kigali City Tour And Transfer To Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Second Gorilla Trekking
Departure
Arrival And Fly To Naboisho Conservacy
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by Luxury Africa representative, who will transfer you to Wilson Airport for a scheduled scenic flight to Mara Ol Seki Airstrip. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred by road to Naboisho Camp in the conservancy. Mara Naboisho Conservancy consists of 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of pristine wildlife territory and spectacular scenery. Despite its short time in operation, Naboisho has become renowned for its bountiful biodiversity and breathtaking beauty. The density of lions within Naboisho is one of the highest in the world. Safaris in Naboisho Conservancy are more exclusive due to the limited number of vehicles per game drive; you’ll experience the uncrowded African wilderness. Arrive in time for lunch at the camp. Later, you’ll venture out into the wild African bush evening game drive. Night drives are perfect for spotting the big cats and other nocturnal species; the thrill of catching the glinting white reflection of a predator’s eye in the torchlight will certainly send shivers up the back of your neck. Even on the rare occasion when the wildlife seems to elude you, there are still the sounds of the night to absorb when the vehicle shuts off and allows the darkness to enfold you. Afterwards head to the camp for overnight stay .
Game Drive and Community Visit
After breakfast, spend the rest of the day with game drives and activities in Mara Naboisho. Visit an authentic and fully functional Maasai village that is untouched by commercialism and the need to appear “traditional” in order to be more appealing to tourists. You are visiting people’s homes and being exposed to the reality of how they live and operate on a daily basis. The experience of their culture is raw and powerful and will leave you in awe of how their customs and traditions have remained unchanged over the years. Wind up your evening with a sundowner before heading back to camp for your overnight stay at Naboisho Camp.
Full Day Game Drive
Spend a full day with a picnic lunch exploring the Masai Mara and you’ll soon realize why this reserve is so highly regarded as the best reserve in Africa. Vast plains extend beyond the horizon, the landscape punctuated by great herds of zebra and wildebeest. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle pound their way across the savannas in an instinctual survival of the fittest. Another big draw card to the Masai Mara is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. Return for dinner and overnight at Naboisho Camp
Transfer To Olare Motorogi Conservancy
After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll be transferred by road to Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Down your bags and go for lunch. Later you’ll go for an evening game drive. With an astounding volume and variety of wildlife, the Conservancy offers some of East Africa’s finest, year-round wildlife viewing. The area boasts one of the highest concentrations of big cats in Africa and over 300 bird species, including 50 different species of raptors. Meals and accommodation at Mahali Mzuri
Explore The Conservancy -Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Olare Motorogi Conservancy offers an incomparable wildlife viewing experience in an uncrowded wilderness. All the drama that only nature can provide is on your doorstop; you won’t need to go far to see some unforgettable sights. The area is also home to roughly 150,000 Loita wildebeest that don’t make the annual migration south and seem content to ‘loiter’ all year round! In the morning, you will head out early before the sun rises to witness the remnants of last night’s activities. You may chance upon big cats hunting their prey, mongoose peeping their heads up from behind bushes, and porcupines scampering across dirt paths away from the echoing rumble of your vehicle. An afternoon game drive and sundowners will conclude your extensive exploration of Kenya’s wilderness. Meals and accommodation at Mahali Mzuri
Transfer To Mara North Conservancy
Wake up for an early morning Game drive culminating with a Bush breakfast. The drive that will lead you to a few remaining animal viewing hotspots before your arrival at Mara North Conservancy. After a leisurely afternoon at camp, you’ll go for an evening game drive as the bush glows golden and predators begin to stir from their slumber. Return to camp after dark, scanning the bush with a flashlight to pick up the reflective orbs of nocturnal animals’ eyes, from bush babies to African hares. Dinner and overnight at Mara Plains Camp
Game Drive And Walking Safari
Head out for yet another morning game drive . Grazing animals make the most of cooler conditions and the tracks of leopard, lion or hyena are still fresh from their night-time hunts. After a mouthwatering bush breakfast, you will continue to look out for animals. You might encounter a huge bull elephant looking for a female herd, twitchy herds of zebra, impala and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles keeping a look out for hidden predators, and, lounging in the shade, a pride of lion spanning various ages, from tufty-manned adolescent males to well-respected mothers and golden-spotted cubs. From here, you will return to the camp for lunch and a leisure afternoon. When the sun set off and the bush glow golden, you will go for a walking safari. Step onto the savannah, and in no time your perception of the world around you starts to shift: noises amplify, smells heighten, distances morph. Your ranger will show you how to track animals and will brief you on how to approach the animals always keeping a safe distance. Return to Mara Plains Camp after a memorable experience .
Fly To Rwanda
After breakfast, you will travel to Mara North Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will connect with your flight to Rwanda. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be greeted at the airport by your driver guide who will assist you with your bags and transfer you Serena Hotel one of the city’s premier five-star hotel.
Kigali City Tour And Transfer To Volcanoes National Park
Over the last two decades, Rwanda’s lush, hilly capital has developed into a vibrant cosmopolitan destination, teeming with art, culture, and cuisine. Plus, the attractive urban center is one of the cleanest and safest cities in all of Africa. Sip bold, sustainable java at Question Coffee Café and venture to where the first modern building (Kandt house Museum) was built, which laid the foundations for Rwanda’s capital city; Kigali. Pay an emotional visit to the Genocide Memorial Site and learn how the country has dealt with its past and recovered to stand today as a testament to humankind’s resilience. The memorial serves as the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide. Next, journey through bustling neighborhoods for an authentic taste of Kigali life and go for a lunch buffet. Later, drive to the north, weaving through beautiful terraced hillsides, culminates at the base of the awe-inspiring Virunga volcanoes. Check in at Singita Kwitonda Lodge. In the evening, visit the Conservation Room, where a lodge manager and Singita conservationist will explain various aspects of the trekking experience. This includes more details about the area and general outline of the trekking day. Singita Kwitona Lodge
Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast, drive from the lodge to Kinigi Headquarters where you will register for the trekking experience. Once you’ve been divided into parties of 8, assigned a group and have had a briefing from your guide you will be driven to the trailhead where you will start the walk to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your experienced trackers use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits to locate their whereabouts. Upon sighting the gorillas, you stay with them for a magical hour, admire the behavior of the gorillas as they go about their daily lives feeding, youngster playing and picking open fruit and throwing it through the air, resting and raising their young. Occasionally one, often a playful youngster, will approach you with curiosity, sometimes coming so close that you’ll have to move away. After the lifetime experience, you’ll be driven to the lodge for relaxation: Singita Kwitona Lodge
Second Gorilla Trekking
Psychologists say that experiencing an activity more than once is more memorable than a single event. With your packed lunch, set off from the same trailhead this morning, but walk towards a different habituated mountain gorilla troop. Remember each gorilla group has different behaviors so expect something unique from this group, from the number and makeup of individuals to their behavior and social structure, Enroute at the Gorilla guardians for some cultural entertainment. You’ll be driven back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Departure
After a leisurely breakfast and Relaxation You’ll be picked up by your driver guide , for a 3 hours’ drive to Kigali international airport for your international back home.
Prices are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy
Tour Includes
Tour Excludes
Getting Here
Most major European and African airlines—including Kenya Airways—fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which is Kenya’s main airport. Kenya Airways also flies nonstop from the U.S (New York). The fastest routes to Nairobi are usually two nonstop legs routed through London or another European city such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris. Other possible connections are available through the Middle East, Qatar and Dubai; and via Asia, Kenya Airways has flights between Nairobi and Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong and Guangzhou in China.
Airports in Kenya:
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi.
- Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
- Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
Passport and Visa
To enter Kenya a valid passport and must be valid for six months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. Please note that it is the guest’s sole responsibility to acquire the appropriate valid travel documents. If you do not have the proper documentation, you may be denied boarding or entry without a refund. You can apply for your e-Visa online fast and safely – anywhere and anytime and get it within 48 hours www.evisa.go.ke. You must produce a printed copy of the e-visa at check-in or you won’t be allowed to travel. The e-visa is valid for 90 days from the date of approval – not from the date of arrival in Kenya – which can take up to seven days.
Vaccination
A Yellow vaccination certificate is required ONLY if you are travelling from The CDC and WHO each provide a current list of all affected countries. If vaccination for yellow fever is necessary, you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician; you may be denied entry without it. If your physician advises against receiving the vaccination because of your personal medical history, he or she can provide you with the necessary documentation for the country/countries you are visiting.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/117/kenya, each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.
COVID Test requirements for arriving passengers
Passengers must have a negative PCR based Covid-19 certificate carried out within 96 hours prior to the departure date. The mandatory Ministry of Health Travellers Health Surveillance online Form must be filled out and submitted prior to travel. The online form should be accessed from the Ministry of Health website: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/. After submitting the travel surveillance form, Passengers are advised to download the QR code. Passengers will be required to display the received QR codes to port health officials on arrival for them to be allowed to proceed to arrival immigration. Arriving passengers will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine except if they are coming from the exempted countries. COVID rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time. Get in touch with us for accurate new rules before travel.
Getting around in Kenya
The entry point into Kenya is usually via the capital city, Nairobi. Most safari and domestic flights leave from Wilson Airport, 6 km south of the city. Some parks are easy to get to by road, whereas others are best accessed by air.
Climate
The cost is always hot with an average daytime temperature of 27-31 degrees centigrade whilst the average daytime temperature in Nairobi is 21-26 degrees centigrade. Temperatures elsewhere depend on altitude. July and August mark the Kenya winter. Typically, January-February is dry, March-May is wet, June-September is dry, and October-December is wet.
Time
GMT +3 all year-round. Kenya maintains an almost constant 12 hours of daylight, sun-up and sun-down being at around 6.30 and 18.45 daily, and varying only by 30 minutes during the year.
Currency
Kenya has a cash-based economy. Cash transactions can be made in U.S. dollars or local currency (Kenyan Shillings), U.S. dollars should be recently issued bills in smaller denominations. Access to ATM machines is available in Nairobi but limited in rural areas. All major international cards are accepted.
Language
English (official), Kiswahili (national), multiple ethnic language (Bantu, Cushitic and Nilotic language group).
Electricity: 220-220 volts, with standard 13-amp square three-pin plugs
Telephone: International telephone code +254
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