5 Days Safari Among The Lions
This luxurious safari offers an exclusive wildlife viewing with a high level of comfort in the exceptional luxury safari lodge on a private stretch of the Mara River, where the famous last scene from “Out of Africa” was filmed. Feast on the golden sunrise, enchanting sceneries, plains-game below as the winds gently blow the basket deeper into the reserve on hot air balloon.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Price
- Before You Go
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrival And Fly To Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara-Wildbeest Migration
Maasai Mara-Wildbeest Migration
Hot Air Baloon
Departure
Arrival And Fly To Maasai Mara
Depending on your arrival time, our driver guide will meet you at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport and transferring to the Wilson airport for your small scenic flight to Mara. Arrive in time for lunch, and then spend the afternoon exploring the Masai Mara’s vast wilderness on a game drive. A campfire and delicious dinner await you on return to Sanctuary Olonana.
Maasai Mara-Wildbeest Migration
Wake before the dawn for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Maasai Mara sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee, then head out with a picnic lunch to the Mara River, hoping to see a dramatic river crossing or two. During the season (July through October) expect to witness the wildebeests and zebras of the Great Migration streaming over the river in great numbers. It is quite some sight to see the massed herds take a leap of faith into the Mara or Talek rivers with the Nile crocs lying in wait for them. A campfire and delicious dinner await you on return
Maasai Mara-Wildbeest Migration
Since the movements of the Wildebeest Migration can be unpredictable, you will go for another full day game drive here in the Maasai Mara to increase your chances of witnessing the famous river crossing. Each year the entire herd must attempt the treacherous crossing of the Mara River, where they contend not only with strong currents, but also with the always hungry Nile crocodiles who call the river home. It takes a lot of patience and more than a little luck, but witnessing the dramatic river crossing is a bucket list worthy item.
Hot Air Baloon
For a particularly memorable and unforgettable experience, enjoy a surreal journey in a Hot Air Balloon over the Masai Mara plains, culminating in a Champagne breakfast. At 04:30AM you will drive to the launch site. Depending on the weather conditions, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you watch the balloons being prepared for take-off. Your pilot will give a safety briefing as well as explain what you can expect during the flight. The balloon crew will assist as you clamber into your balloon basket for take-off just before sunrise, at about 6:30AM. As you raise the Maasai Mara plains opens up before your eyes to feast on the golden sunrise, enchanting sceneries, plains-game below as the winds gently blows the basket deeper into the reserve. The pilot is at hand pointing out at the wildlife below with plenty of photographic opportunities unfolding. Soar silently with 360 degrees of spectacular savannah lasting approximately one hour, depending on wind conditions. Continue with a breakfast set up on the picturesque savannah plains of the Mara, typically under the shade of a single balanite tree. Sit down to a full bush breakfast in the Kenyan style, complete with eggs-to-order, sausages, fresh juices, fruits, cereals and, of course, sparkling wine. After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely game drive back to your lodge. After lunch, you’ll visit a maasai boma. Arguably the most iconic tribal group in all of Africa, the Maasai, who populate vast areas of Southern areas of Kenya are the dominant ethnic group surrounding the Masai Mara. This nomadic, warrior tribe which once held vast swathes of pre-colonial Kenya, still retain many of their traditions as they live largely untouched by modern day civilization, in areas surrounding Masai Mara.
Departure
Today, take breakfast overlooking the plains before flying to Nairobi to connect with your International flight 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
