DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN KENYA – LEWA DOWNS
After touchdown at the Nairobi Airport (or local hotel), you'll be collected and taken to Wilson Airport for the one-hour flight to Lewa Downs. Your hosts will greet you and introduce you to their wild neighbors on your first game drive enroute to the cottages. Settle down for lunch at the cottages before a game drive in the afternoon. You'll get three days to collect as many wildlife images as possible starting with the star of the region. Lewa is famous for its rhinos; this is the place you're most likely to spot this endangered species. Look for leopard, lion, buffalo, and elephant, but the region is also home to the rare Grevvy zebra, Somali ostrich (you can't miss those snazzy blue legs), the shy Beisa oryx, and the eland, Africa's largest antelope. Dinner and overnight at Lewa. [B,L,D]
DAY 2 | LAIKIPIA PLATEAU – LEWA DOWNS
Mount your horse, and head for the wilderness. You have left civilization as you know it, and entered the comparatively harsh but beautiful landscape of Northern Kenya. Numerous birds (more than 365 species) and mammals traverse this mix of wood and grassland, river forest and swamp, unobstructed by humans. The lava plains of Laikipia, strewn with volcanic rock and steep outcroppings, is fortunate to have its own permanent water supply, the Ewaso Ngiro, or "brown river." This oasis in an arid land attracts the elephant, hippo, and crocodile that abound in this area. This will be a full day of game walking or driving (if horses aren't your speed) through the Sanctuary as you please. All meals and overnight at Lewa. [B,L,D]
DAY 3 | LAIKIPIA PLATEAU – LEWA DOWNS
An early morning game walk or horseback ride takes you to a delicious bush breakfast spread out under acacia trees looking towards to the snowy peak of Mount Kenya. More opportunities to catch the "Big Five" on your game drive back to the cottages for the midday meal. In the afternoon, enjoy the swimming pool, tennis, or simply catch a nap before the evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at Lewa. [B,L,D]
DAY 4 | MASAI MARA – REKERO COTTAGES
Today will be a full day exploring with your Masai guides. The Masai Mara, an endless plain with sudden rocky outcrops and green winding rivers, is the center of any Kenyan safari. Surrounding by the grazing lands of the Masai people, the Mara is a sanctuary for the "Big Five" animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. The sweet grasses and abundant water ensure a full compliment of plains game: impala and Thompsons gazelle; the deep river pools are home to hippo and crocodiles. All meals and overnight at Rekero. [B,L,D]
DAY 5 | MASAI MARA – REKERO COTTAGES
The Masai, with their recognizable, striking red robes, are arguably the most famous of Kenya’s many tribes. Immerse yourself in their culture on a vist to a Masai village in the morning. You'll hear their Nilotic language, and may even see their resemblance to those from Sudan and Ethiopia, from whence they came so long ago. You'll have to opportunity to understand why the tribe does not hunt (with the exception of eland and buffalo, the eating of wild game is forbidden) when you head out with them on an afternoon game drive. The relationship between the Masai and the wildlife is one of harmony instead of competition. They raise cattle, but do not clear and fence land for farming, choosing to share it with the animals that also call it home. Although, lions feed on cattle, lions are only hunted if one has killed one of the herd. The Masai have been in the Mara since the 17th century, and they have fiercely protected their part of East Africa. With their fearsome reputation as warriors, they single-handedly kept the Arabic slavers out of Kenya’s interior, unlike many of their neighboring nations. It'll be a rich day of culture and wildlife as you take your final drives around this magnificent plain. All meals and overnight at Rekero. [B,L,D]
DAY 6 | MASAI MARA - REKERO COTTAGES
The Masai, with their recognizable, striking red robes, are arguably the most famous of Kenya�s many tribes. Immerse yourself in their culture on a vist to a Masai village in the morning. You'll hear their Nilotic language, and may even see their resemblance to those from Sudan and Ethiopia, from whence they came so long ago. You'll have to opportunity to understand why the tribe does not hunt (with the exception of eland and buffalo, the eating of wild game is forbidden) when you head out with them on an afternoon game drive. The relationship between the Masai and the wildlife is one of harmony instead of competition. They raise cattle, but do not clear and fence land for farming, choosing to share it with the animals that also call it home. Although, lions feed on cattle, lions are only hunted if one has killed one of the herd. The Masai have been in the Mara since the 17th century, and they have fiercely protected their part of East Africa. With their fearsome reputation as warriors, they single-handedly kept the Arabic slavers out of Kenya�s interior, unlike many of their neighboring nations. It'll be a rich day of culture and wildlife as you take your final drives around this magnificent plain. All meals and overnight at Rekero. [B,L,D]
DAY 7 | DEPART KENYA
Drink in one last little bit of Kenya along with your breakfast, then your last game drive enroute to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. You�ll be met and taken either directly to your flight or to your Nairobi hotel, depending upon your departure. [B]
