7 Days Rift Valley Lakes & Savannah Expedition

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted to transfer to Emakoko. The Emakoko is a boutique lodge uniquely positioned on the edge of the Nairobi National Park. It is located a short 45 minute drive from either of Nairobi’s airports. The drive through the park itself, with its beautiful scenery and abundance of plains game is a superb way to start any East African safari. What better way to start a holiday by supporting the conservation of this unique area and in particular, by supporting the endangered Black Rhino which are prolific in this park.

The Nairobi National Park, despite its proximity to the capital city of Kenya, boasts a spectacular assortment of birds and wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in one day. With an excellent possibility of spotting four of the Big Five, many Nairobi residents find the lodge a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. By staying at The Emakoko you are directly contributing to the protection and conservation of Nairobi National Park and its wildlife.

After breakfast, you will be picked and transferred via road towards lake Bogoria. As you drive northwest, landscapes will shift dramatically as you enter the Great Rift Valley. Stopping periodically to marvel at the plunging escarpments, volcanic mountains and pristine lakes, the drive on route to Lake Bogoria will be a scenic adventure in and of itself. Descending into the volcanic valley after approximately five hours, you will approach the saline Lake Bogoria. Pink flamingos positively coat this shallow alkaline lake, feeding off the alga that survives – remarkably – in this otherwise challenging environment. Gazing out onto this spectacular sight, the lake’s tranquility is interrupted sporadically by exploding geysers as they leap up to five meters in the air along the shore. As flamingo’s circle overhead while others walk the sidelines, you will bear witness to one of Kenya’s lesser-known, but truly magical, places.

Embark on a guided game walk along the steaming shores of Lake Bogoria. Teeming with birdlife, you will have the opportunity here to observe kingfishers, herons and pelicans in addition to seemingly millions of greater and lesser flamingos. While the shores will undoubtedly captivate your attention, be sure to look to the surrounding plains and woodlands as well; lesser kudu, gazelles, zebra and warthogs are often seen meandering around the forest edge. Those with an especially keen eye – and a bit of luck – may even spy a leopard creeping through the trees.

This morning you will continue driving for three hours through the majestic Rift Valley, moving on to Lake Nakuru National Park. This park too revolves around a spectacular alkaline lake, painted pink and white by thousands of flamingos, pelicans and over 300 other species of birds, while enormous herds of buffalo graze on the shore.

Woodlands surround the lake and are home to a greater diversity of mammals, in comparison to Bogoria. As you circle the lake and ascend into the forested slopes of the valley hills, you will likely happen upon some of the rehabilitated and ever-graceful black and white rhinoceros, who have successfully repopulated this park. Home to approximately 140 rhinos, most of whom live independently from the rehabilitation sanctuaries, Nakuru is a beacon of hope for African conservationists. Having suffered greatly from poaching in recent years, the rhinos in this park have been so well conserved that this park is actually over capacity for the species, and now populates other parks as well. As you observe a rhino gently scratch her back on an acacia tree against the backdrop of flamingos and hyenas, you will begin to understand the passion that fuels the rhino conservation movement. With some luck, you will also get to see a rhino run at impossibly quick speeds, given their enormous size.

You will check in at the Cliff Kenya for late lunch. The cliff has a myriad of activities to indulge in - Boat rides, Spa treatments, massages, evening game drives. You will be spoilt for choice before you end you day with a sumptuous dinner.

You will check out of your lodge this morning after breakfast and transfer by road to the famous Masai Mara game reserve, arrival early afternoon for a late lunch at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp.

Sprawled along the Saparingo River on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, where riverine forest meets the sweeping plains in the seasonal path of the awe-inspiring Great Migration, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented camp provides an authentic dose of African wildlife, delivered with legendary Kenyan hospitality. Set on a private concession, with abundant iconic wildlife and panoramic Masai Mara views, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp dazzles with its contemporary safari feel.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is arguably Kenya’s premier wildlife sanctuary, a staggering untouched natural park comprising sprawling emerald pastures, rugged rocky outcrops, and dense viridian forests. Furthermore, Masai Mara is home to the world’s ultimate wildlife spectacle, the Great Migration. Should you travel to Masai Mara during the appropriate time of year, you will have the fortune of witnessing this impressive natural display in which millions of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, and other creatures sprint across the Serengeti towards the greener plains of Kenya while many predators seek kills during the chaos.

5am coffee, early morning game drive. Breakfast. You will thereafter be transferred to the airstrip for your maiden flight to Wilson airport Nairobi. Marking the end of another memorable tour. Lunch will be on own arrangements, therafter transfer to JKIA for your onward flight.