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Treasures of Kenya

 
You are viewing the 2027 itinerary. Select your departure year
20272028
Duration
10 days
From per person
£4,999
Tour code
KSS27
Mobility Rating 4
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Embark on unforgettable safaris in four top wildlife reserves and visit a Maasai village on this exploration of Kenya's highlights, experiencing its rich culture and iconic landscapes

Beginning in Kenya's capital, explore this unique city that blends the wild with the urban, before continuing to the lush forests of Aberdare National Park. Spot elephants in Samburu National Park, then look out for the pink hues of flamingos on Lake Nakuru in the ancient Rift Valley. 

Meet the Maasai people, discovering their traditional culture, song and dance, and explore the renowned Maasai Mara, home to Africa's 'Big Five'. 

Hear folktales that have been passed down through generations in the enchanting Oloolua Forest, then meet the inhabitants of Nairobi's Giraffe Centre.

Unforgettable Experiences

Visiting a Maasai village for a cultural experience
Visiting a Maasai village for a cultural experience
Delve into the culture of the Maasai people on an excursion to a Maasai village, learning first-hand from members of the tribe about their craftsmanship, expressive song and dance, and traditional pastoral way of life.
Exploring UNESCO-listed Lake Nakuru
Exploring UNESCO-listed Lake Nakuru
Beautiful Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley Lakes and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Besides the pink flamingos that flock to its shores, the lake also attracts wallowing hippos and endangered rhinos. 
Identifying rare species in Samburu National Reserve
Identifying rare species in Samburu National Reserve
Set in northern Kenya, Samburu is home to a group of ‘Special Five’ animals - the Grévy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx - which are not seen in other reserves. 
Hand-feeding giraffes at a conservation centre
Hand-feeding giraffes at a conservation centre
This sanctuary dedicated to the care of the formerly endangered Rothschild giraffe offers visitors the opportunity to get close to these stunning animals, learning about the species as you hand-feed them.
Enjoying time at leisure in dynamic Nairobi
Enjoying time at leisure in dynamic Nairobi
Experience this unique city with free time to explore its energetic streets and markets or join an optional safari to Nairobi National Park (payable locally), Kenya’s first national park, only four miles from the city.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Flying from London to Nairobi

Your east African safari holiday begins at London Heathrow this morning, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding a daytime flight to Nairobi. Kenya has a staggering number of national parks and reserves, dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat, and we will explore four of the best on this tour of the country's highlights.  

    Landing in Nairobi this evening, we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city's popular Westlands district, where we will enjoy our first dinner together.  

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Time at leisure in Nairobi or morning safari

Waking in Nairobi this morning, you have a choice of how to spend to your day in Kenya's bustling capital.

After breakfast at the hotel, you can choose to join a morning safari into Nairobi National Park (payable locally). This unique wildlife park is less than five miles outside of the city, creating an interesting mix of the roaming wildlife backdropped by Nairobi's urban skyline. This optional excursion includes lunch at a local restaurant located in a serene garden setting.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a free day in Nairobi, exploring this fascinating city at leisure. You could head up to the top of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre tower for fantastic views across the city or visit Village Market, an upscale shopping mall designed to resemble an open-air market, to browse for souvenirs. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, you can stroll around the tranquil Uhuru Park, an oasis in the centre of the city, or head further afield to the Karura Forest, one of the world's largest urban forests.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY3To the Treetops Lodge in Aberdare National Park

After breakfast, we are transferred by a private safari vehicle to the Aberdare National Park in Kenya's Central Highlands.    

Known for its wildlife, misty forests, river valleys and cooler climates, Aberdare is one of Kenya's most popular national parks. We arrive in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club, located on a slope of Mweiga Hill, offering fantastic views of the Aberdare Highlands.     

Later, we transfer by private vehicle to our accommodation, the Treetops Lodge. First opened in 1932, this beautiful hotel is built around an ancient tree and is famous as the site where Queen Elizabeth II was staying when she ascended to the throne. It is situated in front a watering hole and along an elephant migratory path, making it a perfect site to view the area's stunning wildlife.  

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY4Across the equator to Samburu National Reserve  

Our journey continues northwards after breakfast. Enroute, there may be an opportunity to view Mount Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, if cloud coverage allows. We cross the equator as we travel into the arid landscape of the tranquil Samburu National Reserve.    

After checking in to our lodge, we enjoy lunch and some free time to settle into our new accommodation. We have our first drive into Samburu this afternoon, providing an opportunity to spot some of the wildlife of the reserve and view the rugged beauty of this remote wilderness.      

We return to the lodge to enjoy a sunset dinner. Our lodge has a magnificent outlook, over the Buffalo Springs and Uaso Nyiro River, and the guest rooms provide fantastic views across the savannah, where elephants and rare wildlife graze.   

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5Exploring Samburu National Reserve

Our day in this exceptional reserve begins with an early morning safari into the park, followed by breakfast at the lodge. The rest of the morning is at leisure to relax by the lodge pool or enjoy the views from the terrace or balcony of your room overlooking the plains, before lunch is served. 

An afternoon safari into Samburu gives us another chance to spot some of the unique wildlife. In particular, we can look out for the Samburu 'Special Five' animals: the Grévy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk (also known as a giraffe gazelle) and the beisa oryx, all of which are mostly spotted in Samburu and northern Kenya. The most common mammals we are likely to see are elephant, present in large numbers across the reserve.

As our afternoon drive concludes, we return to the lodge for dinner. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY6To Lake Nakuru

This morning, we drive south to the thundering Nyahururu Falls, an impressive 230 feet of cascading water tumbling from lush green forest into the rocky gorge of the Ewaso Ng'iro river below. We enjoy lunch in this unique setting, before continuing our journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, where we will stay tonight - we enjoy a safari drive enroute to our hotel.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a protected area for both black and white rhino and the Rothschild's giraffe, with a 117-mile area fenced off to protect these animals from poachers. It is also possible to spot hyenas, lions or an elusive leopard here, as well as two species of waterbuck. Besides a large population of flamingos that often blanket the lake in brilliant pink tones, birdlife here includes African fish eagles, hoopoes, pelicans and other migratory bird species.   

On arrival at the Lake Nakuru Sopa Resort, you have some free time to explore. You may like to relax by the pool or take a stroll around the expansive grounds, where you may well meet wandering giraffes or grazing hippos, before we reconvene for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7The world-famous Maasai Mara Reserve  

One of the highlights of your holiday awaits today as we head to the renowned Maasai Mara, a diverse ecosystem of tropical grassland, acacia trees and patches of forest. This is an incredible destination for wildlife viewing through most of the year, whether it's a pride of lions stalking the savannah, a cheetah racing after its prey or enormous crocodiles wading in the Mara River.   

   Named after the indigenous Maasai people, the Mara is one of the world's most popular game reserves, renowned for its outstanding wildlife conservation and its annual wildebeest, antelope and zebra migrations across the vast Serengeti plains. We arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch at Mara Maisha Camp, our accommodation for the next three nights. 

   After lunch, we set out on an afternoon safari until dusk, the ideal time to spot wildlife as the sun drops towards the horizon. Home to Africa's Big Five, we may see herds of buffalo, zebra or a lounging family of cheetahs. Later, we return to our lodge for dinner.  

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8Cultural visit to a Maasai village  

The Maasai are semi-nomadic people and one of the most recognisable tribes of east Africa. They are known for their red 'shukas' (woven cotton body wrappings), elaborately beaded necklaces, proud warrior heritage and tribal tradition of singing and dancing. Today, we meet with the village elder and members of the renowned tribe on a visit to a traditional Maasai village.     

We spend time in their circular village of mud and grass huts, known as a boma, hearing about the Maasai's deep connection to their land and cattle, a symbol of wealth and cultural identity. Meeting with residents of the village, we learn about their craftsmanship, culture and heritage.       

After lunch at our hotel, we take an afternoon safari into the abundant wildlife, led by a local guide. Later, we return to our lodge with time to relax before dinner.   

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9Folklore of the Oloolua Forest and Giraffe Centre  

Departing Maasai Mara this morning, we head to the Oloolua Forest for lunch. During Kenya's war for independence, this forest was a hiding place for Mau Mau freedom fighters, but today the forest provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city.   

   We take a short walk under the canopy and, as we reach a clearing, birdsong is replaced by the sound of drums and a traditional song of welcome. Here, a storyteller appears, whose tales seem to weave a spell which will pull you into the magic of stories passed down through generations, of great warriors and tricky tortoises, among others. After listening to the folk tales, we have lunch.      

Next, we visit the Giraffe Centre, established in 1983 as a sanctuary for the then endangered Rothschild's giraffe. There is an opportunity to learn more about giraffes and hand-feed them while watching a semi-tame family of warthog's snuffle with their hooves in search of edible scraps. We continue to Nairobi and dine at the city's famous Carnivore restaurant.  

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10Homeward bound

On this epic safari tour, we have experienced the highlights of four of Kenya's most popular national reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, home to hundreds of different bird and animal species that we have been able to admire in their natural habitats. As well as viewing an astonishing array of wildlife, we have also enjoyed insightful glimpses into Maasai culture and the Oloolua Forest folktales and soaked up the beauty of Africa's ancient Great Rift Valley.     

Enjoy a final breakfast at our hotel, then the day is yours to spend as you please until our airport transfer this afternoon. As we land in the UK, your holiday draws to a close and you are free to continue your journey home.  

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Classic collection

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Hotels

Mövenpick Residences, Nairobi
Mövenpick Residences, Nairobi
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Samburu Simba Lodge, Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Samburu Simba Lodge, Buffalo Springs National Reserve
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Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Lake Naivasha
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Mara Maisha Camp, Masai Mara
Mara Maisha Camp, Masai Mara
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Treetops Lodge, Aberdare National Park
Treetops Lodge, Aberdare National Park
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Enhance your holiday

Flight upgrades

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Flight upgrades
London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

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We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

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We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets