Day 1 – NAIROBI

Arrival in Kenya on where you will be met by your driver guide and a Liberty Africa Safaris representative. Having cleared customs and immigration, you will head for The Stanley, located in the Nairobi city centre.

The New Stanley Hotel was first opened in 1902 as ‘The Stanley’. In the passing years modern Nairobi has sprung up around the New Stanley Hotel which with its ideal location and vibrant atmosphere at the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street, lies in the center of the commercial business district.

The New Stanley underwent a complete yet sympathetic refurbishment. The design concept takes on a Victorian Theme, retaining the high ceilings and old world charm of that era while incorporating every comfort and luxury for the traveler of today.

With this transformation the New Stanley has reinherited its original name, The Stanley.

You will overnight at The Stanley Hotel BB

Day 2 – MASAI MARA see Serian Camp

You will be transferred to the Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara. Upon arrival at the Airstrip, you will be met by Mike Hax and transferred to Serian.
(Serian, meaning “peaceful, calm or serene” in the Maa language of the Maasai people) is the charismatic bush home of Alex Walker, filmmaker and guide in the Masaai Mara. An exclusive bush camp that flanks a secluded valley located alongside the Mara River. The private marquee tents overlook the river and are set in the shade of large walburgia trees that cover the site, a tranquil setting that borders one of the finest Game Reserves in the world.

Every year nearly one and a half million wildebeest, two hundred thousand or so zebra and thousands of smaller plains game, all congregate on the Masai Mara. Heading north in great phalanxes from the Serengeti National park in the south. The relatively small Masai Mara bulges at the seams for a period of several months. The long grass plains are mown into a lawn not too unlike that of Wimbledon’s grass court, by thousands of Gnu. The ceaseless hooting sounds off constantly as a “gnu…gnu…gnu”, giving the White bearded Wildebeest its name. A spectacle unsurpassed in the natural world, as far as the eye can see great herds of wildebeest whittle away at the grass.

Predators revel in the glut and Lions can often be found lazing in the shade with one paw resting on their latest morsel of choice. Cheetah, favor the smaller Thompson Gazelle and are frequently seen giving chase over the short grass plains. Leopard too are all too commonly seen relaxing in the rocks, surveying the teeming herds below as they decide upon when and where to open their account. The perils of the open plain are not the only ones the wildebeest have to face as they gather in great masses on the banks of the Mara River. All of a sudden amongst this gathering, one not so sure footed beast will fall over the steep banks, general panic and a stampede follows as thousands launch themselves into the water twenty foot below. Flowing strongly the river waters whisk away a number of hapless victims drowned in the general melee. Gladly waiting to pick up the remains, downstream of these numerous crossings are some of the largest crocodiles one could wish to encounter. Overhead, watching this tapestry of life and death soar hundreds of vultures, eventually swooping down to pick through the remains of victims.

Relatively few die in these summer months and as the grass plains start to resemble the stubble after harvesting the rains fall in the Serengetti, the great trek directs itself southward once more. Leaving the Mara to its residents to forage amongst the rich fodder and sweet springs that make this the best game viewing area in Africa.

Overnight at Serian Mara Camp LDBB

Day 3 – 6 – MASAI MARA
Full days at leisure, enjoying the various activities that the camp has to offer. Meals and overnight at Serian Mara Camp LDBB

Day 7 &8 MASAI MARA

These 2 days you will enjoy the fly camp. Here we aim to put some adventure into your safari, walking with experienced armed guides we will take you into the heart of the Mara. You will immediately notice the difference between a vehicle tour and one conducted on foot. Senses that may have been a little dulled in a car will strain to perceive indications of the wild game that surrounds you. Your perception of the bush will change until you feel an intimate relationship with the environment through which you trek. You will be experiencing the bush in much the same way that our pre-historic ancestors did. At night we will camp under the stars enjoying a wholesome meal in the company of roaring lions. Meals and overnight at Serian Mara FLY Camp LDBB

OTHER ACTIVITIES Available at cost
Ballooning; at dawn you will climb aboard a hot air balloon and fly along the course of the Mara River and over the vast plains as the sun rises. This is a unique and incredible opportunity to witness the majesty of the African bush. Suspended in a basket beneath the balloons canopy, you will have the chance to view the wildlife from an entirely different perspective. As you float over the plains and above the forest alongside the mara river, you will see Hippos, Crocodile and Elephant from above. The flight time is generally in the region of one hour and ends with breakfast in the open grassland within the reserve.

Alternatively step straight out of your plane into an atmosphere of sweet tranquility. With Lake Victoria's calm waters gently lapping the shores, Rusinga Island Lodge's lush semi-tropical gardens abound with a myriad of vibrantly colored birds, the air sweet with frangipani and jasmine. Rusinga's Island Lodge spacious grounds offer a safe environment for children to release their energy, the more active to catch up on their exercise. For those wishing to relax, a halcyon oasis in which to unwind and take respite. The Lodge's newly opened Spa offers a range of luxurious treatments, whilst on the lake guests may enjoy invigorating water sports such as water skiing and doughnutting. For the keen fisherman, the shallow waters of Lake Victoria are home to legendary Nile Perch growing up to 300lbs, and even the most reluctant fisherman can reap gratification casting off the jetty for abundant tilapia.

Conservation
We are also supporting a predator programme, hoping to engage a researcher in our own area specializing in the big cats. Guests are encouraged to take part in data collection, recording sitings and individual animal behavior. This data will enable the management of the conservancy to establish long-term policy goals and help maintain the natural habitat.

Time on safari is a very special and intimate experience. We are very privileged to enjoy private concession agreements with many indigenous people throughout East Africa. These colorful and hospitable people are very much part of your safari crew. Our responsibilities to local communities extend beyond the mere financial. In conjunction with the landowners we encourage the sustainable use of natural resources such as firewood and water. We have been gratified to find these practices adopted by local communities and consequently a real improvement made to their quality of life. A significant proportion of your guest fee is dedicated to the preservation of these threatened dispersal areas. This finance enables the indigenous peoples with whom we work to maintain their ancestral lands in a pristine state.

Day 8 – MASAI MARA
You will return to the Main Camp for your last night. Meals and overnight at Serian Mara Camp LDBB

Day 9 – LAKE NAKURU
After breakfast transfer to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival you will depart to Lake Nakuru National park with picnic lunch boxes. Arriving early evening, where a mobile camp will be set up for you by Alex Walker.
Dinner and overnight Lake Nakuru National Park L-DBB

Day 10 & 11
Lake Nakuru is world famous for, and was created a National Park to protect, its stunning flocks of lesser flamingo which literally turn its shores pink. Its birdlife is world-renowned: a beacon for leading ornithologists, scientists and wildlife filmmakers. The park spans an attractive range of wooded and bush grassland around the lake, offering wide ecological diversity, from Lake Water, woodland to the rocky escarpment and ridges.

Notable game within the lake includes hippo and clawless otters. On the shores roam waterbuck, Bohor’s Reedbuck and Zebra. The woodlands and forest are now home to both black and white rhino. In 1987 only two black rhino remained following the ravages of poaching. By creating a rhino sanctuary within the park and reintroducing a breeding herd from Laikipia, the KWS has now successfully re-established rhino in the park.

Game viewing is relatively easy: buffalo, leopard, lion, Rothschild Giraffe, White and Black Colobus monkey are plentiful in the forest. The bush lands offer eland, Steinbok, impala, Chandler’s Reedbuck and dik dik, whilst rock hyrax and klipspringer occupy the cliffs and escarpment.

Day 12
After breakfast you will have a leisurely drive back to Nairobi arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure flight.

“The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remain hovering over the places we once enjoyed ourselves”
ALEX WALKER Guide and Film Maker and owner of Serian