Safari Ripuripu

Dia 1: Aberdare National Park

MONDAY: NAIROBI – ABERDARE
At 9:00 a.m., depart the city for Nyeri, crossing Kenya's central highlands, rich in scenic landscapes and agricultural crops, including pineapple, tea, and coffee plantations.
Arrive in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club.
In the afternoon, transfer to Ark Lodge (in Club vehicles) for an evening and night safari from the lodge area.
Dinner and overnight at ARK LODGE.

Note: Please note that for the night at Ark Lodge, you should only bring a backpack with essential personal items; due to limited space, the rest of your luggage must be left at the base hotel, the Aberdare Country Club.

Aberdare National Park
With large numbers of elephants and black rhinos, Aberdare National Park attracts those seeking more than just a safari. With dense forests, 300-meter-high waterfalls, and incredible hiking trails, this park is rich in both flora and fauna. The Kikuyu name for the mountains is Nyandarua (dried skin), due to their distinctive profile.
It is a fairytale paradise of 492 km² characterized by dense high-alpine forests and misty spaces of Afro-alpine heathland, deep gorges and ravines where icy rivers plunge into spectacular waterfalls and falls such as the Gura Falls (791 feet) or the Karura Falls (894 feet).
The Salient, which extends towards the nearby town of Nyeri, was once a migratory route for elephants. These large animals remain within the park, along with buffalo, a wide variety of antelope, giant forest hogs, the elusive bongo antelope, black rhinos, lions, leopards, and hyenas. Encountering a herd of elephants on a sharp bend in the road, amidst this dense, lush vegetation, is a completely new sensation.
At 2,000 m, the forest gives way to dense bamboo thickets. At 3,500 m, the vegetation is already sparse and consists mainly of heather. Giant lobelia and giant ground senecio thrive here, reaching heights of up to 5 m. The highest point is Ol Doinyo Lesatima, at 3,999 m. The region features three distinct vegetation zones: dense high-mountain forest, bamboo forest, and Afro-alpine heathland. A visit to one of these areas offers the opportunity to observe no fewer than 13 bird species, including the northern double-collared nightjar, the yellow-winged nightjar, the taco-headed nightjar, the green-headed nightjar, the variable nightjar, and the scarlet-crested malachite nightjar, along with large raptors such as the mountain buzzard and the African goshawk.

Dia 2: Lago Nakuru

TUESDAY: ABERDARE – LAKE NAKURU
After breakfast at the Ark, return to the Aberdare Country Club, where you will meet your safari guide/driver and depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, with a short visit/stop at Thompson Falls in Nyahururu.
A scenic drive and a spectacular descent along the Great Rift Valley escarpment to the valley floor, the town of Nakuru, and then Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch.
Late afternoon safari in the park.
Dinner and overnight at LAKE NAKURU SOPA LODGE.

Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's most beautiful national parks. Surrounded by rocky escarpments, acacia forests, and at least one waterfall, the park is often described as a birdwatcher's paradise.
It was once called "Pink Lake" due to the more than 1 million lesser flamingos that resided on the shores of the shallow, alkaline lake. But rising water levels in 2014 forced the flamingos to flee (although they are slowly returning). Hundreds of other aquatic birds can also be found on the lake itself, including pelicans, marabou stork, gulls, avocets, plovers, and black-winged stilts, while the park's acacia trees and rocky cliffs are home to Verreaux's eagles, splendid fish eagles, vultures, and hoopoes.
The parks are populated by numerous buffalo, waterbuck, gazelle, and impala, while the majestic and rare Rothschild giraffe roam the riverine acacia forest, occasionally crossing the open plains. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals are commonly sighted, as are black and white rhinos, which have found refuge in Kenya's main rhino sanctuary.

Dia 3: Maasai Mara National Reserve

WEDNESDAY: LAKE NAKURU – MAASAI MARA
After breakfast, depart at 7:30 am for the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, safari (at 4:00 pm) in the Masai Mara Reserve, widely considered the best safari area in the world!
Dinner and overnight at MARA SOPA LODGE.

Masai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara With its stunning lowland landscapes, unparalleled safari activities, and diverse wildlife, the Masai Mara National Reserve is considered Kenya's best park and one of Africa's regions with the highest predator density. The reserve covers 583 square miles (1,510 square kilometers) of extraordinary wilderness in southwest Kenya.
The location, wildlife, activities, and mild, comfortable climate put Mara at the top of the list, even for the most discerning travelers visiting Kenya. When the public reserve was first established, it covered 645 square miles (1,672 square kilometers). Strategically, the reserve was subsequently reduced in size in 1984 to allow Maasai cattle to graze on their ancestral lands.

Although the reduction in area may be considered a disappointment for wildlife conservation and protection in its infancy, the reserve's animals and habitats have found new allies to ensure their survival for future generations. Many private reserves have been established to protect the land surrounding the reserve, thus providing more space for wildlife. These lands not only protect the habitats of resident species, but also preserve a key section of the route used by wildebeest and zebra during the Great Migration that passes through the Masai Mara through Serengeti National Park. Recognized as one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet, the migration is a continuous path followed by over 1.5 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras, gazelles, and elands. In their relentless search for the best pastures and watering holes, wildebeest are on the move almost constantly. Their perseverance is demonstrated by their ability to mate on the move, and many females become pregnant during part of the migration. Furthermore, even the smallest wildebeest calves must keep pace with the herd. Standing up and walking in a matter of minutes is crucial to their survival.

Dia 4: Maasai Mara National Reserve

THURSDAY: MAASAI MARA
Morning and afternoon safari in the vast Maasai Mara National Reserve. If you're lucky, you might see the Big Five in a single day!
By prior arrangement with your drivers/guides, a full-day safari with a picnic lunch is also available.
All meals and overnight stay at MARA SOPA LODGE.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (at an additional cost - to be paid directly):
* 1-hour hot air balloon safari over the Mara plains, with a bush breakfast accompanied by champagne
* Visit to a traditional Maasai village

Maasai Mara
Migrants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve are present from around late June to early August until late October to early November. However, the Mara offers year-round wildlife viewing. The reserve and surrounding protected areas offer the opportunity to observe various resident species. Impala, toadstools, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, and other grazing herbivores are often seen. With so much prey, the Masai Mara is a veritable goldmine for large predators, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, and other stealthy and powerful hunters. The abundance of land animals is complemented by the presence of over 450 winged species, including 57 birds of prey. The Masai Mara Game Reserve offers various tourist activities to explore the plains landscape and observe incredible animal behavior. Adjacent nature reserves offer distinct activities that are not permitted in the reserve. Safaris in the reserve are perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the Kenyan savannah and see large animals.
For guests interested in observing nocturnal animals, night safaris are available in some of the adjacent private reserves. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is known for its enormous diversity of flora and fauna, and some small details can be overlooked during safaris. Most reserves offer savannah walks to observe the area's microecosystems up close. Complementing these walks or a general visit to the Mara, a hot air balloon safari experience, offering a bird's-eye view of the area, is a memorable experience.
Finally, the Maasai community is crucial to the advancement of wildlife management in the area. It's therefore recommended to take the time to learn more about these noble people by visiting one of their villages for a life-changing cultural experience, understanding their modest and simple way of life.

Dia 5: Lago Naivasha

FRIDAY: MAASAI MARA - LAKE NAIVASHA
Breakfast at the lodge.
Departure and transfer to the shores of Lake Naivasha to arrive at the resort in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, a one-hour boat trip on the lake.

Optional activities available for the afternoon:
* Visit to Crescent Island (to be done with the boat trip)
* Visit to Hell's Gate National Park (by bike/on foot/by car)
* Hike on Mount Longonot.

Dinner and overnight at LAKE NAIVASHA SOPA RESORT.

NOTE: Depending on the day's weather, the boat trip may be performed before lunch if adverse weather/rain is forecast in the afternoon.

Lake Naivasha
At an altitude of 1,890 meters lies the tranquil freshwater Lake Naivasha, a splendid oasis for a safari holiday. Just beyond its shores lie papyrus swamps, acacia forests, forests, and unique geological features, remnants of the area's volcanic past. The nutrient-rich soil is fertilized by abundant water, including the Gilgil and Malewa rivers, creating an ecosystem known worldwide for its diverse bird and land wildlife. Lake Naivasha is a RAMSAR site, a designation reflecting the ecological importance of the wetlands surrounding the lake. More than 450 distinct bird species have been identified, and the resident avian fauna is joined by migratory species from October to March. The lake, high cliffs, and forests are home to spectacled weavers, red-billed finches, grey-backed swans, grey-capped warblers, and many other interesting and colorful winged creatures. The most important, however, are the cormorants and pelicans, while the African fish eagles are the most majestic birds of prey. During the tour through the acacia forests, you may spot hawks, cuckoos, woodpeckers, shrikes, and other birds, and a lone giraffe might peer out of curiosity between the thorny branches. The papyrus swamps are home to jacanas, herons, and kingfishers.
Lake Naivasha is a major watering hole for buffalo, zebra, eland, impala, waterbuck, and other herbivores, as well as a favorite spot for hippos to cool off during the day. Join a night safari in one of the surrounding private reserves, such as Loldia and Oserian, and you'll see these incredible animals slowly emerge from their resting places in the lake to graze along the shore. During the safari, you may also see other savannah and forest animals, including the elusive leopard.

Dia 6: Amboseli National Park

SATURDAY: LAKE NAIVASHA – NAIROBI – AMBOSELI
Breakfast at the resort.
After breakfast, depart Naivasha and begin the journey to Amboseli National Park via Nairobi.
Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge.
At 3:30 PM, depart for the first game drive in Amboseli National Park.
At sunset, depart the park and return to AMBOSELI SOPA LODGE for dinner and an overnight stay.

Amboseli National Park
Located in southern Kenya, Amboseli National Park is renowned for its excellent variety of wildlife, such as Masai giraffes, elephants, lions, and cheetahs, making it one of Kenya's most popular parks. Amboseli's landscape is dominated by the majestic snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as open plains, acacia forests, swamps, and the Ol Doinyo Orok massif. Bird watching is excellent, especially near the lakes and swamps. The park is renowned for being the best place in Africa to get up close to large herds of elephants and other wildlife. Other attractions include the chance to meet the Maasai people and enjoy spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's highest free-standing mountain.

Dia 7:

SUNDAY: AMBOSELI – NAIROBI – DEPART
Early breakfast at the lodge.
After breakfast, depart for a short safari in Amboseli National Park.

At 9:00 am, return to Nairobi, arriving at 2:00 pm.
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight/hotel.
(Transfer 3-4 hours prior to departure)
(Room rates and meals not included)

Nairobi
Located along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital city of Nairobi is East Africa's most cosmopolitan city. It's an excellent starting point for African safaris in Kenya. Nairobi is Africa's fourth-largest city and a vibrant and exciting place. It boasts some fascinating attractions: its café culture, vibrant nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum, and, best of all, just 20 minutes from the city center, lions and wild buffalo roam the world's only urban game reserve. Be sure to visit the elephant orphanage run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.