12 days -April 25-May 6, 2009
$2995 ppdo + air taxes & $180 park fees
Includes air from LAX!

Day 1: Depart Los Angeles. Your exotic journey begins as you depart LAX on your overnight flight to Kenya.

Day 2 & 3: NAIROBI. Two nights in the bustling capital of Kenya allows plenty of time to shop and admire the local sights. You will visit the Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Center, where you’ll admire and feed the gentle animals. A welcome dinner and safari orientation with local music is scheduled on your second night. SAFARI PARK HOTEL (B,D)

Day 4: NAIROBI/MT. KENYA/SAMBURU. Enjoy unparalleled beauty as you cross northward through the Central Highlands, crossing the Equator to majestic Mt. Kenya, a dormant volcano with a glittering cap of snow and ice. After lunch, continue to Samburu National Reserve, and (smile—you’re on safari!) be on the lookout for Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra—species only found in this drier climate. SAMBURU LODGE (B,L,D)

Day 5: SAMBURU. Set in an extraordinary region along the Ewaso Ngiro River, Samburu is home to some of Africa’s rarest game species. The river abounds with crocodile and hippo, and attracts plenty of wildlife including the shy oryx beisa, leopard, cheetah, and lion. Exciting a.m. and afternoon game drives, plus “down” time to relax by the pool. (B,L,D)

Day 6: SAMBURU/MT. KENYA. Depart for Mt. Kenya National Park, a wonderland of dense forests, tumbling waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Arrive at your lodge, the only “tree-hotel” ever to be built on the slopes of legendary Mt. Kenya. From specially built viewpoints, you may watch the animals arriving at the floodlit waterhole and saltlicks throughout the evening and night. SERENA MOUNTAIN LODGE (B,L,D)

Day 7: LAKE NAKURU/LAKE NAIVASHA. Journey southwest today and stop at the impressive Nyahururu Falls. Continue along the spectacular Rift Valley toward Lake Nakuru, famous for its vast population of pink flamingos. Experience the thrill of an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s finest rhino sanctuaries. Proceed to Lake Naivasha and check into your lodge, overlooking the lake. LAKE NAIVASHA SIMBA LODGE (B,L,D)

Day 8: LAKE NAIVASHA. A day at leisure to unwind at your world-class lodge, situated on the banks of idyllic Lake Naivasha. Optional activities include a scenic boat ride and a visit to Crescent Islan--across the lake--to view the rich wildlife and numerous bird species. (B,L,D)

Day 9: LAKE NAIVASHA/MASAI MARA. Today drive to the fabled Masai Mara National Reserve, rich with wildlife, birds, natural flora and stunning scenic beauty. The Masai Mara is the northern extension of Tanzania’s famous Serengeti Plains. It is Kenya’s premier place of seeing wildlife, and home to a thriving population of predators such as lion and cheetah, as well as hippo, crocodile, zebra, giraffe, elephant, wildebeest and impala. Arrive at your lodge, ideally located on the banks of the Talek River and surrounded by lush landscaped gardens. Enjoy a thrilling afternoon game-viewing drive in this photographer’s paradise. Tonight enjoy a traditional performance of tribal dances by local Masai Warriors. MARA SIMBA LODGE (B,L,D)

Day 10: MASAI MARA. Included in today’s program are additional morning and late afternoon safaris led by your game spotter who will take you in search of the Big Five: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Optional hot-air balloon safari above the Masai Mara’s plains, and visit to the local Masai Village to experience customs and culture. (B,L,D)

Day 11: MASAI MARA/NAIROBI/DEPART KENYA. Enjoy a final morning safari and, after a hearty breakfast, drive back to Nairobi. A day room has been reserved for you in the capital; you will have free time to relax or explore independently before transferring to the airportfor your flight back to the U.S.A. SAFARI PARK HOTEL (day room). (B)

Day 12: ARRIVE LOS ANGELES. Your memorable journey ends as you arrive in Los Angeles this afternoon.