Cheetah Safari & Kenya Beach

Cheetah Safari & Kenya Beach

Discover the very best of Kenya on Kuoni's most popular wildlife itinerary. Covering a wide area you’ll experience spectacular and diverse scenery, from bushy grasslands and shimmering lakes to acacia trees and endless savannahs. The wildlife itself is equally varied with the opportunity for rich birdlife sightings on Lake Nakuru, as well as Samburu’s lesser-known ‘Special Five’. You can end your adventure on a high, quite literally, viewing wildlife from a hot-air balloon at sunrise across the Maasai Mara – home to The Great Wildebeest Migration.

What's Included:

• Quality accommodation - Insightful local tour leader - Hand-picked itineraries
• 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 6 Dinners
• All specified flights: Park fees & guide tips included
• 4 nights accommodation in Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa - Mombasa

Samburu Intrepids Facilities

Restaurant:

The main dining room opens onto a breezy terrace where buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served.

Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Facilities

Restaurant & Bar:

Meals are served in the Rhino Dining Room, with an international buffet for breakfast and lunch and multi-course set menus for dinner. The aptly named Water Hole Bar provides plenty of refreshments as you watch the passing wildlife.

Spa & Wellness:

There’s a swimming pool for relaxation between safaris and therapists offer massages.

Sarova Mara Game Champ Facilities

Restaurant & Bar:

Meals are served in the Isokon restaurant, which is a beautiful wooden structure with an outdoor dining area, all lit by lanterns and decorated with Maasai art. High-end buffets feature a diverse range of Kenyan and international cuisine. Enjoy live cooking stations and fresh produce from the organic garden. Guests often end the day with spectacular sundowners, where a selection of drinks and snacks are served as you soak up the sunset, often accompanied by Maasai dancers.

Spa & Wellness:

Stop by the Tulia Spa for a signature bamboo massage, body polish or reflexology session.

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa Facilities

Restaurants & Bars:

The large and airy The Pavilions restaurant is your go-to for an extensive buffet breakfast. You can return for dinner, but it’s not your only option, with a bistro menu available at Minazi Café, and speciality seafood dishes at Lido Lounge, which has more of a special occasion feel to it.

Lido Lounge - A fine dining, speciality seafood restaurant overlooking the sea. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Minazi Café - A 24/7 bistro serving light dishes, pizza, fresh coffee and Italian ice cream. There’s a children’s buffet at teatime.

Coco’s beach Bar - A laid-back beach bar serving bar snacks and drinks all day. Look out for happy hour between 5 pm and 7 pm daily and DJ sets and karaoke on selected evenings.

The Pavilions - The main dining room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet style, with live cooking stations preparing global cuisines.

Spa & Wellness:

There’s a wide choice of spa treatments, drawing on western, Asian and ayurvedic practices alongside a beauty menu offering manicures and pedicures. There’s also a swimming pool, jacuzzi and outdoor plunge pool exclusive to the spa.

A full-service gym complements the spa, with cross trainers, bike, free weights, rowing machines and treadmills available. Open 6.30 am to 8pm daily. There’s also water aerobics in the pool every morning, daily jogging on the beach, and daily Zumba class at 5pm.

Accommodation

Samburu Intrepids

• En suite bathroom
• Deck
• Tea and coffee facilities

Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta

• Tea and coffee making facilities
• 24-hour hot water
• Wi-Fi
• Tent service
• Deck

Sarova Mara Game Camp Accommodation

• Queen-size or twin beds
• En suite bathroom
• Ceiling fan
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Mini fridge
• Private deck
• Wi-Fi

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa

• Queen or twin bed
• En suite with rain shower
• Air-conditioning
• Mosquito nets
• Balcony or terrace
• Television
• Minibar
• Tea and coffee facilities

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival in Nairobi, a local representative will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is free to meet your group and relax ahead of your safari adventure. Overnight at Sarova Stanley (or similar).

Day 2: Nairobi & Samburu

After breakfast, begin the 7-hour drive to Samburu. Stop for lunch en route at the Trout Tree Restaurant, a unique dining venue set inside and around a giant fig tree. Enjoy an afternoon game drive around Buffalo Springs National Reserve en route to your accommodation for tonight. Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp (or similar).

Day 3: Samburu

Today is the real start of your African wildlife experience, with two group game drives into the Samburu reserve. These will take place in the morning and afternoon, leaving the hot middle of the day free for relaxation. Lesser visited than its more southerly neighbours, this relatively small reserve’s arid landscape is home to ‘dry country’ animals rarely found outside the park. Samburu is famous for its own rare species known as the 'special five’, namely the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and Beisa Oryx. Spotting one of these highly unusual creatures is a truly memorable experience. Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp (or similar).

Day 4: Samburu & Laikipia

Leaving Samburu this morning, head for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where you will arrive in time for lunch at your camp for the night, Sweetwaters Serena Camp. Set off on an afternoon game drive, searching for the Big Five. You will also visit the Rhino Sanctuary, which protects over one hundred of this endangered species, as well as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can enjoy the antics of these intelligent and playful animals. Then it’s back to camp for dinner. Night game drives can also be organised at an extra cost upon request and will be subject to availability.

Day 5: Laikipia & Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru, one of the vast Great Rift Valley lakes. After lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, head out on an afternoon game drive into the Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for bird lovers with over 400 species. The park's habitat also offers a fantastic opportunity of spotting lion, leopard, Rothschild giraffe, and herds of rare white rhino. Overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (or similar).

Day 6: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara

Depart early today for a 6-hour drive to the Maasai Mara, a spectacular region of rolling plains and open savannah that boasts quintessential African scenery and wildlife viewing. After enjoying lunch at your lodge, head out on an afternoon game drive in search of the Big Five, big cats, and a whole host of other wildlife. You’ll return to camp in time for an excellent dinner, then spend the evening relaxing around the roaring camp fire with your fellow group members. With splendid views across the Mara plains, Sarova Mara Game Camp offers the classic safari experience with the comfort of a hotel-style residence. Overnight at Sarova Mara Game Camp (or similar).

Day 7: Maasai Mara

Today there’s the opportunity to take a thrilling optional hot-air balloon safari to gain a whole new perspective of the Maasai Mara. Wake early and watch as the balloon is prepared, then take flight and drift upwards as the sun rises. The bright pink-orange haze is visible for miles across the vast savannah, as wildlife roam below you. The memorable flight is followed by an impressive Champagne breakfast that will be set up as your balloon comes in to land. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is our most highly recommended optional experience in Kenya. The rest of the day is spent on morning and afternoon game drives into the heart of this wildlife-rich reserve – a fitting end to an exciting safari. Overnight at Sarova Mara Game Camp (or similar).

Day 8: Maasai Mara & Departure

Leave the Mara after breakfast and drive for 6-hours to Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch. Alternatively, if you’re travelling on to Kenya’s coast, you can fly directly from the Mara to Mombasa in the afternoon.

Days 9-11: Mombasa

Arrive at an oceanfront retreat at Mombasa and enjoy a 4 night stay at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa.

Day 12: Departure to London Gatwick

Depart for London Gatwick.