The Trip

Travel in the footsteps of Karen Blixon and Earnest Hemmingway on a very special East Africa big game safari!

Kenya is a country transformed! The passing of the country’s new constitution last year has ushered in an age of Kenyan nationalism (not tribal fractionalism) and a commitment to rebuilding the country’s fabulous safari tourism – once the model for all of Africa. Our goal during this 11-day journey is to see as many wild animals as possible and make a cultural connection with the amazingly diverse populations that comprise modern Kenya. We have carefully devised your safari so that you will visit the three of the greatest landscapes for viewing wildlife in Kenya: the Masai Mara (the northern continuation of the Serengeti in Kenya), Tsavo West (beloved by Hemmingway and Teddy Roosevelt and home to Kenya's largest concentration of wild elephants) and Lewa Downs, a private reserve in the Kenyan highlands that protect more white rhino than any other in Africa.

Itinerary

Day 0 - July 22 - Fly from the USA to Nairobi

Day 1 - July 23 - Arrive in Nairobi, Day 1
We will enjoy a welcome reception tonight in a hotel that was a favorite of Earnest Hemmingway and other famous travelers in the golden age of safari-based tourism. Sleep in Nairobi

Day 2 - July 24 - Nairobi/Kilaguni Lodge, Tsavo
Enjoy the first of our four scenic flights, this time from Nairobi to Tsavo West – one of Kenya’s foremost national parks and home to the largest population of wild elephants in East Africa. Sleep in Tsavo

Day 3 - July 25 - Tsavo West National Park
Today we will travel into Tsavo West National Park to search for elephants and other big game. We will visit the Kampa tribe to enjoy tribal songs and dances and learn what this resourceful tribe is doing to protect their wildlife. Sleep in Tsavo

Day 4 - July 26 - Tsavo/Masai Mara
This morning we will travel to Mtito Andei, a small village where we will visit a woman who has taken in thousands of needy orphans. Later in morning, we will fly from Tsavo to the Masai Mara in time for an evening game drive. Sleep in Masai Mara

Day 5 - July 27 - Masai Mara
We take two game drives today – one early in the morning to see if we can witness a lion or cheetah on the prowl and another later in the day to hopefully catch a zebra river crossing! This the period when they start to migrate south! Sleep in Masai Mara

Day 6 - July 28 - Masai Mara - We will enjoy another game drive today as well as an intriguing introduction to a Massai warrior who is going against the grain to protect young Massai woman from a hurtful, tribal tradition. We will visit a boarding school that has been built to house and educate young Masai girls. Sleep in Masai Mara

Day 7 - July 29 - Fly to Lewa Downs
This time, we will fly over Kenya’s lush Central highlands to a private cattle ranch that was transformed 20 years ago into one of East Africa’s finest wildlife reserves. The owner of the reserve, Ian Craig, saw firsthand the devastation of Somalian poachers back in the 1980’s and decided to take the matter into his own hands. His reserve protects more white rhinos than any other in Africa. Sleep in Masai Mara

Day 8 - July 30 - Lewa Downs game drives
Today we will enjoy two game drives and another sundowner as we take a 360 degree tour around the massive expanse of Lewa Downs.

Day 9 - July 31 - Lewa Downs
Enjoy your last game drive followed by a feast with the local Il’Ngwesi tribe. This tribe was the first to launch a community-owned ranch back in the 1990’s. Their safari camp is now the talk of East Africa.

Day 10 - August 1 - Lamu Island or back to the USA
Today we will return to Nairobi in time to catch an afternoon flight to Lamu Island (a three-night trip extension) or an evening flight home.

East Africa M&G style

During your journey you will also enjoy special meetings and lectures with an assortment of interesting local personalities including a senior official of the Kenyan Wildlife Service, the director of an orphanage in Mtito Andei and the son of a Massai chief who is endeavoring to bring an end to a tribal tradition that inflicts pain on young girls. These knowledgeable individuals will help you to understand the complicated issues behind conserving the culture as well as the flora/fauna of East Africa.

13 days, 12 nights
$4,750 per person in double room
$855 single supplement

BOOK BY February 1st, 2012 AND SAVE $250

Price includes: all breakfasts, all lunches and all dinners, all lodging, all transportation, all guiding and all sightseeing per itinerary, all internal flights while in Africa.

We also include at no extra cost a travel insurance policy from Travelguard and an additional medical evacuation policy.

Not included: International flight to/from Nairobi, visa costs, tips to guides and drivers and personal expenses.

Itinerary details:
1 night Nairobi
2 nights Tsavo
3 nights Masai Mara
3 Lewa Downs