Kenya Grand Safari
Kenya Grand Safari
Kenya Grand Safari
9 Days
Visiting: Kenya, Aberdare National Park, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu, Nyahururu, Lake Nakuru National park, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
20696
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 45
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
21-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$5016
$4448 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$568
-11%
Tour Overview
Enjoy unforgettable close-up encounters with wildlife, the scenic wonders of the forested highlands and the teeming plains of the Maasai Mara. Discover for yourself what is arguably East Africa’s greatest natural wonderland as you visit a quartet of protected national parks and reserves. You’ll have opportunities to view some of the most extraordinary wildlife on earth on a succession of unforgettable game drives. Meet some of Africa's most fascinating peoples, and journey through a country filled with striking and dramatic scenery.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Kenya
Location: Kenya
Meals Included: No Meals
Fly overnight from the UK to Nairobi.
Day 2 : Travel To Aberdare National Park
Location: Aberdare National Park
Meals Included: No Meals
Your driver/guide will be waiting to meet you when you arrive, today, and together you'll head north in your safari vehicle. You'll pass acres of ripening pineapples in Thika, and climb through the forested hills to Aberdare National Park.
Here you'll spend the night at the incredible Ark Lodge, which looks out over a floodlit waterhole that attracts an assortment of wildlife. This area was also a popular destination for the British Royal Family in the past (the Queen was staying here when she learned of her father's death in 1952).
Unwind this afternoon at the lodge, making sure to keep an eye out for the visiting animals.
Day 3 : Journey To Samburu National Reserve
Location: Samburu National Reserve
Meals Included: No Meals
After breakfast, drive to Samburu National Reserve, perhaps catching a glimpse of Mount Kenya, often shrouded in cloud, on the way.
Journey into the high plain, through grasslands dotted with market towns, cross the Equator and take in the panorama of the Laikipia plateau before dropping down onto the arid lowlands to Samburu National Reserve.
On the banks of the Ewaso Ny’iro River, rugged Samburu is one of Kenya’s most peaceful and beautiful locations. It's also home to elephants, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes, zebra, the blue-legged Somali ostrich and the giraffe-necked gerenuk gazelle. After lunch, join your driver/guide for your first included game drive, returning to the lodge in time for a sundowner before dinner.
Day 4 : Enjoy Game Drives In Samburu
Location: Samburu
Meals Included: No Meals
You'll spend today in the reserve. Choose morning and afternoon drives, and return to your lodge for lunch, or spend the whole day out on safari, taking a packed lunch with you.
Day 5 : Travel Through The Rift Valley To Lake Nakuru National Park
Location: Nyahururu, Lake Nakuru National park
Meals Included: No Meals
Journey, via Kenya’s highest town Nyahururu (formerly known as Thompson’s Falls after the nearby waterfall), into the Rift Valley. Enjoy lunch at the Thomson Falls Lodge, and an afternoon game drive en-route to Lake Nakuru National Park, a popular grazing ground for black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffe, buffaloes and several species of gazelle, and similarly popular with leopards. The lake itself is a paradise for birdwatchers, who can expect to see flamingos and pelicans, as well as fish eagles, heron and hundreds of other species.
Day 6 : Continue Through The Rift Valley To The Maasai Mara
Location: Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara National Reserve
Meals Included: No Meals
Continue south, pausing at spectacular, freshwater Lake Naivasha - one-time home of Born Free author Joy Adamson. Board a boat to cruise on the lake’s waters, which are home to hippos, and keep a look out for its many bird species, and for giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and wildebeest on the shore.
By early afternoon you will have entered the Maasai Mara, perhaps the world’s most famous protected game reserve, to enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your lodge. The Mara is the setting for Kenya's annual wildebeest migration and, thanks to a rigid conservation programme, it's a place where game can be seen in numbers little diminished from the pre-hunting days of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. If you're hoping to see giraffes, zebra, hippos, buffalo, elephants, ostriches - not to mention lions, cheetahs and leopards - this particular corner of Africa offers unparalleled opportunities, and your two-night stay here should leave you with some indelible memories.
Day 7 : Game Drives In The Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Meals Included: No Meals
Enjoy a last full-day of game drives, whether you choose morning and afternoon safaris or spend all day in the reserve. During the day, you’ll visit a Maasai village, and will have the opportunity to meet the villagers, speak to them about their lives here and buy a locally produced souvenir of your stay. Enjoy a last dinner at the lodge.
Day 8 : Travel Back To Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Meals Included: No Meals
Make the journey up out of the Rift Valley back to Nairobi. Enjoy a short visit to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s engaging Giraffe Centre - with its protected Rothschild giraffes.
Your last night's stay in Kenya will be in the sumptuous five-star surroundings of the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, an historic Nairobi landmark. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner here, this evening.
Day 9 : Travel Back To The Uk
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: No Meals
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to check in for your flight home, which arrives back in the UK late the same afternoon.
What's Included
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Six nights' full-board accommodation in game lodges
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One night's bed and breakfast accommodation at a five-star hotel in Nairobi
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A farewell dinner at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel
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One night on the plane
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Three game drives in the Samburu National Reserve
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Three game drives in the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve
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A boat ride on Lake Naivasha
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Return flights to Nairobi
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Travel by 4x4 safari vehicles throughout
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Fully escorted by friendly, experienced drivers and safari guides
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Small group tours
Group sizes on each departure of this tour are restricted to a maximum of 24 people. The usual group size is between 16 and 20, with most travel undertaken in smaller six-seater vehicles meaning you can enjoy experiences and encounters (and in some cases even stay in wonderful little places) that are denied to larger groups.
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 3 hours.
Passports and visas
British Citizens require a visa to travel to Kenya, which can be applied for online. We will send you details prior to travel. Passports must be valid for six months from your date of entry into Kenya, and have two adjacent blank pages available for arrival in Kenya.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.
Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Road Conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
The Great Migration
Why not coincide your safari with the annual Great Migration, which sees the largest mass movement of mammals on Earth, travelling from Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and back again? Witness over one million stampeding wildebeest and other wild animals make the journey, which usually can be seen in the Maasai Mara from July to September. Prices naturally increase at this time, but the spectacle is more than worth it.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
British Citizens require a visa to travel to Kenya, which can be applied for online. We will send you details prior to travel. Passports must be valid for six months from your date of entry into Kenya, and have two adjacent blank pages available for arrival in Kenya.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 04, 2024 - Jun 12, 2024Tuesday - Wednesday
Nov 05, 2024 - Nov 13, 2024Tuesday - Wednesday
Jan 07, 2025 - Jan 15, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Mar 04, 2025 - Mar 12, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Apr 29, 2025 - May 07, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
May 27, 2025 - Jun 04, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 01, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 12, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.