Grand Safari Tour of Kenya

Your east African safari adventure begins at London Heathrow this morning as we meet the Tour Manager before boarding a daytime flight to Nairobi. Kenya has a staggering number of national parks and reserves, dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat.

Our holiday takes in seven of the country's Top Ten reserves, ranging from Aberdare in the Central Highlands and Samburu, close to the equator, to Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley and the world-renowned Maasai Mara. Each park is home to a unique variety of wildlife in addition to the 'Big Five' animals.

Landing in Nairobi late this evening, we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city's popular Westlands district. The rest of the day is free for you to dine independently tonight.

After breakfast, we are transferred by a private safari vehicle to the Aberdare National Park in Kenya's Central Highlands. Known for its wildlife, misty forests, river valleys and cooler climates, Aberdare is one of Kenya's most popular national parks. We arrive here in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club.

Later, we transfer by private vehicle to our accommodation, the Ark Lodge, which has a spectacular viewing perch to watch as animals gather by the waterholes around the lodge. The Ark has four superb viewing decks with balconies and lounges which provide excellent lookout spots to observe wildlife, including dozens of species of tropical birds, from the comfort of the lodge.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey continues northwards after breakfast. Enroute, there may be an opportunity to view Mount Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, if cloud coverage allows. We cross the equator as we travel into the arid landscape of the tranquil Samburu National Reserve. After check in at the lodge, we enjoy lunch.

We have our first drive into Samburu this afternoon, returning to the lodge before sunset for dinner and overnight. Our lodge has a magnificent outlook, over the Buffalo Springs and Uaso Nyiro River, and the guest rooms provide fantastic views across the savannah, where elephants and rare wildlife graze.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day in this exceptional reserve begins with an early morning safari into the park, followed by breakfast at the lodge. The rest of the morning is at leisure to relax by the lodge pool or enjoy the views from the terrace or balcony of your room overlooking the plains. Lunch is served at the lodge.

An afternoon safari into Samburu gives us another chance to spot some of the unique wildlife. In particular, we can look out for the Samburu 'Special Five' animals: the Grévy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk (also known as a giraffe gazelle) and the beisa oryx, all of which are mostly spotted in Samburu and northern Kenya. The most common mammals we are likely to see are elephant, present in large numbers across the reserve.

As our afternoon drive concludes, we return to the lodge for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we drive south to the thundering Nyahururu Falls, an impressive 230 feet of cascading water, emerging from lush green forest. We travel onwards to Lake Naivasha, the highest lake in the Great Rift Valley. Famous for its dense population of hippos, at times the lake turns a magnificent shade of pink as an abundance of flamingos congregate on its waters.

On arrival at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge, we check in for two nights, then the rest of your day is free. You may like to relax by the pool or take a stroll around the expansive grounds, where you may well meet wandering giraffe or grazing hippos.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we experience the stunning scenery of Kenya's Great Rift Valley on a half-day wildlife drive at Lake Nakuru National Park. This is a protected area for both black and white rhino, and the Rothschild's giraffe. It is also possible to spot hyena or an elusive leopard here. Besides a large population of flamingos, birdlife here includes African fish eagles, hoopoes, pelicans and other migratory bird species.

After lunch, we enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha where we may spot wildlife on the shore while looking out for birds such as pied kingfishers, spoonbills and white-breasted cormorants. After today's adventures, we return to the lodge for dinner and our final night in these beautiful surroundings.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of the highlights of your holiday awaits today as we head to the renowned Maasai Mara, a diverse ecosystem of tropical grassland, acacia trees and patches of forest. This is an incredible destination for wildlife viewing most of the year, whether it's a pride of lions stalking the savannah, a cheetah racing after its prey or enormous crocodiles wading in the Mara River.

Named after the indigenous Maasai people, the 'Mara' is one of the world's most popular game reserves, renowned for its outstanding wildlife conservation and its annual wildebeest, antelope and zebra migration across the vast Serengeti plains. We arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch at Mara Maisha Camp.

Afterwards, we set out on an afternoon safari until dusk, the ideal time to spot wildlife as the sun drops towards the horizon. Home to Africa's 'Big Five', we may see herds of buffalo, zebra or a lounging family of cheetahs. Later, we return to our lodge for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Maasai are semi-nomadic people, and one of the most recognisable tribes of east Africa, known for their red 'shukas' (woven cotton body wrappings) and elaborately beaded necklaces, their proud warrior heritage, and tribal tradition of singing and dancing. Today we meet with the village elder and members of the renowned tribe on a visit to a traditional Maasai village.

We spend time in their circular village of mud and grass huts, known as a boma, hearing about the Maasai's deep connection to their land and cattle, a symbol of wealth and cultural identity. Meeting with residents of the village, we learn about their craftsmanship, culture and heritage.

After lunch at our hotel, we take an afternoon safari into the abundant wildlife, led by a local guide. Later, we return to our lodge with time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our third day in this vast national park is free to enjoy as you wish, and you could continue to explore the extensive plains in search of the 'Big Five'. To make the most of your time in the park and maximise the chance of viewing wildlife, opt for a full-day safari in the park. A picnic lunch will be provided before heading out to view wildlife in the Mara's vast savannah before returning to your lodge later in the day.

Alternatively, you could take a morning and afternoon safari into the reserve, travelling in 4×4 vehicle and keeping an eye out for herds of elephants, big cats and hyenas. Between wildlife drives at Mara Maisha Camp, you could enjoy a relaxing time by the swimming pool with a refreshing drink, taking in amazing views across the savannah.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Returning to Nairobi, we stop at the Oloolua Forest for lunch and to hear stories about the forest folk. Here we take a short walk beneath the canopy of the Oloolua Forest, a dry tropical forest which once covered most of this part of Nairobi. During Kenya's war for independence this was a hiding place for Mau Mau freedom fighters, but today the forest provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city.

As you reach a clearing, the forest's birdsong is replaced by the sound of drums and a traditional song of welcome. Here, a storyteller appears, whose tales seem to weave a spell which will pull you into the magic of stories passed down through generations, of great warriors and tricky tortoises, among others. After listening to the folk tales, we have lunch.

Next, we visit the Giraffe Centre, established in 1983 as a sanctuary for the then endangered Rothschild's giraffe. There is an opportunity to learn more about giraffe and hand-feed them while watching the semi-tame family of warthog's snuffle with their hooves in search of edible scraps. We overnight in Nairobi and dine at the city's famous Carnivore restaurant.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start our journey eastwards today as we travel to Amboseli National Park. As we approach the park, and if the skies are clear, we will be rewarded with views of the legendary Mount Kilimanjaro. We arrive at Kibo Safari Camp where we check in and enjoy lunch.

Our home for the next two nights is located in Amboseli National Park and boasts spectacular views of Africa's highest mountain. Amboseli is famous for its large population of big-tusked elephants. The name Amboseli means 'salty dust' in the Maasai language, and it is typical to see elephants wallowing in the dry white earth here.

This afternoon, we enjoy our first drive in the national park in search of the animals and birdlife.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart the lodge after breakfast for a full-day safari, viewing wildlife in the Amboseli National Park. With a picnic lunch, we can make the most of our time searching the wetlands, swamps and wide-open plains for its diverse animal families.

Set against the glorious backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, there's a chance to spot the tallest land mammal, the Maasai giraffe, as well as lion, cheetah and leopard.

As the sun sets on the horizon and Kenya's skies begin to darken, we return to our lodge for dinner, which can be enjoyed under the night sky if you wish.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we set off for Tsavo West National Park, where the scenery becomes more dramatic with denser and taller vegetation. On our way to the reserve, we stop at a rhino sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts here, and how the numbers of rhinoceros are steadily increasing thanks to the sanctuary's important work.

Next, we continue to Mzima Springs, a blissful green oasis within the national park, home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. Lunch will be provided at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge before an afternoon safari in the national park, where our guide will help you spot leopards, buffalo, elephants, hippos, zebras and monkeys and hopefully much more.

Later, we are transferred to Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We awaken in the beautiful Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Once used as a game hunting ground, the sanctuary was established in 1970 to allow for conservation and to promote wildlife viewing across the beautiful mountainous landscapes.

We set out on our first wildlife drive of the day this morning, with bird watching a real highlight in this area where 350 different bird species make their home. Three of the species are endemic to Taita itself - the Taita thrush, Taita apalis (one of the rarest birds in the world) and Taita white eye. Taita Hills is also home to a unique museum, which outlines World War One as it was played out in east Africa, with artefacts and archival photos on display.

After lunch, we take an afternoon drive into the wildlife sanctuary hoping to spot some of the 56 mammal species who reside here, including buffalo, giraffe, eland, kudu, zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest, impala, water buck and Grant gazelle. As our safari concludes, we return to our resort hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Voi station to board Kenya's only standard-gauge railway, the Madaraka Express.

Experience Kenya's landscapes from a different viewpoint as we are travel westwards, through Tsavo East National Park, with a chance to spot wildlife from our seats. The railway is elevated in areas along the route to allow for the natural movement of animals, and we pass small towns and villages before arriving in Nairobi.

In Nairobi, we are met and transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn where we are allocated dayrooms to freshen-up and relax before starting our return journey home. Later, we are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our overnight flight to the UK.

• Breakfast

Over the past 15 days we have experienced the highlights of seven of Kenya's most popular national reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. While every safari is difficult to predict with surprising encounters being part of the experience, Kenya's diverse parks are home to hundreds of different bird and animal species, and what we have seen may never be repeated.

Besides presenting an astonishing array of wildlife, this holiday has provided insightful glimpses into Maasai culture and the Oloolua Forest folktales, all taking place on an impressive stage set featuring Africa's ancient Great Rift Valley and Mount Kilimanjaro.

As we land in the UK this morning, your holiday draws to a close and you are free to continue your journey home.