The Masai Mara Safari & Mombasa

Day 1: UK/Nairobi
Today you will depart on your overnight scheduled flight to Nairobi.

Day 2: Lake Naivasha
You will arrive in Nairobi this morning. After time to freshen up at the Somak Safari Lounge you will drive through this bustling city and out into the peace of the Great Rift Valley. Your journey takes you to Lake Naivasha, where you will check into the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge in time for a late lunch. The lodge is situated on the banks of the lake and its grounds are visited by many species of wildlife – keep your eyes peeled for the sight of colobus monkeys in the treetops, their distinctive black and white coat making them easy to spot. Spend this afternoon admiring the views from your private balcony, settle by the swimming pool or take a stroll in the company of your Local Guide, who will share their extensive knowledge with you. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay here.

Day 3: Masai Mara
You have an early start this morning, but the rewards come thick and fast as you drive south-west through the Great Rift Valley and into the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. It is home to an enthralling array of wildlife including the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – and each year is the setting for the great migration, when thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River to the greener pastures of the Serengeti.

After lunch en route, you’ll arrive at the Ashnil Mara Tented Camp, where two nights’ accommodation has been arranged. Settle into your luxury tent then join your Local Guide on your first thrilling game drive this afternoon. This evening you can enjoy drinks round the bar’s roaring fire with your fellow travellers before dinner is served in the restaurant. Overlooking the Mara River, the restaurant is a wonderful vantage point from which to see and hear a large, and vocal, population of hippos.

Day 4: Masai Mara
You can start the day with an early-morning optional game drive if you wish. On your return to the lodge you’ll be served a champagne safari breakfast. You can then spend the rest of the morning relaxing by the pool before enjoying a leisurely lunch. Late this afternoon we include a further game drive.

Day 5: Mombasa
After breakfast it’s time to leave the Masai Mara and journey back to Nairobi, enjoying the sights as you travel through the reserve. The long drive will reward you with intriguing snapshots of daily life in Kenya as you pass through Masai villages and shanty towns – be sure to return the waves and smiles of children making their long treks to school.

On arrival in Nairobi you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Mombasa, where four nights’ half board accommodation has been arranged in the Travellers Beach Hotel at Bamburi beach.

Days 6 – 8: Mombasa
Days of rest and relaxation lie ahead of you now – your hotel is set in glorious landscaped gardens which lead down to a powdery white-sand beach, lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

If you want to get out and about and discover all that Mombasa has to offer, we have created an extensive range of optional excursions including the following:

Mombasa City Tour (half day)
Experience the city of Mombasa – essentially an island joined to the mainland by two causeways and a bridge. This tour will introduce you to the best of this historic and multi-cultural city. Sights include the charming Old Town, with its maze of narrow lanes and countless shops selling souvenirs, and Fort Jesus. Designed by an Italian and built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, Fort Jesus has a chequered history, being fought over, won and lost many times.

Dolphin Dhow
Take a trip aboard a dhow – a traditional sailing boat – in the company of dolphin experts, in search of these beautiful sea mammals that so often grace the area’s waters. Lunch on board the dhow is included, as are your drinks (wine, beer and soft drinks).

Tamarind Dhow
The Tamarind is a top-class restaurant which overlooks Mombasa’s harbour. On this excursion you will board one of its traditional dhows, which have been refurbished as floating restaurants, and enjoy a fabulous cruise around Tudor Creek, to the north of Mombasa island, admiring the excellent views of Mombasa’s Old Town and Fort Jesus. Your dhow then moors in a sheltered bay whilst your chef prepares a wonderful four-course seafood dinner on a flaming charcoal grill. After you’ve eaten, a band will play, and there is plenty of room for a spot of dancing.

Tamarind Dinner Dhow
The Tamarind is a top-class restaurant which overlooks Mombasa’s harbour. On this excursion you will board one of its traditional dhows, which have been refurbished as floating restaurants, and enjoy a fabulous cruise around Tudor Creek, to the north of Mombasa island, admiring the excellent views of Mombasa’s Old Town and Fort Jesus. Your dhow then moors in a sheltered bay whilst your chef prepares a wonderful four-course seafood dinner on a flaming charcoal grill. After you’ve eaten, a band will play, and there is plenty of room for a spot of dancing.

Day 9: Mombasa
After a leisurely breakfast you will transfer to Mombasa airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 10: UK
You will arrive in the UK today.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Your experience on safari
On all our game drives you will travel in small groups accompanied by an experienced driver guide. From your window seat in the safari minibus, which has a pop-up top for extra visibility, you will have a fantastic view of all the wildlife around you.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard.

On safari you will stay in the:

Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
Ashnil Mara Camp
Accommodation is in luxury tents in the Masai Mara National Reserve. These excellent lodges feature a bar, restaurant and swimming pool as well as special wildlife viewing areas. Comfortable guest rooms have en suite facilities and balcony or terrace.

At Mombasa, you will stay at the:

4-star Travellers Beach Hotel
Which is situated on the white sands of Bamburi Beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Facilities at this family-owned hotel include a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. All bedrooms feature en suite facilities, TV and air-conditioning.

An all-inclusive package is available at the adjacent Travellers Club Hotel for a supplement.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

2 game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve plus see the Great Rift Valley

Optional excursions

Mombasa tour (half day)
Dolphin dhow cruise
Tamarind dhow cruise with dinner
A breakfast to remember
This tour includes a champagne safari breakfast where the noise of popping corks and the smell of sizzling sausages take a back seat as you take in the sights and sounds of the untamed wilderness all around you.

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation
Half-board basis – plus 3 lunches
The services of a Local Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
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