Kenya

Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya's vibrant capital. You'll be met by a local Lion World Travel representative and escorted to the deluxe Stanley Hotel which recalls the graceful era of Victorian elegance. Today, Sarova Stanley's heritage character is preserved whilst offering modern hotel services and amenities to create Nairobi's most special city hotel experience. Guest rooms offer a blend of Victorian elegance with antique furnishings and restored period details, combined with all the practical, executive amenities of the modern age.

After being collected from your Nairobi hotel (or the airport), you will be driven to the famous Aberdare National Park. Aptly dubbed ‘Scotland with Lions', this charismatic Afro-Alpine realm showcases the wild beauty of the Aberdare mountain range where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests and spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools. Arriving in time for lunch at The Aberdares Country Club you will later be transported into the exclusive sanctuary that surrounds The Ark. A secluded lodge designed to resemble Noah’s Ark, this timbered lodge is unique, not least because of the splendour of the game-watching experience around its private waterhole, which attracts large herds of elephants.

After breakfast you will be transferred back to The Aberdare Country Club, where you will reconnect with your driver guide. Drive north to the rugged Shaba National Reserve, where Joy and George Adamson raised Elsa the lion cub. Arrive in time for lunch at the luxurious Sarova Shaba Lodge, with chalet style rooms overlooking the Uaso Nyiro River. Natural spring water has been harnessed to ribbon its way around the property creating a beautiful landscape. Coupled with the large free-form swimming pool that flows around the lush gardens and tall trees, this refreshing water lends an almost magical feel to this natural oasis.

Spend the afternoon discovering the unique species found in this area including the reticulated giraffe, rare Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra.

On morning and afternoon game drives photographic opportunities abound as you seek out elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, plains game and more. The river forest attracts a wide variety of birds.

At Tulia mini spa you can relax and unwind as you enjoy a great massage while listening to the trickling natural streams and the wild sounds of the African jungle. Or get adventurous and have the massage in the wild.

After breakfast drive to your hotel situated in the shadow of Mt Kenya. One of the world’s highest National Parks, Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano some three and a half million years old. Straddling the equator, the mountain offers a unique mosaic of forest, moorland, rock and ice and is crowned by the glittering twin peaks of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m). The sacred home of Ngai, God of the Kikuyu people, Mount Kenya is Kenya’s highest mountain, a national icon, a climbers’ Mecca, the nation’s namesake, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and a wildlife stronghold.  Lunch will be at your Camp. After noon game drive with a visit to the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp LDBB (Morani Tents).

Drive south to Lake Nakuru coloured a shimmering pink from the over one million flamingos making this their home. Arrive in time for lunch at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, set in beautiful grounds with panoramic views of the lake and park. The Lodge is a natural haven for bird life and attracts over 50 species of birds amongst the 400 species that inhabit the Park.

Later venture out on safari. In addition to the flamingoes there are hundreds of species of other birds. In this rhino sanctuary sightings of both black and white rhino are almost guaranteed and you have a good chance of spotting a leopard.

Today enjoy a scenic drive to Sarova Mara Game camp, a perfect base from which to explore the wonders of the Maasai Mara. Tents are large and comfortable, tastefully furnished with double and twin beds, wardrobes, writing desk and safari chairs. En-suite bathrooms and fully stocked mini-bars blend tasteful comfort with the beautiful nature that makes the Mara.

After lunch get the cameras ready and enjoy a thrilling afternoon game-viewing drive in this photographer’s paradise. The Mara is noted for its superb black-maned male lions. You may see lots of elephants and if you're lucky leopard, cheetah and rhino as well as hippo, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and many others

Morning and afternoon safaris in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena will take you in search of spectacular wildlife. In between game drives, relax at the camp or indulge in a spa treatment. You may opt to visit the local Maasai Village or rise early for an exhilarating hot-air balloon ride gliding silently over the Maasai plains.

After breakfast bid farewell to the Maasai Mara as you set on your journey back to Nairobi. Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.