Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Nairobi, Kenya

  Welcome!

  Set down in magical Kenya, the heart of safari country! A Born Free host will meet your family upon arrival in Nairobi and provide expedited assistance through the airport and to your lodging.
  
  For your stay in Nairobi we suggest one of the more unique properties:
  
  Giraffe Manor is very special and must be booked a year or more in advance. Great experience for children of all ages!
  
  The Emakoko sits on the edge of the National Park- with only 10 rooms. Anthony and Emma Childs are your hosts. They live on site with their family and dedicated team. Start your journey in a wildlife environment with giraffe, elephant, zebra right out the door!
  
  Excitement builds as you can hear the nocturnal sounds of a lion's roar, monkeys chattering and distant hyena on your very first night in Africa.
  
  "Karibu" = Welcome in Swahili

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Karen

  Giraffe Center & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

  The first stop on today's introduction to Kenya is the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife - Giraffe Center. Come face to face with giraffe and learn about the conservation efforts that are being made in Kenya including teaching local children about their very precious natural resource, the wildlife.
  
  Then on to a favorite stop, the Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, where you’ll witness handlers feed and care for orphaned baby elephants and rhinos rescued from the bush.
  
  As our gift to you, we will foster a baby elephant in your name. Attend an up close elephant encounter in the afternoon and hopefully meet your fostered "ellie".
  
  If you stay in Nairobi Tented Camp or at The Emakoko there will be game drives available in Nairobi National Park.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Days

  03

  Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  On Safari - Chimp Sanctuary

  Embark with your private guide north through the Kenya countryside, through lush green plantations and small villages. Roadside kiosks feature delicious local tropical fruit such as pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and bananas.
  
  Ol Pejeta is situated between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. It is the home to elephant, zebra, protected rhino, monkeys, mongoose, hedgehogs, warthogs and a variety of species that will look very familiar to "Lion King" fans!
  
  The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established by an agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and The Jane Goodall Institute. The aim is to provide lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. Currently there are 40 chimpanzees in the sanctuary.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  04

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  An interesting and educational stop is made at the Equator, which runs across the middle of Kenya. This imaginary line divides the planet into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. See a demonstration on how waters will run in two different directions on either side of this imaginary line.
  
  Travel a short way north to the Lewa Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Born Free's 'star' properties. The 65,000 acre wildlife conservation area is the home to 130 rare Black and White rhinos as well as Grevy’s zebra and Reticulated giraffe. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is also the home to lion, leopard, elephant and jackal.
  
  With three days in Lewa, you will be able to take part in an abundance of exciting activities. Game viewing in open-vehicles is the emphasis, but there's much more!
  
  Start your day with a morning safari or guided nature walk. Stop for breakfast in the bush and continue game viewing.
  
  Later, the family might want to visit the local community, school and orphanage. There are special activities for children geared to their age range.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  Today, you'll participate in one of the many activities outside of game drives such as visiting a nearby ancient man site where hand-axe tools have been found and walks with park rangers while learning about conservation efforts. The conservancy has a tracker dog program where dogs Tipper and Tony have learned to follow the scents of poachers.
  
  This afternoon, perhaps participate in a camel-back safari experience or for the experienced rider, possibly a horseback safari, both of which usually allow you to get quite close to giraffe and zebra.

  Safari Consultant Notes: Lewa Wilderness Trails includes all activities except for the biplane and village entrance fee. Lewa Safari Camp is inclusive of walks and game drives, but activities such as the camel experience and horseback safari are at additional cost.
• Day

  06

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  Go on game drives today in customized open sided four-wheel drive vehicles. Head out on foot with a professional tracker for an up-close-and-personal interaction with the bush. The possibilities are endless!

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Maasai Mara Game Reserve

  The adventure continues as you fly over the Great Rift Valley to the northern extension of the Serengeti Plains, the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s premiere game reserve. Sweeping views of rolling grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers, and forests offer plentiful opportunities to see a wide range of animals including the ‘Big Five’, cheetah, crocodiles, and birds of prey.
  
  Your base for exploration will always be selected to maximize game viewing during the time you travel.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Special Activities:
  Private Guide and Vehicle
  This allows for full day game drives during your stay in the Maasai Mara.
  
  Optional:
  Hot Air Balloon Safari
  We highly suggest the balloon safari at dawn over the Maasai Mara with a champagne bush breakfast, from $500 per person.
• Day

  08

  Maasai Mara Game Reserve

  Up at dawn when the sights and sounds of the Mara come alive. The plains are a rich golden with the silhouettes coming into site - herds moving to greener pastures, predators on the hunt and new exiting experience at every turn.
  
  A visit down to the river where we will look for hippo and crocodile. Then head back to camp for a delicious brunch. Afternoon head out again for another game drive.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  09

  Mara Conservancy

  Off-Road Safari

  Transverse the Mara, game viewing enroute, as you travel to the north and one of the private conservancies. For the next two days, you'll experience the Africa of yesteryear in an intimate stay in the bush.
  
  Mara North Conservancy is located adjacent to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. There are no fences and the wildlife wanders freely between the Reserve and the Conservancy.
  
  The Conservancy represents a collaborative effort between member accommodations and more than 800 Maasai landowners. Born Free Safaris features Conservancy visits, as it gives our guests a chance to visit remote bush country with few visitors compared to public areas.
  
  There are many advantages to visiting a Mara Conservancy: There are a limited number of guests and vehicles so it is less crowded than Mara proper; special activities can be experienced here that are not allowed inside the reserve, including night game drives, bush walks, and off road game viewing.
  
  The revenues that are derived from the Conservancy fees and a part of your stay are used to protect wildlife, as well as improve the quality of life of the indigenous Maasai. This includes building schools and water wells. Request more information if you would like to solely stay on a conservancy rather than the Mara proper.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Mara Conservancy

  Every day in the Mara Eco-system is very different. Activities are quite varied. Game drives are available in the morning and afternoon as well as full days. If you prefer you can go out on a walk with a ranger seeing how the wildlife is tracked, visit a community school, hear about the Maasai way of life and their traditions.
  
  At night some of the camps will offer night drives where you can search for the nocturnal species. Being out at night in the bush is a wonderful and magical experience. The night skies are awesome, and rangers will point out the various constellations.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  11

  Your Journey Onwards

  Flight to Nairobi

  After breakfast in the Mara, bid farewell to the bush and the friends you've made at camp. A short flight takes you back to Nairobi where you are greeted on arrival by a Born Free Safaris driver for the day until your departing flight, taking home memories that will last a lifetime.
  
  "Kwa Heri" (Goodbye)

  Breakfast / Lunch