Great Rift Valley Birds Explorer 6 Days / 5 nights

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Great Rift Valley Birdlife Hotspots - Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita and Lake Naivasha

Description

Included/Excluded

Tour Plan

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This 6-Day safari to Kenya’s Great Rift Valley combines photography with bird watching. It offers unique opportunities to capture images of the region’s diverse bird life. The Valley is a natural wonder that runs from Mozambique in south-eastern Africa to Syria in Asia and Thousands of kilometres lie in East Africa. In Kenya it is in the west with Lakes that are ornithologist paradise.

Memorable aspects:

One of a kind ornithologist’s safari experience spotting more than 450 bird species.
Amazing Views of the Great Rift Valley and its famous Lakes.
Hiking to the Menengai Crater – Africa’s second largest volcanic crater.
Key Rift Valley Birdling Hotspots – Lk. Elementaita, Nakuru and Naivasha.
Elementaita: Nature walk, camel ride by the Lake shore & Night Game drive.
Volcanic landscapes and Island Walking.
Unique stay at Kilimandege Sanctuary (‘Hill of Birds’ in Kiswahili) in Naivasha.

Photography Focus:

Landscapes: the stunning views of the Great Riftvalley, the Lakes on its floor as well as the depths of the largest intact volcanic crater in the world, Menengai Crater.
Wildlife: Countless chances to capture amazing birds’ photographs. They are a significantly diverse species in the Great Riftvalley lakes than in other areas. Other Wildlife you may encounter: rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, antelopes and buffalos.

Photography Tips:

Timing is Key: For peak birding and photography: November to April (with migrant and breeding plumage) | June to October (dry season with clear skies, easier travel and bird activities concentrated around water shores)
Golden hours: The early morning and late afternoon, providing soft, colorful light and increased bird activity.
Bird Hides: Utilize strategically placed hides to get close to birds without disturbing them, especially for elusive nocturnal species in the late evening.
Back to the wind: where possible, yourself with the wind at your back, as many birds take off into the wind, presenting their fronts to your lens.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Transfer to Lk. Nakuru. Hike to the Menengai Crater.	Lake Nakuru
Day 2	Full Day Lake Nakuru Game Drives	Lake Nakuru
Day 3	Transfer to Lake Elementaita. Visit the Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary . Camel Ride. Night game drive.	Lake Elementaita
Day 4	Visit Hells Gate National Park. Boat Ride on Lk. Naivasha, Crescent Island Safari Walk.	Lake Naivasha
Day 5	Unique stay at Kilimandege Sanctuary . Visit the Kenya Birds of Prey Trust. Sundowner.	Lake Naivasha
Day 6	Departure. Return drive to Nairobi & drop off JKI Airport for departure flight.

Included/Excluded

Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) while on safari
PRIVATE transport and game drives in our top of the range customized 4 x 4 Land Cruisers (complete with a pop-up roof and sliding windows for optimized game and sightseeing)
Complimentary bottled mineral water per person per day often provided during game drives
Services of a professional, experienced English-Speaking safari driver/guide
Game drives and Park entrance fees to the listed parks and national reserves on the itinerary
Bush breakfast and Sun downer experience
Safari activities: camel ride, nature walks, hiking and night game drives
All meet and greet services
Pick up and drop off at the Airport
Safari accessories: - First aid kit, wildlife referral books, a pair of quality binoculars, cool box and fire extinguisher
24 hours stand-by Customer Service contact number

International flights - From/to home (we can help select your flights, but you'll have to book them on your own)
Items of personal nature. (e.g., Travel Insurance, Visa fees, Telephone call bills, laundry, Souvenirs etc.)
Tips & gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver guide(s) - (Note that gratuities should be given as a reward of exceptional service and is at your own discretion - Guideline US$ 10 per person per day)
Extra Meals and beverages not included in the accommodation meal plan
Cost incurred by all optional activities

Tour Plan

Day 1 Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

Your private safari adventure begins as we collect you from your hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Preferably before 8:00am, our driver-guide will meet you for a safari briefing.

(In case of late arrival, accommodation and transfer can be arranged at an extra cost).

Commence safari to Nakuru, enjoying a scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint.

Arrive in time for lunch, later hike up to the massive Menengai Crater, Africa's second-largest volcanic crater. A moderate hike to the crater rim offers breathtaking panoramic views of the entire valley floor and surrounding lakes.

Dinner and overnight at your Lodge/Camp.

Accommodation options:

Budget: Flamingo Hill Camp , Ziwa Bush Lodge
Midrange: Lake Bogoria Spa Resort - Kabarak
Luxury: Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa

Day 2 Exploring Lake Nakuru's flamingos and rhinos

Breakfast at your Lodge/ Camp.

Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. Created in 1961 to protect the alkaline Lake Nakuru.

The lake is renowned for its flamingo population and also recognised as a rhino sanctuary, harbouring a population of black and white rhinos. It is also home to many herbivores including

Arrive, begin a game drive, scanning for the park's famous black and white rhinos and the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.

Later check in at your Lodge and savor a delicious lunch. Afterwards, resume your game drive, with a focus on the lake's abundant birdlife. You may also encounter a diverse array of other wildlife, including Rothschild's giraffe, buffalos, hippos, gazelle and mammals such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, rock hyraxes and reedbuck.

Dinner and overnight at your Lodge/Camp.

Accommodation options:

Budget: Flamingo Hill Camp , Ziwa Bush Lodge
Midrange: Lk. Nakuru Lodge , Lk. Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Luxury: Sarova Lionhill Game Lodge , The Cliff

Day 3 Lake Nakuru to Lake Elementaita

Leisurely breakfast at your Camp/Lodge then depart for Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary provides a relaxed, off-the-beaten-path experience within the Great Rift Valley and it is famous for its birdlife, hosting over 450 species. You can have a guided nature walk, game drives or a visit to the Kikopey Hot Springs, located at the southern end of the lake. The Springs provide a unique geothermal experience and they support aquatic life like tilapia which attract birds.

Lesser and Greater Flamingos are a highlight alongside Great White Pelicans, African Spoonbills, cormorants and more.

Check in at your Lodge/Camp for lunch. Relaxation, afternoon leave for a guided camel trek. You will traverse Syosambu conservancy's plains on camelback, getting a unique, eye-level perspective of the wildlife and a tranquil alternative to a vehicle safari.

After dinner, embark on a private night game drive in a safari vehicle equipped with special red-filtered spotlights. Accompanied by an armed ranger, you will search for nocturnal predators like leopards and hyenas, as well as more elusive animals like aardvarks, bushbabies, and porcupines.

Accommodation options:

Budget: Sentrim Elementaita Resort , Sirville Elementaita Lodge
Midrange: Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge
Luxury: Mbweha Camp , Elementaita Manor , LK. Elementaita Serena Camp

Day 4 Lake Elementaita to the famous Lake Naivasha

Rise early for a bush breakfast experience by the shores of Lake Elementaita. Later prepare for hiking at Hells Gate National Park.

Instead of a traditional game drive, Hell’s gate offers hiking opportunities to explore hidden hot springs and towering cliffs that are a geologist's dream – the narrow canyons of the Ol Njorowa Gorge, formed by ancient floods and volcanic activity. One can also rent e-bikes to cycle through the park's unique volcanic landscapes. Spot wildlife like zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes in a more active and eco-friendly way.

Lunch at your lodge/Camp followed by a private boat ride to the unique Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, a movie set location for Out of Africa. As the sun sets, take a leisurely walking safari among wildlife like giraffes and wildebeest which can be done safely due to the absence of predators.

Accommodation options:

Budget: Sawela Lodge , Crater Lake Tented Camp
Midrange: Lk. Naivasha Sopa Resort , Lk. Naivasha Crescent Camp , Lk. Naivasha Simba Lodge
Luxury: Enashipai Resort & Spa , Loldia House

Day 5 Unique stay at Kilimandege Sanctuary

Drive just nearby to a piece of untouched paradise, hosting- and boasting- over 250 species of birds and wildlife. Kilimandege is an 88-acre Sanctuary with plains game and hippos at night.

Your Stay will be at Joan Root’s house, which is a charming 1930’s old residence. Joan and Alan Root were famous for their nature documentaries. The neighboring houses are equally charming and you can be accommodated there as well.

You will enjoy a leisurely walk around the expansive grounds, noting the variety of birdlife and get to visit the Kenya Birds of Prey Trust withing the Sanctuary. This is a special little place that is a vital hub for rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating injured raptors like owls and eagles.

End your evening with a private sunset-watching session from the large veranda, perhaps while preparing a meal in the self-catered kitchen, and then have dinner by the large fireplace.

Dinner & overnight at Kilimandege Houses.

Day 6 Departure

Breakfast. Drive back to Nairobi.

Depending on your next stay or flight details, you will be dropped off at your desired hotel, residence or the Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your home bound flight.