Protecting Kenya: A Luxury Conservation Safari, Kenya is an iconic safari destination, and one close to our hearts at Extraordinary Journeys. Wild and welcoming, this diverse country casts a spell all its own on travelers – which is why we’re dedicated to protecting its wildlife, people, and landscapes. This special conservation itinerary crafted with our partners at Safari Conservation Co. takes you across Kenya to gain an intimate understanding of some of the country’s most vital conservation programs and efforts. Become part of the solution and help us save Africa’s wilderness on an unforgettable 11-night journey.
Protecting Kenya Conservation Safari: 10 days/9 nights
DAYS 1, 2 & 3:
Meet your helicopter and pilot in Nairobi, and fly to the Chyulu Hills
Overnights at Ol Donyo Lodge
DAYS 4, 5 & 6:
A low level scenic flight west this morning takes you to the Maasai Mara,
Overnights at Richard’s River Camp
DAYS 7, 8 & 9:
A scenic flight over the peaks of Mt. Kenya take you to Lewa.
Overnights at Sirikoi Lodge
DAY 10:
Return to Nairobi in time for your international departure
Activity Highlights
- Protecting Kenya: A Luxury Conservation Safari:
- During your nights at Ol Donyo: embark on game drives, horse riding, and walks in the mist forest. Visit Tsavo by helicopter to meet the orphan elephants being rehabilitated into the wild by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Spot hippos from above on a flight over the crystal clear Mzima Springs and dip your toes in the cool water. Meet the Big Life Foundation team to experience their conservation work. Finally, soak in the summit of Kilimanjaro on a sunrise flight.
- Continue to the Maasai Mara via the Amboseli swamps and over the Nguruman escarpment, arriving in the Mara in time for lunch and afternoon game drives. Spend the morning with the Mara Elephant Project gaining an insight into the conservation of this threatened species. Between game drives, enjoy day trips to Lake Victoria for lunch and fishing at Rusinga Island and an early morning exclusive hot air balloon flight.
- Onward to Lewa, you will soar over the peaks of Mt. Kenya followed by a picnic breakfast and fly-fishing for Rainbow trout before arriving to the conservancy. The next day, embark on a morning heli flight to visit the baby elephants at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, and the Cycad forests of the mystical Mathews Range.
Conservation Matters
- Protecting Kenya: A Luxury Conservation Safari:
- Gain key insights on coordinated cross-border anti-poaching operations, natural resource management, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation with a special visit to the Big Life Foundation. The Foundation employs hundreds of local Maasai rangers, 13 vehicles, tracker dogs, and aerial surveillance to protect some two million acres of wilderness through a collaborative, community-based approach that you can experience yourself.
- Visit David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Ithumba Elephant Reintegration Unit, one of three throughout the region which reintegrates the nursery orphans from Nairobi back into the wild. Learn about their process for preparing orphans to succeed with wild elephants and adjust to new environments. You’ll also get to witness the orphans’ milk feeding, mud baths, and visit the stockades where they’re put to bed.
- Get to know the team behind the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) and crucial conservation efforts like protecting elephants within the greater Mara ecosystem. Meet MEP rangers, see an elephant collar up-close, learn about their collar tracking system and unmanned aerial vehicle operation and get a tour of HQ to see the helicopter their rapid-response unit uses.
- Lewa Conservancy is home to an abundance of wildlife including many rare and endangered species such as reticulated giraffe, black and white rhino, and the largest resident population of Grevy’s zebra in the world. The conservancy is one of Kenya’s preeminent conservation and responsible tourism success stories, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet Lewa’s anti-poaching team members who work round-the-clock to ensure wildlife’s safety, and see how they work with local communities and education to help further conservation and community development.
Price
Starting at $53,768 for each of 2 people sharing in 2021, or $33,053 for each of 4 people. Contact us to customize this itinerary for you.