KSAECUL/ CUL0014: 14 Days Cultural and Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Nairobi / Nakuru / Kericho
Upon arrival at the airport, Ksafaris & African Expeditions representative will pick you up and after a short brief, you begin your cultural expeditions safari.You will drive into the Great Rift Valley with a stop-over at the View Point to have a glance at the breathtaking Escarpment. Proceed to Lake Nakuru for a game drive in this home of millions of Flamingos, the Pelican Birds and the White Rhino. Early lunch in Nakuru, then proceed to the evergreen Town of Kericho to have the spectacular view of the Tea Plantation. Have some time to interact with tea pickers and learn much more about the laborers. Dinner and overnight at a Town Hotel in Kericho.
Day 2: Kericho / Kano Plains (Lwanda Magere Site in Kisumu)
Depart after breakfast from Kericho with picnic lunch to the plains of Kano and visit the grave of the legendary fallen hero of the Luo tribe. Here you will be briefed on the history of Lwanda Magere whom, according to history, turned into a stone after he was shot by a spear from a member of the Kalenjin tribe whom they were at war with. You can give your donation to the staff to maintain the grave and their welfare. Proceed further passing through the Rice Plantations arriving in Kisumu City late evening, dinner and overnight at Sunset Hotel.
Day 3: Kisumu
You will spend a full day in Kisumu visiting Dunga Beach which is famous all over Nyanza for the sale of Fish. You will have an opportunity to interact with the local fishermen and get to know the culture around the fishing beaches. Proceed to the Museum where you will get to see different artifacts of the various tribes that occupy Western Kenya especially the Luo. Lunch in the hotel. After lunch proceed to Kit Mikayi (the stone of the first wife who is believed to be the mother of the Luo who rested here after a very long journey in search of the source of the Nile). Time allows you can have a hike at Riat Hills to get a glimpse of the Greater Kisumu City. Dinner in the hotel, after dinner, optional visit to a Discotheque or visit a live band and have a feel of Kisumu-by-night or retire after dinner to your bed preparing for the next day’s itinerary.
Day 4: Mbita Point / Ruma National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Lunda-Kotieno beach to catch the ferry to Mbita point. Upon arrival, drive through Lambwe Valley to reach Ruma National Park which hosts the largest number of Roan Antelopes in Africa. Enjoy a game drive, picnic lunch, then transfer to Mbita Point for dinner and overnight at a Tourist Hotel.
Day 5: Mbita Point / Rusinga Island
Full day spent in Mbita visiting the site at Ligongo Hills where Dr. Mary Leakey discovered the skull of early man – Proconsul Africanus. This archaeological finding is kept in the Kenya National Museum in Nairobi. The hill also acts as the Vantage Point to see on rotation how water has gone round the Island. Visit the Tom Mboya Mausoleum, built in memory of the vibrant Politician by similar name that was gunned down in 1963 which evoked demonstrations all over the Country. Tom Mboya was interred at his ancestral home in Kamasengre Village in Rusinga Island. Enjoy the mythological story of Nyama gi Ware the stones which are believed to have been bulls fighting from these different Clans. Get a ride around the Island back to Mbita in the evening, picnic lunch en route, dinner and overnight at a Tourist hotel.
Day 6: Mbita Point
We begin this day by visiting a local Catholic Church early in the morning after breakfast the rest of the day is dedicated to less fortunate individuals in the society e.g. Women groups organized by the widows as a result of HIV/ AIDS scourge, Orphaned children whose parents died of AIDS related diseases, Tom Mboya Memorial Hospital and the development projects which are being financed by voluntary groups etc. Visit one or two local homes and get to know the real picture of how the common rural families are going over there usual choruses economically, socially and politically. Join fishermen pulling fish to the shore in the evening and get to learn how Luos as a tribe depends entirely on Fish as the source of their livelihood. Dinner and overnight the Hotel.
Day 7: Masai Mara Masai Mara
Drive to the Masai Mara. You will spend two nights in this natural paradise among zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, antelope and gazelle. You will encounter prides of lion resting in the shade of acacia trees or lying low in the grass in wait for their next meal. There is a good chance of spotting cheetah and if you are lucky, the shy leopard. Arrive at your camp for lunch. A local Maasai will give you a fascinating, interesting and educative lecture on the culture of the Masai who have inhabited the Mara region for the last 300 years with each of the succeeding generation finding no pleasure to hunt any wild game animals for food unless under severe times of famine. The lecturer will talk on the history, homestead, roles of one in the community, the different stages of life, the modern Masai and the changes taking place within the community. Afternoon game viewing in Masai Mara. Dinner and overnight at Camp / lodge
Day 8: Masai Mara
Spend early morning game viewing with lunch and a siesta at your camp. Afternoon visit to a traditional Masai village constructed with natural materials from the orange – leafed croton shrubs will give you an experience you have always longed for. Here you have a chance to interact with people who have maintained their unique cultural ways of life for many decades. Tall and elegant with narrowly plaited hair painted in red ochre, the village warriors (Moran) performs cultural dances thrilling to the bottom of the heart leaving you with lasting memories to take home. Return to your camp with a game drive en route. In the evening it is time for a well-deserved shower and a refreshing drink by the campfire before dinner. Overnight at Camp/ lodge.
Day 9: Lake Naivasha
After breakfast drive to Lake Naivasha, one of the many beautiful Rift Valley Lakes. Arrive for lunch. Check in and spend the afternoon to relax with several several activities that you can do. Dinner and overnight at lodge/camp.
Day 10: Lake Naivasha
Breakfast at the lodge. In the morning you will have the opportunity to visit the communities living on Mount Eburru. You visit the three communities living on the mountain. They are people from the Kikuyu’s, Turkana and Nderobo tribes. The Nderobo are the indigenous and most interesting. The two other tribes are new arrivals from different parts of Kenya, but are of interest in their own right. You also visit a local school where the children are always ready to sing for the visitor. Drive back to the lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge/ Camp
Day 11: Nanyuki
After breakfast, drive north to Nanyuki. Lunch at your camp. Afternoon optional game drive at Ol Pejeta sanctuary to encounter several species of wildlife and visit the chimpanzees. Dinner and overnight at the Camp/ lodge.
Day 12: Samburu
After breakfast you will proceed to Samburu arriving at your camp in time for lunch. Relax and spend the rest of the afternoon game watching. The area around the life-giving Uaso Nyiro River, is home to the rare and beautiful species of Northern Kenya such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk gazelle and the Somali ostrich. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and other plains game are also abundant here. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 13: Samburu
Breakfast at the camp and spend a full day in Samburu. After breakfast you will be met by Samburu tribes men and dressed up for your visit to a Samburu village. Leave the camp and walk to the village. Upon arrival there will be a welcome song by Samburu women followed by a briefing of the village. Spend the day with the tribes people to fetch wood and water. Learn how to make fire the Samburu way (twirling sticks), women will clean milking gourds as the men go outside the village to usher in livestock from grazing. You will be shown to milk the animals (goats) and also participate when the Samburu elders pray and talk about issues concerning the village well being. Lunch in the village (picnic lunch). In the afternoon learn the Samburu beadwork, leatherwork, weaving hut building and traditional games. In the early evening there will be a cultural lecture and/or story telling session for everyone, the return to your lodge for a well-deserved shower. Dinner & overnight at the lodge
Day 14: Nairobi
After breakfast drive to Nairobi arriving for lunch. Leave for the airport to catch your next flight.