14 Days Guardians of the Wild Expedition
This comprehensive 14 Days Guardians of the Wild Expedition is quite an adventurous trip that allows the kind of committed travelers to familiarize themselves with the great fauna of Kenya.
At the same time, they extend their support with various conservation efforts—important ones in particular. To make the journey more interesting, a combination of road and air travel is used to move smoothly from one ecosystem to the other.
Besides, it connects the widely known Mara plains with the northern deserts of Samburu, which are very dramatic. How about combining this with a visit to the Amboseli Elephant Sanctuary.
There you can cram up on your elephant knowledge and witness these gentle giants up close and personal. Whereas, some of the cleanest and greenest camps and lodges, untapped by mass tourism but teeming with friendly and vibrant local communities, are lined up for your overnight stays and comfort.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1 and 2: Nairobi Conservation Encounters.
Day 3 to 5: Samburu Community and Wildlife at Sarara Camp.
Day 6 and 7: Safari in the Mara at Ilkeliani Camp.
Day 8 and 9: Lake Naivasha Exploration at Enashipai Resort.
Day 10 and 11: Laikipia Plateau Conservation at River Camp Nanyuki.
Day 12 and 13: Amboseli Safari and Farewell at Elewana Tortilis Camp.
Day 14: Departure.
Detailed itinerary.
Part 1: Conservation Foundation and Northern Wilderness (Days 1–5).
The safari starts with visiting the conservation community that is quite active in Nairobi, Kenya before driving deep into the exclusive northern rangelands.
Day 1 and 2: Nairobi Conservation Encounters:
When you get to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on Day 1, you will be checked into your city hotel by the transfer of the arrival shuttle. Day 2 is all about wildlife rehabilitation in the local area.
For instance, one can travel to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and see the rescue of the baby orphans as well as their care. Later, one can go to the Giraffe Centre and learn the conservation of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Indeed, this experience is like breathing in fresh air for the rest of the trip to focus on conservation.
Day 3 to 5: Samburu Community and Wildlife at Sarara Camp:
Transfer to the far north from the air on Day 3, into the wilds of Samburu, as you make your way to the Sarara Camp. Sarara, which is located in the community-owned Namunyak Conservancy, is an excellent starting point to not only understand the basics of sustainable tourism but also get to know the benefits that come with it.
Moreover, Day 4 and 5 allow you to enjoy the unique wildlife of the desert, the Samburu Five (Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, and Beisa Oryx). You will have a chance to meet and talk to the local people and then go trekking with the guide warriors from the local community, furthermore, you will going to the singing wells where you can see how herding is done it the local community.
The last part teaches us how the topic of the mutual support of the indigenous community and the protection of the wildlife is of utmost importance.
Part 2: Classic Plains and the Great Rift Valley (Days 6 to 9)
Next stop is the Maasai Mara ecosystem, the world-famous savanna, situated just south. After a couple of days of game viewing and leisurely sundowners, off you go down the scenic Great Rift Valley lakes.
Day 6 and 7: Safari in the Mara at Ilkeliani Camp:
You will get a scheduled flight on Day 6 to the Maasai Mara from Samburu and then proceed to Ilkeliani Camp, an environment-friendly camp that is centered on lowering the impact, for check-in.
Day 7 is left to the enjoyment of the classic safari game drives in the reserve, with a particular focus on predator tracking and, depending on the season, the great and dramatic spectacle of the wildebeest migration.
The guide will personally accompany you on the Big Five and will further help you grasp the crucial role that the Mara River and its surrounding ecosystem play in the cycle of life.
Day 8 and 9: Lake Naivasha Exploration at Enashipai Resort:
On Day 8, you will drive through a scenic road to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha, where you will check into the lovely Enashipai Resort and Spa. Day 9 is a day off from 4×4 vehicles with a quiet boat safari on the lake, where you can approach hippos and various birds.
You will also go to Crescent Island, a private wildlife sanctuary, where you can see giraffes, zebras, and antelopes walking with you, a safe, different, and personal way of meeting the wild.
Part 3: Rhino Protection and Elephant Giants (Days 10–14).
The last part takes the emphasis off the general conservation topics and on the protection of the rhinos and elephants, the two species most affected by dramatic changes in their environment, in two different areas.
Day 10 and 11: Laikipia Plateau Conservation at River Camp Nanyuki:
You move to the Laikipia Plateau, a high-altitude region that plays a vital role in rhino conservation. You will be at the charming and real River Camp Nanyuki. Day 11 is a day of focus for conservation and adventure.
Such activities may include the use of tracking to locate animal signs with professional rangers to trace an endangered species and meet them or find out about the region’s advanced cattle ranching methods that cause no harm to wildlife. Since it is at quite a height, there are also some attractive hike trails and mountain biking can be done as well.
Day 12 and 13: Amboseli Safari and Farewell at Elewana Tortilis Camp:
On Day 12, a last flight will bring you to Amboseli National Park, where one can see the world’s most famous free-ranging elephant herds. A stay is at the luxurious Elewana Tortilis Camp.
Day 13 is the big final act: game drives focusing on the massive elephant herds in front of the scenic Mount Kilimanjaro. Information about the long-term research project of elephants carried out by the Amboseli Trust for OMO will be provided to you during your visit. The day will culminate with a special Farewell Dinner reflecting on your journey as a guardian of the wild.
Day 14: Departure: After taking the last breakfast, a transfer will take you to the local airstrip from where your flight to Nairobi will depart. From Nairobi you will connect to your international flight home.
End of 14 Days Guardians of the Wild Expedition
