Djoser’s Land Program begins and ends in Nairobi. The days on this program are numbered to match the Djoser Netherland’s program so that travelers from North America and the Netherlands will all be on the same schedule. An additional travel day from the United States is denoted as +1.
Mount Kenya, Shaba Game Reserve
+1 Day Depart USA
Day 1 Nairobi
Day 2 Nairobi - Mount Kenya
Day 3 Mount Kenya
At the end of the 19th century Nairobi was merely a poor encampment for construction workers of the “crazy railroad” from Mombasa to the heart of Africa. Despite the unhygienic circumstances in the camp due to drainage problems, the administrative machinery was quickly moved to Nairobi and the commercial sector followed soon after. The Nairobi of today with more than a million inhabitants is an administrative, cultural and commercial center unequaled in Africa. The Somalians, Arabs, Nubians, Indians, Pakistani, Japanese and Westerners live together relatively trouble-free among the African majority. The presence of mosques, temples, synagogues and churches are proof of the cosmopolitan character of Nairobi.
The day after arrival we immediately start our trip. In about 4 hours we drive to Mount Kenya, the holy mountain of the Kikuyu, residence of their god Ngei who maintains the mysterious white – the eternal snow. Around 1890, when the first travelers returned from this region, they were laughed at when they talked about the eternal snow on the equator. The top of Mount Kenya was not reached until 1930. The region around Mount Kenya consists of several mountain ranges, snowfields, glaciers, ponds, lakes, waterfalls and gigantic rubble slopes. Extensive dense rainforests at the bottom of the mountains host a large variety of wildlife. The vegetation on the slopes is exceptional, especially the large ragwort and the numerous heather plants. The surroundings of Mount Kenya consist of grassy plains and farmlands of the Kikuyu, the largest agricultural community of Kenya. Most of the food supply of Nairobi comes from this region. During our stay you are free to explore the broad-leaved forest of Mount Kenya by foot, by mountain bike or on horseback.
Game Reserve
Day 4 Mount Kenya – Shaba Wildlife Reserve
Day 5 Game drive Samburu Wildlife Reserve - Shaba Wildlife Reserve
The trip continues to the Shaba Wildlife Reserve, north of Isiolo. We stay the night in charming rooms with thatched roofs. In the afternoon we have a game drive in the adjoining Buffalo Springs Wildlife Reserve. The Buffalo Springs Wildlife Reserve and Samburu Wildlife Reserve usually are seen as whole. With their extensive wildlife population, the two parks are separated by the river Ewaso Ngiro (“brown water”).
The park is less touristy than Masai Mara and is famous for the Grevy’s zebra, giraffes and Somalia ostriches. Chances are that you will see elephants and crocodiles. Plains of lava, deep gorges and round hilltops dominate the landscape. Vegetation mainly consists of prickly bushes and acacias, and forest along the Ewaso Nyiro.
Lake Nakuru
Day 6 Shaba Wildlife Reserve – Nyahururu Waterfalls
Day 7 Nyahururu Waterfalls - Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 8 Nyahururu Waterfalls – Lake Baringo
The next day we drive to Nyahururu, via Nanyuki. We stay the night in the Thompson Falls Hotel, situated nearby the waterfalls of the same name. Accompanied by a local guide you can descend to the waterfalls. Local women will offer their wares at their souvenir shops. The next day we travel to Lake Nakuru where you have a whole day to explore. This park is famous for its alkaline lake of the same name and is the home base of thousands of flamingoes and numerous other sorts of birds. On the shore of the lake you can pick up the unusual scent of the brackish, mineral-rich water. During the drought the water surface may drop so much that salt rims become visible. Since 1986 Lake Nakuru National Park has a special region set aside called ”Rhino Rescue” to protect the endangered species of the rhinoceros, so there is a good chance that you will see rhinos in this park. Other wildlife in this park includes lions, buffalos and giraffes. From ”Baboon Cliff” you will have a beautiful view of the lake. In the evening we return to Nyahururu.
Lake Baringo and Lake Naivasha
Day 8 Nyahururu Waterfalls - Lake Baringo
Day 9 Lake Baringo
Day 10 Lake Baringo (Optional excursion to Bogoria Lake)
Day 11 Lake Baringo to Lake Naivasha
Lake Baringo is the absolute highlight of trip for bird lovers. It’s THE hub for bird-watchers from all parts of the world to catch a glimpse of the more than 450 bird species that reside around the lake. You may take an optional boat ride on the lake to visit the crocodiles and hippos. Hippos, very good-natured animals by the way, come out of the water to graze their daily 132 pounds of grass. They are capable of covering 25 miles for that. We will also look for the impressive fish hawks that are common here. Our comfortable lodge is equipped with a swimming pool.
From Lake Baringo we drive to the highest lake in the Rift Valley, Lake Navaisha. In the afternoon you may take an optional boat ride on the lake and be sure to encounter some of the many hippos that live in the lake. The lake also has a great diversity of birds. At the shore of this lake, we might visit Villa Elsamere, the residence of the Adamson family, famous for the book ”Born Free”, where a number of black and white (colobus) monkeys live in the yard, who are easy to photograph.
On the entrance gate of the adjoining national park Hells Gate a plaque is put up in memory of the lioness Elsa. An optional visit to this park, by bike or foot, is definitely worth it, not many lions are found here though. Against the steep walls in the park lammergeyer and other bird of prey have nestled. You will also see several antelopes, zebras, buffalos and other animal species.
Masai Mara
Day 12 Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara
Day 13 Masai Mara, morning and afternoon game drive
Day 14 Masai Mara, morning and afternoon game drive
From Lake Navaisha we drive to Masai Mara, where we will move into the tents (already pitched) just in front of the park’s main entrance on a private site. During our stay you will have ample time to observe the great variety of fauna up close. Almost every traveler through Kenya visits this extensive region bordering Tanzania, and rightfully so, because the number of wildlife varieties is gigantic. It is not rare to see lions hunting. The huge migration of wildebeest from the south in July/August and back in October is quite an adventure. Characteristic for the ‘“Mara” are the sloping grasslands with the typical African acacias. The ‘Mara’ is the residential area of the Masai. Masai Mara has the status of National Reserve, different from the National Parks, where human population is not permitted. The Masai let their cattle graze in the reserve and if wild animals become life threatening to them, they have the right to kill the animals. With our truck we go on wonderful game drives here. Unfortunately it is forbidden to walk into the park itself; imagine you run into a hungry lion.
Mombasa, Nyali Beach
Day 15 Masai Mara – Nairobi
Day 16 Nairobi, night train to Mombasa
Day 17 arrival Mombasa, transfer to Nyali Beach
We drive back to Nairobi. Nairobi has a small center and most sights, such as the indoor City Market, the Jamai Mosque and the Nairobi National Museum, can be reached from the hotel by foot or by a short taxi ride. From the Kenyatta Conference Building you have a beautiful view over the city. In the neighborhood of the City Market there are numerous little shops where you can buy souvenirs. In the evening we take the night train to Mombasa. We spend the night on the train, four persons per berth. The train ride takes about 14 hours. Bed linens are provided. Dinner and breakfast are included.
Nyali Beach
Day 18 Nyali Beach
Day 19 Nyali Beach
Day 20 Nyali Beach
Day 21 Nyali Beach - Mombasa - Nairobi - in transit
+1 Day Arrival USA
Nyali Beach is about 3 miles north of Mombasa. Here we spend the night in a pleasant hotel at the beach. The complex has a swimming pool and a nice yard. The fine sandy beaches are protected by the coral reefs, where you can observe many varieties of tiny fish in the clear and warm seawater. The population of Kenya’s shore region is known for their easygoing lifestyle. From Nyali Beach you are able to visit the port Mombasa with an interesting mixture of eastern character, narrow streets and the bustle of a large seaport. Mombasa has a rich colonial past and an unusual mix of the Swahili and Arab cultures. The narrow streets of the old town’s center form a true labyrinth. Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese, is definitely worth a visit. The last day we depart early in the morning to fly from Mombasa to Nairobi. After a plane change we fly back to the States.
