BIG 5 – Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara
10 Days/9 Nights

Over the course of 10 days and 9 nights, this unforgettable safari through some of Kenya’s most well-known regions, begins in Nairobi – “Safari Capital of the World.” Destinations include Amboseli National Park (with Mount Kilimanjaro ever-looming in the background) offering a multitude of wildlife, including the park’s vast populations of elephants, giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra and wildebeest. Other destinations include Mount Kenya National Park with a stop in its famous “tree hotel,” known as the Mountain Lodge; the crocodiles and velvet monkeys of Samburu National Reserve; the colorful catalog of winged wildlife of Lake Nakuru National Park; and the traditional culture of the Maasai people and the Maasai’s varying concentration of wildlife – Kenya’s most diverse offering of numerous species.

Proposed Itinerary

Day One: Nairobi City: Preparation for Safari: Volunteers prepare for the safari – picked up from their respective host families/hostels.

Day Two & Three: Amboseli National Park: For the duration of these two days, participants will reside in accommodations arranged and approved by Global Crossroad where breakfast, lunch & dinner will be available. The day’s safari will begin with a drive to Amboseli National Park near Kilimanjaro – jutting skyward and dominating the horizon with its glorious peak reaching approximately 19,340 feet. The afternoon unfolds – treating participants to numerous wildlife-viewing opportunities, including: the area’s massive elephant population as well as giraffe lions and cheetahs. The wildlife experience continues the next morning as participants are treated to even more of Amboseli National Park’s wonderment – zebra and wildebeest run amok as the safari continues into the afternoon and early evening.

Day Four: Mount Kenya National Park: After breakfast, the group will set out for the world-famous Mountain Lodge – a “tree hotel” located on the slopes of Mount Kenya offering some of the most unique views of the surrounding area’s wildlife – where the group will enjoy lunch amid one of the most picturesque backgrounds filled with mountains and wildlife. The remainder of the day will be spent lounging around this amazing lodge, offering numerous opportunities to take in the environment and wildlife from a comfortable perch above it all before enjoying dinner in the evening.

Day Five & Six: Samburu National Reserve: Crossing the equator kicks off the day as the group voyages to the parameter of the Northern Frontier – eventually journeying in the semi-desert, bush country contained within the Samburu National Reserve. The afternoon is filled with wildlife spectacles such as crocodiles slapping their tails on mud-slicked riverbanks as well as sunbathing, dark-faced, fawn-furred velvet monkeys. Exploration of the Samburu National Reserve continues into the next day as a series of game-drives treat onlookers to giraffe, beisa oryn, various species of zebra and gerenuk. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day Seven: Lake Nakuru: After breakfast, participants will travel to Thompson Falls, followed by a descent to the floor of the daunting Rift Valley and onto Lake Nakuru National Park. The remainder of the day will consist of exploring the wonderful diversity of birds as well as opportunities to observe Lake Nakuru’s famed population of rhinoceros, leopards and flamingo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day Eight & Nine: Maasai Mara Game Reserve: For the duration of these two days, participants will reside in accommodations arranged and approved by Global Crossroad where breakfast, lunch & dinner will be available. This particular stretch of the tour – guaranteed to supply lasting memories – explores the enchanting, awe-inspiring land of the world-renowned Maasai – a cattle-herding culture still defiantly untouched by the trappings of the western world. The stretch of the journey will commence in a grand finally at the Maasai Mara – an amazing park brimming with Kenya's most concentrated, most diverse examples of wildlife. Within the realm of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, multiple safaris provide opportunities to observe Africa’s largest pride of lions as well as herds-upon-heard of zebra and antelope, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, cheetah and hyena.

Day Ten: Maasai Mara/Nairobi: Participants awake for an early morning game drive, followed by breakfast. Here, participants say their good-byes and express their gratitude to their guides before being escorted back to their respective volunteer projects. Breakfast provided.

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and may be altered to accommodate changes in field conditions.

Dates and Price

Price: $150/day ONLY for Global Crossroad’s Volunteers ($1350 total – 9 days)
Dates: To be determined by In-Country Coordinator (most likely at the end or middle of participant’s respective volunteer program)

Included in Program Fee:

• Pick-up/drop-off from project site
• Domestic, in-park transportation in a modified 4-wheel-drive vehicle including a releasable roof hatch for documenting the experience
• Services of a professional safari guide
• All meals on safari
• All wildlife reserve entry fees and camping fees
• All accommodations as per itinerary

Not Included

• Domestic and International Flight
• Tips (for safari guide and/or camp staff)
• Other items of personal consumption (i.e. alcohol, bottled water)