14 DAYS RIFT VALLEY LAKES OF KENYA

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Nairobi

  We will pick you up at Nairobi International Airport and take you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready to start your adventure in Africa.

• day 2

  Lake Magadi (Soda Lake)

  

  Your safari begins at Lake Magadi. It is the southernmost of Kenya's great lakes and is located 80 km from Nairobi. After breakfast, we will pick you up at the hotel in Nairobi and head towards the Tanzanian border. We will pass by the famous Ngong Hills (also known thanks to the film "Out of Africa") to reach the great Rift Valley. On the way, Olorgesaille is one of the most famous archaeological sites in East Africa, where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered not only fossils of early humans, but also the world's largest collection of tools and axes. Accompanied by your guide, visit the prehistoric site and discover how the first hominids developed in the African savannas and why their fossil remains have been preserved for millions of years in the lake sediments. Next, you will go to Magadi and have a picnic at the soda hot springs. At the edge of the lake, you will discover colonies of flamingos, pelicans, doves, and other water birds. Then cross the lake on the road to Ol 'Kiramatian and learn how salt mixtures are extracted from the lake. On the other side, you will climb the slopes of the mountains near Lake Magadi. From above, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the entire lake and some parts of the moats, and walk on the rocky slopes. Our local guide is a member of the Masai tribe and will tell you about the traditions and lifestyles of the local Masai. In the late afternoon, return to Nairobi. At the hotel, you can have dinner and relax after this day. Overnight and breakfast at the Southern Mayfair.

• day 3

  Lake Naivasha

  Today, you will go to Naivasha, the second lake of the Rift Valley, where you will be taken to Crescent Island. The visit usually lasts two hours and you can explore the lake and the island, with all the birds and animals. Once you arrive on the island, you will meet the guide near the dock. Your guide will show you the most beautiful animals: giraffes, hippos, Grant's gazelles, foxes, and maybe even the rare pythons. The boat will take you back to the Lake Naivasha Country Club, where you will have lunch. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Naivasha Country Club: http://sunafricahotels.com/lake-naivasha-country-club/

• day 4

  Lake Elementaita

  Today, you will continue to Lake Elementaita, where you will hike to the "Sleeping Warrior", a hill that has the profile of a sleeping Maasai warrior. On the shore, you will be able to observe pelicans. All meals and overnight stay will take place at Sentrim Elementaita Lodge.

• day 5

  Lake Nakuru National Park

  

  If you wish, you can once again observe the birds early in the morning by the lake. After breakfast, we continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, where you will arrive at Flamingo Hills Camp at noon. Arrival and lunch. In the afternoon, you will go on a game drive. Lake Nakuru National Park was created to protect the huge population of flamingos. On the shore, waterbucks, Bohor reedbucks, and zebras roam the grasslands. Lake Nakuru is home to both black and white rhinos. In 1987, only 2 black rhinos remained due to the devastating effects of poaching. By creating a protected area for rhinos within the park and crossbreeding with a breeder from Laikipia, the Kenya Wildlife Service (K.W.S.) succeeded in increasing the number of rhinos in the park. Wildlife viewing is relatively easy and will be possible until sunset. Buffaloes, leopards, lions, Rothschild's giraffes, and colobus monkeys can be found in the forest. Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Hill Camp.

• day 6

  Lake Bogoria and Baringo

  The Lake Bogoria National Reserve has an area of 107 km². There are hot springs and geysers in a landscape that was once wild and forbidding, imbued with dark lava rocks. You can also observe the masses of flamingos at Lake Bogoria, moving in line as they feed on algae with their heads upside down. Among the feathered inhabitants, there are also bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, and many other bird species. There are also some mammals, such as large herds of greater kudus, an antelope otherwise very rare in East Africa, but also buffaloes, zebras, dik-diks, impalas, warthogs, servals, and baboons. Dinner and overnight at Tumbili Cliff Lodge.

• day 7

  Lake Baringo

  After breakfast, you will have a magnificent view of the lake and the islands in the changing light of sunrise. Lake Baringo is the second freshwater lake in the Rift Valley after Lake Naivasha and is the highest, at 970 m altitude. There are more than 450 species of birds in and around the lake area. Crocodiles and hippos are also frequently observed, the latter coming out at night in many places to graze on the shore. This is one of the best places to photograph the Squacco heron, the Goliath heron, and the purple heron. On the lake, there are local fishermen paddling in their balsa boats and fishing for tilapia. Perhaps you would like to witness a special show and buy a fish from one of the fishermen, then look for the African fish eagles, which are usually found in pairs on the shores and on the islands. When you have followed the large birds, the fisherman will lift the fish from the boat and the fish eagle will try to catch it. Dinner and overnight at Tumbili Cliff Lodge.

• day 8

  Item

  Today, you cross the breach to Kabernet and continue to the Chebloch gorges, or you can linger and watch the cliff jumpers. Cross the Kerio valley through breathtaking landscapes and traditional Pokot villages to the Rimoi National Reserve, where you can observe elephants migrating between Turkana and the Kerio valley. From there, we continue to climb up to Iten, the city of marathon runners. At the Kerio View Hotel, you have a breathtaking view of the valley and you can even go paragliding. All meals and overnight stay at the Kerio View Hotel.

• day 9

  Iten - Kitale

  Continue your journey north to Kitale, at the foot of Mount Elgon. You can visit the mountain or take part in a coffee tasting at Cranes Camp, which has its own coffee. All meals and overnight at Cranes Nested Tented Camp.

• day 10

  Lake Turkana

  

  In the morning, depart for the airstrip for your flight to Lodwar. There, we will pick you up from the airfield and drive you directly to Eliye Springs, on the shores of Lake Turkana (about one hour). The largest desert lake in the world is considered the cradle of humanity, as archaeologists have discovered some of the most spectacular and oldest hominid remains there. At Eliye Springs Resort (www.eliyespringsresort.com), you will find the Boma, a hotel banda inspired by the traditional straw huts of the Turkana, the local tribe. Familiarize yourself with your hotel and enjoy the first hours at the beach. In the late afternoon, visit the nearby fishing village of Longelech and learn how the Turkana practice traditional "onshore" fishing, that is, river fishing. The fishermen prepare, on request, freshly caught fish on the beach.

• day 11

  Excursion to Nariokotome, in search of the Turkana boy.

  After breakfast, you will leave by jeep towards the north of the lake. On the sandy slopes, you will cross the nomad camps to reach Kalokol, the center of the Turkana fishermen on the lake. In Kalokol Bay, Nile perches and tilapias spawn; you will pass through one of the traditional Turkana villages. Visit a boma and learn how the Turkana make their various body jewelry, and discover the nomads' way of life. In Nariokotome, you will visit the old Spanish missionary station with its gardens and plants. Many locals still speak Spanish. That is why Nariokotome is also nicknamed "Little Spain." However, the place only gained its fame thanks to the paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey. His team discovered the almost complete skeleton of a prehistoric species 1.6 million years old, Homo erectus, in the Nariokotome River in 1984, near the lake shore. The bone remains came from a boy about 9 years old. Visit the monument with the replica of the Turkana boy and discover the excavation site. Then, return to Eliye Springs.

• day 12

  One-day excursion to Central Island National Park

  In the middle of Lake Turkana are three islands of volcanic origin. After breakfast, take a motorboat to cross to the middle island. The central island is designated as a national park. The three crater lakes of the island — "Crocodile Lake", "Flamingo Lake" and "Tilapia Lake" — are the most important breeding sites for Crocodylus niloticus, the Nile crocodile. Walk between the crater lakes and discover the island. In the evening, return to Eliye Springs.

• day 13

  Beach day and sunset.

  On the last day, you can enjoy the beach, the lake, and the sun. Upon request, guests can benefit from a massage at the resort or a fishing excursion. In the afternoon, you will head to the last highlight of your trip: a boat ride with a sunset.

• day 14

  Return to Nairobi

  Transfer to Lodwar to the airport or optional extension to Lake Turkana.