Join like-minded ladies on this tour of East Africa for some amazing wildlife encounters - and the chance to catch the Big 5!

Start off with a night in the capital city of Nairobi before travelling by train to Tsavo East National Park, home to the big ‘tusker’ elephants. Here you will spend 2 nights before moving on to Amboseli for 2 nights, for majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Spend one night on the shores of Lake Naivasha, followed by a further 2 nights in the Masai Mara, home to the largest concentration of animals in Africa. Your last night will be spent in Nakuru, famous for its birdlife, and an important rhino sanctuary. Experience the fascinating world of Africa’s animals on this scheduled small group ladies departure. Your journey concludes in Nairobi. 

Your tour includes:

• 9 nights accommodation (Hotel/Game Lodge/Tented Camp)
• 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners
• 4X4 Vehicle
• Scheduled Train Trip
• English Speaking Driver
• English Speaking Female Guide
• Game Drives
• Game Walks
• A beadwork lesson at a Maasai village
• Witnessing ochre-red elephants in their herds in Tsavo East National Park
• A Kenyan cooking class in a remote and wild setting
• Watching the sunset against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro
• Your 'leading lady' - Marriette van der Velde

Not Included:

• Flights to and from Nairobi
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses whilst on tour such as drinks and souvenirs

Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi

Sarova Stanley is amongst the few five star rated hotels in Nairobi and was the first luxury hotel in Nairobi which has hosted celebrities from around the world. Sarova Stanley retains much of its historical charm while at the same time offering all the luxuries and amenities of a five-star hotel. Today, Sarova Stanley's heritage character is preserved whilst offering modern hotel services and amenities to create Nairobi's best hotel experience.

Satao Camp, Tsavo East National Park

Enjoying a unique setting overlooking a watering hole in the heart of Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park, Satao Camp delivers the ultimate safari experience: thrilling adventure and impeccable service. The Camp is a true oasis which attracts thousands of animals for their daily drink and bathing. Satao Camp has 20 tents, all en-suite, thoughtfully positioned to ensure a full view of the camps “own” watering hole. The tents are exquisite; all are attractively furnished with locally made beds and unique African designs. Each spacious tent has a private bathroom with running water and flushing toilet. The shower however is in the true African style, whereby the camp staff bring hot water in the evening. 

Tsavo East is Kenya’s largest protected area and the sheer abundance of wildlife is breathtaking. So whether enjoying game viewing from one of our open game viewing vehicles or watching herds of elephant bathe from the privacy of your verandah, your time at Satao will create memories to last a lifetime.

Satao Elerai, Tsavo East National Park

Satao Elerai Camp is located in a quiet, unspoilt, unique setting on a 5000 acre private conservation area 12km south-east of Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Africa’s Largest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. The camp looks over Amboseli National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro, giving you what is arguably the best location of any camp in the area.

The rooms at Satao Elerai Camp were built and designed to ensure that your stay will be in complete luxury. Huge beds with top quality mattresses and pillows and a large luxurious duvet ensure that you will sleep through the night in total comfort. Large sliding doors open out onto your own private verandah overlooking the plains below and Amboseli National Park. Each room has its own bathroom with a view, designed using natural rock and acacia wood the bathrooms have a design and feel unique to Elerai.

Dinners at Satao Elerai Camp are served a-la-carte. Using locally grown vegetables and fruit, our chefs prepare a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes. On a clear night tables are set out on the terrace, where clients can enjoy a meal under the stars. Regularly 'the Mountain' will be clear in the early evening and can be seen lit up by the moon from your dinner table.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Set in 150 acres of grassland studded with Acacia bushes and trees, the resort is not only home to our resident giraffe, waterbuck and both Vervet and Colobus monkeys, but it is also a night stop for the hippos when they leave the lake every night to come and trim the grass on our expansive lawns.

The cottages have exterior stone walls, giving them character and creepers and bougainvilleas add alot of colour. The same stone work is carried into the rooms and is the exterior bathroom wall. The banister going up the top floor is wrought iron as well and the same creepers and bougainvilleas are entwined around them.

Our double storey guest cottages with their ingeniously designed roofs gently sweep away from one side of the main building to form a crescent which leads towards the lake shore. While the upstairs guest rooms have a single king size bed and the downstairs ones have two queen size beds, both have one thing in common and that is an extraordinary amount of space as well as lavishly appointed bathrooms.

Mara Sarova Game Camp

Sarova Mara Game Camp is located in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reservice in South West Kenya. By virtue of its location and layout, the Mara Sarova Game Camp offers an unparalleled plethora of activities and experiences from luxury tented living to bird-watching, mini golf, sport fishing and a unique insight into the Maasai culture at the adjoining Maasai village.

Offering breathtaking views of the Mara plains, the tents are luxurious and extremely spacious, decorated in whites and soothing earthy colours with large beds, loungers, wardrobes and a desk.

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge overlooks Lake Nakuru, offering a unique vantage point. Each of the 67 appointed chalets has a separate lounge and secluded veranda with views over the lake and the distant hills. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the birdlife. A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino. The lodge restaurant and bar open onto a large viewing deck with panoramic views.

Your small group safari offers a minimum of 4 passengers and maximum of 12.

This tour commences in Nairobi, Kenya on 22 November 2022

Cost is from $6,050 per person twin share or single traveller.

Why not extend your stay to see more of what East Africa has to offer? Feel free to ask for ideas. We can also book your flights and any additional travel requirements.

Call our Brisbane based travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat on this amazing safari!

Day 1 – Nairobi

On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel (approximately 17 KM / 0.5 – 1 hour).

The guide that will be accompanying you on your Kenya tour will meet you at the hotel this evening to introduce herself and provide a rundown of the scheduled and be available for any questions you may have.

Your guide for the tour is Marriette Ngome – van der Velde.

“My name is Marriette van der Velde, originally from Netherlands, but living in Kenya for the last 7 and a half years.
Married to a Kenyan, mother of 2 + 2 bonus-children, as I like to call them, I can say I am a happy, busy, life-enjoying lady.

In my life I always loved working in hospitality, be it in a restaurant or tourism. In Kenya I started organising small tours for friends and family when they were visiting, and everytime I fell more and more in love with this country and its nature. I started connecting with travelers through online travel forums, organising safari-routes and excursions for them. But I was missing something. I love sharing my passion with guests, as well as I love giving them a great experience by myself, that is when I decided to start working for Southern Cross as a tourleader, so that I could go with the guests and make sure their trip would be a trip to never forget again.”

Accommodation - Sarova Stanley Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 - Tsavo East National Park

An early start means that you will collect a breakfast pack from the hotel before being met at and transferred to Nairobi Train Station to start your journey to Tsavo East departing at 08h00 to Voi Train Station. At 12h05 you will be collected from Voi Train Station by a Southern Cross Safaris vehicle to begin your game drive in Tsavo East National Park enroute to Satao Camp. After lunch enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Tsavo East National Park ending with a sundowner.

Kenya Railway Journeys – Please be aware that there is limited assistance on the Kenya Railway for boarding, disembarking or help with luggage. At both Nairobi and Mombasa boarding is level, directly from platform to carriage, but at the country stops you are required to navigate narrow stairs down to the platform and can be tricky with baggage. Seating is reserved and a valid passport is required to book the service and you will need to show your identification when entering the main train stations prior to departing. The train is kept clean during the journey and you are welcome to take food and non-alcoholic beverages on board with you but there is a dining car for first class passengers to purchase refreshments.

• Accommodation: Satao Camp (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Tsavo East National Park

Enjoy a day of game drives in the Tsavo East National Park.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Satao Elerai Conservancy

After breakfast you will drive to the Tsavo West National Park with a game drive enroute. You will visit Mzima Springs and continue to Kilaguni Serena Lodge for lunch. After lunch you will drive to the Satao Elerai Conservancy (approximately 350 KM / approx 6 hours).

• Accommodation: Satao Elerai (or similar - 2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Satao Elerai Conservancy

Enjoy a full day in Amboseli National Park with a picnic lunch.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Lake Naivasha

Enjoy an early breakfast before driving via Nairobi to Lake Naivasha. After lunch relax by the swimming pool or enjoy a boat ride on the lake (at own expense) (approximately 350 KM / approx 6.5 hours).

• Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (1 night)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast you will drive past the extinct Volcano of Mt Longonot and Suswa into the homelands of the Masai. The Masai Mara located on Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania, constitutes the northern stretch of the Serengeti and has the richest concentration of animals in Kenya. After lunch at the Mara Sarova Game Camp you will have the opportunity to observe the unique world of the Masai Mara (approximately 250 KM / approx 5 hours).

• Accommodation: Mara Sarova Game Camp (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Enjoy a full day game drive which will take you through the vast plains of the Masai Mara searching for the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo). You will return to your camp for lunch.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Lake Nakuru National Park

Today your journey will take you straight to Lake Nakuru. The park boasts a good number of rhinos as well as a large population of leopards. Enjoy lunch at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge followed by an afternoon game drive in the park (approximately 350 KM / approx 8 hours).

• Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (or similar - 1 night)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

Your day will start with an early morning game drive through the Lake Nakuru National Park. After breakfast at the Lodge, you will drive to Nairobi and end of safari (approximately 184 KM / approx 3 hours). Please note your onward flight must not depart Nairobi until after 6:00pm.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.

Travel Insurance:

We strongly recommend you take out Comprehensive Travel Insurance at the time of booking your trip.

Passport & Visa:

Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Kenya - which is available for single or multiple entries. This can be obtained online and you are required to present your printed e-visa upon entry. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. You must have at least two blank pages available in your passport upon arrival. Failure to meet this requirement may result in an entry visa being refused.

Vaccinations:

Please check with your GP or Travel Doctor for up-to-date information and advice regarding vaccinations for this trip. Please note a Yellow Fever vaccination is required and all travellers must carry proof that the Yellow Fever vaccine has been administered at least 10 days prior to travel. It is recommended that precautions against malaria be taken for travel to most regions in Kenya. We suggest you contact your doctor for advice on which prophylactic is recommended.

Authentic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (electronic or paper showing date and time of vaccination(s)) with final or booster dose given at least 15 days before departing is required for this trip.

Money:

The Kenyan currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KSH), which is divided up into 100 cents and it is now permitted to take local currency into the country. It is recommended to carry some cash in small denominations.

US Dollar notes printed before the year 2000 will not be accepted. Barclay’s Bank in Kenya has implemented a new policy where they will no longer accept notes printed before 2000. Clients who carry US Dollar notes printed before 2000 will be compelled to accept a rate of exchange lower than normal.

Electricity & Voltage:

In Kenya the general voltage is 240 and the frequency is 50 Hz. The British three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Shopping:

• There is an abundance of wonderful souvenirs and crafts to buy. Look for colourful materials, sisal bags, wood or stone carvings, unusual artwork, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive basketry are recommended. Be aware of the products you are buying, as you may have to declare these at Australian Customs on your return.
• Bargaining is expected at markets and roadside stalls, but not in shops. The locals may start off with highly inflated “tourist prices” and you will need to bargain until you feel you are paying what the product is worth.
• Cash in local currency is accepted, as well as US Dollars, while credit cards may only be accepted in larger shops.
• Do not purchase ivory, rhino horn, animal furs/hides, tortoise shell, coral, game skin, trophies or elephant hair bracelets. These items are prohibited as hunting was banned in 1976.

What to Pack?

• You will be limited to a certain weight, often between 15–20 KG. Bags also have to be soft-sided cases so that they can fit in the hold. These restrictions cannot be avoided, as there simply is not the capacity on small planes and/or road vehicles so bear this in mind when you are packing for your Kenya trip.
• The dress code is informal at all of the camps and it is advisable to bring long sleeved shirts and trousers for the evenings to minimise insect bites.
• On a wildlife safari, casual cotton clothing is the most practical. Calm neutral colours such as tan or khaki are a good idea although a bush outfit is not essential. Some form of headgear is recommended, and sunglasses are essential. A warm fleece or jacket is advisable for colder evenings and early mornings. A lightweight raincoat may be useful as some seasonal rains can occur.
• It is always a good idea to dress in layers on activities to accommodate the early morning and late afternoon change of temperature. Winter months will definitely require a warm jacket and perhaps a beanie, gloves and a scarf.
• Heavy footwear is not required, but sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots are recommended for nature walks, with a change of shoes (such as trainers) for the camp.
• Good laundry facilities are readily available at many hotels, game lodges and camps, and often on a complimentary service where the amount of luggage is restricted. However, on a busy itinerary it is advisable to check that your clothes
 will be ready before your departure. For your transfers between camps you may be subject to some very strict baggage restrictions.
• Make sure to leave a little extra space for the souvenirs you are bound to buy!

SAFARI CHECKLIST

• Hat for protection from the sun
• Good quality sunglasses (preferably polarised )
• Binoculars
• Torch
• Camera, charger and adaptor
• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case of dust irritation.
• Good walking shoes, trainers as well as sandals
• Socks
• Shorts/skirts
• Tracksuit
• Long trousers/slacks
• T-shirts/long-sleeved cotton shirt for cooler evenings
• Sweater/fleece/raincoat. These may be required for early morning and late afternoon game activities throughout the year.
• Lip balm
• Swimming costume
• Basic medical kit (aspirins, bandaids, Imodium, antiseptic cream etc )
• Malaria tablets AND anti-histamine cream
• Insect repellent (many lodges do supply sprays)
• Protective suntan lotion particularly for pale and sensitive skins
• Tissues or ‘wet wipes'