In the heart of the land of the Masai people, Amboseli National Park is a photographer's paradise thanks to the abundant wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and buffalo roaming under the shadows of majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. With its large concentration of African elephants, Amboseli National Park is a fantastic choice for a truly breathtaking camping safari, in front of the world's finest photographic backdrop.
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Day 1 Amboseli National Park (L,D)
The tour begins at 7:30am in the morning of Day 1 at your Nairobi hotel. Please be on time to meet your driver/guide at the front entrance of the hotel. A brief departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area about general and specific aspects of the trip before setting off to Amboseli National Park.
Venture south to the famed Amboseli National Park located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The snow-capped peak of the mountain dominates every aspect of the park, providing the ultimate photo backdrop. Amboseli covers only 392 sq km, though despite its small size and its fragile ecosystem the park supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species). After lunch at your safari camp, spend the afternoon criss-crossing the park in seach of lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhino, cheetah, and of course the photo of a lifetime.
A part of the park is composed of a dried-up lake bed which in the shimmering heat produces mirages. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro's melting snows, form permanent watering places for the wildlife through times of drought. The snows of Kilimanjaro form a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife creating Kenya's most sought after photographer's paradise. The park's best game drives are around the swamps and there is a fine lookout on Observation Hill which offers views over the whole of the park and beyond.
Years ago this was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big-game hunting in the wilds of Africa. In addition, the park that has been made famous by Cynthia Moss, the noted American naturalist and author who has one of the longest-running studies on elephants. You might even see some of the elephants that Cynthia has immortalized in her many books and award-winning film Echo of the Elephants.
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Day 2 Amboseli National Park (B,L,D)
This is your full day to enjoy Africa at its best - countless wildlife encounters through open plains spotted with flat-topped acacia trees. Before returning to your safari camp in the evening, stop at a traditional "manyatta" (Masai village) for an optional visit to learn about the local Masai culture.
Part of Masailand, Amboseli National Park is thus the home of the Masai people, those tall, proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals has spread across the globe. Perhaps more than any other community in Kenya, the Masai have learned to live in complete harmony with their environment, and coexist and thrive together with the wildlife that surrounds them. The park is surrounded by manyatta quickly built out of bent poles and sticks and plastered with cow dung and equally swiftly abandoned when the grazing is finished and the herds must move on.
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Day 3 Amboseli National Park (B)
Rise early for a final morning game drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Amboseli plain. Return to Nairobi in the afternoon, where your safari ends.
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Shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, fresh vegetables and fruit will be bought along the route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally be cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Lunches will be either en route, in the game park, or in camp, and will be light meals such as sandwiches or salads. All evening meals will be hot and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Meals will be prepared by the crew with assistance from you if you would like to help cook, this is not compulsory. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. We do however ask you to wash your own dishes. Please note all bottled drinking water will be at your own expense.
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Entrance and game drives in Amboseli National Park
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Looking for and snapping photos of extraordinary wildlife, Taking in views of African landscape.
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Full-service camping (2 nts).
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7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle.
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2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners.
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Camping in Kenya is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping at Amboseli, we use our own tents to pitch at the public campsite. The campsite itself is very basic, with no electricity, and shared, very simple toilet and shower facilities. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in mesh insect nets on the doors and windows. Mattresses are also available, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable.
The idea of camping in Africa can be a daunting one. For those not accustomed to ‘roughing it’ for a few days we offer a full camping service. All tents are pitched for you, meals are prepared and served and the washing up is done by G Adventures staff. This leaves you with more time to enjoy your surroundings and is ideal for first-time campers who may be worried about the challenges such a trip can entail.
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Optional activity prices are subject to change and can fluctuate in relation to the high/low season and the number of people on a specific excursion. Not all excursions listed here may be available, due to season, or weather conditions. As generally not a lot of time is spent in start/end cities, you may want to arrange to arrive early, or stay longer after the trip in order to allow sufficient time to participate in optional activities there.
All prices are listed in US dollar amounts, per person, and are examples of the entrances fees charged - this does not include hiring transport to/from the destination. And the majority of the activities should be paid in local currency.
Nairobi
Bomas of Kenya $9
Giraffe Centre $7
Karen Blixen Museum $12
Nairobi National Park $40
Nairobi Safari Walk, Animal Orphanage and Impala Sanctuary $10
National Archives F.O.C.
National Museum $3
Railway Museum $3
The Carnivore Restaurant $30 set meal
Outside Nairobi
Masai village tour $20 per village
All prices are per person (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.
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USD40, usually included in most international air tickets.
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With sliding windows and a large pop-up roofs, these vans are designed for game viewing. Road conditions can run the full range of conditions from new to very poor. This style of travel is by no means luxurious, but the seats are comfortable and having our own private vehicles allow us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and to stay and watch that crouching lion prepare for an attack.
Speed governors set to 80kph are used on all vehicles to ensure a safe driving speed. Please note for your own safety it is mandatory to wear your seat belt at all times when in a vehicle.
All G Adventure vehicles are regularly serviced and follow a strict maintenance schedule. However given the long travel days and rough conditions of many of the roads in Africa, vehicles can and do breakdown on occasion. If such situations occur all drivers are trained mechanics and any vehicle issues are rectified as quickly as possible so as to not disrupt your trip. Your patience is requested if the vehicle you are traveling in happens to encounter a mechanical fault.
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