Through the Rift Valley, Sopa Lodges

This is a short but extremely rewarding safari as it gives you the great opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the Great Rift Valley and the vast game-rich plains of Masai Mara. The Rift Valley lakes are famous for their abundance of flamingos and other waterfowl, while Masai Mara is home to the country’s greatest concentration of wildlife. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Maasai Mara National Reserve: situated in south-west Kenya and is one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves, and where the world’s largest multi-species migration takes place. Across the vast plains of the Mara, visitors are able to witness lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and an infinite variety of other species in their natural habitats.

Lake Nakuru National Park: on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. It is ideal for bird watching and game drives. 

Day 1: ARRIVAL NAIROBI

Upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport, you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to Ole Sereni Hotel or similar for check-in. Enjoy an afternoon at your own leisure, perhaps taking advantage of the modern facilities, before you embark on your Kenyan odyssey.

Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2: NAIROBI – MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (280km – 5 hrs)

After breakfast, depart Nairobi, travelling towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners during World War II. Keep an eye out for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. Pass the futuristic Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the valley to Narok, and then travel through fields of wheat and barley, before reaching the Maasai Mara and Mara Sopa Lodge, in time for lunch. Afterwards, it’s time for the first game drive of the tour at 03:00 pm, returning to the lodge at sunset. At Mara Sopa Lodge, the accent is on both the indigenous Maasai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife and natural flora seen in every direction. The lodge is located in the Oloolaimutia Valley and built into the surrounding hillside landscape. The luxuriously appointed décor features all the mod cons one would expect from a Sopa-styled lodge in the bush. The bedrooms are spacious, the large pool has wonderful views and there are evening wildlife films to enjoy. All this ensures a blissfully comfortable stay; in the evening, dinner will be served at the lodge. 

Overnight in Maasai Mara.

Day 3: MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (5-6 hrs on game drives)

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing for a morning game drive at 07:00 am. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to millions of wild animals, including the fabled Big Five of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinos as well as antelopes, gazelles and wildebeest among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and perhaps a siesta before setting off for an afternoon game drive at 03:00 pm and a visit to a Maasai village, heading back to the lodge as the sun sets, where you’ll end the day with dinner. 

Overnight in Maasai Mara.

Day 4: MAASAI MARA – LAKE NAKURU (315km – 6 hrs)

Bid farewell to Maasai Mara after breakfast and travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley dot the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Continue across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffes and gazelles as you head up the Mai-Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park at 03:00 pm, returning as the sun sets, to enjoy dinner. The waters of Lake Nakuru are often coloured a shimmering pink, from the thousands of flamingos that line its shores. As well as all the beautiful flamingos, both black and white rhinos are being carefully protected and given a new lease of life in this 188 square kilometre, fully fenced park. The rhino population numbers more than 50 and continues to multiply. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffaloes, leopards, zebras, elands, waterbucks and lions. Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge is located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The newest member of the Sopa family, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa and overlooks Lake Nakuru and its surrounding national park, a paradise for bird-watchers and wildlife lovers alike. 

Overnight in Lake Nakuru.

Day 5: LAKE NAKURU – DEPART NAIROBI (180km – 4 hrs)

Following an early breakfast, continue to Lake Naivasha for a half an hour boat ride. Then, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi. Arrive in the bustling capital at the Ole Sereni Hotel by 01:30 pm, to drop off and ongoing travel arrangements. Recommended departure flights departing from 04:00 pm.

Passengers should bring only soft-sided bags on safari. Passengers arriving to Kenya may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Travellers’ cheques are generally not accepted in east Africa. US banknotes cannot be older than 2004 and must have the latest security markings (large portrait of the president). Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.