8 Days Kenyan Tour – Samburu, Mt. Kenya, L. Nakuru, Mara & L. Naivasha

06:30AM Breakfast. 08:00AM Short Game Drive as we leave Samburu for Mount Kenya National Park. Mount Kenya National Park. It is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft)), Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft)) and Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft)). Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, the heart of Kenya, about 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi) south of the equator, around 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi. Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya. Mount Kenya is a stratovolcano created approximately 3 million years after the opening of the East African rift. Before glaciation, it was 7,000 m (23,000 ft) high. It was covered by an ice cap for thousands of years. This has resulted in extremely eroded slopes and numerous valleys radiating from the center. There are currently 11 small glaciers. The forested slopes are an important source of water for much of Kenya. There are several vegetation bands from the base to the summit. Different types of forest cover the lower slopes. Many alpine species are endemic to Mount Kenya, such as the giant lobelias and senecios and a local subspecies of rock hyrax. An area of 715 km2 (276 sq mi) around the center of the mountain was designated a National Park and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Stop along the way for purchase of curios for those interested. Arrive in time for Lunch at Serena Mountain Lodge. A leisurely afternoon Nature Walk with a Guide through the Forest. Return to the lodge. DBB

06:30AM Breakfast 08:00 AM Leave Serena Mountain Lodge for Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park It is best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos nesting along the shores. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon Cliff. Also of interest is an area of 188 km (116 mi) around the lake fenced off as a sanctuary to protect giraffes as well as both black and white rhinos. The park has recently been enlarged partly to provide the sanctuary for the black rhinos. This undertaking has necessitated a fence – to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife. Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge in time for Lunch. Afternoon Game Drive. Back to the Lodge. DBB