Country: Kenya
Destinations: Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Lake Naivasha, & Masai Mara National Reserve,
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Day 2: transfer to hike to Marania Camp (3,200 m)
Day 3: Hike to Major’s Camp (3,800 m)
Day 4: Hike to Simba col (4,650 m)
Day 5: Summit attempt and descend to Met Station and transfer to Lake Naivasha
Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara for afternoon game drive
Day 7: Game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Game drive in Mara and transfer to Nairobi (evening flight)
Trip Overview.
The 8 days Mount Kenya hike and Masai Mara wildlife adventure safari, will reward you with the best of Mount Kenya hiking adventure across the Timau Route and wildlife safari at Masai Mara Reserve to meet the BIG FIVE and number of bird life species as you visit one of Kenya’s famous national parks. You will be able to do a diverse game drive across these parks. This is a combination of hiking and safari experience adventure.
The Timau route is one of our classics. It has a gradual gradient allowing for good acclimatization to the altitude. The route is also remote and underutilized. It is unlikely that you will see another group until you are near the summit.
This itinerary is one of the best on Mt Kenya for good acclimatization and can also be extended with an extra day / camp between Marania and Major’s Camps OR two nights in Major’s camp (for example when acclimatizing for summit bids of Nelion + Batian). Combined Mount Kenya Climb and Wildlife Safari Package. Take the 18 days package that includes 4 days hiking to the summit of Mount Kenya and another 3 days wildlife safari. After the climb, take a safari to Lake Naivasha, and then end up at the famous Masai Mara National Reserve
Trip Highlight.
- Mount Kenya hiking experience
- Endless Game drives
- Wildlife experience
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Cultural experience
- The great Rift Valley
- Aberdare Ranges
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Day Itinerary
Welcome to Nairobi – Kenya!
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aboard an evening flight, and after clearance with immigration, you will proceed to the arrivals area where your One More Adventure Safaris representative will meet you and assist you into your vehicle. Transfer to your city hotel for check in with the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at: Azure Hotel Nairobi /similar.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast basis.
Day 2: Timau to Marania Camp (3,200 m)
Day Itinerary
Have an early morning breakfast and you will be transferred from Nanyuki Town to the road head of the Timau route north of Timau town at 2,700m above sea level. This hike starts off at the start of the moorland zone and takes you up through patches of bamboo and heather. We will stop for lunch on the rim of the crater, which offers a chance to see some of the rare mountain species such as eland, zebra, buffalo and even the occasional elephant. The view as you ascend is breath taking, looking down across Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu and the great Northern Frontier beyond and up to the glaring peaks of Mount Kenya ahead. You will stop for a picnic lunch and continue on your way to Marania Camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Distance: 8 km
Hours Trekking: 4 hrs.
Altitude gain: 500m, 1,640 ft
Overnight at Marania Camp (3,200 m 10,500 ft)
Day 3: Hike Marania to Major’s Camp (3,800 m)
Day Itinerary
We will depart the camp after breakfast, walking up through the moorland towards the peaks ahead that make up the Mt Kenya Massif. A picnic lunch will be set up at the Marania Spring, which is the source of the river that runs by Marania camp, which is a beautiful lunch spot, especially if there are some curious zebras around. You will arrive at Major’s Camp in the afternoon, which is located at the base of the valley near some very dramatic rock faces. Some wildlife has been known to frequent the area, previous guests have had sightings of the rare Serval cat.
Distance: 14 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 600m, 1,970 ft
Overnight at Major’s Camp (3,800 m 12,470 ft)
Day 4: Major’s to Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m)
Day Itinerary
You will begin the long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is definitely an experience that resembles no other, with an extremely unique lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation; this will be your first glimpse of the fabulous Giant groundsels and Lobelias, particularly in the Hobley Valley, below the massifs of Terere and Sendeyo, which are named after two Maasai wise men. This vegetation is endemic to Mt Kenya with its unique adaptations to the vast day to day temperature changes. You will arrive at the Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and aptly named Gorges Valley. The views from Simba Tarn camp are breath taking.
Distance: 12 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 850m, 2,790 ft
Overnight at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m 15,255 ft)
Day 5: Simba Tarn, summit attempt and descend
Day Itinerary
An early departure at 5.30am for a sunrise summit is the best way to experience this climb and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys, and country beyond – even the summit of Kilimanjaro – whilst sipping a nice warm drink.
The descent takes you down the southern side along the Naro Moru route where you will have brunch in the Teleki Valley. Then it’s a final walk down to the MET station for collection. Should the weather not permit, the guide may use the Sirimon route as the descent route.
Upon descending, meet your guide and drive of to Naivasha, for dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 18 km
Hours Trekking: 12 hrs.
Altitude gain: 335m, 1,100 ft
Altitude at Lenana: 4925m
Overnight stay at: Naivasha Kongoni Lodge / similar.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve (Approx 5 hrs driving time)
Day Itinerary
A sumptuous breakfast will be served at the lodge’s main restaurant from 0630 hrs. Check out of rooms by the latest 0800 hrs and meet your safari driver guide at the lobby.
You will board your customized safari vehicle and depart for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve, where you will spend a great time, doing endless game drives for two great nights.
You will arrive at your Mara lodge in time for lunch. This evening, you will enjoy your first game drive. The Masai Mara whose eco system is a southern extension to Serengeti National Park offers the discerning traveller a lifetime opportunity to experience wild nature at its best. Your magical Mara experience begins here with a possibility of spotting some if not all of THE BIG 5 among several other wildlife and bird species.
Overnight stay at: La Maison Royale Masai Mara / similar.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day Itinerary
You will enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives at dawn and dusk respectively when the wildlife is more active. You may also opt for a near full day game drive, departing the lodge with packed lunch with the day spent in the vast park in search of wildlife sightings. This culminates with a picnic lunch served on the banks of the Mara River before driving back to your lodge.
This reserve’s open savannahs abound with game density, prolific birdlife as well as the annual instinct led wildebeest migration involving over 1.2 million Wildebeests, Zebras and Gazelles which takes place every year between July and October.
This reserve is home to the BIG 5, which are Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Rhinos and Elephants amongst several other animal species. Birdlife is also prolific in the reserve with over 450 bird species having been recorded as residents of this reserve.
Overnight stay at: La Maison Royale Masai Mara / similar.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Transfer to Nairobi for departure (Approx 6 hrs drive)
Day Itinerary
Breakfast will be served at your lodge. Morning at leisure where you may enjoy the fresh weather and animals as you relax at your lodge. Check out of rooms by the latest 1000 hrs. You will then drive back to Nairobi with optional lunch served at The Carnivore restaurant and later transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on time for your evening or night international departure flight. Meals: Breakfast.
End of service! Safari Njema!
The package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof
- 1 Night accommodation in Nairobi city on bed and breakfast basis
- All accommodation, meals and drinks as described in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Boat ride at Lake Naivasha
- Park entrance fees
- En-route lunches
- Emergency medical evacuation as far as the relevant gate
- All relevant Park fees
- Camp crew, cook, a great team of porters
- Trained local Mt Kenya guides (at least 1 WFR certified guide per 7 guests, 1 guide: 4 guests ratio)
- Supplemental oxygen & pulse oximeters
- Tents and equipment as per specification selected
- Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
- Game drives
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Bottles of mineral water during safari
- Fun and other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Applicable government taxes on tour services.
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
- Additional sightseeing or deviation from the itinerary
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options, as well as arrange multi – days / destination combined safaris. Write to us with more details about your safari.