ON SAFARI: EXPLORING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN KENYA

National

• Go on safari in three stunning reserves, from Amboseli National Park to the

• Interact with orphaned elephants at the renowned

DAYS 1–2 I NAIROBI, KENYA

Arrive in Nairobi, and transfer to the hotel. The next morning, visit an artists group promoting Kenyan entrepreneurship. Then, head to the Giraffe Centre to learn about the center’s breeding program for endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Enjoy an after-hours tour of the Nairobi National Museum before the welcome dinner.

Tamarind Tree Hotel | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAYS 3–4 I AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Fly by private charter to Amboseli National Park, one of the best places in Africa to spot elephants. Set out on early morning and late afternoon game drives, on the lookout for cheetahs, lions, zebras, giraffes, as well as 400-plus bird species.

11 DA YS FROM $10,495

Cynthia Moss, has received support from the National Geographic Society for her work. Meet a member of the team to hear about their time in the field observing herd dynamics, and collecting biological samples.

Tortilis Camp | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 5–7 I LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY

A charter flight brings us to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, situated on the northern flanks of Mount Kenya. Considered a model in the conservation field, the reserve is home to rare species such as reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, wild dogs, and both white and black rhinos. Settle into your luxurious tented camp before an afternoon safari. Rise at daybreak for a game drive or a guided bush walk.

On your trip, be on the lookout for... lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, wildebeests, rhinoceroses, a variety of bird species, and more.

The following day, visit the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, home to the longest running study of wild elephants in the world. Its director,

Travel to the conservancy’s headquarters to meet the award-winning security team, whose effective patrolling has ensured that not a single rhino has been poached on the reserve in the past five years (to date). If schedules permit, join the rangers and their dogs for a tracking demonstration. On your final day, delve into Maasai culture during a village visit with families to learn about everyday life and traditions.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp | Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D

DAYS 8–10 I MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Fly by charter to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, famous for its large populations of leopards, cheetahs, and lions, as well as the annual wildebeest migration, which passes through during the fall months. Watch for timeless scenes of predator and prey on morning and afternoon wildlife drives in open vehicles. Observe plains game such as Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topi, and eland antelopes—as well as their stealthy predators—at their most active times of the day. Glimpse hippos submerged in the Mara River, and crocodiles sunbathing on the banks.

Gain insight into ongoing conservation efforts in the Masai Mara, such as work being done to protect pangolin—the world’s most illegally trafficked mammal species. After a final safari, toast your adventure at a farewell dinner.

Elewana Sand River Masai Mara

Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D

DAY 11 I NAIROBI/U.S.

Return to Nairobi by charter, and pay a visit to Ocean Sole, a social enterprise that creates art by upcycling plastics. Then, join caretakers for the afternoon feeding at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the world’s most successful rescue and rehabilitation program for orphaned elephants—featured in National Geographic magazine’s September 2011 issue. Enjoy the opportunity to shadow the center’s caretakers, and get up close to the young elephants during their afternoon feeding. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight home.

Meals: 1B, 1L

Find

Washington Wachira

Naturalist, Photographer

Kenyan naturalist Washington Wachira is a photographer, a TED speaker, and one of East Africa’s top birders. He received a National Geographic grant for his work with urban birds of prey, and was awarded the African Sustainable Tourism Fellowship Award in 2016. Find the departure(s) Washington will join on our website.

Information

Dates: This expedition is offered from January through March, June, October, and December.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only, and is subject to change at any time without notice.