Wild Africa – Safari Camp to Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara (2023)

CAMP OVERVIEW

“Wild Africa” is without a doubt, The Outback Experience’s most exhilarating and productive wildlife camp! It is perfectly designed for teenagers, young adults and families, and is spread over 8 nights and 9 days. This tour includes a Junior Ranger’s certification course on wildlife conservation, coupled with a brilliant wildlife photography adventure to the most amazing wildlife hotspots of East Africa.

The junior ranger’s course will be conducted by wildlife photographers, Phillip & Samantha Ross, and by each of the park’s rangers and park authorities.

We will be visiting Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru and the world famous Masai Mara.

Amboseli National Park:

Amboseli is a photographers dream! The park is most famous for being the best place in the world to get really close to wild African elephants. The park also has stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and our mission during the two full day safaris, is to have some of Amboseli’s wildlife wonders serve as a stunning foreground to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Lake Nakuru National Park:

This 188 km² park is situated in the Great Rift Valley. It was created in 1968 to protect the huge flocks of over a million of the lesser flamingo that bred and nested at the edge of Lake Nakuru, giving it the characteristic pink rim that it is famous for. However, owing to flooding of this lake, there is no longer an abundance of pink flamingoes, but the park is still very rich in wildlife, and includes a rhino sanctuary for both black and white rhinos. The park is especially famous for its exceptional leopard sightings. Located at an altitude of 4,000-5,767 feet above sea level, it is a land of great ecological diversity – from lake water, woodland, bush grassland, to rocky ridges. The park is home to over 400 species of birds and is one of the few places to see the endangered white rhino. Other wildlife at the park includes lions, leopards, zebra, gazelles, eland, giraffe and the hyrax.

Masai Mara National Reserve:

Easily, the world’s most famous wildlife reserve, Masai Mara is a dream destination for any wildlife lover. Encompassing an area of 1510 km², the Masai Mara is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley and lies at the bottom of the Siria Escarpment. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with seasonal rivulets.

The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its abundance of Africa’s “Big Five”, especially lions. The population of cheetahs is also high, however the black rhinoceros is severely threatened, with a population of only 40 recorded. Hippopotamuses are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek Rivers. Numerous antelope are also seen, including Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, impala, topi and Coke’s hartebeest. Large herds of zebra can also be found throughout the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai Giraffe and there are good sightings of the large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, usually a difficult sighting in other parts of Kenya. Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park, including vultures, marabou stork, secretary bird, ground hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested Eagle, and African pygmy-falcon.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time for Africa!

CAMP LOGISTICS

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge:

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge was created for adventurers with an African dream. With Mount Kilimanjaro soaring majestically just beyond the golden, acacia-specked savannah, the safari lodge offers a graceful blend of stark beauty and lavish comfort in the heart of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.

Nestled in an acacia grove by a gentle mountain spring, the hotel, comprising a Maasai-inspired design, a garden restaurant and a palm-shaded swimming pool and sundeck, provides uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. In every detail, the ambience captures the essence of Maasai culture, warmth and indomitable spirit.

Answer the call of the wild at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge – a destination rich in undiscovered experiences.

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge:

This stunning lodge is nestled along the famous ‘Lion Hill’ overlooking the gorgeous Lake Nakuru. Its location affords panoramic vistas of the lake and the picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park.

The lodge is cleverly laid out such that most rooms and sitting areas afford stunning views of the lake and the park. The lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and greens dotted with bird feeders. Spread over many acres, the lodge is a natural haven for bird life and attracts over 50 species of birds amongst the 400 species that inhabit the park.

Mara Sarova Game Reserve:

Mara Sarova Game Camp is the ideal choice for those seeking a richer experience of the Maasai Mara that goes much beyond just game drives. By virtue of its location and layout, the Camp offers an unparalleled plethora of activities and experiences from luxury tented living to bird-watching, mini golf, sport fishing and a unique insight into the Maasai culture at the adjoining Maasai village.

Mara Serena Safari Lodge:

Mara Serena safari lodge is located at the very center of the famous ‘Mara Triangle’ of the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate safari destination. Set high on a bush-cloaked hill with long views over the savannah and down to the winding coils of the hippo-filled Mara River, it stands centre-stage to one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife arenas, with a ringside seat for the ‘greatest wildlife show on earth’, the legendary migration of the wildebeest.

CAMP ITINERARY

Dates: 10th to 18th June, 2023 (BATCH FULL – Add to Waitlist)

Travel to Nairobi:

Participants of this tour assemble at Bangalore Airport (the night before the tour), in time for our flight out to Nairobi (flight costs are not included in the camp fee). Upon landing in Nairobi the following morning, we immediately transfer to Amboseli National Park in pre-arranged vehicles.

DAY 1: Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli; Enjoy the view of Mount Kilimanjaro; Evening Safari and Overnight in Amboseli:

We arrive at Nairobi early morning on 10th June, 2023 and immediately depart for the beautiful Amboseli National Park in pre-arranged vehicles. En route, we enjoy some amazing views of the savannah before checking into to the gorgeous Amboseli Serena Lodge against the stunning Mount Kilimanjaro. After checking in and freshening up, we meet for our first meal in the African bush, while at the same time, get to know one another better.

Post-lunch, we prepare to venture out for our first safari. Phillip will help you understand your camera and talk to you about the strategy for the next few days.

After a productive first safari, we return to the camp for a session on an “Introduction to Africa’s Wildlife” by one of our naturalists. We end the night with dinner and return to our luxury rooms for the night.

DAY 2: Exploring Amboseli

We spend the entire day exploring the amazing Amboseli National Park. Wildlife will be aplenty, and you can fill up your memory cards with the most stunning African elephant portfolio that one can dream of! The birdlife is stunningly rich in Amboseli too. Between safaris, Phillip will help you improve your images and answer any doubts you may have. We enjoy the lovely evenings under the stars and listen to the sounds from the African bush.

Once back at the camp, Phillip will conduct a session on photography before dinner, which will be the perfect ending to an enriching day.

DAY 3: Transfer from Amboseli to Lake Nakuru; Evening Safari and Overnight in Lake Nakuru:

After an early breakfast, we depart from Amboseli and drive by Nairobi once again, to enter the Great Rift Valley and finally arrive at the beautiful Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, in time for lunch. We then check into our rooms for the next two nights. Each room has lovely views of the lake and its beautiful surroundings. We soon depart for an evening safari around the lake in search of the animals that call this park home. We are sure to come across giraffe, rhinos, zebra, antelopes, various species of monkeys, baboons and also good chance to come across the King of the Jungle – lions and hopefully a beautiful Nakuru leopard too. Once back at the camp, our group will be presented with a session on ‘Conservation Stories of Lake Nakuru’ and ‘Wildlife Habitats/Ecology of Africa’ by our naturalist. We enjoy a succulent meal and hit the sack in our very beautiful room at the Sarova Lionhill game lodge.

DAY 4: Morning and Evening Safari’s in Lake Nakuru and Overnight in Lake Nakuru:

We depart after an early breakfast, and spend most of the day enjoying the plentiful sights and sounds that Nakuru has to offer. The early morning drive will be followed by lunch and an evening safari.

Nakuru is an excellent location to sight the elusive leopard, and we go all out to try and search for this spotted beauty. We will also go in search of white rhinos and black rhinos.

Between the safaris, we drive up the picturesque Baboon Hill, overlooking the lake and its flamingo formations. Here, wide-angle perspectives of baboons, with the most gorgeous background is definitely on the checklist.

Once back at the camp, Phillip will conduct a session on photography before we meet for dinner and then head to our rooms, awaiting the adventures of the next day!

DAY 5: Transfer to and Overnight in Masai Mara

Early this morning, we check out of our lovely lodge in Lake Nakuru and embark on a pleasant drive across the dramatic Great Rift Valley, that will take us through the Narok Township, a major Maasai administrative centre, to Kenya’s most renowned wildlife sanctuary, Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Masai Mara is home to the colourful Maasai tribe, who may be seen around the borders of the park, with Morans (‘warriors’) loping across the plains, young boys herding goats, or elders grouped under a tree discussing the matters of the day.

We check in for a late lunch at the gorgeous Sarova Mara Game Camp.

Wildlife viewing is always amazing in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings. By now hopefully the group will have been acquainted with the African bush, so we seek to make the most of the bounty on offer on the evening safari. We return from the evening safari to take part in an interesting presentation on “Park Management and Man-animal conflicts” by a naturalist, before enjoying a scrumptious dinner and retiring.

DAYS 6, 7 & 8: Morning and Evening Safaris and Overnight in Masai Mara

Every morning while at Masai Mara, we venture into the bush on an early safari with a packed breakfast in order to spend the most part of the morning on safari and take advantage of the amazing light, thereby maximizing wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

We return for lunch and a bit of a rest before we venture out again in the evening.

On one afternoon, we will also visit a Maasai Village for a few hours in the day to learn and understand the Maasai culture and their way of life.

Meeting at specific points in the savannah, we learn and discuss various topics on photography and the natural history of Africa and the Mara in general. These THREE days are surely going to be the highlight of the camp with an astounding amount of wildlife to see.

In the evenings, a session by Phillip and the naturalists will offer a wealth of learning on photography and natural history topics. The remaining topics that will be discussed as per the Junior Ranger Conservation Course are wildlife protection strategies, anti–poaching strategies and tourism for conservation. On the last evening we will also have a rewards and certification ceremony.

DAYS 9: Morning Safari and Departure for Nairobi

We check out the lodge after a scrumptious breakfast and embark on a final safari into Masai Mara, before slowly returning to Nairobi, with a quick stop over for lunch at Narok. On arrival in Nairobi we are transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our home-bound flights, where we return home with tons of great images and as certified Junior Ranger’s.

Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous camps or workshops by The Outback Experience.

* Exchange rates listed here as on the date of payment will apply. Please refer TT selling rate. Additional bank charges may be payable at actuals.

Inclusions

• 8 nights/9 days accommodation on twin-sharing basis in premium lodges at all three locations – Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
• All delicious meals while on the camp
• Mineral water in the car while in transit and on safari
• Visit to a Maasai Village
• All transfers (5 participants + one instructor per vehicle) within Kenya as per the camp itinerary
• All safaris (5 participants + one instructor per vehicle) and reserve entrance fees
• Junior rangers certification course
• Expert guidance from wildlife photographers and two instructors from The Outback Experience, Phillip & Samantha Ross

Exclusions

• 5% GST
• All travel expenses between your home and Nairobi Airport
• Any kind of personal expenses, optional tours or extra meals ordered
• Insurance, laundry and phone calls
• Mineral water in the resorts, and aerated and non-aerated beverages
• Visa expenses
• Yellow fever and polio vaccination charges
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything that is not included in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

• 10% outside 76 days before the camp
• 25% between 75 and 59 days before the camp
• 50% between 60 and 46 days before the camp
• 75% between 45 and 31 days before the camp
• 100% within 30 days before the camp