KENYA NORTHERN CIRCUIT
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ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
The park is named after the mountain range that it protects. The Aberdare range is the third-highest massif in the country. You will see dramatic peaks, deep valleys, spectacular water falls (some 300m high), lush tropical rainforests, wild moorlands, volcanic outcrops and experience cool mountain breezes while visiting the park. Nowadays the mountains are home to bongo (an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest), buffalos, elephants, giant forest hogs, red duikers and Sykes’- and colobus monkeys. Buffalo and elephant are common and at night there is a chance to see a black rhino at one of the three hotel waterholes. Leopards tends to stay at higher altitudes in the park and are difficult to spot. In comparison to other national parks in Kenya, the game is relatively scarce but the spectacular views make up for it.
The Serengeti is one of the areas that offers good game viewing all year round. While all seasons offer something spectacular, it is perhaps more important to decide what part of the Serengeti you would like to explore during your visit. This will largely depend on your sightseeing priorities and the timing and length of your visit.
SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA:
December – March: You will see herds of Wildebeest
February: Calving season is particularly rewarding, but wildlife sightings are down during the dry season.
CENTRAL SERENGETI AND SERONERA AREA:
Year-round: Very popular for wildlife viewing and offer the most lodging options. It is also the most crowded section of the park.
WESTERN SERENGETI AREA OR WESTERN CORRIDOR:
May – June: Offers decent wildlife viewing all year round with the migration reaching the Grumeti river around May or June. The river is also a great place to see crocodiles and hippos.
NORTHERN SERENGETI AREA (KOGATENDE, LOBO, LOLIONDO):
July – October: It is the least visited and most remote section of the Serengeti but also offers some of the top luxury camps and lodges in the country. There is a good possibility of seeing the Mara River crossings. Several camps in the north offer walking safaris and off-road experiences.
GAME DRIVES
The Serengeti National Park is without doubt the best wildlife game viewing destination in Africa. One of the highlights and reason for the most visits to the Serengeti is the wildebeest migration which is found 12 months of the year in the Serengeti. The Serengeti open plains are dotted with a number of granite outcroppings also known as “kopjes” where prides of lions are found spending most of their day resting at the rock. You can explore the natural dramas of the Serengeti in our state of the art 4×4 safari vehicles during morning, afternoon or full day game drives.
BIRD WATCHING
The Serengeti has more than 500 bird species recorded. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of Africa’s endemic bird areas, hosting five bird species found nowhere else, half of which are confined to the Tanzanian portion of the ecosystem. Birding in Serengeti can be enjoyed throughout the year though we recommend November to April, the breeding period for most of the birds and they are nesting. Migrating birds from Europe and North Africa enable birders to break sighting records on a daily basis during this period.
HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS
Some things are worth waking up early for and this is one of them. You’ll be collected from your camp or lodge before the birds rise for departure to the launch site. Your pilot will give you a thorough safety briefing while the crew prepares the balloon for launch. As you rise into the lightening sky, the full scale of the Serengeti will unfold beneath you as the peace of the early morning descends. Untethered by roads, we’re able to float high over the plains, or descend to gently brush across the grassland seeking the herds of wildebeest or lions out on a hunt. Extend the magic by joining us for a full “Out of Africa” style breakfast laid out under an acacia tree as you relive the memory of a unique flight.
Flying daily from
- North Serengeti (June to end of October)
- Central Serengeti (Year-round)
- Western Serengeti (June to end of October)
- Grumeti Reserves (Private charters arranged through Singita)
SERENGETI VISITOR CENTRE:
This center at Seronera has a self-guided walk through the Serengeti’s history and ecosystems and it’s well worth spending time here before exploring the park. The gift shop sells various basic booklets and maps and there’s a coffee shop with snacks and cold drinks.
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Although it is part of the Samburu ecosystem, Shaba has several springs and swampland areas. Its topography is distinctive with its starkly beautiful landscape dotted with rocky kopjes, dominated by Shaba hill and a massive volcanic rock cone that rises above a rugged landscape with steep ravines.
June through to November: We recommend that you visit the park in the dry months as most of the animals will head towards the Tarangire river to remain hydrated. This will provide travellers with excellent game viewing opportunities. It is primarily a dry season park - not because animals are impossible to spot in the rains, but because animals actually migrate out of the park in the lower season months.
GAME DRIVES
It's a beautiful park, typified by century-old baobabs that stand sentinel above the open grass plains and riverbeds. The varied habitats are home to 94 mammal species of which huge numbers concentrate around the permanently flowing waters of the Tarangire river (particularly during the dry season). In fact, given its dense concentration of animals, there is every chance that you will enjoy a higher incidence of sightings than in the Serengeti. Elephants are particularly common, with herds numbering in the hundreds.
BIRD WATCHING
Home to more than 550 species, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts who can expect so see dozens of species, even in the dry season. The swamps are the focus of the largest selection of breeding birds anywhere in the world. Yellow-coloured Lovebirds are commonly seen in the trees along the Tarangire river.
WALKING SAFARI (Conservation areas around the park)
There is no better way to get up close and personal to the wild than by taking a walking safari. Feel the ancient earth beneath you as you tread on the tracks of animals that might have walked the same path just minutes before. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will learn about the flora and the fauna and begin to understand the true majesty of the indigenous peoples that live and thrive on the land.
NIGHT GAME DRIVE (Conservation areas around the park)
Often done just after dusk, a night game drive in Tarangire is a rare opportunity to see how the bush comes alive after dark. Accompanied by an experienced, qualified guide, the night drive will provide some insight into the nocturnal wildlife that is often overlooked or inaccessible to visitors who remain in the confines of the national parks. Clients with a keen, focused eye, will not be disappointed with the wonders of a night drive.
MERU NATIONAL PARK
This small, endearing park is found at the foothill of the Nyambene Mountain range. Well off the standard tourist circuit, Meru is a breath of fresh air if you are trying to avoid the crowds that fill up many of Kenya's more mainstream areas. However, it should not be regarded as a big game area. The Park is most famous as the setting for Joy Adamson’s book “Born Free”, the story of the Adamson’s life and his research amongst lions and cheetahs. “Elsa” the lioness was the most well-known and her grave is marked here.
Park can be accessed throughout the year.
June - October: Best time to see large mammals
November - July: Ideal time for bird watching
GAME VIEWING
Lake Manyara is the ideal location for a game drive because of its many ecosystems. It is said to have 11 different systems and the area is a hotspot for all types of animals and plants. The lake, the rift valley cliffs, the ground water forest, Ngorongoro highlands and the dry Tarangire system are but some of the wonderful sights on offer. During the game drives you will encounter elephants and huge number of baboons. Due to its varied landscape, other species easily spotted are lions, blue monkeys, hippos, giraffes, impalas and cheetahs.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES
These outing start at 19h00 and end at 23h00. Night game drives open up a whole new world of nocturnal animal species. It will give you a different perspective of the park and wildlife.
Additional fees apart from park fees.
BIRD WATCHING
The park offers a delightful diversity of bird species. It has over 390 bird species consisting of migrants and residents. You should even see flamingos as they perpetually migrate. Other large water birds seen here include pelicans, cormorants and storks.
What are the bird watching hotspots?
- Hippo pool view points
- Boardwalk way at Majimoto
- Ground water forest (the later for breeding species)
Best time for bird watching- November to July is ideal time for bird watching.
No additional fee for this activity.
TREE WALKWAY
This walkway takes you on a sky-high adventure through the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. Walk among the treetops and experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective. This 370m airwalk starts with a short board-walk that gradually rises from ground level up through the canopy of the forest. You will walk over a series of suspension bridges with thick netting on the sides and reach a height of 18m off the ground. Each of the bridges end on a viewing deck situated around tree trunks. These treetop platforms are perfect places to stop and enjoy life in the canopy amongst butterflies, monkeys and birds. During this walk the guides will point out interesting facts about the Lake Manyara flora and fauna, while you can enjoy a unique birds-eye view of the world around you. This is Tanzania's first treetop walkway and one of the longest in Africa. It is a great outdoor activity for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Families, couples, individuals and groups are all welcome.
Additional fees apart from park fees.
WALKING SAFARI
Hike down the Great Rift Valley, through a dense ground water forest. View birds, monkeys, bush buck and other forest animals. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the forest with fresh streams and waterfalls surrounding you. Walking safaris last 2 ½ - 3 hours.
Additional fees apart from park fees.
CANOEING
Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life, including thousands of pink-hued flamingos. You can get very close to giraffes, elephants, buffalos and other animals grazing on the shoreline, all from the comfort of your canoe. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the beauty that surrounds you on this 2.5-hour canoe safari. Additional fees apart from park fees.
OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
It is the closest place to Nairobi to see "The Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo). Ol Pejeta is home to the last three northern white rhinos left in the world (namely Najin, Fatu and Sudan), southern white rhino and is a sanctuary for 105 critically endangered black rhinos. Other wildlife includes giraffes, zebras, eland, oryx, waterbucks, Grant's gazelles, Thompson's gazelles, cheetahs, silver-backed jackals, hartebeests and baboons. The Conservancy also boasts several hundred bird species. A trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy would not be complete without a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these endangered, highly intelligent animals. Owing to the ongoing destruction of the west and central African rainforest and continued demand for bushmeat, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is compelled to provide a safe, secure and permanent refuge to 42 orphaned and abused chimpanzees from this region.
The Ngorongoro Crater is year-round attraction but can become quite busy during the high season from June to October.
Sweeping grasslands join the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. As such, it forms part of the annual migratory route of hundreds of thousands of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes and their predators who come to graze and calve between December and March.
GAME DRIVES
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino, as a small population is thriving in this idyllic and protected environment. It is currently one of the few areas where they continue to breed in the wild. Your chances of encountering leopard here are also good, and fabulous black-maned lions. Many flamingos are also attracted to the soda waters of Lake Magadi.
OLDUVAI GORGE
This is known as the cradle of mankind. Layer upon layer of volcanic deposits were laid down in orderly sequence over a period of almost two million years, making Olduvai Gorge a remarkable site that documents ancient life. It is here that Leakey discovered ‘Nutcracker man’ after nearly 30 years of excavation. There is a museum with a lot of information for those interested in history and/or archaeology.
MASAAI VILLAGE
A visit to a Maasai boma is an interesting experience. As you arrive at the village, you will be welcomed with song and dance. One of the dancers will jump up and down gracefully in intervals. These jumps can be several feet high! You will then be welcomed into one of the homesteads in the village. The village huts (called Manyatta) are made of cow dung and clay plastered over stick frames. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history and lifestyle of the Maasai.
BALLOON SAFARI
This is probably the most beautiful balloon flight in the world and the ultimate safari experience! We will take off at dawn, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the morning wind takes us. Your pilot has precise control over the altitude of your balloon, sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. After the flight you can enjoy some sparkling wine before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in “Out of Africa” style.
Flying Daily from:
Ndutu (December to end of March)
LAKE TURKANA
This is the biggest permanent desert lake in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as the Jade Sea and is famous for its greenish-blue colours. Found at the very northern end of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Turkana shimmers in the heart of an otherworldly landscape that would look more at home on the moon than planet earth. The lake is the world's largest alkaline lake and the world's fourth-largest salt-lake. It is home to some 22 000 Nile crocodiles, hippos and more than 40 different species of fish. The rocky shore has large water turtles and mammals. To protect the breeding grounds of birds and crocs, two islands, Southern Island and Central Island, have been declared national parks. The dry grasslands support Grevy's zebra, topi, Grant's gazelles, reticulated giraffes and camels. You'll also find predators like lions and cheetahs. Fishing around the lake is a major thanks to the algae growing on the Lake that feeds fishes like the Nile perch, tiger fish, bichir, elephant fish and tilapia species. This is a truly off-the-beaten-track destination which can be reached by private charter and is home to fascinating nomadic tribes and exceptional archaeological sites.
It is important to understand that the weather on Kilimanjaro is as changeable and unpredictable as mountain weather all over the world. The best climbing seasons are December to March and June to October. The only real recommendation to climbers is to avoid the long rainy season (April to May) as the mountain becomes slippery and treacherous. The average day temperature on the lower slopes is around 30°C, while temperatures can range from 5 to 15°C at 3000m in altitude during daytime. Night time, temperatures on the mountain can be well below freezing, even at your first campsite.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
- MACHAME ROUTE– This exceptionally scenic route around the southwest and south sides of Kilimanjaro. Highlights include the beautiful Shira sunsets, the great Barranco Wall, Lava Tower and stunning views of Mount Meru.
- UMBWE ROUTE- Umbwe’s steep, challenging slopes mean far fewer trekkers choose this difficult but beautiful route.
- LEMOSHO ROUTE - This scenic route is far less travelled than most. Lemosho gives trekkers ample time for acclimatisation and offers excellent scenery.
- RONGAI ROUTE – This route is much easier than the Machame Route but less scenic. You will descend using the Marangu route, enabling you to see multiple views of the mountain.
- MARANGU ROUTE - A popular route on Kilimanjaro and also called the “Coca-Cola Route”. You will ascend and descend using the same paths and overnight in large communal huts.
SHORT NATURE WALKING SAFARI’S
- Marangu via Lauwo waterfall to Mandara (12Km)
- Machame gate to Machame hut (11Km)
- Morum barrier to Shira I (06Km)
- Rongai gate to Simba camp (05Km)
BIRDING
There are about 179 bird species inhabiting different vegetation zones, thus giving you the opportunity to see them in different climatic zones. Birds like the white necked raven, lammergeyer and alpine chat are commonly seen in high altitude zones.
CYCLING
The Kilema route takes you to the highest point in Africa while cycling. It has three stations: Kilimamchele (9km), Maua (12km) and Kibo (21km) in the direction of the Kilema gate. There is also a non-summit bound route/circuit totalling 44.3 km in the Shira plateau where you can spend one to four days, depending on your time and budget.
Additional fees apart from the conservation fees.
PARAGLIDING:
The operator will propose the most suitable launching area on the mountain as well as the landing site in or outside the park.
Additional fees apart from the conservation fees.
LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
The conservancy originates from a cattle ranch. The Craig/Douglas families designated the land as a black rhino sanctuary and the conservancy is a non-profit organization. Today, Lewa is one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories with a game density second only to the Masai Mara and the highest population of black and white rhino in East Africa.
Registered as a rhino conservancy in 1983, the conservancy is famous for its successful rhino and Grevy zebra breeding programmes. It is also home to two endangered species: Lewa contains 10% of Kenya’s rhino and 20% of the world’s population of Grevy zebras. The whole conservancy is fenced. There are plenty of elephants that roam through the migration corridors with frequent sightings of big cats like lions and leopards
SOLIO GAME RESERVE
The Park is a fenced and a privately-owned wildlife conservancy geared towards rhino conservation. The Solio Game Reserve was founded in 1970 when the owner of the Solio cattle ranch fenced off a large section of land and dedicated it to conservation. The Park plays a significant part in the protection and breeding of black rhinos in Kenya. Breeding has been so successful that rhinos from Solio has stocked game reserves all over Africa. In addition to the world's largest population of white rhinos and the near hundred black rhino, the Solio Reserve is inhabited by different other wildlife such as buffalos, zebras, giraffes, oryx, antelope, Thompson's gazelles, impalas, waterbucks and warthogs. The Park offers some of the best leopard viewings in the country. Sightings of lions and cheetahs are also rather frequent.
Lake Eyasi’s offerings are highly seasonal and fluctuates between being a bird-filled watering hole to a dry lake bed, depending on what time of the year you visit. During the dry months of June to October Lake Eyasi almost dries out completely. That being said, it always offers excellent photographic opportunities. With the long rains from March to May, Lake Eyasi fills with shallow water and birds arrive from near and far to breed. Birders wanting to see a diverse range of species should be here when that happens. Here you won’t be bombarded with the crowds typically associated with Tanzania’s more popular national parks and wildlife reserves.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCE - HADZABE BUSHMEN
A visit with the bushmen is more than worthwhile. They will graciously show you where and how they live and hunt. They subsist entirely off the bush and by bow hunting. Everything they use is made from local materials, including their bows which are strung with giraffe tendon and their arrows coated in lethal poison. Their language resembles that of the Kalahari bushmen tribe (in South Africa) with clicking noises used.
BIRD WATCHING
Keen birders will fall in love with this lake as it attracts vast numbers of birds of all sizes and colours. Watch out for the Africa spoonbill, flamingos, grey headed gulls, great white pelicans, pied avocet and yellow-billed storks. Catfish and lungfish are commonly found in the lake.
MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kenya is an ancient extinct volcano and Africa's second-highest mountain (5 199m). With its rugged ice-capped summits and cloud-forested middle slopes, it is one of the most impressive of East African landscapes, arguably more spectacular than the higher Mount Kilimanjaro. Spectacular scenery is an important aspect of the park and it offers lovely lakes, pools, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs in the area. The vegetation naturally varies according to the height. Dry upland forests are found in the lower slopes, which change to a montane forest from 2 000m upwards. This forest generally consists of cedar and podo. The vegetation changes to a thick bamboo forest at about 2 500m, which in turn changes to the upper forest of smaller trees and high-altitude moss. Visitors can observe a variety of plants and animals, including the black and white Colobus, Sykes monkeys, bushbucks, buffalos and elephants. Animals like the olive baboons, waterbucks, black rhinos, black-fronted duikers, leopards, giant forest hogs, genet cats, bush pigs and hyenas are found in lower altitudes. A rare sighting is the elusive bongo, a forest antelope. Other endangered species found in the forests include the Sunni buck, Mount Kenya mole shrew, skins (lizard) and different types of owls. The forests give way to high altitude heath and shrubs between 3 000m and 3 500m. Above 3 500m there is open moorland, where animals like the high-altitude zebra and eland can be found.
The period June to October is the best time for walking and hiking tours. The weather at Lake Natron is mostly hot and dry. Although June to August are the coolest months, some guests still experience these temperatures as tropically warm. During the rainy period (November to May), some activities may be cancelled due to heavy rains.
BIRD WATCHING
It is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in the world. East Africa has 1.5-2.5 million lesser flamingos, representing three-quarters of the world population. Most of them are hatched at Lake Natron. Food is plentiful, nesting sites abound and above all, the lake is isolated and undisturbed. The flamingos of Natron normally lay their eggs during the end of the dry season in September and October but the hatching starts in the early parts of the wet season, climaxing by December.
WALK ALONG THE SHORE
A Maasai guide will take you for a walk along the shores of the lake. In the dry season, you will feel as if you are in an apparently uninhabited, dessert-like dream world.
HIKE TO THE ENGARESERO RIVIER
A Maasai guide will lead you along the ridges of the lake to the source of the Engaresero river. After the rainfall in the Rift Valley, water starts bursting over the escarpment, forming waterfalls and streams of sparkling clear water, inviting you to dive in and enjoy it.
OL DOINYO LENGAI VOLCANO CLIMB
Embark on an overnight ascent to the summit of the famous “Mountain of God”. Climbing the 2 962m volcano lit by moonlight is an unforgettable and mystical experience. This is one of the most challenging 1-day climbs in East Africa! This trek is not for the faint hearted but worth it for the un-paralleled views from the top at sunrise. On a clear day you can expect to see the tips of Meru and Kilimanjaro pierce through the horizon to the east. To the north you can see to the far end of Lake Natron, where its northern shores border Kenya. To the west you will be able to see over the escarpment across the Sale plains all the way to the Gol Mountains. You will be treated to a spectacular, almost surreal view!
RIFT VALLEY DAY HIKE
This adventurous hike commences before dawn and takes you to the base of the rift valley wall. You will then scale the wall while ascending close to the Ngare Sero Gorge to enjoy the dawn. There you can celebrate with some picnic food and indulge in one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the region. After breakfast you can either return to camp via the same route or choose one of the other routes, depending on time.