All Safaris are special. This one holds a most special corner in my heart.
Over 10 years ago I was visiting a dear friend who was Mobility Challenged. She had suffered from Polio as a child & would never walk again without Braces and Walkers. That didn’t stop her. Instead, she went on to become one of the top Attorneys in Washington, DC.
My friend wanted to hear all about my recent work in Africa. While we were chatting she said, “I just wish I could have gone to Africa.” I was taken aback. For as long as I had known her, she had the courage to pursue any dream she could imagine. It truly broke my heart that something she & I felt so passionate about was, by then and in her view, beyond her reach.
In her memory, and all those who “face their fears”, I’m so honored and happy to offer this uniquely designed Special Needs & Mobility Challenged Safari. Each part of the adventure creates the most exceptional Safari experience, with your safety, security, and unique needs at the center.
Special Needs & Mobility Challenged Safari
8 Days/7 Nights
Quick Overview
Day Location Accommodation Meal Plan Activities
01 Nairobi Emara Ole Sereni BB (Bed & Breakfast) Welcome & Airport Transfer
02 Nairobi Emara Ole Sereni BB Touring Nairobi
03 Lake Nakuru Flamingo Hill Camp FB (Full Board) Road Transfer, Evening Game Drive
04 Lake Naivasha Lake Naivasha Country Club FB Morning Game Drive, Road Transfer, Evening Relaxation
05 Maasai Mara Ilkeliani Camp FB Morning Road Transfer, Evening Game Drive
06 Maasai Mara Ilkeliani Camp FB Morning Game Drive
07 Maasai Mara Ilkeliani Camp FB Morning Game Drive
08 Nairobi Road Transfer, Airport Transfer, We will see you again soon! Asante Sana!
All accommodations have Mobility Challenged / Special Needs Accessable Rooms and Facilities. Each Hotel/Safari Lodge can meet special dietary requirements. Any medications in need of Climate Control / Refrigeration can be safely handled. In addition, we have tried to provide adequate rest in between transfers, as well as keeping the drives shorter between the various points. As a bespoke Safari, we will happily work with you to meet your special needs.
DAY 01: NAIROBI
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) you will be met by our Airport Representative. After a Short Welcome Briefing, transfer to your city hotel for overnight at Emara Ole-Sereni (B&B).
Because of the long flights to Kenya, we suggest Special Needs & Mobility Challenged Guests spend at least two nights in Nairobi. This time will allow for your recover and rest, in preparation for your African Safari Adventure.
Your Nairobi hotel, Emara Ole-Sereni, is situated right on the boundary of Nairobi National Park and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the park from their rooms or the numerous public areas that face the park. Emara Ole-Sereni, a Five-Star hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, offers the epitome of luxury and comfort.
Also, this Contemporary African Hotel is about 11km (about 20 – 25 minutes drive) from the airport and will provide a quick check-in from the airport avoiding the renown Nairobi traffic.
Kazuru Beads & Rift Valley Leather © Flyga Twiga™ LLC
DAY 02: NAIROBI
Spend the day in Nairobi with a short and quick tour to the Daphne Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage or the Giraffe Center (approximately 3 hours). You can also enjoy such unique shopping experiences as the Kenyan Kazuru Bead Factory or a private tour of Rift Valley Leather. At Rift Valley Leather you can custom order items to be available for pick-up upon your return to Nairobi.
Rest of the day is set aside for relaxation at your hotel.
Overnight Emara Ole-Sereni (B&B).
DAY 03: NAIROBI / LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK (Approximately 3.5 Hours Drive)
Your first Safari destination of Lake Nakuru is only 170km away.
After breakfast drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, a protected Game Sanctuary for endangered species of the Black/ White Rhino, among other usual game such as the Leopard and Lion.
Lake Nakuru Flamingo Hill Camp is a boutique luxury camp. Small and exclusive, Flamingo Hill comprises of only 25 tents. The tents are furnished with the understated luxury required by the Modern Traveler.
Lunch at the camp followed by an Afternoon Game Drive until Sunset.
Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Hill Camp (FB).
DAY 04: LAKE NAKURU / LAKE NAIVASHA (2 Hours Drive)
Enjoy an early Morning Game Drive, followed by a delicious Kenyan Breakfast and depart for Lake Naivasha, arriving for lunch at the your next luxury Kenyan destination.
After a day in Nakuru, we have scheduled a night stop at the nearby Lake Naivasha (maximum 2 hours road trip), offering a chance to see some Waterbucks, Hippos, and occasionally Giraffes from within the hotel grounds. Lake Naivasha is one of the gems in a necklace of Rift Valley Lakes. This ample rest should provide a good foundation for the next day’s 4 – 5 hour drive into the Maasai Mara, your Safari Home for the next 3 nights.
Historic Lake Naivasha Country Club dates back to the 1930s, when it was first opened as a staging post for Imperial Airways Flying Boat Service from Durban to Dublin. The 55-acre property, sits atop of the of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment, where you can see Lake Naivasha sparkling in the Sun thousands of feet below. Spend the afternoon relaxing within the hotel and take advantage to enjoy the grounds.
Dinner and overnight Lake Naivasha Country Club (FB)
DAY 05: LAKE NAIVASHA / MAASAI MARA (4 hours Drive)
Depart after early breakfast for Maasai Mara Game Reserve, enroute stop over at the Rift Valley escarpment for a panoramic view of the Great Rift Valley, descend onto the valley floor as you proceed to the Mara.
Maasai Mara is so named to mean the “spotted plains” in Maa language. This is home to the greatest concentration of large mammals and is widely recognized as Africa’s ultimate Wildlife Reserve. The park is famous for its annual migration of Wildebeest.
Transfer to the lodge with a game drive en route and after check-in enjoy a hot lunch. Later in the evening enjoy a Game Viewing Drive in this spectacular place of breathtaking sceneries, never-ending plains and the most abundant variety of wildlife remaining anywhere in the world. The landscape is made up of rolling savannahs dotted with patchy shrubs and bush thickets.
Completely rebuilt and reopened in 2021, Ilkeliani offers an elegant Oasis in the centre of the World Famous Maasai Mara. A small and intimate camp of 12 Ensuite Guest Tents, Ilkeliani is dedicated to Privacy and Personal Service, offering a sophisticated Safari experience.
All meals and overnight at Ilkeliani Camp (FB)
DAYS 06 & 07: MAASAI MARA
During your stay, you have the opportunity to explore this great reserve in depth. You may see Elephant, Giraffe, Prides of Lion, and thousands of Impala, Topi, in addition to Grants and Thomson's Gazelle. Birds are prolific, including migratory species, with 450 Bird Species recorded, including among them 57 Birds of Prey Species.
The Mara is the scene of Annual Migration of millions of Wildebeest up from the Serengeti Plains in search of water and grasses.* You get a chance to visit a Maasai tribal village and enjoy entertainment by Maasai dancers.
While in Mara, you will have the option to float above the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem on board a hot air balloon followed by a Gourmet Champagne Breakfast (Options at an extra cost).
All meals and overnight at Ilkeliani Camp (FB)
*Please note, while the Mara has abundant Wildlife all year round, the Great Migration is booked a year in advance. If this is your dream Safari, we will plan accordingly.
DAY 08: MAASAI MARA / NAIROBI
After breakfast drive back to Nairobi arriving in the afternoon before transfer to the airport for flight home.
Please note: After Maasai Mara, and depending on your outbound flight’s departure time, you may choose to go directly to the airport or stay one more night in Nairobi. We’ll make your preferences happen!