Summit Trail
On this trip, we will visit some of the best kept secrets in the Kenyan national Park and Reserve system. You will drive to some of the best scenic areas in Kenya. We will cross the equator, visit Meru Park, hike up Mt. Kenya, see the unique animals found north of the equator and the “greatest birdlife’ spectacle at the Lake Nakuru. We will track the animals in Meru, and climb Mt. Kenya, see the northern species in Buffalo Springs Reserve, visit the sometimes “pink coloured” Lake Nakuru.
Parks on the northern part of the country offer special animals that are not found in most parts of Africa. We will see the grevy Zebras, reticulated giraffes, blue-shanked Somali Ostrich, the gerenuks, the list is endless. The trip will bring you to one of the famous birds spectacle in the world, Lake Nakuru. It is sometimes turned pink by the millions of flamingos that come here to feed after breeding at Lake Natron.
During our stay in this area, we will have an opportunity to do a night game drive. This will expose us to some of the animals that only come at night. This is a once I lifetime experience that no one should miss! After the experience, you will have a chance to visit the old town of Lamu and sail with the locals.
Background Information on Meru Park
Meru is a savanna National Park covering 870km2. The park is part of the domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson. Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana river that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively), Kora national park and Rahole national reserve. The wetter North Western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. The land flattens towards the East, where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear.
The area is crossed by numerous permanent streams, flowing in parallel between tounges of lava, south eastwards towards the Tana River. As well as the many streams that cross it, the park is bounded by three large rivers: the Tana to the South, the Ura to the South West and the Rojeweru to the East. There are several prominent inselbergs of basement rock, notably Mughwango and Leopard rock.
A section of the park has been designated as a wilderness area in which are no roads. During our stay in this area, we will walk and have a feeling of African savannah, smell the lands, get to see the small creatures that we rarely get to see on vehicles. This is the areas that we will be hiking in. The hike will take us to the water falls, drinking water holes for animals and birds etc.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
- Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa (Born Free) the lioness,
- Views of Mt Kenya,
- Rivers and riverine habitats,
- Adamson’s Falls.
Background Information on Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya is an imposing extinct volcano dominating the landscape of the Kenyan Highlands. The mountain has two main peaks – Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m). The mountains slopes are cloaked in forest, bamboo, scrub and moorland giving way on the high central peaks to rock, ice and snow. The park includes a variety of habitats ranging from higher forest, bamboo, alpine moorlands, glaciers, tarns and glacial morains. Besides the flora and fauna, the scenery is so amazing. Filled with high altitude lakes (geographically known as Tarns), rivers, water falls, great belts of bamboo forest, the scenery will amaze you! The park, which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and is also a Biosphere Reserve, covers an area of 715 km2
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Pristine wilderness, lakes, tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered species of animals, High altitude adapted plains game, Unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.
Background Information on Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo. Besides the flamingos, the park also has over 450 species of birds. Besides the birdlife, the park also offers a great variety of animals. Other than the elephants, this park has about 35 of animals, and of main interest are the two types of rhinos!
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1: Nairobi.
On arrival, you will be transferred to the City Hotel for overnight. BB
Day 2: Nairobi/ Meru
Depart Nairobi for a four hour drive to Meru National Park, historic home of Elsa the lioness. With picnic lunch enroute, Arrive Murera Bandas in time for an afternoon hike with the rangers. Meals and overnight at the Meru Bandas. (B, L & D)
Day 3: Meru Park
Morning game drive in this park that hosted Gerage Adamson in the 1950′s, the then warden, and his wife Joy, lived at Meru and it is there they embarked on a mission which would touch the hearts of millions – the first ever rehabilitation of a lion cub – Elsa – to wilderness. We would be hiking in the morning with rangers and afternoon do game drives in the vehicles. On our drives, we get a chance to visit Elsa’s grave. Meals and overnight at a lodge in the park. (B, L & D)
Day 4: Meru Park
Activities as day two. More morning foot safari or game drive. Meals and overnight at a lodge in the park. (B, L & D)
Day 5: Meru/ Mt Kenya
Leave Meru and travel north around the foothills of Mount Kenya opp Chogoria trail to the Park Gate at 3017m (4-5 hrs) overnight at Chogoria bandas depending on availability otherwise in tents.
Day 6: Mt. Kenya
A steady ascent for 3-4 hrs across open ground and through rain forest to your camp at Lake Ellis in tents 3500m. An afternoon walks to the Mugi Hills (optional) dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 7: Mt. Kenya
After breakfast you take a little used route across gentle moorland past Vivienne Falls before reaching Lake Michaelson campsite (4000m) dinner and overnight at the camp (6-8 hrs).
Day 8: Mt. Kenya
A very early start (pre-dawn) attempt of Point Lenana (4985m) by mid morning. Then travel around the main peaks to American camp (5-7 hrs) for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Mt. Kenya
Descend, through the Teleki Valley and the famous vertical bog to Met. Station (3050m) 5-6 hrs for Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Samburu
The decent continue to the Park Gate 3-4 hrs to meet your vehicle. Continue to Samburu Lodge for a late lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. Accommodation at Samburu Lodge or equivalent. (B, L & D)
Day 11: Samburu
Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drive. Accommodation at Samburu Lodge or equivalent. (B, L & D)
Day 12: Samburu/ Lake Nakuru
After breakfast depart with a picnic lunch and drive to Lake Nakuru. The drive will take us to through the scenic landscape along the Aberdare Forests and the great Rift Valley. Our destination is Mbweha Camp located In the Congreve Sanctuary. In the afternoon we will have an option of hiring a bicycle and riding or taking a hike to a nearby hill. There will be an option for a night game drive in this area. We highly recommend this drive. (extra) Overnight at Sarova Lion Hill, Mbweha Camp or equivalen (B, L & D)
Day13: Lake Nakuru
Armed with picnic lunch, you head out for a full day to Lake Nakuru National Park. Overnight at Sarova Lion Hill, Mbweha Camp or equivalent. (B, L & D)
Day 14: Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi where dayrooms will be reserved for refreshment. Evening transfer to the airport for homebound flight or extension to the Masai Mara or the Coastal Town of Lamu. (B)