14 Days Active African Safari Sept 2012 - 14 days

This Kenya, Africa Active Holiday is highly recommended to both experienced and inexperienced high altitude trekkers as it offers maximum chances of acclimatization, virtually guaranteeing successful ascent to the summit. A moderate level of fitness is recommended however. The Safari starts with a brief walk at the Crater Lake before proceeding Hells Gate National park, here there are no game drives you can walk or cycle with rented bikes. The walk at Longonot is abit challenging but again you do anything at your pace and its not competitive. The trek takes you to Mt. Kenya where you have 4 days of trekking as you attempt to reach Point Lenana. This Safari is suitable for those interested in Walking, trekking, hiking as they enjoy wildlife.

Day 1: 08TH SEPT
Nairobi
Arrival and transfer to Pride Inn hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: 09TH SEPT
Lake Naivasha
After an early breakfast we depart Nairobi for Lake Naivasha in the Rift valley. The Nairobi – Naivasha road is on a contour along the rim of the Rift valley and on a viewpoint we will be able to see part of our route for the next days.
We arrive at the Sawela Lodge, our base for three days, before lunch. Today's walk is at Crater Lake: a lesser lake in the Rift Valley but a place where nature is at its best.
We do a circular trek on the top of the crater from where we see the lake from various angles. Our first count of African game should start here as this sanctuary is home to Giraffes, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Aardvarks, Leopards and a range of Gazelles. It is also a paradise for bird watchers.

Day 3: 10TH SEPT
Hell's Gate National Park.
We wake up for breakfast with the sun giving a wonderful effect over the lake. An early morning here should not be missed by anyone with an eye for birds since the lake boasts a wide variety of water and woodland birds.
After breakfast we do a short transfer to the gate of the park. This is a unique park where walking is done in the middle of wildlife. Giraffes, zebras, warthogs and many types of gazelles are found here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat African savannah in a volcanic area with huge rock boundaries. There are camphor and acacia trees all over and this is where to look for the giraffe as they mainly feed on them. A picnic lunch provided by the hotel will be at a view point over the Hell's Gate Gorge.
The last part of the walk is done in the gorge by descending into a steep canyon with running water from geysers and wild vegetation. The climax of the day is in walking in the Side Gorge where the rocks have split to leave only a walking path. Dinner and overnight at Sawela Lodge.

Day 4: 11TH SEPT
Longonot Crater/ Crescent Island.
An early rising will ensure that one gets another magical display of the water birds. After breakfast we do a transfer by bus to Longonot National Park. This is an extinct crater in the Rift Valley. The first part of today's trekking is a steep climb of 555m from 2220m to 2775m. We are encouraged along the climb by the herds of zebras, giraffes and gazelles. The chance should not be lost to observe the birds that are also found here in a wide variety.

This takes us to the rim of the crater, the highest point in the Rift Valley in Kenya and it rewards with a wide view of the crater, which is full of monkeys and soaring eagles.
The second part of today's trek is around the rim of the crater. This is a 3 hrs walk with a picnic on a scenic spot. This point is not only the highest point on the rim; it is also the highest point in the Rift Valley in Kenya. On completing the circuit we descend to the park gate. We then drive back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
An easier alternative to the Longonot walk is half day walk on the nearby Crescent Island, a peninsula in Lake Naivasha with easy to see game and birds.

Day5: 12TH SEPT
Naivasha/ Mt. Kenya
After breakfast we depart to Mount Kenya Region. We travel by road through Kenyan Highlands with tea plantations. We break the ride at the spectacular Thompson’s falls in Nyahururu. We reach Naro Moru, which is the base for climbing Mount Kenya, by lunchtime. Check in at Naro Moru River Lodge

Day 6: 13TH SEPT
Beginning Of the Mount Kenya Expedition
At the lodge we connect with our mountain support team. A 2-hour drive takes us to the park gate (2600 m) from where we walk through the rain forest aiming to get to Old Moses Camp (3400m) in the early afternoon. Today's walk allows us to see birds that are only found on high altitude.
From Old Moses Camp, which is just above the tree line, we get our first sightings on the peaks. Overnight is in the mountain hut of Old Moses Camp.

Day 7: 14TH SEPT
To Shipton’s Camp
Through the Mackinder’s Valley we walk to the Shipton’s Camp. This walk will take us 6 to 8 hours. For the first time we encounter the lobelias which will be covering most of the ground. All around us will be various streams and the area is at times quite boggy. Picnic is on a scenic spot along the way. Animals are still with us though just represented by the rock hyrax, its pint-size notwithstanding, is the closest relative to the elephant. We should reach Shipton's Camp (4236 m) by early afternoon.
Batian, Nelion and Lenana, the three majestic peaks of Mt. Kenya will be clearly visible from here. This is a point from where great panoramic photos can be taken.
Dinner and overnight in the mountain hut of Shipton’s Camp.

Day 8: 15TH SEPT
Acclimatization Day
Walks in preparation for the climbing of Point Lenana. Dinner and overnight are at Shipton’s Hut.

Day 9: 16TH SEPT
Point Lenana (4985 m), the Highest Point of the Trekking
We start with a light breakfast early in the morning. We then set off for the ultimate of our trip, Point Lenana, which we hope to reach with sunrise. The view from here is truly rewarding as the whole of the area, including the complete Aberdare range can be overviewed.
After a short rest we start the descending along the Lewis glacier to reach Mackinder’s Camp (4200 m) for a hearty brunch. In the afternoon we descend further to Met Station (3050m), which is below the tree line, for overnight.

Day 10: 17TH SEPT
To the Park Gate
Walk to the park gate from where vehicles await us for the transfer to the Naro Moru River Lodge for lunch and thereafter dinner overnight at Naro Moru River Lodge.

Day 14: 18TH SEPT
Back to Nairobi
the morning is spent at leisure. Time to reflect the trekking we have done. Depart for Nairobi with lunch on own for departure flights or join an extension to Mombasa for a beach holiday.