Classic Kenya 4WD Safari

Name: Classic Kenya 4WD Safari
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.9 (49 reviews)

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7 Days from

8 Days from

CAD 5,545

incl. Taxes

4.9/5 from

Wildlife

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Wildlife

Activity Levels :

1 out of 7 - Leisurely

Group Size :

4 - 12

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

WYMA

Enjoy the original classic safari

No country, perhaps, is more synonymous with a classic African safari than Kenya. With endless grasslands sprinkled with acacia trees, this is ‘Out of Africa’ and ‘Born Free’ country. Whether it’s exploring Lake Nakuru N.P, an excellent small park in East Africa, or the emblematic Masai Mara, wildlife is abundant all year round. During the migration season, the Mara as it is affectionately known is also home to one of the greatest sights of the natural world: millions of wildebeest and zebra crossing a crocodile-infested river on their great migration through the savannah.

Highlights

4-star accommodation throughout
Prolific wildlife of the Masai Mara including lion, elephant, hippo, and giraffe
Lake Nakuru, famed for its wonderful Black and White rhino population
Game drives, short nature walks and optional cultural village and walking excursions

Key Information

3 nights tented camp and 2 nights lodge and 1 night hotel.
Travel by 4WD safari vehicle with window seat
Some long drives

Countries visited: Kenya

What's Included

All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainable Travel

We work hard to create trips which improves life for the people and places we visit and looks after the planet we explore. To read more about sustainable travel ethos and practice, click here, and to find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation click here.

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of local guides means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned accommodation and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We have game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park where park fees go towards community and environmental initiatives in the area.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
By favouring smaller, locally run campsites we have a much smaller impact on the surrounding environments.
Most meals use local ingredients which have not had to have been transported long distances.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Extra steps you could take to minimise your impact when travelling.

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Itinerary

On arrival, we meet with those not travelling on the group flight at our hotel in Nairobi. We drive north to the edge of the escarpment over the Rift Valley before descending into the valley and to Lake Naivasha, where we will enjoy a morning boat ride. We will continue for a further 1.5 hours to Lake Elementaita, where we will check into our lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, there will be an optional ( at additional cost) guided nature walk available.

Accommodation: Sentrim Elementaita Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Early start today for a 30 minute drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. We will enjoy a full day of game drives today, with a packed lunch from our lodge to maximise game viewing time. We hope to see many plains game including gazelle, impala and giraffe and we will also be on the look-out for predators as well as unique bird life.

The national park (285 km sq) is world-renowned for its (dwindling) flamingo population made famous by Denys Finch Hatton's flight over it in the film 'Out of Africa'. Nakuru is also the best place in East Africa for White rhino, and it is not unusual to see at least a dozen in a day. Coupled with this, there is a healthy buffalo population, many other plains game and frequent leopard sightings.

Accommodation: Sentrim Elementaita Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A long (approx 5hrs including comfort stops), beautiful and bumpy drive to the Mara. We will arrive in the Mara early afternoon, in time for lunch ( not included today, for your own account) and check in afterwards. This afternoon we will enjoy the first of several game drives in this remarkable game area, departing at 4 pm. Returning to the lodge for dinner, you can enjoy a relaxed evening in beautiful surroundings.

During time off you can rest in your private tents, the lounge tent or watch game go by from the deck of your tent. If you fancy a lie-in one day or an optional nature walk, this can easily be arranged.

The Masai Mara is one of the most famous ecosystems in the world. This vast grassland is teeming with life; plains game including wildebeest, gazelle, topi, zebra and buffalo abound in the rolling savannah, and never far away lay the predators; cheetah, lion and hyena. Between mid-August to late October one of the greatest spectacles on Earth takes place in the Masai Mara - the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra trampling their way across the long grass. Nothing is guaranteed on safari, but with the help of our brilliant guides you should see and learn a huge amount about the Masai Mara's resident wildlife during our game drives.
As a climax, there is the also the option of taking a sunrise balloon ride over the African plains (subject to the weather conditions and availability).

Accommodation: Mara Kimana Camp or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch (except Day 3), Dinner

After a final early morning game drive, we leave after breakfast heading back towards Nairobi. A picnic lunch will be taken en route. We spend our last night in Nairobi.

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric Nairobi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The trip ends today in Nairobi. Those on the group flights will be taken this morning to the airport for their flight back.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Kenya

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Kenya. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/kenya
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/kenya
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kenya.html

Kenyan visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. For the latest information, contact your local Kenyan High Commission or consulate. For information about the online application process, visit www.evisa.go.ke/evisa.html.

The cost of the visa is US$50 for a single-entry visa and US$100 for an East Africa Visa (valid to travel in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). You first need to register with the ecitizens website (you'll need a 500px x 500px photo) before you can apply. For the application process, you need details of the accommodation used (which we will send you) and itinerary, plus a photo (5.5cm x 5.5cm), and a scanned or photographed copy of your passport’s bio/photo page.

If, after visiting Kenya, you will also travel to Uganda and Rwanda, you may apply for an East Africa Visa, which covers all three countries. Please contact the Kenyan High Commission to obtain more information about the combined visa from Kenya.

Vaccination

Kenya

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rabies, tuberculosis and yellow fever. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest you seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic about which to take. Additionally, dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners included.

Meals are generally taken at the lodge or camp but we may take pack lunches with us depending on the planned activities and game drives on a particular day.

Breakfasts are generally made up of a selection of fruit, cereal, yogurt, bread as well, potentially, as some cooked elements.

Lunches and dinners will normally have a variety of European and local dishes.

There is also tea served before the late afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara.

Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.

Water

Purified water is provided by the guide throughout your trip in 10litre drums carried on top of the vehicles, so you need only bring a reusable water bottle. In the lodges, generally, 1 bottle of water is provided free of charge so we suggest you fill your water bottle before you leave the vehicles for the evening. Otherwise, you will be able to purchase water at the lodge bar.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

A small group safari in 4WD Toyota Landcruisers with two long drives. Most of the roads are reasonably good, other than the access road from Narok to the Masai Mara (2hrs) and some roads within the national parks. Driving in the reserves can be quite rough and is often on dirt roads. In wet weather driving conditions do become more difficult and a little patience may be required at times.
As well as some very exciting game drives, there is the opportunity for a short nature walk in the Masai Mara. For both animal and bird lovers there are many chances of seeing countless game and birds as well as rare and endangered creatures.

The beginning of the year (Jan- March) brings warmer weather and fewer tourists to the area. From March-April, the rainy season starts offering opportunity for unique sightings like wildebeest and other animals calving in anticipation of the rains.

Veronica Hinchliffe

Reviewed December 2022

Beautiful Kenya

What a fantastic trip! We were blown away by the sheer amount of wildlife sightings from lions, elephants and cheetah to hyena, hippos, buffalo and lots of colourful birds. The lodge (Sentrim Elementaita) and camp were all comfortable and well equipped, with spacious rooms and a good variety of food. Our tour leader (Gilbert) and drivers (Robert & Olli) were all excellent and shared lots of information on the local geography and culture on the long drives.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sheer amount of wildlife we saw throughout was amazing, but within half an hour of entering the Maasai Mara we saw a cheetah with a kill! We also did the balloon trip - it wasn't our first, but floating over the Maasai Mara and seeing all the animals below was something we'll treasure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gilbert, our group leader, was excellent. He was clearly very experienced, even recognising a fellow traveller from a previous trip some years before. We had 2 vehicles on the tour and he made sure he split his time equally between both, and always kept the group on track time-wise. He also spent time with the group during mealtimes, sharing insights about Kenya's history and culture. From a personal perspective, he helped us enormously when my husband realised he'd lost his wallet whilst in the check in queue at the airport. One call to Gilbert and the wallet was located back at the hotel. He then arranged for it, and the cash inside, to be returned to us back in the UK.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much cash - there are ATMs around and the tour leader will guide you. We were also able to pay by card for the balloon trip, which we hadn't expected.

E Frances and Nigel Allen

Reviewed March 2019

A Privilege

It was a privilege to be part of this journey through Kenya and to be able to see the fantastic wildlife there. The number and close views of lion, leopard, buffalo, two types of rhino, wildebeest, mongoose, hyena, elephant, giraffe, various monkeys, jackal, warthog, zebra, various gazelle and antelope, cheetah, croc….( I could go on!) in one week was amazing. We saw maybe 80-90 species of bird that were new to us.
The trip was well organised and the guides and accommodation were excellent. The travelling was fine and the vehicles very good. It was easy to take photos from the vehicles. The March weather was hotter than usual and overall the trip was quite tiring, though not demanding in terms of walking. We flew to Nairobi a day early, which suited us. Overall a great trip, leaving us wanting to return.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a leopard at close quarters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davis and Peter were very helpful and knowledgeable. They took any minor hitches very seriously sorted them quickly and generally were very professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of money as Kenya isn't cheap.

Suggestions

It being an overnight flight to Kenya followed by a long day we recommend early arrival.

barry tylee

Reviewed March 2019

Kenya delivers

This was my third trip to Kenya on safari. For me it just gets better. Of course there is a lot of luck involved, but the professionalism and determination of the guides ensures that you will enjoy a memorable safari adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is always a very difficult question to answer, when you are presented with such a variety of sittings. How can you follow seeing Lions, leopard and Cheetah.Not too mention many other species in between. My personal inspirational moment was taking a photograph of a single female cheetah which had just jumped up a tree in front of us to take a look at what might be on the menu for lunch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was, Davis. (Peter was the other guide/driver). I have been in groups with both and Davis comes with a track record which is difficult to surpass. Very competent driver, superb knowledge and a great organiser and communicator. I'm sure that we will meet again in the not so distant future when I again travel to the Massi Mara.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some long drives, comfort stops are plenty. It can be a bit bumpy (so what). depending on the time of the year it can be a bit dusty. Otherwise prepare yourself for a great adventure. Sit back and enjoy it. From your pictures you will relive the moments for years to come.

Suggestions

Be prepared. When you arrive in Kenya and are collected you will start your journey and indeed your safari. Your first excursion is a boat ride on the lake. Make sure that you have your hat, sun glasses and sun cream (or long sleeved shirt/.blouse) at hand as the time that you will spend on the lake in an open boat is time enough to get burnt in the African sun.

Diana Howard

Reviewed February 2019

Classic 4WD Safari - Captivating Kenya

This holiday met every expectation – brilliant safari, comfortable accommodations and knowledgeable, efficient tour operators. I had a fantastic time.
There were 2 long drives, but to end up in the Masai Mara was well worth the effort of sitting in the back of the safari vehicle for several hours chatting to my fellow travellers and taking in the Kenyan countryside, villages and villagers. We visited 2 lakeside safaris and stayed in a lovely lodge with a beautiful view, but once in the Mara, the real trip began in earnest. We had ample opportunity to see an enormous variety of animals and birds. Peter and Hassan took us to all the best spots to see lions by the side of the road, a leopard with its prey up a tree, hippos, cheetah, giraffes, elephants, baboons and all the wonderful impala, Thompson’s giselle, topi and many many more species all grazing in beautiful herds or hiding out in the bushes and water holes waiting to pounce. There were a lot of babies and young animals in Feb. and not too many other vehicles to contend with while viewing them.
The Ilkeliani Camp was magical: spacious comfortable tents with very effecient bathrooms. A Masai warrior escorted you after sunset safely to or from the dining tent or the sitting/bar tent or the tree top lookout. Elijah and Joseph cooked up wonderful dinners with excellent vegetarian selections included. The food was really top notch, especially considering the remoteness of our location. All the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful and took great care to spoil everyone. Our trip included a visit to the Masai village, with a welcoming dance and a fantastic jumping display. It would have been nice to have brought some gifts to the villagers. Perhaps Exodus could include a link with suggestions. There was also a balloon ride which I didn’t do.
The weather was kind and it didn’t rain, wasn’t too hot and although I took my malaria pills, there didn’t seem to be many mosquitos if any. The tents were all perfectly netted and protected as were the rooms at Sunbird Lodge. If you’re travelling alone, I do recommend paying the single supplement for a little peace and quiet and privacy at the end of the busy days.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was inspiring to see the numbers of lions and cheetah and all the various big game, and how healthy they all looked. This conservation seems very well managed and I am happy to think that my grandchildren will be able to enjoy seeing these magnificient animals in the wild. I was also inspired to learn that the Masai women receive education and no longer have to marry at 13.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought a lot of our group leader - Peter. He was very organised, very charming and efficient with his evening briefings. I had to change room at the Sunbird Lodge and he took care of arranging this even though they were very busy and it was inconvenient. I could not manage the steep steps down to my room due to some medical issues. On the safari drives Peter found all the good spots to view the animals and was very patient with all the group's individual wishes. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the animals and able to answer all the various questions we threw at him. I had complete confidence in his driving on the long and rather perilous drives to and from the Mara.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to bring towels, mosquito nets. Pay the single supplement. Read the notes thoroughly for all the good money tips. Bring pencils, books, second hand clothes to gift the Masai villagers.

Suggestions

Thank you!

Emily Lyons

Reviewed October 2018

Wonderful trip!

The wildlife was amazing, the guide was the best, and we were very well taken care of at the lodges and campsites. It was a trip to remember (and maybe go back someday).

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot air balloon ride was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was great at finding animals and had a wonderful presence.

Sara Johnson

Reviewed August 2018

Excellent experience

Fabulous trip watching the wonderful wildlife. The roads are bumpy but that just adds to the experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the animals up close and in the wild, especially getting within feet of a leopard. Also loved ilkeliani camp-made for a magical experience. My husband really loved the hot air balloon ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lovely guys and who were respectful of the wildlife, unlike other companies Who we felt got far to close and were intrusive of the animals around them. Everything we asked of them they delivered, I even jokingly asked for cheetah chasing a wildebeest which lo-and-behold they delivered!! We saw every animal we wanted to see. Thanks guys!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some early starts but these are totally worth it. There are no toilets in the mara, it's behind the bushes only so take handgel and anti bac wipes. Take extra spending money for the gift shops and don't be afraid to haggle-Start at least 50% of what is quoted and don't be afraid to walk away. Water is provided in all hotels but only one bottle each a day so buy some water on route to Nakuru as its far more cost effective. Lastly, don't go with a fixed idea of what u want to see- this is nature and there's no guarantee. Be open minded and you'll love it.

Suggestions

I would say 10 people is the max for this trip- 5 people each van. The hotel in Nakuru didn't really understand my diet, however this was not exodus's fault as they forwarded the details to them (Kenya is very much a meat eating nation) but luckily I had taken food with me. The food at ilkeliani camp was fantastic and more than makes up for it

Elizabeth Guard

Reviewed February 2018

Unforgettable week

A truly memorable week packed with up-close animal encounters in their wild and free environment.
Really helped us understand animal behaviours and the urgent need to preserve their precious habitats.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing 7 male cheetahs together in a group- even our guides were amazed!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders very friendly, knowledgable and respectful of rules of the reserves.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take large SD cards! It’s a full-on week, game drive from the day you arrive . Some in our group went to Nairobi 2 days early to rest and acclimatise to the heat .

Suggestions

Small size group (ours was 11) is perfect

Gail Madeley

Reviewed February 2018

Classic Kenya 4WD Safari - Brilliant

This was my 22nd trip with Exodus so I had no worries in embarking on tented accommodation, it makes a change from being pampered in a hotel. All the staff were very friendly and looked after us very well. It was a perfect time to experience the Masai Mara – by going in the low season you avoid the crowds the migration draws and you have a better view of the wildlife in the low grass.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a cheetah with a kill, zebras fighting, giraffes necking and a leopard (never seen one before in the wild). The variety of wildlife was amazing including the young that had been born prior to the wet season.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Peter and Davis were great. Very well organised, kept in constant touch (almost!), everything ran to time. Peter said each day would bring us something special and he was true to his word. I couldn't believe how each day gave us scenes that got better and better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled out to Nairobi ahead of the main group. This was due to the night flight followed by a long journey to the first hotel which we have experienced in the past. As there is so much to see en route it is a shame to miss it due to tiredness. Take a sink plug as there is no plug in the tented accommodation. Take plenty of insect repellent - although I had a variety, which was well used, I was still bitten over 100 times, but not by mosquitos. Be prepared to put on weight as you get little exercise apart from the rush of adrenaline and the massages provided by the seats of the landcruisers!

Suggestions

I would thorough recommend this trip to all animal lovers, but be prepared to see some sights you might not like, for example you may witness a kill, but this is natural in the circle of life and the locals do not treat their donkeys with respect.

Petrina Buckley

Reviewed April 2017

Classic Kenya Safari

This trip exceeded my expectations.We were travelling at the end of the season,just as the long rains were due and I was a little anxious about “what” we would manage to see.We were looked after so well,and everyone did their utmost to ensure we had a perfect and memorable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The smiling faces and generous hearts of the people we met. The utter beauty of the landscape and unimaginable privilege of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. Watching from the " observation platform" as torrential rain poured down , after our last game drive was over .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter and Davis were our guides/ drivers.They were awesome.They were friendly, fun kind and thoughtful.Both were a mine of information about anything and everything. They kept us safe,informed and entertained and worked tirelessly to ensure everyone had a perfect trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Loose,comfy clothing that you don't mind getting dusty/ dirty.The trip notes are are little unclear and don't tell you that you will want to consider tipping at both venues - the lodge staff and the camp staff,they only allow guidance for your drivers/ guides and one set of staff. We found our multi plug useful at the lodge as there was only one socket in the room.

Suggestions

Considering all that is included in this trip,it is excellent value.

Terence Lee

Reviewed September 2016

classic kenya

I have been to africa many times, and this holiday was up there with the best. A excellent trip

Most Inspirational Moment

I think seeing 7 cheetahs, and a couple chasing wildebeest. Also watching a leopard pass us by. and then following it along , brilliant

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Peter , very good, in fact top marks, and his assistant another peter also

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just sit back and enjoy spectacle, no better show on earth

Suggestions

Only minor thing flying back to UK, via Amsterdam. Over 3 hours waiting at airport, put bit of dampener on it. I heard BA fly straight back for same price. But would have to fly to fly to Nairobi day earlier, which would have been ok for me. Perhaps it could an option. Otherwise another great trip , Exodus. My 10 th trip with you , each one memorable!

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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Availability

This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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