Itinerary

• Day 1

  Nairobi - Limuru, Tea Growing Vicinity

  Depart Nairobi to tea growing country of Limuru, just 20km northwest of Nairobi and check in at Brackenhurst Hotel. A unique facility whereby they have dedicated themselves to the restoration of a vast indigenous forest through eco-conscious initiatives.
  
  This is an action-pack-day and quite exciting, optional activities available and prepaid in advance, including and not limited to:
  
  Mountain Biking
  Feel the crisp, fresh air rush against your face as you pedal through pristine tea fields and deep green forests. Bike through early morning mists that linger over rolling hills, leisurely coast down dirt roads, or challenge yourself through a labyrinth of forest trails. Mountain biking at Brackenhurst is an energising experience that will deepen your appreciation for this beautiful part of Kenya.
  
  Horse Riding
  There are several farms in the area that offer horse rides through Tigoni's renowned tea fields. Brackenhurst can help arrange horse riding sessions for small groups. Experience the beautiful scenery from the back of a horse!
  
  Bird Watching
  The forest restoration efforts have increased the number of bird species at Brackenhurst from 35 to 187 over the past twenty years. They offer birdwatching tours and forest walks so you can observe the results of their conservation work first-hand.
  
  Kiambethu Tea Farm visit
  Glimpse into the 'living history' of Kenya's tea industry when you visit Kiambethu Tea Farm. Begin the tour with tea inside a colonial mansion where you can learn about the process of making tea. Next, follow a local historian through an indigenous forest while he explains the important role of plants in traditional Kikuyu culture. To conclude this charming visit, enjoy a three-course meal on a beautiful lawn overlooking the Ngong Hills.
  
  Gatamaiyu Forest
  Gatamaiyu Forest is situated about an hour away from Brackenhurst. It is one of the last ancient indigenous forests in Central Kenya. Elephants, leopards, and other rare wildlife still roam the area, and there are several breath-taking waterfalls hidden in the depths of the forest. The hike is about three hours long and is moderately difficult during the rainy season.
  
  Mlango Farm visit
  Tour an extensive farm and private art gallery that exhibits the work of Kenyan artists. Harvest your own vegetables and enjoy a fresh, homemade lunch that is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Mlango Farm usually has an artist in residence and offers workshops in addition to the farm tour. This is a very child-friendly attraction! Visits by appointment only.
  
  Brown's Cheese visit
  Brown's Cheese has won international awards for its array of specialty dairy products. Savour an exclusive cheese tasting or participate in a tour of the company's sustainable farm. Walk through a biodynamic vegetable garden, milk a cow, and make mozzarella under the supervision of cheese-making experts. Feast on a three-course meal made from homegrown ingredients, including delicious ice cream. They also offer wine and cheese pairings and spa treatments using plant-based ingredients sourced from the farm.
  
  Festivals
  Brackenhurst hosts seasonal festivals each year. Vendors sell artisan products ranging from jewellery to gourmet food. There are fun activities for children and adults alike, such as aerial yoga in the forest or hayrides on tractors. Local musicians create an atmosphere of celebration as people from diverse communities come together to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
  
  Brackenology
  Brackenology is a newly launched endeavour within Brackenhurst integrating the forest and gardens into guest experiences. These experiences include workshops and trainings, informative points around campus as well as talks, film screenings and other engaging activities. Much of the effort revolves around accessible education including school day trips, internship opportunities, and facilitating university-level research. This all takes place on the Brackenhurst campus in the midst of one of the most biodiverse environments found on the African continent.
  
  Lunch, dinner and overnight at this very exciting place in the tea growing country, surrounded by beauty and nature.

• Day 2

  Limuru - Mt. Longonot - Lake Elementaita

  Early breakfast and depart with packed lunch to Longonot and arrive in good time to start your hike to crater rim of Mt Longonot, rising 1000m above the baking valley floor. The steep climb to the rim takes just an hour (2.5km) while the rewarding jaunt to the summit (2776m) and around the crater takes another three hours (7.5km). All in all the trek is 12.5km and takes about 6 hours. After this exciting hike, continue south to Lake Elementaita, one of the Great Rift Valley lakes, for dinner and overnight at Sentrim Elementaita Lodge

• Day 3

  Lake Elementaita - Lake Nakuru

  Depart after breakfast, armed with packed lunch and proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park. Embark on a game drive where you will have the opportunity to spot leopards, black and white rhino and the famous pink flamingos as well as a variety of other wildlife found in this park. Back to the lodge for diner and night.

• Day 4

  Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

  Depart for Masai Mara. The pleasant road climbs steadily in altitude, and offers beautiful mountain landscapes, folds of the rift valley. Numerous cultivated plots dot the route before descending to Narok and the Masai Mara region.
  Covering some 1,510 km² along the border with Tanzania, it is by far the country's best-known and most visited game reserve. A World Heritage Site, the Masai Mara is the Kenyan extension of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. The reserve's name is derived from the river that flows through it, Mara, and the people who live there, the Masai. It is home to a rich fauna, with 2.5 million herbivorous mammals that delight the reserve's predators. Twice a year, the animals migrate from one reserve to another in search of the best grazing. Wildebeests and zebras gather in their millions during this transhumance. The group can be dozens of kilometers long! Late afternoon game drive followed by dinner and overnight.

• Day 5

  Masai Mara

  A day spend in Masai Mara Game Reserve with early morning and evening game drives. The Mara River means “spotted” river in the Masai language. It reflects the savannah landscape dotted with umbrella acacias, green and russet grasses and silver-leaf croton bushes. Since colonial times, the park has held its reputation as one of the world's finest wildlife observatories. The reserve has a large population of lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals. The savannah is home to some 450 bird species, including ostriches, waders and rare, majestic eagles. Second great day on safari through the Mara, one of Africa's top 5 wildlife reserves. All of Africa's great fauna is represented here, and predators are plentiful.

• Day 6

  Masai Mara

  This day you explore Masai Mara vicinity on foot and by vehicle, visit a Masai Village, and you will also have an opportunity to participant, as optional, Air Balloon Safari that can be arranged on site but the day before at the latest, at an extra cost.

• Day 7

  Masai Mara - Nairobi

  After breakfast, you leave the Masai Mara region. Drive through the town of Narok, where the street vendors provide a lively backdrop. Continue on to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon and ending our services.
  
  Contact us if you are planning an extension to Mombasa or the Indian Ocean coast.