2023 Eastern Africa Agricultural Tour

Arrive Nairobi

On arrival we will be met by our local Safari Guides and escorted through customs /immigration and transferred to our hotel in Nairobi to relax and unwind after your flight.

Tonight is free to rest after your flight.

Overnight Tamarind Tree Hotel.

Tamarind Tree Hotel

Nairobi

Today our safari begins with a tour around Nairobi, we will visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant orphanage where hundreds of baby elephants have been saved. We then travel to Rothschild Giraffe Centre, 

Here we see the three different types of Giraffes that inhabit the national parks and an opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close. 

After a lunch stop, our first visit is to the Karen Blixen Museum and to Kazuri Beads Factory, which is a workshop for bead jewellery and ceramics that are handcrafted by local women.

Time to relax a little before our welcome dinner tonight at the world-famous restaurant “The Carnivore”.

Tamarind Tree Hotel

Nairobi

Our Safari today takes us approx. 1.5 hours’ drive south of Nairobi to Machakos county, to discover a truly remarkable Australian farming story, on arrival we meet Stuart Barden and his wife Annie. They left their 31,0000-acre family farm to start farming in the marginal county of Machakos which Stuart discovered whilst travelling the world on a Nuffield Scholarship back in 2009.

With conservation technologies and hard work, they have transformed their parcel of dry Machakos into a vast swath of wheat, chickpea, and green fields. The Barden’s have said the potential for grain production in east Africa is significant, and their goal is to show agriculture can work in Kenya’s low rainfall areas. 

We also visit other farms in the area to see how with better farming practises their yields have increased.

We then return to Nairobi for dinner at a local restaurant.

Tamarind Tree Hotel

Nairobi - Ol Petjeta

This morning we depart Nairobi in our Safari vehicles travelling to Ol Petjeta Conservancy, The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360 km² not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya's Laikipia County.

 It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya.  From a working cattle ranch in colonial Kenya to a trailblazer of conservation innovation - the story of Ol Pejeta is as enchanting as it is inspirational.

Today, Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos. It is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, in a sanctuary established to rehabilitate animals rescued from the black market. It has some of the highest predator densities in Kenya, and still manages a very successful livestock programme. Ol Pejeta also seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare, and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians.

On arrival we enjoy lunch before setting off on our first safari, with our own private safari vehicles and guides.

Overnight - Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Ol Petjeta

Our day begins with a morning Safari and a visit to a local Cattle farm that has learnt to integrate cattle with the wildlife, we meet with the farm manager for a visit around the property and talk on the cattle industry and its future directions. 

After Lunch and a rest, we travel to Equator point for a photo opportunity on the Equator, we then visit the town of Timau and one of the large flower farms owned by the “Black Tulip Group”, Kenya is the home of best flower growers in the world with its floriculture industry contributing 1.4% to the country’s GDP. The value of the Kenyan floriculture market is projected to reach US$ 70.85 billion during the period 2019-2027. Kenya contributes 40% of floriculture, especially fresh cut flower imports to European Union. Kenya’s diversity of landscapes and plant life makes it a perfect place for floriculture, Kenya is famous for its long-lasting Roses and Carnations, and this makes Kenya the third largest exporter of fresh cut flowers in the international market.

Tonight, a special dinner. 

Overnight - Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Ol Petjeta

First up we are invited to visit the only 2 remaining northern white rhinos in existence, here we learn of how researchers are trying with DNA to save these gracious animals, we also look at the conservation with the black Rhinos and visit the chimpanzee sanctuary. 

We then enjoy a private safari at night to spot different animals.

Overnight - Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp

Ol Petjeta - Lake Nakuru

As we take to our private safari vehicles we continue our journey to Lake Nakuru,which is one of the Rift Valley lakes at an elevation of 1,754 m above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake's abundance of algae used to attract a vast quantity of flamingos that famously lined the shore, this area is also well known for sighting the Rothschild Giraffe. 

On our way we visit the rim and look down over the Great Rift Valley. This afternoon we visit David James’ property, David is a fourth-generation farmer producing Wheat, Canola as well as a dairy and breeding thoroughbred horses. Here we learn how living in Kenya has changed and David’s great insight into Kenya and visit something special, as David shows us a project that he and his wife have developed, involving a small business that allows local women to produce handmade toys made from local wool, you will see how the ladies hand spin and dye the wool, then hand knit the toys which are sold across the world, this project currently employs over 700 local women. We then visit a local school where we will donate schoolbooks to the children which will be organised by Jeromy Nolan Travel.

Afterwards we travel to our lodge.

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru

Our morning begins after breakfast with a Safari on Lake Nakuru, and a special lunch on the foreshore of Lake Nakuru, after lunch we drive along the floor of the rift valley and visit a local plantation producing coffee, Tea and Macadamia. We also drive around the rift valley and enjoy the natural beauty that the great rift valley has to offer.

We then return to our lodge for sundowners.

Overnight Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru

This morning we visit the town of Lake Nakuru for a special visit to a local church, 90% Kenya’s population are Christian and on Sunday all families put on their best clothes and attend the local church and spend time together, whilst here we can mix with the locals and enjoy lunch. After we take a Safari to Menengai Crater, a massive shield Volcano with one of the biggest calders in the world. 

During our drive through the rift valley, we will enjoy seeing the farmland with its rich loam volcanic soils. This area currently has under way an advanced stage of geothermal power generation. 

On our return we enjoy a late afternoon Safari back to our Lodge.

Overnight Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

Today we travel south along the floor of the Great Rift Valley and through a major wheat growing area stopping off at Delamere Farms, owned by Lord Delamere. We also visit local wheat farmers in this area as they are about to start harvest.

We will then continue onto the spectacular Masai Mara Game Reserve, where we drive past wildlife herds on the vast savannah and the Masai herding their cattle, we stop at a local Masai Village to see and hear how the Masai live, we also drop off some supplies of food for the Village. 

The Mara experience has remained a once in a lifetime dream for Safari lovers ever since the days when hunters thronged the region in search of the ultimate black maned lion trophy. The Mara is the natural home to the “Big 5”.   The Most stunning month to visit is August when the savannah teems with animals during THE GREAT WILDERBEEST MIGRATION, where Millions of wildebeest gather in the Masai Mara in one of the natural wonders of the world and the last great animal migration. The wildebeests travel south from the Serengeti covering 1200km to reach the Masai Mara in search of food, as they follow the rain, which they can smell from up to 300klms away. 

We arrive at Governor’s Main Camp, which occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the Masai Mara, nestled in the riverine forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, it is teeming with bird life, hippopotamus, crocodiles, and elephant, after lunch we begin with our first private safari with our talented safari guides.

Overnight – Governors’ Main Camp.

Governors’ Main Camp

Masai Mara

An amazing day of almost unlimited game viewing in the Masai Mara following herds of wildebeest as the migrate from the Serengeti, zebra, gazelle, eland, topi, impala, and other wildlife species. Lion, leopard, and cheetah are found here in greater numbers and concentrations than anywhere else, and you may be lucky to witness one of the big cats stalking its prey. Herds of giraffe and elephant create a magical silhouette against the treeless savannah while hippo and crocodile wallow in the Mara and Talek Rivers. Your guide may arrange an extended game viewing drive, travelling much further away from other vehicles and visitors, in search of the big 5 or a great herd of Wildebeest crossing the river.

Please note that all passengers will be offered an optional magical morning balloon ride and breakfast over the Mara.

Overnight at Governors’ Main Camp

Governors’ Main Camp

Masai Mara

Another amazing day in the Mara, today we spend a full day on Safari with our private vehicles, this allows our guides the full flexibility to find animals and tick off the big 5 and more.

Tonight, a special farewell dinner organized by Governors’ Main Camp

Overnight Governors’ Main Camp

Governors’ Main Camp

Masai Mara - Nairobi - End Tour

After Breakfast we enjoy our final morning game drive enroute to Masi Mara airstrip for our flight back to Nairobi, here we bid farewell to our drivers/Guides and now friends. 

On arrival into Nairobi, we are transferred to our hotel for day use before you depart Nairobi.