Contrasts of Kenya

Explore Africas spectacular Great Rift Valley Walk in beautiful protected reserves next to giraffe, zebra and antelope Red rock gorges, hot spring waterfalls and flamingo fringed lakes Game drives to see lion, rhino and elephant in the world-famous Masai Mara Historic colonial lodges all with pools; great cuisine

Our Kenyan adventure begins in Nairobi in an explosion of African chaos and colour. From here we skim the north rim of The Great Rift Valley heading west, before descending to peaceful Lake Naivasha, the haunt of hippos and fish eagles. We explore blood red canyons and hot springs in Hell's Gate National Park, and walk with waterbuck, antelope and gazelle in private Game Reserves.

Our next stop is Lake Elementaita where we spend three nights; here we walk along black volcanic lakeshores next to wheeling clouds of flamingo, see Colobus monkeys raiding fig trees on the Malewa River, and view rhino and buffalo from our specially adapted safari Land Cruiser (6 people maximum) on game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Driving south, we climb out of the Rift Valley to the tawny plains of the Masai Mara Game Reserve for the last four nights. On our walks outside the Reserve we are joined by expert local Masai guides, keen to share their culture and folklore, while within we do game drives to spot lions and crocodiles. We are accompanied throughout the tour by Peter Huysman or one of his team, experienced local guides, who point out hundreds of birds along the way, and who have a real talent for finding big game.

Our hotels on this tour are all classic Kenyan lodges, each with great cuisine and refreshing pools. Our favourites are on Lake Naivasha - private bungalows in sweeping gardens full of superb starling and sacred ibis, and our Masai Mara hotel, where we stay in secure, luxury fully en-suite cabins, at night you can even see by starlight, and by day watch monkeys playing on your private veranda.