OSSN Educational FAM Trip & Safari
Kenya, East Africa
Hosted by OSSN and Liberty International Tour Group
April 19-26, 2012
Join OSSN for this educational 7-day Luxury Safari in fabulous Kenya which features both traditional safari lodges and a luxury tented camp experience, showcasing the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kenya, the arid but beautiful northern Samburu district, the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, home to over one million flamingoes, and an overview of the lakes and volcanoes of the Great Rift Valley
ITINERARY
Day 1, Thursday: Arrival in Nairobi
OSSN members may arrive on OSSN Group SAA flights which departed from JFK, and connecting directly through to Nairobi, or you may elect to handle your own air arrangements to Nairobi to arrive on April 19. Group air info follows this itinerary.
On arrival at the airport in Nairobi, OSSN members will be met and assisted through Immigration and Customs procedures. We'll transfer to the Sarova Panafric Hotel for our overnight stay. Check out the great info on these Sarova properties below in this itinerary. We'll enjoy a welcome reception at our hotel this evening!
DAY 2, Friday: The Slopes of Mount Kenya
After breakfast you will be driven across the plains of Mount Kenya and up into the foothills and forests of the second highest mountain in Africa. Arriving in time for lunch at the Serena Mountain Lodge, OSSN members are free to spend the afternoon watching the game around the water hole, taking a forest walk or visiting the photo-hide. One of the world's highest National Parks, Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano some three and a half million years old. Straddling the equator, the mountain offers a unique mosaic of forest, moorland, rock and ice and is crowned by the glittering twin peaks of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m).
Sailing like an ark amid the primeval forests of Kenya's highest mountain, Mount Kenya, this timbered tree hotel offers champagne-clear mountain air, sweeping views across the tree-canopy, sparkling trout streams, and gentle forest walks. Located at 2,134 metres above sea level, on the lower slopes of the mountain, the lodge is cool, tranquil and hushed for optimum game-sightings. The open-air viewing-deck looks down on to its own water hole and salt-lick, which attracts numerous herds of elephant and buffalo. There is also a tunnel leading to a photo-hide, which offers spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities just metres away from the wildlife at the water hole.
DAY 3, Saturday: North to Samburu
After breakfast, we'll drive north to 'Born Free' country where Joy and George Adamson raised Elsa the lion cub in the wild and beautiful Shaba National Reserve. We arrive in time for lunch at the luxurious Sarova Shaba Lodge and will spend the afternoon discovering the unique wildlife of the reserve, which is famous for its elephants and lions! All meals are included throughout our safari experience!
DAY 4, Sunday: On Safari in Shaba
We'll spend the morning and afternoon on safari (breakfast and lunch at the lodge) in the reserve, which offers sanctuary to large herds of elephants, healthy numbers of lions, leopards, cheetahs, plentiful plains game, reticulated giraffes, rare Beisa oryx, kudus and gerenuks. Again dinner is included.
DAY 5, Monday: To Lake Nakuru
After breakfast we'll drive to Lake Nakuru, the most famous of the Great Rift Valley lakes and home to over one million flamingoes. Arriving in time for lunch at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, we will also spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's first and largest rhino sanctuary. Dinner is included!
DAY 6, Tuesday: To the Masai Mara
After breakfast, we drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to 'the greatest wildildlife spectacle on earth', the annual migration of over one million wildebeest. Arrive in time for lunch at the Mara Sarova Lodge, a luxury tented camp, before spending the afternoon on safari in Kenya's most popular reserve! It will be truly amazing!
DAY 7, Wednesday: On Safari in the "Mara"
Today, we spend the whole day on safari in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya's largest lion prides and elephant herds. Spend the evening in camp enjoyning Maasai dance performances, nightly.
DAY 8, Thursday: Up the Rift Valley to Nairobi
After breakfast drive back down the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi to connect to our international departures back to the US.
ACCOMODATIONS
Sarova Panafric Hotel
Standing high on Nairobi Hill, this efficient, spacious yet welcoming hotel offers immediate city-centre accessibility, a wide range of accommodation options and both the cosmopolitan Flame Tree Restaurant and the open-air Pool Garden Grill. There are 153 rooms, suites and fully serviced apartments as well as; a swimming pool, evening entertainment, children's club, beauty salon and retail gallery.
Serena Mountain Lodge
The only 'tree hotel' ever to be built on the slopes of Kenya's legendary Mount Kenya, Mountain Lodge offers a matchless game viewing opportunity whilst combining a glorious panorama of mountain vistas with the primordial splendours of an ancient rainforest. Floating 2,134m high on the flanks of Kenya's highest mountain and secreted deep within her largest forest reserve, the lodge offers 42 rooms all with en-suite bathrooms and telephones. The traditionally timbered dining room is surrounded by windows and has been built on stilts so as to seemingly float above the liana-strung forest. Additionally the lodge offers a private water hole and salt lick, a rooftop viewing deck, guided forest walks, massage and beauty services and a gift shop.
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Set in 'Born Free' country were Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, this beautifully presented lodge stands in the centre of the arid but gloriously atmospheric northern Shaba National Reserve. Set within extensive gardens, the lodge features the cascades of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which provides a sanctuary for crocodiles. There are 80 luxury-thatched chalets in the grounds, all with ensuite bathrooms and stone terraces. The lodge also offers a riverside game viewing deck, two bars and a restaurant overlooking the river where evening performances of Samburu dance are staged. Activities include twice-daily game drives and guided nature walks around the grounds.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
The Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge stands on a wooded hill commanding glorious views over the flamingo-fringed waters of Lake Nakuru, Kenya's premier black rhino sanctuary. Set in extensive tropical gardens, it offers 64 tastefully decorated ensuite chalets each with its own balcony and view of the lake. There is also a spacious central dining room, a charming pool deck, a spa and gift shop.
Sarova Mara Game Lodge
Raised above the rolling plains of the world's most famous wilderness, the lodge stands in extensive tropical gardens watered by crystal-clear streams. There are 75 luxury tents, each with electricity and ensuite bathrooms. The central Isokon Restaurant is styled to reflect the iconic Maasai heritage while evening barbeques are held around the sumptuous swimming pool. The Oloip Bar features a roaring fire and is the venue for performances of Maasai dance and music. Activities include guided walks, twice-daily game drives and talks on the Maasai culture, which are presented by members of the local community. Spa services are also offered.
OSSN Member Rate: $1595.
Non member Add $100
Price Includes:
- Hotel and Safari Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary.
- Transportation in a chauffeur driven minivan with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
- All Government taxes and levies.
- Complimentary 500 ml mineral water per person per game drive in the safari vehicle.
- All meet and greet services.
- All arrival and departure transfers.
- 24 hours stand-by contact number.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- 7 pax guaranteed window seat in each vehicle.
OSSN GROUP AIR INFO:
OSSN Group Air on South Africa Airways is avaiable from JFK.
International Air on South Africa Airways is $895. plus fuel tax and surcharge of $650.
These taxes are subject to change. If they are lowered, OSSN will rebate taxes back to agents.
W e will advise two weeks prior to ticketing to collect any additional taxes that may be due.
Our SAA OSSN Group flight departs JFK at 11:15 AM on the 18th of April.
Agents may need to elect to come into JFK a day early. OSSN will work to confirm a group rate at one or more hotels in NY to assist for that evening in JFK also.
OSSN Group air on SAA will return to JFK at 6:40 AM on April 27th.
For agents and companions interested in booking OSSN's Group air on South Africa Airways, PLEASE INDICATE THIS ON THE APPLICATION FORM IN THE COMMENT AREA. OSSN WILL CONFIRM YOUR AIR SEATS ON OUR CONFIRMATION LETTER BACK TO YOU.
