ITINERARY FOR THOMSON BEST OF KENYA

AUGUST'97

Monday ll

1000 hrs. Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport ex flight KQ 503 Met and transferred to Land Mark hotel.

0700 hrs. Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport ex KQ lOl met and transerred to Land Mark Hotel.

Overnight at LAND MARK HOTEL BB

Tuesday l2

0700 hrs Full English breakfast.

0900 hrs Depart and journey north, passing near Thika, which boasts the world's third largest pineapple plantation, and Karatina, with its colourful market. Soon you will reach Nyeri, one of Kenya's major towns and provincial headquarters, and then on to the plush Outspan Hotel. Set in beautiful gardens with views of Mt. Kenya, this was the last home of Lord Baden Powel, founder of the Boy Scout Movement and base for your night destination: TREETOPS.

1230 hrs Lunch at the Outspan Hotel.

1430 hrs Hotel transport takes you to Treetops Hotel. This world famous Lodge on stilts affords unforgettable night-time viewing of forest elephant and other game, including the endangered black rhino, at the water-hole and salt lick. Among the game you are likely to see, please look out for: Baboon, Buffalo, Bushbuck, Bush pig, Civets, Duikers, Elephant, Giant Forest Hog, Colobus and Syke's Monkeys. The birdlife includes some species not , common in other places among them being: Green Ibis, Rufous Sparrow Hawk, Mountain Buzzard, Crowned Eagle and the Silvery - Cheeked - Hornbill. NB: Warm clothing is advisable as nights tend to be chilly, but only an overnight bag is required . The The rest of the luggage is stored at the Outspan Hotel.

Wednesday 13

0630 hrs Early morning tea or coffee then transfer back to Outspan Hotel for breakfast.

0900 hrs Heading north, drive on the main road that takes you through Naro Moru - a haven for trout fishermen and mountain climbers - and Nanyuki, where you'll begin a journey across the northernmost foothills of Mount Kenya, eventually heading north to a dusty outpost known as Isiolo. From here it's a fairly short hop to your destination: Samburu Lodge. On the banks of th Ewaso Nyiro, in the heart of Samburu Game Reserve , this was the first lodge in the Reserve and features the Crocodile bar - with many of its namesakes often coming up on shore to pay a visit as well as fairly frequent visits by leopard.

1300 hrs Lunch at Samburu Lodge.

1600 hrs Afternoon game drive in the Reserve. A game drive in the remote and barren looking Samburu landscape that at first looks as nothing would live here, but is home to a wealth of wildlife of all types. The river is a popular haunt particularly as the sun rises in the sky, and you'll often see elephant, the long-necked gerenuk, finely striped Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, crocodiles, leopard and a huge variety of birdlife. Dinner and overnight at SAMBURU LODGE.

Thursday 14

0630 hrs Early morning game drive then return to the Lodge for breakfast at leisure. Morning at leisure.

1230 hrs Lunch at the Lodge.

1600 hrs Afternoon game drive.

Dinner and overnight at SAMBURU LODGE.

Friday l5

0630 hrs Early breakfast and check out.

0700 hrs Leaving Samburu behind, you'll travel south through Isiolo, crossing the northernmost foothills of Mount Kenya, until you get to the town of nanyuki. Here you'll head west to Nyahururu, still known to many as Thomson's Falls for its 237- foot cascade. Now travel in a southerly direction to your nest destination: Lake Nakuru, coloured a shimmering flamingo pink from thousands of the beautiful birds lining its shores. You'll arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge - affording unforgettable views of the lake from its hillside perch. The lodge also is a perfect base from which to explore the lake, with its fabulous array of birds as well as many types of game, including waterbuck, rhino, leopard and buffalo.

1230 hrs Game drive in the Park. A game drive in Nakuru National Park which is, of course, known for its birdlife - as thousands of flamingos make this lake their home, among hundreds of other species. But wildlife is also in abundance here. You'll see large numbers of waterbuck, warthog, impala, buffalo, plains game, cheetah and now rhino, as Lake Nakuru National Park has been made into one of Kenya's rhino sanctuary.

1400 hrs Lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Leaving the flamingo-fringed Lake Nakuru behind, you'll head southeast across the high Rift Escarpment road, providing spectacular vzews of soda Lake Elementaita and the Great Rift Valley. Your journey ends at glistening Lake Naivasha, a popular water resort, where you' ll arrive at the plush colonial-style Lake Hotel, with its expansive lawn, relaxing atmosphere and gourmet meals. Dinner and overnight at LAKE NAIVASHA COUNTRY CLUB.

Saturday l6

Breakfast at the Club.

0900 hrs Take time out for a relaxing boat trip on the lake -and keep an eye out for hippos and the huge variety of birds that make this their home.

1200 hrs Lunch at Lake Naivasha Club.

1300 hrs Leaving glistening Lake Naivasha behind, you begin a panoramic journey that takes you across the top of the Rift Escarpment, offering spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley, with dormant volcano Longonot at centre stage. Upon arrival at Limuru flyover turn off and drive down the Escarpment up to Mai- Mahu where you will then turn off on the main road across the Rift Valley and head towards Narok, gateway to the Maasai Mara and district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. With game drive enroute, you'll reach Keekorok Lodge. Set on the original site of the first hunters camp in Maasai Mara, Keekorok Lodge still retains the peace and charm of an oasis in the midst of the teeming wildlife. Game is abundant here, and frequently "uninvited guests" roam through the area.

Dinner and overnight at KEEKOROK LODGE.

Sunday l7 Full English breakfast. 0900 hrs Morning game drive. Maasai Mara is an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem to the south. Game abounds here, ' particularly when the migration is on, and millions of wlldebeest and zebra make thelr way back and forth across the Mara River on their annual trek. The Mara is also noted for its abundance of lions - particularly the superb black-maned males. You'll see lots of elephant here, often in large herds, as well as - if you're lucky - leopard cheetah, and rhino. All of the big five are ' resident - you're sure to see the African buffalo. Get the Cameras ready, stock up on film - and enjoy yourselves. 1230 hrs Lunch at the Lodge. 1600 hrs Afternoon gamedrive. Dinner and overnight at. KEEKOROK LODGE.

Monday l8

0630 hrs Early morning game drive returning to the , lodge for breakfast.

after gamedrive depart and drive back to Nairobi . (lunch payable direct)

1245 hrs. Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta airport for flight KQ 616 ETD

1400 hrs. Transfer to Wilson Airport for flight QP 103 ETD 1500 hrs.