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 Enjoy world-class game drives where the safari originated. Our Kenya gay safari tour kicks off outside Nairobi - Safari Capital of the World - before we venture into the savannah. Here, authentic yet luxurious tents and lodges will provide shelter in Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. Our local guide will point out prides of lion, herds of buffalo and dazzles of zebra. The Great Wildebeest Migration will be an important highlight. By tour’s end you’ll have likely spotted The Big Five, witnessed the local way of life and hopefully made a few friends.
• Partake in the world’s most authentic safaris
• See elephants, giraffes, leopards, rhinos, leopards, zebras, and marvelous birdlife on safari
• Stay in luxury tents and lodge-style rooms
• Karen Blixen is the author of the beloved novel, Out of Africa. Visit her actual house, “at the foot of the Ngong Hills.”
• Boat ride on beautiful Lake Naivasha
• Stay at a hotel in the marvelous Masai Mara National Reserve
• Private, 6-person, purpose-built safari vehicles
Day 1
Hujambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your Out Adventures rep will meet you at the airport then transfer you to the hotel. Things kick off with our Group Meeting at 4PM and Welcome Dinner this evening.
Hotel: Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel, Nairobi
Day 2
After check-out we have a comfortable 4.5 hour drive to Amboseli National Park, which sits in the shadow of Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain.
Enjoy an early check-in at our luxurious safari camp, with sumptuous mountain-view tents that feature generous beds, fine linens, ensuite washrooms and large balconies. There will be a game drive after lunch, followed by dinner at sunset. Be sure to step out onto your private veranda this evening to look up at the crystal clear constellations.
Hotel: Satao Elerai Camp , Amboseli National Park
Day 3
Today is fully devoted to exploring Amboseli National Park with morning and afternoon game drives. The park is 392sq.km. / 151sq.mi. in size. It’s considered to offer some of the best wildlife-viewing IN THE WORLD! Don't forget to pack your binoculars as the park hosts 400 species of birds including pelicans, kingfishers, and hammerkops.
Hotel: Satao Elerai Camp, Amboseli National Park
Day 4
After an early breakfast our safari heads to Lake Naivasha via Nairobi today—approximately a 6.5-7-hour drive depending on traffic. Naivasha is the highest lake in the Rift Valley, and residents include hippos and crocodiles. After lunch, enjoy a 1-hour boat ride and Crescent Island walk and take in flocks of flamingos and other aquatic birds and thirsty mammals. Crescent Island was famously a major filming location for the film adaptation of Out of Africa. After that, we’ll head to our next camp, located about an hour away and overlooking Lake Elementaita. Soak in the beautiful views of the lake from your cottage before joining the group for dinner.
Hotel: Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp, Lake Elementaita
Day 5
This morning after breakfast we have a short drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for Rothschild giraffes, leopards, and black and white rhinos. The park is also renowned for its magnificent birdlife, beautiful scenery and array of wildlife. Enjoy a morning game drive en-route to our luxurious camp which sits atop a cliff overlooking Lake Nakuru. After checking in we’ll enjoy lunch together before heading out for another game drive, before returning for dinner later in the evening.
Hotel: The Cliff Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 6
Today we have another full day dedicated to this lush and beautiful park, make sure to have your camera ready for all the wildlife! In between meals and game drives, there will be some time to enjoy the amenities at our glamourous camp. Take a dive in the infinity pool, unwind with a massage or indulge in a happy hour drink at the bar.
Hotel: The Cliff Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 7
Today we have a 6-7 hour drive via Narok to Masai Mara National Reserve. The reserve offers wonderful scenery, plenty of game, and is one of the last places in Kenya to experience how abundant the animals were a century ago. Enjoy an early check-in and lunch at a luxurious tented camp near the Mara River, famous for the wildebeest migration and other great vistas. This afternoon’s game drive is followed by a sunset dinner.
Hotel: Mara Crossing Camp , Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8
Another full day at the reserve includes morning and afternoon game drives, and wraps with a special surprise for dinner. Keep an eye out for the abundant giraffe, buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest and Thompson's gazelle. All of which are a rich choice for top predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. You will also see nomadic tribesmen herding their cattle amongst the plains.
Hotel: Mara Crossing Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 9
Enjoy our last day in the Masai Mara National Reserve, with morning and afternoon game drives to bid the animals adieu.
The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. Tonight we’ll celebrate with a Farewell Dinner, sharing our incredible photos from the past week.
Hotel: Mara Crossing Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 10
After breakfast we’ll check out and head for Nairobi, about a 6 to 7 hour drive depending on traffic. Before arriving at the airport we’ll stop at Karen Blixen’s former house and learn more about the famous “Out of Africa” author’s life, and enjoy lunch at the Tamambo Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens. Safe travels and thank you for joining our gay Kenya safari!
Please note: Today a group transfer will be provided to Nairobi Airport, or a Nairobi Airport hotel. With that in mind, we ask that you schedule your departing flight to leave no earlier than 8 PM.
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• Arrival & departure transfers to/from Out Adventures’ joining/finishing point hotel
• All accommodations for the duration of the tour
• Breakfast daily, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
• All safari game drives/excursions as indicated
• 1-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island walk
• All national park entrance fees
• Transportation in 6-seater 4×4 vehicles with experienced guides on safari
• Mineral water daily in safari vehicle (1 litre per person per day)
• International Airfare
• International departure taxes
• Meals and Activities not mentioned in itinerary
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers.
• Gratuities for guides/drivers/staff etc. (budget $140-$200)
• All items of a personal nature (laundry, drinks, etc.)
• Visa fees
Kenya Visa
You will most likely need an e-visa to enter Kenya. Click here for more info, and to apply online. All visas are the responsibility of the traveller, and should be arranged in advance.
Culture Shock
Tourism in Kenya is developed, but know that service levels aren’t on par with Western nations. You’ll also see extreme poverty. Crime is common in the city so exercise caution, be discrete, and don’t wander alone.
Local LGBT Scene
Sodomy is illegal and punishable by imprisonment in Kenya, same-sex marriage is banned, and people routinely disowned by their family. Alas, complete discretion is advised, since even heterosexual PDAs are frowned upon in this conservative nation. However, rest assured your crew, staff, and accommodations welcome you.
Weather
August is the dry season, a perfect month to check out the wildebeest migration. The sunny weather on safari hovers around 25C/77F.
Required Vaccinations
The WHO recommends vaccination against typhoid, hepatitis A and B, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, and the flu. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
Electricity
You may need an international travel plug/adapter for type A/B sockets.
Connectivity
All hotels and camps will have Wi-Fi (though possibly spotty). Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience friends and family at home!
Travel Insurance
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Meals
To keep things easy, all meals are included in the trip price. Breakfast and lunch will be served between certain hours at your leisure. Group dinners will be served at set times.
Money
The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). We recommend carrying a few small bills for small purchases and souvenirs. Credit cards are accepted by the hotels and safari camps, but there may be surcharges. We also recommend carrying about $400 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
Tipping
If you’re pleased with the service throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Details will be provided in your final trip documentation, but we recommend budgeting about $150-$200 USD.
What to bring
Our adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
Optional Activities
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
How We Travel
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
Your Guide
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per day…they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Flying Solo
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
Starting Point Hotel
Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel, Nairobi
Located in Nairobi, Emara Ole-Sereni-Nairobi Park View offers 5-star accommodation with a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a shared lounge, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation provides room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests.
Floor-to-ceiling windows for exceptional views of the city and park, hardwood floors, warm hues, and designer furnishings exude style and sophistication that makes everyone feel like a privileged insider. Being one of the best 5 star hotels in Nairobi, all of our accommodation features modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi access and LCD Smart TVs, as well as premium luxury products, plush robes, and slippers in the bathroom for a restful and pleasurable stay.
Finishing Point Hotel
Mara Crossing Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve
Mara Crossings Camp is an eco-friendly luxury tented camp, uniquely located on the banks of the world famous Mara River. This camp lies among indigenous shrubs right at the mighty rivers edge. A wild, yet intimate experience, in the thick of the resident game, this is the perfect vantage point for one of the most famous fording points of the wildebeest migration.
Well-used animal trails meander between eight spacious, en-suite safari tents. The rich, red notes of the African earth are reflected in the interiors of each of the eight suites. With expansive views, the tents are strung out on one side of the river, allowing the guests to marvel at the unspoilt wilderness from their own private veranda.
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