YPX7N: Lake Nakuru + Maasai Mara + Seychelles

Day 1

You will be met at Nairobi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this bustling city.

Check in after midday and relax by the hotel swimming pool in your warm and friendly African surroundings.

Day 2

Today we depart from Nairobi travelling 3 hours overland in a safari minibus (with pop-up roof for game viewing) to the Lake Nakuru area in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

A soda lake on the floor of the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is home to millions of flamingos and over 400 different bird species. The sight of these flamingos in flight at certain times of the year is quite spectacular and makes the lake appear pink from a distance. The lake is also a haven for certain endangered species including the Rothschild giraffe and black and white rhino. Enjoy a game drive along the lake, before checking into to your hotel.

Day 3

Enjoy an early morning game drive along Lake Nakuru before we commence the 5-hour overland journey to Maasai Mara National Park, named after the Maasai people and the Mara River which divides the park.

Maasai Mara is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest from the adjoining Serengeti National Park, which occurs every year from July to October, when these ungainly animals migrate along a circular route from the plains of the Serengeti to the pastures of the Maasai Mara and back again in search of fresh pasture followed by hungry predators - most notably lions and hyena.

After checking in to your lodge, enjoy a late afternoon game drive in this magnificent wildlife sanctuary.

Day 4

Today is dedicated to game viewing in the world famous Maasai Mara National Park.

Nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley, Maasai Mara National Park is famous for its lions and abundant wildebeest, which number over one million. All the Big Five can be seen as well as numerous other species including gazelle, impala, topi, hartebeest, roan antelope, hippo and huge herds of zebra and giraffe. The nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, and the spotted hyena also inhabit this park, as well as the endangered cheetah and black rhino. Bird watching is also outstanding with over 450 different species including the vulture, marabou stork, secretary bird, hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested eagle and African pygmy-falcon. The terrain is primarily open grassland and seasonal riverlets, with most game concentrated around the swampy ground on its western border.

Set off early each morning, when game viewing conditions are at their best, to view the abundant wildlife of the Maasai Mara region. Return to the lodge to rest in the heat of the day, before setting off again in the late afternoon for another game drive.

Day 5

Time permitting, enjoy some final game viewing this morning before we commence the return journey to Nairobi Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Seychelles Airport and transferred to your island hotel on this spectacularly beautiful Indian Ocean archipelago.

Check in and relax amongst the birds and wildlife of this paradise island, surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters and coral reefs.

Days 6 - 7

Relax and enjoy the superb wildlife and pristine beaches of the Seychelles islands.

Seychelles is home to the giant tortoise, which lives for over 200 years - longer than any other creature on our planet. It is also home to leatherback and endangered hawksbill turtles, sperm whale (July/August), dolphins, octopus, whale sharks and many other rare and endangered species. Bird life is also prolific.

Enjoy island hopping to enjoy the wildlife, and snorkelling or diving to view the tropical fish and coral reefs that surround each island of this spectacular archipelago. Seychelles is also famous for deep sea fishing for tuna and marlin.

Alternatively simply relax on one of the many pristine and uninhabited beaches of this nature lover's paradise.

Day 8

Transfer to Seychelles Airport for your flight home.