Upgraded - Highlights of Kenya & Tsavo
Upgraded - Highlights of Kenya & Tsavo
$6430
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the "Upgraded - Highlights of Kenya & Tsavo" tour, exploring Kenya's breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Begin your journey in Nairobi, then venture into the cool Aberdare Mountains, and enjoy a unique stay at The Ark Lodge. Experience the wildlife haven of Nakuru National Park, renowned for its rhino population, before heading to the iconic Maasai Mara for thrilling game drives in search of the Big Five. Travel by train to the vast Tsavo National Park, where you'll enjoy exclusive game drives and the serene beauty of Kipalo Hills. With expert safari guides, traditional meals, and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers an immersive and luxurious safari experience. Enjoy the convenience of included airport transfers and savor the rich flavors of Kenya with meals like Nyama Choma and a Maasai boma dinner. This adventure promises a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation amidst Kenya's stunning natural beauty. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join trip in Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation Name: Tamarind Tree Hotel
Our tour starts in Kenya's fast-growing capital city, Nairobi - the gateway to the country's famous national parks. A transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to the Tamarind Tree Hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your arrival day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 14 days before departure. The journey from the airport to our hotel is around 30 minutes. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information at the earliest opportunity. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Nairobi at any time. Our hotel is located just five kilometres from the city centre and a short 30-minute drive from the airport. It's the perfect location to relax and unwind after your flight, featuring a large outdoor swimming pool set in landscaped gardens and a welcoming open-plan reception area with bright murals covering the walls. The hotel has a coffee shop, a lively bar and a restaurant. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to one of the city's malls for a wider choice of eating options. ...more ...less
Day 2: Drive into the Aberdare Mountains with commanding views of Mount Kenya. Overnight stay at The Ark lodge
Location: Aberdare Mountains
Accommodation Name: The Ark Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading north out of Nairobi and climbing steadily out of the Great Rift Valley, we head into the Aberdare Mountain range passing through farming communities. With an altitude of over 2,500 metres, the air is noticeably cooler compared to Nairobi and the rolling hills are covered in dense forests and open moorland. After around two and a half hours, we'll reach the Aberdare Country Club where we'll break for lunch. Originally a colonial family home, the country club retains much of its former grandeur and has breathtaking views of the plains below, the Aberdare Mountains to the west and Mount Kenya to the east. After lunch, it's a short transfer to one of Kenya's more unusual safari properties, The Ark. Modelled after Noah's Ark, The Ark features four viewing decks with balconies and vast viewing windows to provide superb game-watching, all from the comfort of the lodge. Keep an eye out for your first glimpse of elephants on your way in. After settling into our rooms, there's plenty of time to head to one of the viewing areas or down to the bunker to quietly watch the lodge's floodlit waterhole, which attracts a host of wildlife including elephants, buffalos, monkeys, warthogs, baboons and on occasions hyenas. From here, you can also spot forest birds including hornbills, wagtails and giant kingfishers. Before dinner at our lodge, we'll have an informal talk on the local flora and fauna and the wildlife that inhabits the Aberdare National Park. Going to bed early doesn't mean missing the action either. During the night, the resident ranger stays on watch and will buzz your room if an interesting animal comes to the waterhole - listen out for one ring for an elephant, two for a rhino, three for leopard and four for other unusual sightings. You're free to turn the buzzer off if you'd rather have a full night's sleep.
Day 3: Travel to Nakuru National Park via Thompson Falls.
Location: Nyahururu, Nakuru National Park
Accommodation Name: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have a longer day of travel ahead of us today and we drive to Nakuru, a journey of around four hours. En route, we'll stop at the Thompson Falls on the Ewaso Ngiro River. The waters originate on the western slopes of Mount Kenya and descend over a 70-meter waterfall just outside the town of Nyahururu. We'll continue to Nakuru National Park and the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, our base for the next two nights. We'll have lunch at the lodge before heading out on our first game drive along the shores of Lake Nakuru, on the lookout for both white rhino and the endangered black rhino as well as other mammals and birds. Our lodge for the next two nights is situated just above the lake. Rooms are in cottages set in the landscaped gardens, there is a big swimming pool and terrace, a restaurant offering an extensive selection of dishes and a bar with an outdoor fire pit to unwind by after dinner.
Day 4: Full day on safari at Nakuru National Park famous for its population of black rhinos
Location: Nakuru National Park
Accommodation Name: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll have an early start this morning to maximise our time in Nakuru National Park. Rising before breakfast, we head out in 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicles, accompanied by our expert safari driver guides, on the lookout for both the white rhinos and the endangered black rhinos. Sightings, whilst never guaranteed, are very likely at Nakuru National Park. It's not unheard of to see a dozen rhinos in a day. The park hosts herds of buffalo, zebra and giraffe, as well as flocks of striking pink flamingos on the lake, although the latter do move between lakes in the Great Rift Valley, so may not be seen at Nakuru and numbers have been in decline following flooding in 2012. Other birdlife is prolific on the shores of the lake with pink-backed and white pelicans found wading in the shallow soda lake shore as well as spoonbills, marabou storks and sacred ibis. We'll stop on the shores of the lake for photographs of the spectacular setting. Returning to our lodge for a late breakfast, we'll spend the hottest part of the day relaxing at our camp - take the chance for a siesta, a dip in the pool, or a spot of birdwatching. We'll depart for our afternoon activity after tea, usually around 4pm, and return in the early evening. Game drives will vary depending on sightings and animal activity.
Day 5: Travel to the world - famous Maasai Mara game reserve, afternoon game drives
Location: Nakuru, Narok, Maasai Mara
Accommodation Name: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bidding Nakuru farewell, it's a five-hour drive to the world-famous Maasai Mara game reserve. Our journey takes us across the floor of the Rift Valley and then up and over the Mau Escarpment, travelling through open bushland interspersed with rural villages and farming communities. The major settlement on our journey is the bustling and colourful market town of Narok, a major trading post full of market stalls selling fresh vegetables and fruit as well as livestock. We arrive in the Mara (as it's known by locals) early in the afternoon - just in time for a late lunch. Our lodge for the next three nights is located in the heart of the Mara close to the Talek River, at the confluence of the Maasai Mara's four wildlife viewing areas, on the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Afternoon game drives depart around 4pm and return as the sun goes down, after which, there's time to freshen up and meet for a drink at the bar before dinner. Dinner is usually a buffet menu with fresh seasonal produce sourced from around Kenya, served in the restaurant. After dinner, we can sit around the roaring fire, relive the highlights of the day and admire the stars in the African night sky.
Day 6: Morning and afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara in search of the big five
Location: Maasai Mara
Accommodation Name: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Covering an area of 1,500 square kilometres, the Maasai Mara hosts one of the largest concentrations of animals anywhere in the world. The wildlife is prolific at any time of year, but between the end of July and the beginning of October, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate into the Mara from the adjacent Serengeti National Park, in search of fresh grasses that flourish after the rains, often pursued by predators such as hyenas, lions and cheetahs. We'll embark on two game drives today, one in the early morning and one mid-afternoon, with time in between to enjoy our comfortable lodge - taking a dip in the swimming pool or reading a book.
Day 7: Third day of wildlife viewing in the Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara
Accommodation Name: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have our third day in the Maasai today and will drive further into the reserve. Depending on sightings, our expert safari driver guides will generally spend the maximum time on game drives, trying to cover as large an area as possible, including the river tributaries of the reserve. The Mara hosts an abundance of mammals including lions, elephants and wildebeest as well as numerous antelope species from elands, hartebeests, bushbucks, gazelles to impalas and waterbucks to name but a few. For keen birdwatchers, there is an astonishing variety of birds to spot. Be sure to keep an eye on soaring vultures and eagles on the lookout for a recent kill. Tonight, we'll enjoy a traditional Mara Salt Lick Deck dinner overlooking one of the watering holes and the salt lick area that provides essential minerals to the wild game at the Mara Reserve. Please note, this dinner is weather dependant, should it not be possible we will eat at the hotel and instead offer sundowner drinks on the shores of Lake Nakuru on day four.
Day 8: Travel back to Nairobi for overnight stay
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation Name: Tamarind Tree Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early breakfast, we drive back to Nairobi (a five-hour journey), making a brief stop at a viewpoint across the Rift Valley outside Naivasha. We aim to arrive back at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi around 1pm, the rest of the day is free.
Day 9: Travel by train to Voi, Tsavo National Park
Location: Nairobi, Voi, Tsavo West National Park
Accommodation Name: Kipalo Hills
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have an early start today as we head to Nairobi's new termini train station to board a train to Voi, the gateway to Tsavo National Park region. Travelling at speeds of up to 120 kph the journey takes four hours. The modern train is air-conditioned and offers a buffet service on board and charging points for phones. There's also always the chance you'll spot wildlife from the comfort of your seat along the way. On arrival in Voi, we'll transfer the short distance directly to Kipalo Hills, our home for the next three nights, in the Mbulia private conservancy bordering Tsavo West. Kipalo Hills is a highly personalised lodge experience with six spacious and well-appointed traditional safari tents offering complete seclusion and privacy, pitched against a rock hillside with the most amazing views of the Tsavo conservation area. The heart of the lodge is an expansive bar, lounge and dining area with an open deck and swimming pool. There's a complimentary bar and meals can be taken at a time of your choosing. After being shown around, we'll head down to the waterhole right next to the camp which attracts elephants, buffalos and occasionally even leopards, we'll then head out for a game drive within the conservancy. Please note, the 19th July 2025 departure will stay at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, which features stunning views of the Chyulu hills, a volcanic range of rugged wilderness. The property is adjacent to a waterhole, which its main restaurant and bar overlooks, offering great views of wildlife heading down to the waterhole for a drink. Rooms are situated in the landscaped gardens. The lodge offers free WiFi, and a swimming pool and is a great base in which to head out into the park. You're welcome to dip in and out of the scheduled drives as you wish. Early morning game drives generally leave the lodge around 6.30am, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures to maximize game viewing and return approximately three hours later - just in time for breakfast. Afternoon game drives depart around 4pm and return at sunset, after which you can freshen up and gather for pre-dinner drinks. All meals are included at the lodge.
Day 10: Full day game viewing in Tsavo
Location: Tsavo
Accommodation Name: Kipalo Hills
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Over the next two days, we'll head out to explore the surrounding area. Individual games drives are made in custom-built 4x4 safari Land Cruisers with an open roof hatch, exclusive for our use. All seats have direct window access and the vehicle sides are fully retractable, providing the best game-viewing opportunities possible. Fridges, winches, camera stands, inverters and electric charging sockets, and upgraded suspensions are just some of the features in our open-game viewing vehicles. The exact itinerary is flexible and will be discussed on our first day. Options include a full day in Tsavo East or West National Park, or safari drives in the Mbulia Conservancy including a visit to one of the waterholes in the conservancy where we'll get one of the closest encounters to the resident elephants anywhere in Kenya, guided bush walks with one of the expert rangers. When we opt for a full-day safari, we'll take a picnic breakfast and lunch to enjoy in the bush to maximize our game viewing time. Upon returning to the lodge, there is time to freshen up before observing a great safari tradition, enjoying a sundowner as part of our daily ritual. Whether out of the back of a safari jeep on your way back to camp or on a spectacular hill with a roaring fire a cold beer or a gin and tonic, it's the perfect way to sit back and take in the spectacular Kenyan wilderness. Please note the 19th July 2025 departure will follow a programme operated by Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in a shared safari vehicle which differs from the description above.
Day 11: Further full day game viewing in Tsavo
Location: Tsavo West National Park
Accommodation Name: Kipalo Hills
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we have another full day in search of game. The park hosts over 500 species of birdlife and a rich ecosystem with areas of savanna grassland, semi-arid acacia woodland and the highlands of the Chyulu hills. All the 'big 5' can be found within the park, around 40% of Kenya's elephant population live within the wider Tsavo Conservation Area. With our own vehicle, we can take our time away from the crowds. A huge part of the Tsavo experience is the home-cooked meals, all freshly prepared by the resident chef using fresh local ingredients. You can choose from various dining spots, whether on the private terrace of your accommodation, in the main tent, by the pool overlooking the well-frequented waterhole in Kipalo, or in the middle of the bush - a truly memorable experience.
Day 12: Return to Nairobi by train where the trip ends
Location: Voi, Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early breakfast, we'll drive to Voi station and board the 9.55am train back to Nairobi, arriving just after 2pm. The earliest recommended flight departure time is 6pm. A transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) from the train station or Tamarind Tree Hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your departure day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 14 days before your tour departing. For those departing Kenya on an evening flight, we'll transfer you to the Tamarind Tree Hotel. You might wish to book a day-use room, please contact us for details. Alternatively, you're free to relax by the pool or explore Nairobi for some last-minute souvenir shopping.
What's Included
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Airport Transfer
A transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to the Tamarind Tree Hotel is included on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your arrival day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 10 days prior to departure.
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Game Drives
Multiple game drives are included in the itinerary, with opportunities to see wildlife in Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara, and Tsavo West National Park.
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Train Travel
Train travel from Nairobi to Voi and back is included, with modern amenities such as air conditioning, buffet service, and lounge car access.
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Expert Safari Guides
Expert safari driver guides accompany the game drives to enhance the wildlife viewing experience.
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Welcome Meeting
A welcome meeting is planned at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi.
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Traditional Meals
Experience traditional meals such as Nyama Choma lunch in Nakuru and a Maasai boma dinner in the Maasai Mara.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Kenya are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees for entry into Kenya are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Breakfasts: 11
Lunches: 9
Dinners: 9
Mode of Transport
The tour includes transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, train travel from Nairobi to Voi and back with modern amenities, and game drives in custom-built 4x4 safari Land Cruisers with open roof hatches for optimal wildlife viewing.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various lodges and hotels including Tamarind Tree Hotel, The Ark Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, and Kilanguni Serena Lodge, offering a mix of comfort and unique safari experiences with amenities like swimming pools and viewing decks.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of vehicles are used for the safari game drives?
The safari game drives are conducted in custom-built 4x4 Land Cruiser vehicles with an open roof hatch, providing excellent game-viewing opportunities. All seats have direct window access, and the vehicle sides are fully retractable.
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Are there any special meals included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes traditional meals such as a Nyama Choma lunch in Nakuru and a Maasai boma dinner in the Maasai Mara.
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What wildlife can I expect to see in the Maasai Mara?
In the Maasai Mara, you can expect to see a large concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. During the migration season, you may also witness large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
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Is there a welcome meeting at the start of the tour?
Yes, there is a welcome meeting planned at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi on the first day of the tour.
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What is the accommodation like at Kipalo Hills?
Kipalo Hills offers a highly personalized lodge experience with six spacious and well-appointed traditional safari tents. The lodge features an expansive bar, lounge, dining area, open deck, and swimming pool, providing complete seclusion and privacy.
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What is the procedure if I miss the welcome meeting?
If you miss the welcome meeting, the tour leader will inform you of any essential information at the earliest opportunity.
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What is the significance of the buzzer system at The Ark Lodge?
The Ark Lodge has a buzzer system that alerts guests to interesting wildlife sightings at the waterhole during the night. One ring indicates an elephant, two for a rhino, three for a leopard, and four for other unusual sightings.
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What are the dining options at Kipalo Hills?
At Kipalo Hills, meals are freshly prepared by the resident chef using local ingredients. Dining options include the private terrace of your accommodation, the main tent, by the pool overlooking the waterhole, or in the middle of the bush.
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Upgraded - Highlights of Kenya & Tsavo
12 Days Starting and ending in Nairobi, Kenya
Visiting: Nairobi, Aberdare Mountains, Nyahururu, Nakuru National Park, Nakuru, Narok, Maasai Mara, Voi, Tsavo West National Park, Tsavo ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DKQE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 12
Age range:
16-80
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours