Through the Rift Valley, Sopa Lodges
Through the Rift Valley, Sopa Lodges
5 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in
Visiting: Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
26469
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 30
Age range:
7-99
Tour operated in:
English , French , German , SpanishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This is a short but extremely rewarding safari as it gives you the great opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the Great Rift Valley and the vast game-rich plains of Masai Mara. The Rift Valley lakes are famous for their abundance of flamingos and other waterfowl, while Masai Mara is home to the country’s greatest concentration of wildlife.Â
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport, you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to Ole Sereni Hotel or similar for check-in. Enjoy an afternoon at your own leisure, perhaps taking advantage of the modern facilities, before you embark on your Kenyan odyssey.
Overnight in Nairobi.
Day 2 : Nairobi – Maasai Mara National Reserve (280Km – 5 Hrs)
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, depart Nairobi, travelling towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners during World War II. Keep an eye out for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. Pass the futuristic Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the valley to Narok, and then travel through fields of wheat and barley, before reaching the Maasai Mara and Mara Sopa Lodge, in time for lunch. Afterwards, it’s time for the first game drive of the tour at 03:00 pm, returning to the lodge at sunset. At Mara Sopa Lodge, the accent is on both the indigenous Maasai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife and natural flora seen in every direction. The lodge is located in the Oloolaimutia Valley and built into the surrounding hillside landscape. The luxuriously appointed décor features all the mod cons one would expect from a Sopa-styled lodge in the bush. The bedrooms are spacious, the large pool has wonderful views and there are evening wildlife films to enjoy. All this ensures a blissfully comfortable stay; in the evening, dinner will be served at the lodge.Â
Overnight in Maasai Mara.
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Day 3 : Maasai Mara National Reserve (5-6 Hrs On Game Drives)
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing for a morning game drive at 07:00 am. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to millions of wild animals, including the fabled Big Five of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinos as well as antelopes, gazelles and wildebeest among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and perhaps a siesta before setting off for an afternoon game drive at 03:00 pm and a visit to a Maasai village, heading back to the lodge as the sun sets, where you’ll end the day with dinner.Â
Overnight in Maasai Mara.
Day 4 : Maasai Mara – Lake Nakuru (315Km – 6 Hrs)
Location: Lake Nakuru
Bid farewell to Maasai Mara after breakfast and travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley dot the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Continue across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffes and gazelles as you head up the Mai-Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park at 03:00 pm, returning as the sun sets, to enjoy dinner. The waters of Lake Nakuru are often coloured a shimmering pink, from the thousands of flamingos that line its shores. As well as all the beautiful flamingos, both black and white rhinos are being carefully protected and given a new lease of life in this 188 square kilometre, fully fenced park. The rhino population numbers more than 50 and continues to multiply. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffaloes, leopards, zebras, elands, waterbucks and lions. Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge is located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The newest member of the Sopa family, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa and overlooks Lake Nakuru and its surrounding national park, a paradise for bird-watchers and wildlife lovers alike.Â
Overnight in Lake Nakuru.
Day 5 : Lake Nakuru – Depart Nairobi (180Km – 4 Hrs)
Location: Nairobi
Following an early breakfast, continue to Lake Naivasha for a half an hour boat ride. Then, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi. Arrive in the bustling capital at the Ole Sereni Hotel by 01:30 pm, to drop off and ongoing travel arrangements. Recommended departure flights departing from 04:00 pm.
What's Included
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with English-speaking local driver-guide throughout the tour (the assigned local driver-guide may change during the itinerary)
- French, German, Italian or Spanish driver-guide subject to availability (airport transfers will be operated with English-speaking drivers)
ACCOMMODATION:
- 4 night’s accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 Nairobi:
Superior Hotel Category = Ole Sereni Hotel or similar 4*
Day 2-3 Maasai Mara:
Superior Hotel Category = Mara Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
Day 4 Lake Nakuru:
Superior Hotel Category = Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
MEALS:
- 4 BreakfastsÂ
- 3 LunchesÂ
- 3 Dinners
TRANSPORT:
- 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat during game drives and all transportation throughout the tour (maximum 7 persons per vehicle)
ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: 1 game drive at Maasai Mara National Reserve (Day 2); 2 game drives at game drive at Maasai Mara National Reserve, Masaai village visit (Day 3); 1 game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park (Day 4); Lake Naivasha boat ride (Day 5)
OTHER:
- Government taxesÂ
- 1 bottle of mineral water (500ml) per person per day on game drives
What's Not Included
- Visas
- International flightsÂ
- Domestic flightsÂ
- International flightsÂ
- Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
- Any visit not mentioned in the program
- Porterage and gratuities Â
- Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
- Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
- Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Requirements
Passengers should bring only soft-sided bags on safari. Passengers arriving to Kenya may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Travellers’ cheques are generally not accepted in east Africa. US banknotes cannot be older than 2004 and must have the latest security markings (large portrait of the president). Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- Day 1, Check-in time is 02:00 pm. Clients arriving in the middle of the night must book a pre-night as they will not be permitted to wait in the hotel lobby
- Day 5, the drop-off is at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi at 12:00 pm approx. (flights to be booked 03:30 pm onwards)
- Due to limited luggage space in vehicles, suitcases are unsuitable for scheduled road safaris. We recommend luggage packed in inexpensive barrel/sausage bags or soft-sided bags not exceeding 15kg and 65x46 cm. Excess luggage can be handed over to the representative at the time of briefing. It will be handed over to you on your return from the safari. Additional costs may apply to pick up drop off luggage at specific points
- No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed Â
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
- Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
- This tour is a combination of regular tours and shared arrangements, clients may be required to change vehicles
- Park fees may change without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will have to be covered by the client
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 Nairobi:
- Superior Hotel Category = Ole Sereni Hotel or similar 4*
Day 2-3 Maasai Mara:
- Superior Hotel Category = Mara Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
Day 4 Lake Nakuru:
- Superior Hotel Category = Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 Nairobi:
- Superior Hotel Category = Ole Sereni Hotel or similar 4*
Day 2-3 Maasai Mara:
- Superior Hotel Category = Mara Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
Day 4 Lake Nakuru:
- Superior Hotel Category = Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar 4*
Check out our Q&As
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What countries does the tour visit?
The tour visits Kenya.
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What are the highlights of the tour?
The highlights of the tour include Maasai Mara National Reserve, known for Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves and the world’s largest multi-species migration; the vast plains of the Mara with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and other species; Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its ecological diversity, habitats ranging from the lake itself to the surrounding escarpment and ridges, ideal for bird watching and game drives.
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What type of accommodations are provided?
The tour provides 4 nights of accommodation. Day 1 in Nairobi at Ole Sereni Hotel or similar 4*, Day 2-3 in Maasai Mara at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar 4*, and Day 4 at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar 4*.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
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What type of transport is used on the tour?
The tour uses a 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat during game drives and all transportation throughout the tour (maximum 7 persons per vehicle).
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Are entrance fees and activities included?
Yes, all entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary are included: 1 game drive at Maasai Mara National Reserve (Day 2); 2 game drives at Maasai Mara National Reserve, Maasai village visit (Day 3); 1 game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park (Day 4); Lake Naivasha boat ride (Day 5).
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What are the exclusions?
Exclusions include visas, international and domestic flights, drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise), any visit not mentioned in the program, porterage and gratuities, expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program, any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any), travel insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
-
What are the requirements for the tour?
Passengers should bring only soft-sided bags on safari. Passengers arriving in Kenya may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Travellers’ cheques are generally not accepted in east Africa. US banknotes cannot be older than 2004 and must have the latest security markings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
-
What should I note about accommodation and itinerary changes?
Day 1, Check-in time is 02:00 pm. Clients arriving in the middle of the night must book a pre-night. Day 5, the drop-off is at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi at 12:00 pm approx. (flights to be booked 03:30 pm onwards). Due to limited luggage space in vehicles, suitcases are unsuitable for scheduled road safaris. No refund for unused services. The tour itinerary and activities may change due to weather conditions, technical problems, or security reasons. Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed. Park fees may change without prior notice.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.Â
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Low Deposit
ARP Travel Group requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of arp travel group charges.
At 24 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.