Road Scholar : Intergenerational Kenya: Big Cats, Baby Elephants & Maasai Warriors - Kenya

Intergenerational Kenya: Big Cats, Baby Elephants & Maasai Warriors

Program Number:

19687RJ

Start and End Dates:


	6/13/2013 - 6/25/2013; 7/11/2013 - 7/23/2013; 8/1/2013 - 8/13/2013; 6/12/2014 - 6/24/2014; 7/10/2014 - 7/22/2014; 7/24/2014 - 8/5/2014;

Duration:

12 nights

Location:

Kenya

Price starting at:

$3,820.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Intergenerational; Natural History
Intergenerational

Meals:

28; 9 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 9 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 - 13 years of age.

To see Africa as an adult is to fulfill a lifelong dream, but to see Africa through the eyes of a child is to impact a mind for life. With a young learner by your side, walk in the wild amongst towering giraffes, count the stripes of grazing zebras and even touch a baby elephant. Learn how the Maasai people live off the land and protect themselves from dangerous animals, and help the children herd their calves and goats into the village.

Highlights

� Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust�s Orphan�s Project, where animal experts prepare elephants that have been orphaned by poachers to return to the wild.
� Learn the skills that Maasai warriors use to protect themselves from wild animals and don traditional Maasai dress.
� Expert-led game drives give you a look at wildlife including lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, gazelles and hippos.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain. Some long drives on bumpy, dusty roads.

For grandkids ages 10-13 or 14-17 (depending on program date).

Date Specific Information

6-13-2013

For grandkids ages 10-13.

7-11-2013, 8-1-2013

For grandkids ages 14-17.

6-12-2014

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 to 13 years of age.

7-10-2014, 7-24-2014

Program intended for grandchildren from 14 to 17 years of age

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Nairobi (Kenya), 2 nights; coach to Lake Elementaita, 1 night; coach to Lake Nakuru, 2 nights; coach to Lake Naivasha, 2 nights; coach to Masai Mara, 3 nights; coach to Nairobi for departure.

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.	1 night
Arrival Nairobi (Kenya)	2 nights

Meet the baby elephants of the Orphan�s Project and hear from their handlers about their differing personalities. Feed a giraffe and see how it is able to eat the leaves of thorn-covered trees. See the big cats feeding at Kenya Wildlife Service�s Headquarters and select �your� animal to study.

Coach to Lake Elementaita	1 night
Coach to Lake Nakuru	2 nights

Journey into the Great Rift Valley, a massive trench that provides an exciting geology lesson. A Maasai warrior leads you into the bush around Lake Elementaita. See the famous flamingos of Lake Nakuru and explore its rhino sanctuary. Learn Kenyan songs and dances at a nearby village.

Coach to Lake Naivasha

2 nights

Watch hand axes being made just as they were during the Stone Age. Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and watch for African Fish Eagles swooping to catch their prey. In the Crater Lake Sanctuary, roam on foot among zebras, elands and warthogs and look for monkeys in the trees above.

Coach to Masai Mara	3 nights
Coach to Nairobi
Overnight flight to the U.S.A.	1 night

Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, the home of the Maasai people and a place where wild animals move about freely among the herds of the Maasai. Study some of the mighty predators that live here: lions, cheetahs, leopards and the crocodiles of the Mara River.

Kenya

In Nairobi National Park, which is just one of Kenya�s 35 designated parks and reserves and the only one in the world within the boundaries of a major city, a giraffe back-dropped by the skyline of the capital produces an odd effect. The animal seems to mimic with its prodigious neck the skyscrapers in the background, a unique indication of the evolving balance between the conservation of Kenya�s vast wildlife habitats and an encroaching modern society.

Accommodations
Nairobi: Comfortable hotels. Lake Elementaita: Comfortable lodge. Lake Nakuru: Comfortable lodge. Lake Naivasha: Tented camp. Masai Mara: Luxury tented camp.

Meals and Lodgings
	Sarova Panafric
		Nairobi, Kenya	2 nights
	Lake Elementaita Lodge
		Lake Elementaita, Kenya	1 night
	Lake Nakuru Lodge
		Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya	2 nights
	Crater Lake Tented Camp
		Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, Kenya	2 nights
	Nyumbu Camp
		Masai Mara, Kenya	3 nights

Sarova Panafric
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	Up the hill along Valley road and at the furthest foot of Kenyatta Avenue lies one of Kenya�s most sought-after tourism properties, Sarova Panafric. It is here where colonialism met pan-Africanism creating an exceptional meeting spot for varied world cultures. Sarova Panafric Hotel, boosts of rich & unrivalled history amassed over four decades since inception in 1965. When quests for Africa�s Independence raged in 1960�s, the Sarova Panafric hosted many of Africa nationalists. Sarova Panafric was the center of liberalism. That�s how the befitting name came into being, in the spirits of the Pan African movement. Even Kenya�s first president, H.E, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta had a soft spot for the hotel! He inaugurated it on 5th January 1965. Since then; the hotel has continued to resonate with the best of Africa�s repertoire.
	Contact info:	Up the hill on Kenyatta Avenue. Nairobi., Kenya phone: +254-20-2720822 web: www.sarovahotels.com/panafric
	Room amenities:	Each room is uniquely decorated and furnished. Features indluce wireless high-speed Internet access, irons, ironing boards, hairdryers satellite television, tea/coffee making facilities, 24-hour room service, digital direct-dial telephone and mini-bar.
	Facility amenities:	Sarova Panafric is home to one of the finest restaurant in town, the �Flame Tree.� The �Pool Garden� restaurant is open for lunch. There is a swimming pool available for all guests.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	Subject to availability. Please contact your program provider, Holbrook Travel, for additional information.

Lake Elementaita Lodge
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	Colonial architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic views help make this a perfect place to relax and enjoy your safari experience in the Rift Valley. The lodge is located approximately 1 hour and a half from Nairobi, and less than 30 minutes by car from Lake Nakuru National Park.
	Contact info:	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lake Elementaita, Kenya phone: +254-50-50836/50648 web: www.jacarandahotels.com
	Room amenities:	The double occupancy rooms have private bathrooms, a fireplace, satelite TV, telephone, minibar, safety deposit box, and a small sitting area overlooking Lake Elementaita and the gardens.
	Facility amenities:	Lodge amenities include a restaurant, full service bar, conference room, swimming pool, tennis court, money exchange, laundry services, and gardens.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Lake Nakuru Lodge
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	Lodge located in the Lake Nakuru National Park, with views of the flamingo dotted lake.
	Contact info:	No info. Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya phone: +254 202-732965 web: www.lakenakurulodge.org
	Room amenities:	Mosquito nets, phone, and balcony/terrace.
	Facility amenities:	Pool, gift shop, laundry services, and restaurant.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Crater Lake Tented Camp
	Type:	Luxury Tented Camp
	Description:	Permanent tented camp built on the shores of Crater Lake, a green soda lake located within the private Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. The camp's eleven tents blend easily with the landscape, offering privacy and close contact with nature.
	Contact info:	Entrance near the Kogoni Police Station Naivasha, Kenya phone: +(254-50) 2020613 web: www.mericagrouphotels.com
	Room amenities:	Each permanent tent has a veranda with seating area overlooking the lake. The cozy tents have four-poster beds and en suite bathrooms with shower and flush toilets.
	Facility amenities:	The main restaurant and dining area is decorated in a rustic African style, with a tall thatched roof and views of the green lake. Drinks and snacks are available throughout the day. The camp has a conference room that can fit up to 25 people.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Nyumbu Camp
	Type:	Tents
	Description:	Nyumbu is a traditional tented camp tucked in the wildebeests migration plains, on the edge of the Masai Mara Game Reserve (near Talek Gate). The unfenced camp looks out on rolling hills and vast grassy plains dotted with wildlife. Ol Kiombo Airstrip is located approximately 16 miles/30 minutes away.
	Contact info:	Kiveni House, Gatundu Close Off Gatundu Road Kileleshwa, Kenya phone: +254-20-4347417 web: www.maasaimara-nyumbu.com
	Room amenities:	The camp has medium sized, fully insect-proof, custom designed tents (13) equipped with proper bed, linen, bedside tables, rugs, and a small veranda. Electricity is supplied by solar power. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with hot-shower and eco-toilet.
	Facility amenities:	Reception desk, dining tent, fully-equipped bar with lounge area, and laundry service (at additional cost). Staff provide early morning wake-up calls with tea or coffee. Paved paths lead from the main buildings to the tented accommodations. The camp grounds are patrolled 24-hours by guards. Electricity in the tents is supplied through an integrated solar system. There is an inverter system off the generator (batteries can also be charged on this system).
	Smoking allowed:	No

Travel Details
	Start of Program: Evening arrivals into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya. Hotel check-in starts at 3 p.m. You will be staying at Sarova Panafric that night.
	End of Program: Evening departures from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Day-room check-out by 6 p.m. You will be staying at Nyumbu Camp the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. If traveling with a child under 18, the adult companion/s should carry a notarized authorization letter from the parents or legal guardians showing that they are allowed to travel with the child and make decisions on the child�s behalf in the event of a medical emergency.
	Parking availability: N/A

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Nairobi
	Nearest airport:	Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
	Transportation to site:	Taxis are available at the airport for the transfer to the hotel. The airport's official taxi service can be hired at the small taxi booth in the arrivals hall. This service has fixed rates and the fare can be prepaid in U.S. dollars or in Kenyan shillings.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Masai Mara
	Nearest city or town:	Mtito Andei
	Transportation from site:	Taxis are available at the hotel. If you decide to hire taxi services, please ask the hotel's front desk for assistance.

Elevation Note: Nairobi 5,450 ft/Mara 5,200 ft/Lake Nakuru 5,769 ft

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Depart the U.S. on Overnight Flights.
(Thursday, June 13)

Depart From:

Overnight flights from the U.S. to Nairobi, Kenya.

Day 2:

Arrivals to Nairobi, Kenya.
(Friday, June 14)

Evening:

Arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. If getting your visa upon arrival, please submit your completed visa application form, fee and valid passport at the visa booth before proceeding nearby to the Immigration counter.

The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the Customs exit door, in the arrivals hall, with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Note: This is an international travel day. No meals are included, other than those provided on the international flights. Hotel rooms available for check-in starting at 3 p.m.

Accommodations:

Sarova Panafric

Day 3:

Nairobi - Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage/Kenya Wildlife Headquarters
(Saturday, June 15)

Breakfast:	In the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	After breakfast, enjoy a short program orientation with your group leader. An introductory talk ('Saving Orphaned Elephants, Why Bother?') will prepare us for our morning field trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust- Orphan Project. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, located near Nairobi National Park, raises elephant calves and rhinos orphaned by poaching. The center was established by Daphne Sheldrick, widow of famed Tsavo game warden David Sheldrick. The orphanage is regularly open to the public in the mornings. At that time, visitors get to watch the playful calves being fed, exercised, and bathed. Once the animals are ready to be returned to the wild, they are transported to Tsavo National Park and reintroduced to resident herds.
Lunch:	Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Transfer to the Kenya Wildlife Headquarters and the animal orphanage. While at the Kenya Wildlife Headquarters' animal orphanage watch the animals being fed, especially the big cats--lions and cheetahs. Learn how animals' teeth provide clues to the type of food they eat and where they live. Return to the hotel. Before dinner, join in a group discussion about the wildlife seen during the day's activities. Children will be invited to select a specific animal to study throughout the program. Following the wildlife discussion, enjoy a lesson on the basics of Swahili.
Dinner:	At the hotel restaurant.

Accommodations:	Sarova Panafric
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Lake Elementaita - National Museum/Excursion to Giraffe Center/Meeting a Maasai
(Sunday, June 16)

Breakfast:	At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:	Depart for the National Museum for a follow-up on animal studies and an introduction to the early inhabitants of Kenya--some of the oldest on Earth. Excursion to the Giraffe Center where you will have the chance to feed these gracious animals and learn about their extraordinary physiology. The Giraffe Center is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 with the purpose of saving Kenya's endangered Rothschild Giraffe, indigenous to the Lake Nakuru area. In the late 1970s, only 130 Rothschild Giraffes existed in the wild, displaced by encroaching agriculture. Since its founding, the Giraffe Center has been able to increase the giraffe population by raising and relocating the giraffes to protected wildlife parks and reserves. The center welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy a close encounter with these gentle giants for a unique hands-on learning experience.
Lunch:	At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Depart for Lake Elementaita with an introduction to the Great African Rift Valley from a lookout point en route. Arrive at your lodge and enjoy some free time to explore the lodge grounds or simply relax before your evening activities. Before dinner, meet your first Maasai for a talk about the significance of Lake Elementaita in the history of the Maasai people.
Dinner:	At the lodge.

Accommodations:	Lake Elementaita Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Lake Nakuru - Nature Walk with a Maasai/Mwariki Village Visit/Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
(Monday, June 17)

Breakfast:	At lodge restaurant.
Morning:	After breakfast, join a Maasai naturalist on a nature walk from the lodge to the shore of the lake. Enjoy an introduction to the bush lore of the Masai, observe flamingoes and discuss their migratory patterns in the Rift Valley. Return to the lodge and free time until lunch.
Lunch:	At lodge restaurant.
Afternoon:	Depart for the Mwariki Village, located at the entrance to the Lake Nakuru National Park. Learn about life in a rural village and participate in a bead making session organized by the ladies of this community. Continue into the Lake Nakuru National Park for our first game drive and an introduction to the animals of the park. Return to the lodge late in the afternoon. Review the day's activities with your group leader, followed by a discussion on Lake Nakuru's successful rhino breeding project--the most effective project of its kind in Kenya.
Dinner:	At the lodge.
Evening:	Local entertainment provided by the lodge.

Accommodations:	Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Lake Nakuru - Rhino Base/Game Drives
(Tuesday, June 18)

Breakfast:	At lodge restaurant.
Morning:	Early morning game drive to the Rhino Base for further discussion on the rhino followed by an intense search for these tank-like animals. Return to the lake shore for a discussion of the different eating habits of the Greater and Lesser Flamingo and find out how the food they eat affects their color. Search for the elusive leopard and study a large troop of baboons to learn about their social habits. Continue to the lookout point for a "spot the animal" competition. Return to the lodge.
Lunch:	At the lodge.
Afternoon:	After lunch, take advantage of your free time to enjoy the pool, catch-up on your reading, or get some rest before resuming activities later in the day. Get together for tea and cookies, then embark on an afternoon game drive to observe how animals prepare for the night. Return to the lodge for a review of the day's activities and an orientation session in preparation for your up and coming visit to the Kariandusi archaeological site. Karibu! Gather around for another Swahili lesson.
Dinner:	At the lodge.

Accommodations:	Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Crater Lake - Kariandusi Pre-historic Site/Lake Naivasha Boat Ride
(Wednesday, June 19)

Breakfast:	At the lodge.
Morning:	Depart for the Kariandusi pre-historic site for a presentation on the Stone Age community that inhabited that location. Learn how they made their hand axes and watch one being made. Dr. Louis Leakey, famed archaeologist and naturalist, discovered Kariandusi (an Acheulean site) near Lake Elementaita in 1928. Excavations (1929-1947) conducted at this location uncovered many Stone-Age implements including knives and hand axes. Interesting on-site exhibits showcase the archaeological finds. Depart for Lake Naivasha with a short presentation on the different activities associated with the lake such as fishing and flower growing.
Lunch:	At a local restaurant on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
Afternoon:	Embark on a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha, skirting the shores of Crescent Island in search of animals that have the been the "stars" of many nature movies. Also, be on the look-out for African Fish Eagles as you cross the lake. These endangered raptors can sometimes be spotted snatching up unsuspecting fish out of the lake waters and carrying them away in their strong tallons. Upon entering the Crater Lake Sanctuary, enjoy a short game drive looking for zebras, giraffes, warthogs, elands, and monkeys. Arrive at the camp overlooking the crater lake. Free time to settle-in and relax. As the last rays of sun slip below the horizon, we will gather around the camp fire for a story telling session.
Dinner:	At the camp.

Accommodations:	Crater Lake Tented Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Crater Lake - Nature Walks at Crater Lake and Game Sanctuary
(Thursday, June 20)

Breakfast:	Enjoy some early morning coffee and cookies at the camp while the local guide provides an enlightening introduction to the sounds of the morning. Breakfast to follow.
Morning:	On a guided nature walk around Crater Lake, search for monkeys and learn to identify the prints left behind by animals that visit the lake during the night. A short hike to the rim of the crater provides the opportunity to discuss the formation of the crater from a geological perspective. Continue to the wildlife sanctuary with the naturalist guide for a rare opportunity to walk amongst the animals. To quietly stalk a browsing giraffe or a grazing eland gives a realistic perspective of the size and the beauty of these large animals.
Lunch:	BBQ at the camp.
Afternoon:	After lunch, meet in the conference room to watch a video presentation. An afternoon walk in the vicinity of the lake will focus on animal tracks and how to identify them.
Dinner:	Dinner at the camp.
Evening:	A night game drive in the sanctuary will introduce us to the eyes and sounds of the night.

Accommodations:	Crater Lake Tented Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Masai Mara - Nature Walk with a Maasai Warrior/Camp Fire Stories
(Friday, June 21)

Breakfast:	At the camp.
Morning:	Depart for the Masai Mara.
Lunch:	Box lunch en route.
Afternoon:	Orientation to the camp and presentation on the Masai Mara, Kenya's most famous reserve, by the resident Maasai naturalist. A nature walk with a Maasai warrior will address the dos and don'ts when encountering wild animals. Camp fire stories with a Maasai warrior.
Dinner:	At the camp.
Evening:	After dinner, learn about the Great Migration during a video presentation.

Accommodations:	Nyumbu Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Masai Mara - Game Drives in the Mara
(Saturday, June 22)

Breakfast:	Early breakfast at the camp.
Morning:	Depart for a game drive in the Masai Mara. The focus will be on bit cats--lion, leopard, and cheetah--with discussions and observation of their different hunting strategies and social structure. Also, expect to see your first elephants in the wild and learn how members of a family of elephants help each other. As we approach the Mara River, the focus turns to the Great Migration. Marvel at the long lines of wildebeest and zebra moving through the rolling savannah grasslands on their annual 800 mile journey in search of food.
Lunch:	Picnic lunch in the Mara.
Afternoon:	After lunch, continue with your game drive in the Masai Mara. Return to the camp. Before dinner, enjoy a camp fire orientation with a Maasai warrior in preparation for your up and coming visit to a Maasai village. Swahili lessons before dinner.
Dinner:	At the camp.

Accommodations:	Nyumbu Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

Masai Mara - Learning the Ways of the Maasai/Visit a Maasai Village
(Sunday, June 23)

Breakfast:	At the camp.
Morning:	Walk with a Maasai warrior to understand the movements of the wild animals by studying their hoof prints and droppings. Learn how the Maasai protect themselves from a wild animal attack by using their fighting sticks, spears, and bows and arrows. Practice the same drills that warriors do to become proficient with their weapons. Learn how to make fire by creating friction with a stick and piece of wood and make a toothbrush from a tree branch--the Maasai way. Meet local teachers and school children during a visit to a rural school (if in session). *Although not required, previous participants have enjoyed taking basic school supplies to donate to the school.*
Lunch:	At the camp.
Afternoon:	Take part in a Maasai ritual in preparation for the farewell dinner. During a visit to a local Maasai village, mingle with the young children as they herd the calves and goats back to the village for the night. Count the cows as they return to the village and participate in their milking. Help to settle the calves into the huts and spend time in the hut learning about the Maasai way of life. Return to the camp.
Dinner:	Farewell dinner at the camp with a Maasai celebration.
Evening:	Continue dancing with the Masai, learning about the meaning of their different dances.

Accommodations:	Nyumbu Camp
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Return to Nairobi and Departures
(Monday, June 24)

Arrive To:	At the camp.
Morning:	Begin transfer to Nairobi.
Lunch:	In Nairobi at a local hotel.
Afternoon:	Participants will be accommodated at the Panari Hotel until it is time to depart for the airport (check-out at 6 p.m.). Enjoy time at leisure to finish packing, make use of hotel amenities, or simply relax before your international flights. Enjoy some snacks at the hotel before leaving for the airport. Transfer to the airport and check-in for international overnight flights.

Meals Included:

Lunch

Day 13:

Arrive in the U.S.
(Tuesday, June 25)

Arrive To:

International flight arrivals to the U.S.

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals

Author: Richard Estes

Description: Specifically written for those interested in understanding behavior of the animals they see on safari. This text includes icons, tables and a thorough glossary.

Out of Africa & Shadows on the Grass

Author: Isak Dinesen

Description: Brought together in one volume, this duet offers East Africa in the early 1900s. Dinesen�s graphic narratives mesh the wonders of Africa with her determination as a businesswoman. In Shadows on the Grass, four dramatic stories detail timeless friendships made while in East Africa.

Swahili Phrase Book and Dictionary

Author: Berlitz International

Description: This handy paperback contains essential words and phrases for East Africa.

Maasai Days

Author: Cheryl Bentsen

Description: This book was recommended by a participant. He stated that, "The trip to the Maasai village that we took was exactly as she described. This book greatly increased my understanding of the Maasai culture."

Culture and Customs of Kenya

Author: Neal Sobania

Description: This book was recommended by a participant. He stated that it is �an up-to-date and well-written book that covers all aspects of life in Kenya. This book is part of a series on culture and customs in several African countries.�

Kenya Globetrotter Map

Author: Globetrotter

Description: This map features an index along with extra inset maps of Nairobi, coast north and south of Mombasa, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and other parks.

Lonely Planet Kenya Country Guide

Author: Lonely Planet

Description: In the tradition of Lonely Planet country guides, this book provides a good introduction to Kenya, the national parks, and other places of interest.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Author: Joseph Lenasolai Lekuton & Herman Viola

Description: Although this short memoir is written for young adults, it will appeal to adults of all ages. Lekuton, a Maasai, details his childhood in Kenya as a member of a poor tribe, living a traditional nomadic lifestyle. He contrasts the freedoms and tribal culture of his early childhood with life at a missionary boarding school and his eventual move to the U.S. to pursue a college education.

Kenya Insight Guide

Author: Insight Guides

Description: Part of the Insight Guide Series, this book contains a wealth of information about Kenya. Filled with maps, information and great photos.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

10 nights accommodations
28 meals: 9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 6
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 15
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 9
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.
Performances: 1
Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

Discover the importance of saving orphaned animals during visits to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Center.
Learn and practice the skills Maasai warriors use to protect themselves from wild animals and herd cattle.
Observe and learn about Kenya's rich animal life through game drives and walking safaris in wildlife parks and reserves.
Interact with Maasai at a local village and experience their culture and way of life.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Highlights

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain. Some long drives on bumpy, dusty roads.

For grandkids ages 10-13 or 14-17 (depending on program date).

Date Specific Information

For grandkids ages 10-13.

For grandkids ages 14-17.

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 to 13 years of age.

Program intended for grandchildren from 14 to 17 years of age

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Nairobi (Kenya), 2 nights; coach to Lake Elementaita, 1 night; coach to Lake Nakuru, 2 nights; coach to Lake Naivasha, 2 nights; coach to Masai Mara, 3 nights; coach to Nairobi for departure.

Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

1 night

Arrival Nairobi (Kenya)

2 nights

Coach to Lake Elementaita

1 night

Coach to Lake Nakuru

2 nights

Journey into the Great Rift Valley, a massive trench that provides an exciting geology lesson. A Maasai warrior leads you into the bush around Lake Elementaita. See the famous flamingos of Lake Nakuru and explore its rhino sanctuary. Learn Kenyan songs and dances at a nearby village.

Coach to Lake Naivasha

2 nights

Watch hand axes being made just as they were during the Stone Age. Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and watch for African Fish Eagles swooping to catch their prey. In the Crater Lake Sanctuary, roam on foot among zebras, elands and warthogs and look for monkeys in the trees above.

Coach to Masai Mara

3 nights

Coach to Nairobi

Overnight flight to the U.S.A.

1 night

Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, the home of the Maasai people and a place where wild animals move about freely among the herds of the Maasai. Study some of the mighty predators that live here: lions, cheetahs, leopards and the crocodiles of the Mara River.

Kenya

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Daily Schedule

Suggested Reading List

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals

Author: Richard Estes

Description: Specifically written for those interested in understanding behavior of the animals they see on safari. This text includes icons, tables and a thorough glossary.

Out of Africa & Shadows on the Grass

Author: Isak Dinesen

Description: Brought together in one volume, this duet offers East Africa in the early 1900s. Dinesen�s graphic narratives mesh the wonders of Africa with her determination as a businesswoman. In Shadows on the Grass, four dramatic stories detail timeless friendships made while in East Africa.

Swahili Phrase Book and Dictionary

Author: Berlitz International

Description: This handy paperback contains essential words and phrases for East Africa.

Maasai Days

Author: Cheryl Bentsen

Description: This book was recommended by a participant. He stated that, "The trip to the Maasai village that we took was exactly as she described. This book greatly increased my understanding of the Maasai culture."

Culture and Customs of Kenya

Author: Neal Sobania

Description: This book was recommended by a participant. He stated that it is �an up-to-date and well-written book that covers all aspects of life in Kenya. This book is part of a series on culture and customs in several African countries.�

Kenya Globetrotter Map

Author: Globetrotter

Description: This map features an index along with extra inset maps of Nairobi, coast north and south of Mombasa, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and other parks.

Lonely Planet Kenya Country Guide

Author: Lonely Planet

Description: In the tradition of Lonely Planet country guides, this book provides a good introduction to Kenya, the national parks, and other places of interest.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Author: Joseph Lenasolai Lekuton & Herman Viola

Kenya Insight Guide

Author: Insight Guides

Description: Part of the Insight Guide Series, this book contains a wealth of information about Kenya. Filled with maps, information and great photos.

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