The largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg, Nairobi is a modern, cosmopolitan capital. Graceful jacaranda and bougainvillea line the main streets, and parks and gardens occupy large areas in the centre. Located in the fertile highlands at 5,000 feet, it has a delightful climate, with warm sunny days and cool nights.

You will see a thriving business center, with the modern Kenyatta Conference Centre and Parliament Building, and first-class restaurants. The traditional still survives in colorful wooden buildings with tiled roofs, and arcades from the colonial era.

The newly-renovated Norfolk is a world-famous hotel built in the Tudor style. Since its opening on Christmas Day 1904, the Norfolk has delighted generation after generation of visitors with its service, luxurious style and unfailingly high standards. It is the 5-star hotel of Nairobi in terms of rooms, amenities, food, service and ambiance.

Welcome to Africa, Olivia style!

We have an amazing day planned for you! After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll meet with your Olivia and Micato Safari teams for your Safari Briefing and Q&A. Later, you’ll enjoy lunch in Gemini Desai’s garden. Gemini is an expert bead jeweler, who donates some of her proceeds to help young girls get an education and break the cycle of poverty. This is a unique chance to meet a fascinating Kenyan woman operating a cottage-industry-turned-international-business and to learn about the history of beads.

After lunch we will continue to the home of Lady Karen von Blixen, author of the book Out of Africa. The National Museums of Kenya restored this lovely home to commemorate Karen Blixen's fascinating life.

We’ll then continue to the Giraffe Centre, resting within 120 acres of primeval forest, yet only eight miles from Nairobi. It is home to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), which is devoted to the preservation of the endangered Rothschild giraffe. You will have the rare treat of hand-feeding these gentle giants, facing them eye-to-eye from an elevated viewing platform.

This evening, Jane and Felix Pinto, owners of Micato Safaris, invite you to their home for welcome cocktails and dinner. Their house, high atop Lavington Hill, offers spectacular views of Nairobi. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Kenyan hospitality at its best. During this festive evening, you will also listen to beautiful singing by a famous Kenyan children’s choir.

After an early breakfast, you’re off on safari! Today we fly to Amboseli on a private charter to maximize your precious vacation time. Amboseli National Park, famous for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, is dominated by snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Check in at our deluxe camp, Ol Tukai Lodge, which is set in the heart of Amboseli National Park, amidst green lawns and acacia trees.

Relax over lunch and then prepare for your exhilarating afternoon game run—we’ll be on the lookout for elephants, eland, kongoni, wildebeest, gazelle, oryx, and zebra. As the sun edges lower in the sky, we’ll enjoy chilled champagne, delectable fresh strawberries and a vast panorama at “Poachers Lookout” as the red sun dips below the horizon and the stars slowly appear.

Awaken to the sights and sounds of big game country. This park is known for its felines: lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as serval and civet cats. Herds of graceful impalas thrive on the short grass in the woodlands, along with the black-faced vervet monkey, olive baboon and greater kudu. Hippos live in the open waters and swamp channels, and buffalo feed on the shoreline. Elephants love the water and penetrate so deep into the swamps they seem to be swimming. Morning and afternoon game drives will give you plenty of time to observe these amazing creatures close up.

There is a large and attractive swimming pool with shady areas for relaxation, and a pool bar for snacks and drinks. Animal watch from the open-air Elephant Bar that looks over the wetlands, or settle down in the library, which commands a lovely view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

At dinnertime, you will gather on the terrace of the lodge as the sun sets behind snowcapped Kilimanjaro. As darkness falls, torches are lit and the moon throws off a glimmering light over a delicious barbecue served under the stars. Maasai warriors in full dress join us for this enchanted evening affair.

You’ll take Olivia’s special time-saving flight between Amboseli and the Maasai Mara. We get there faster and have lots of time for our safaris after settling in at Main Governor’s Camp, a deluxe tented camp! Get ready for spectacular scenery and magnificent, diverse wildlife. This is truly a first-rate safari experience. We only put six guests in each 9-person Jeep so you’ll have your own window and roof hatch for this amazing game drive.

After an early morning game drive and breakfast back at the lodge, you’ll board your flight to Massai Mara, again avoiding the long drives on bumpy, dusty roads that take away from having an afternoon safari game drive.

The Maasai Mara is the finest game sanctuary in the country, home to an astonishing number and variety of animals. You will have a short game drive en route to your luxury tented camp, the Main Governor’s Camp, which embodies comfortable elegance set against a stunning backdrop.

After check-in and lunch, you will meet one of the most respected and well-known Maasai elders, who will talk to you about the Maasai perspective on tourism and wildlife, and the effect of outside influences on this ancient society. You’ll learn some Kenyan history, hear his evaluation of the country today, and his vision for the Maasai people in this new millennium.

Next, you’ll explore the bush on your first game drive in the Maasai Mara. Get ready for spectacular scenery and magnificent, diverse wildlife. Those trees in the distance might turn out to be a family of giraffes. That clump of bushes may be a pride of lions. And the rock that moves? A rhino lumbering out of your way. You may encounter a family of cheetahs, or a herd of elephants crossing the path in front of you. This is truly a first-rate safari experience.

En route home, under a beautiful big acacia tree, with breathtaking views of the Mara plains, you’ll partake of sunset cocktails served in chilled crystal glasses. Then it’s back to camp for a delicious dinner and an evening of relaxation.

You’ll experience the Maasai Mara in-depth, with a Maasai village visit, private drinks reception and a bush dinner. Get ready for an amazing cultural experience.

This morning, set off again in pursuit of amazing wildlife. Prides of more than twenty lions, including the majestic black-maned male, are not uncommon. Or, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, topis, gazelles and black rhinos and hippos.

Those who prefer to stretch their legs may go on a bush walk with the Maasai, take part in an optional hot air balloon safari, or an optional flying excursion to Lake Victoria.

Next, you will explore the Mara on your afternoon game run, followed by dinner and an evening of good conversation under the sparkling African stars.

Two game runs are yours for the taking again today: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit to a Maasai village. At the Maasai village, you will participate in the singing and dancing, while learning about the Maasai’s history and culture.

In the evening, a private area near the Mara River is the site of your farewell bush dinner. Hippo and crocodile grunt and splash in the muddy waters below. Candles flicker in the darkness, throwing golden light on starched white tablecloths and bouquets of local wild flowers. After a delicious meal, you will retire to the crackling campfire to savor your last night at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

After a last morning game drive and a leisurely breakfast, you will say farewell to your tented camp in the Maasai Mara and board your flight to Nairobi crossing the Great Rift Valley.

After lunch at The Norfolk, you can visit the Mukuru slums and the American Share project orphanage and school, or you can explore the local shops and boutiques, or you can do both! In the evening, we will join together for a private farewell dinner at the famed Carnivore Restaurant. Sample flame-roasted meats – Kenya’s finest Molo lamb, beef, spareribs and chicken wings, as well as wild boar, crocodile, ostrich and wildebeest. There are plenty of choices, for the timid as well as the adventurous eater, and there is even a tempting vegetarian menu.

After dinner you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Those joining us on the Mount Kenya Safari Club Extension will be transferred back to the Norfolk Hotel for an overnight. More information on this extension will be available by May of 2009.

As you bid farewell to Kenya, you will know this has been a journey you will remember for the rest of your life.