The Lakes Tour

DAY 1: HELL'S GATE NATIONAL PARK

We start our safari by driving to Hell's Gate National Park, Hell's Gate National Park lies to the south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, North West of Nairobi. The park, which is mainly, comprised of savannah ecosystem harbors a wide variety of wildlife. There are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreauxs Eagles, augur buzzard, and swifts. African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, and baboons are also common. The park is also home to klipspringer antelope.

Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

DAY 2: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK / MENENGAI CRATER

An early morning pick up then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, across the equator, lays the rift valleys most famous Lake Nakuru. Known all over the world for its flamingos, it's alkaline and is harboring a population of over 40 black and over 60 white rhinos, but the flamingos, of course, have always been the main attraction. At times there may be almost 2 million flamingoes in the residence, forming a stunningly beautiful deep pink band around the edge of the lake shore. Arrive in time for lunch then have an afternoon game drive, just 10km north of the lake we visit the Menengai crater, it is a massive shield volcano with one of the biggest calderas in the world, located in the Great Rift Valley Kenya. Farmland occupies its flanks.

Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

DAY 3: LAKE BOGORIA

Just south of Baringo, is Lake Bogoria, formerly known as Lake Hannington, the lake and the surrounding area is a national reserve. Lying close to the base of the Ngendalel Escarpment, which rise 610m(200ft) above the lake. The lake is scenically the most spectacular and dramatic of all the Rift Valley lakes. Long, narrow and deep, it is strongly alkaline and surrounded by dense, impenetrable thorn bush. Around the lakeshore are a number of geysers and hot springs, which at dawn can sometimes form a thick mist. There are times when Lake Bogoria is home to thousands of flamingos. It is also home to a variety of mammals; common zebra, Grant's gazelle, impala, klipspringer, dik-dik and the magnificent greater kudu, which is both profolic and tame, we drive Baringo.

Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

DAY 4: LAKE BARINGO

North of Lake Bogoria, is Lake Baringo, a fresh water lake and now a major tourist resort lying deep in the valley. Although surrounded by semi desert, the scenery is rugged and majestic. To the east of the lake rise the dramatic Tugen hills, birth place of president Moi (second president of Kenya) and to the west is the Laikipia Escarpment. Unfortunately the lakes water is stained brown; considerable overgrazing by the goats has stripped the soil of its groundcover, during heavy rains, fine volcanic silts are washed into the lake. They are so fine that much of the silts never settles, resulting to murky water. Even so the lake holds a good fish population, mainly tilapia and barbell, plus herds of hippo and many crocodiles. Baringo is regarded as the bird watching center of Kenya; with over 450 species recorded. Not only is there a proliferation of water birds but also wonderful variety of birds in the acacia bush bordering the lake, many of them difficult to see elsewhere.

Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

DAY 5 AND 6: LAKE TURKANA

Of the Rift Valley's lakes, Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolf) in the extreme north is the most dramatic. With a length of 318km (198 miles) and a width of around 56km (35miles), it's one of the largest alkaline lakes in the world. Turkana, often referred to as Jade Sea because of the blue-green, jade-like color of its water, is surrounded by harsh, rugged, dry desert country with spectacular scenery that's almost constantly whipped by strong winds. The lakes water is only alkaline (water is drinkable) as result it supports some aquatic vegetation and a large population of fish and birds, as well as crocodiles, which prey on them. Nile perch, some as large as 90kg (200lb), occur in the waters, proving that at one time the lake was connected on the Nile system. Tiger fish and tilapia species are also present in the lake.

A visit to Sibiloi National Park is a must, covering an area of 1570km square (600sq miles), the park has a surprising number and variety of wildlife, despite its being extremely arid and wind-blown. It includes lion, Grevy's zebras, beisa Oryx, gerenuk, Grants gazelle and a unique family member of the topi, called tiang. Birdlife too is varied and at times plentiful, especially during the European winter months, when the lake shore is home to large numbers of wading birds, among them black tailed godwits and redshanks. For the really keen bird-watchers, the birds found in the arid bush are perhaps the most interesting; swallow-tailed kites, Heuglin's and kori bustards, Lichtenstein's sand grouse, Somali and carmine bee- eaters and both crested and short-crested larks are just a few of the wonderful birds found in the area.

Visiting Turkan's Volcanic Islands is something to look forward to. Lake Turkana has three volcanic islands. North Island, small and rocky, is inhabited only by snakes. Midway down the lake is Central Island, a national park formed from three still active volcanoes which occasionally belch out steam and smoke. Each of the volcanoes is flooded; the result, three interesting lakes which serve as breeding grounds for possibly the world's largest crocodile population. The lakes features crocodiles, flamingoes and tilapia. The third island appropriately named South Island, it is the largest; it is also a national park. Volcanic ash covers most of it, making it most desolate except for a few feral goats. At night its volcanic vents often glow and have inspired the el-molo people to relate stories of evil spirits.

Few people visit Turkana's southern shore, an area of scorched, black lava and one of the most inhospitable places on earth. The shoreline is dominated by Teleki's volcano and Nabuyatom cone, which form part of ''The Barrier'' separating Turkana from the Suguta Valley, one of the world's hottest location; midday temperatures average between 72-77 degree Celsius (130-140F). The terrain is so difficult that there is virtually no access between the east and the west shores.

Dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

DAY 7: LAKE TURKANA - NAIROBI

Soon after breakfast we drive to Nairobi, we drop you off at your accommodation or the airport.

This tour can depart any day of the year.