African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: JKI Airport Nairobi
On arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a driver after you’ve collected your bags.
Nairobi to Laikipia by road & light aircraft
After a transfer of around an hour through Nairobi's traffic to Wilson Airport, board a 45-minute flight over the Central Highlands for Lewa Downs Airstrip. A guide will meet you for the drive to Lewa Wilderness, a journey of 30–90 minutes, depending on the wildlife that you spot en route.
Lewa Wilderness
Lewa Wilderness (previously known as Lewa Wilderness Trails or Wilderness Trails Lodge) is set on a steep valley side looking out over the Western Marania Valley and a spring below. Started as a tented camp by the Craig family 30 years ago, it is now a comfortable, nine-room lodge offering access to the great game of the Lewa Conservancy.
Lewa Wilderness (previously known as Lewa Wilderness Trails or Wilderness Trails Lodge) is set on a steep valley side looking out over the Western Marania Valley and a spring below. Started as a tented camp by the Craig family 30 years ago, it is now a comfortable, nine-room lodge offering access to the great game of the Lewa Conservancy.
"Absolutely beautiful...just wanted to make you happy...wildlife is abundant"
Ms M.fromNew YorkArrived 11 Dec 2020, 3 nights
Lewa Wilderness is extremely friendly and relaxing. We really enjoyed the homely feel, and the way you could just help yourself to drinks from the cabinet. That the lodge gets a lot of repeat business is testament to this atmosphere, and also perhaps to the fantastic variety of activities – you have to come back for more. Lewa makes a great option for families who want a fenced property for their children, and couples who want somewhere more permanent than a tented camp. See our full report on Lewa Wilderness
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Horse-riding
Night drive
Laikipia to the Mara by 4WD & light aircraft
Leaving Lewa Wilderness by 4WD, you'll transfer to a light aircraft for the 60–90 minute flight over the Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara. A guide from Naboisho will be waiting to escort you through the bush to camp, a leisurely drive of up to an hour, watching out for wildlife.
Naboisho Camp
Appealing both to safari purists and those seeking a little luxury, Naboisho Camp is one of the most upmarket of the handful of small, unfenced camps in the relatively little-visited Mara Naboisho Conservancy, just north of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. Surrounded by untouched savannah and dense thicket, it is located in a game-rich area where guests frequently witness spectacular wildlife events.
Appealing both to safari purists and those seeking a little luxury, Naboisho Camp is one of the most upmarket of the handful of small, unfenced camps in the relatively little-visited Mara Naboisho Conservancy, just north of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. Surrounded by untouched savannah and dense thicket, it is located in a game-rich area where guests frequently witness spectacular wildlife events.
"This is an extremely luxurious camp."
Rhodes FamilyfromLondonArrived 21 Jul 2023, 3 nights
Very well run and smoothly hosted Naboisho Camp is hard to fault. Standards of service and food are excellent and the comfort and sense of space extend throughout the camp. While the generously spread tents are capacious and smart they have retained a feel of the bush with their open-air safari showers. The guiding is superb, and the wildlife experience first-rate. Most of all, while the camp is a substantial and permanent set-up, its impact on the local environment feels relatively low and guests can expect exciting wildlife action on their doorstep. See our full report on Naboisho Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Maasai Mara to Nairobi by light aircraft & road
Today you'll return to the airstrip ready to board your light-aircraft flight of around an hour to Wilson Airport; look out for Maasai compounds below, or even flocks of flamingos. A driver-guide will transfer you to JKI Airport, or will help you explore Nairobi before it's time to check in.
Ends: JKI Airport Nairobi
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Balloon flight over the Mara
3 hours in total - morning only
With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.
More about Balloon Safari
Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
All day from sunrise to sunset
If you're not staying in the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, you're likely to be staying in one of the outstandingly wildlife-rich Maasai-owned private conservancies just outside the reserve boundary. A full-day game drive in the reserve gives you the chance to visit the Mara River and see some of the reserve's fabled wildlife locations.
More about Maasai Mara Safari
Scenic Biplane Flight on Lewa Conservancy
30 or 60 minute flights
Soar high and fly low over the rolling hills and plains of Laikipia’s famed Lewa Conservancy, on a scenic biplane flight. Offering you the chance to spot wildlife from the air, this flight takes place in an open-cockpit WACO biplane – a truly unique excursion in Kenya.
More about Scenic Bi-plane Flight