Seabourn Journey - Nairobi National Park

 This Seabourn Journey is part of our 2024 Grand Africa Voyage. Contact Seabourn Reservations to book. 
 

Giraffe Centre is the headquarters for AFEW, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. Made famous by ‘Daisy Rothschild’, a giraffe calf rescued from Soi, Giraffe Centre was established in 1983 as a sanctuary for the then endangered Rothschild giraffe. Visitors can now watch these gentle giants at eye level from a raised platform. There is also the opportunity to learn more about giraffe at the interpretation centre and hand-feed them whilst watching the semi-tame family of warthogs snuffle around.

Located in Karen, the beautiful Nairobi suburb which was once part of Karen Blixen’s vast coffee estate, ‘Mbogani’ was Karen’s home from 1917 until 1931. The house and grounds were made famous by the film ‘Out of Africa’ and have been restored by the Danish community of Kenya. Visitors have a glimpse of typical colonial life in Kenya at the turn of the twentieth century. 

Unbelievably close to the human bustle of the city, this is an important wildlife reserve. It provides an opportunity to catch a first look at lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos during one of the easiest game drive opportunities on Earth. The reserve is also an important breeding center for the endangered black rhino and home to more than 100 different sorts of mammals, with as many as 400 species of birds recorded. The park will give you a chance for close-quarters animal viewing.

You'll then take a short walk beneath the canopy of the Oloolua Forest – a dry tropical forest that once would have covered most of this part of Nairobi. The forest provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and is a favorite walking spot for residents. A variety of wildlife still calls the forest its home and your walk will be accompanied by the sound of birds calling from the trees.  A storyteller shares magical tales that have been handed down from generation to generation; stories of great warriors and tricky tortoises that will leave you captivated. Your lunch is a miniature picnic feast and in this beautiful forest setting.

Dame Daphne Sheldrick started the Elephant and sometimes, rhino, orphanage in honour of her late husband David, the Warden of 6,000 square mile Tsavo National Park where they lived and raised orphans of every species at their home. The Orphanage is on the edge of Nairobi National Park where the youngsters feed in their mini herds with a mini Matriarch every day. Have semi private encounters with the elephants lead by a head keeper providing information and background. This is the most famous, the largest and most successful elephant orphanage in Africa.