The Seychelles and Safari - Cruise & Land Journey, Loyalty Departure: 15 days Mahé, Seychelles to Nairobi

Your tropical cruise begins on Mahé island, the largest in the Seychelles and home of the capital, Victoria.  Transfer to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht this morning and embark on an unforgettable journey through this idyllic Indian Ocean paradise. In the afternoon, you’ll sail to Sainte Anne Island.

Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 01:00 PM.

Sainte Anne Island is encircled by a Marine National Park that’s home to incredible marine life including more than 150 species of fish. Sainte Anne is also a significant nesting site for Hawksbill turtles.

Late in the morning, you’ll sail to Cousin, a small island renowned as a haven for seabirds. The granitic islet was a private property until 1968 when it was purchased by the International Council for Bird Preservation to transform it into a nature reserve. It’s the most protected island in the archipelago, providing a breeding ground for 11 seabird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles.  Later, you will sail to Praslin to stay overnight.

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

Early in the morning, set sail for La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it is also fringed by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source d'Argent – it has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. Sail to Curieuse later in the evening.

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. The island was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house now has a museum and visitor’s centre. Nature trails wind through the island, passing mangrove swamps and the native coco de mer palm trees.

Early in the morning, sail to the lush, green island of Aride, a nature reserve managed by the International Conservation Society. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than 30 rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

Return to Mahé for the final days of your voyage.  The capital city, Victoria, was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British for Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park.

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes here. From the yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Nairobi.

Jambo – karibu! Welcome to Kenya. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet your Emerald representative for a welcome with a glass of sparkling wine. Your driver-guide will transfer you to your hotel.
This evening, enjoy a farm-to-table set-menu dinner at Cultiva Restaurant before returning to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Tamarind Tree or similar

After breakfast, travel towards the town of Nanyuki and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch. The not-for-profit wildlife conservancy is home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos on the planet, females Najin and Fatu. It is also home to a protected population of eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos.
After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive to explore the conservancy and look for wildlife. Return to camp for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Two-night stay: Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Waterhole View Room

Spend the day exploring Ol Pejeta Conservancy on morning and afternoon game drives. You’ll also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya. Learn about the animals cared for here, observe them from the viewing area and understand how illegal trade affects Africa’s great apes.

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Enjoy a classic safari moment with sundowners by the marsh this evening. Sip your drinks while watching elephants, rhinos and gazelles gather by the waterhole as the day draws to a close.

After breakfast, travel to Lake Nakuru National Park via Thompsons Falls, a beautiful 74-metre waterfall on the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Enjoy lunch before setting off on an afternoon game drive in the national park in search of black and white rhinos, leopards, flamingos, and other birdlife. This evening, ring in the New Year with a celebratory dinner specially arranged in the camp grounds.
Included experience: New Year’s Eve dinner
Overnight stay: Mbweha Camp

Happy New Year!. Travel to the Masai Mara.
This afternoon, take a game drive across the reserve’s open plains. Look for lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards, along with elephants, buffalo, rhinos, wildebeest, zebras and varied birdlife. Return to camp for dinner and your overnight stay.
Three-night stay: Tipilikwani Camp

Enjoy a full day exploring the Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Across its wide grasslands, look out for lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards, as well as elephants, buffalo, rhinos, wildebeest and zebras. The reserve also supports varied birdlife, adding another dimension to your safari experience. All meals and your overnight stay are at camp.

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Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari ( additional cost, please book on tour)

Enjoy a bush breakfast before continuing your exploration of the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. All meals and your overnight stay are at camp.

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Enjoy an unforgettable bush breakfast. Surrounded by untouched wilderness and with animals in the distance, it’s a signature experience of Tipilikwani Camp.

This morning, take a scheduled flight from the Masai Mara to Nairobi. On arrival, enjoy lunch at Carnivore Restaurant.
Continue to the Crowne Plaza near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a day room is available before your departure. Transfer to the airport terminal in time for your international flight home.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza, day room only

Please book your flight to depart out of Nairobi after 04:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.