CATHOLIC AFRICA AND ADVENTURE TOUR
11 Days / 9 Nights
NAIROBI, ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK, SAMBURU GAME RESERVE, LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
The Catholic Church in Kenya is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pope in the Vatican City. The earliest traces of the Catholic Church in Kenya begin with the missionaries that penetrated the state in 1498, led by Vasco da Gama. Due to regional conflict, poor transportation, and a largely nomadic presence, it became more established in northern Kenya during the twentieth century. The Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian Church, and its largest religious grouping. There are an estimated 7.5 million baptised Catholics in Kenya, approximately 33% of the population.

Inclusions
-
Round-trip air USA – Nairobi – USA
-
Meet and Assist by your Perillo Tours representative
-
Private air-conditioned motor coach with your English speaking guide
-
9 Night accommodations in choice of 4 or 5 star hotel and Lodge
-
Full Board bases (breakfast, lunch & dinner) daily
-
Hotel and Lodge taxes and service fees
-
Porterage of 1 suitcase per person
-
All entrance fees
-
All group transfers on private bases
-
24 Hour emergency hotline

Inclusions
-
Round-trip air USA – Nairobi – USA
-
Meet and Assist by your Perillo Tours representative
-
Private air-conditioned motor coach with your English speaking guide
-
9 Night accommodations in choice of 4 or 5 star hotel and Lodge
-
Full Board bases (breakfast, lunch & dinner) daily
-
Hotel and Lodge taxes and service fees
-
Porterage of 1 suitcase per person
-
All entrance fees
-
All group transfers on private bases
-
24 Hour emergency hotline

Dates & Rates
Select a Departure Date

At a Glance
- DAY 1: USA
- DAY 2: NAIROBI
- DAY 3: NAIROBI
- DAY 4: ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 5: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
- DAY 6: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
- DAY 7: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 8: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 9: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
- DAY 10: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
- DAY 11: NAIROBI - USA

PRINT THE FULL ITINERARY

Itinerary
Click on the plus sign for full day description.
DAY 1: USA
Depart for your overnight flight to Nairobi, Africa.
DAY 2: NAIROBI
JAMBO - KARIBU!! It is ‘touch down’ at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Your Perillo Tours representative in Kenya eagerly awaits your arrival in our unique and traditional African style - wet towels and welcome (non-alcoholic) drink. It is a tradition in Africa to present a gift as an expression of our joy and happiness - what better gift than an authentic safari hat and other safari essentials! Transfer to your hotel in Nairobi for some rest and relaxation.
Early this evening proceed to St. Austin’s Catholic Church for an evening of celebrating mass. St. Austin Catholic Parish, located in the suburb of Lavington, was founded by a small group of Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (the Spiritans) in 1899. They were the first Catholic missionaries in East Africa, arriving in Zanzibar in 1860, and quickly moving to mainland Tanzania and later into Kenya.
Tonight, after celebrating Mass, you will be guests of the Manji Family, your hosts in Kenya to a welcome dinner at their family home in Nairobi. After an enjoyable and memorable evening return to your hotel for overnight. (D.)
DAY 3: NAIROBI
After a sumptuous breakfast depart on a brief tour of the city with a visit to Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, the biggest Catholic Church and seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. Built in the 1940’s and 1950’s with interruptions due to the liberation struggle for Independence the church provided an ideal opportunity to cater to the needs of the sprawling Catholic community attracted by the building of the railway line from Mombasa to Uganda.
Continue to the beautiful suburb of Karen for an alfresco lunch at the Tamambo Restaurant set in the beautiful grounds of Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens. After lunch visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre to feed the Rothschild giraffe, and later proceed for an evening celebration of mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus where recently the replica of the biblical “Ark of the Covenant” was installed. The Ark of the Covenant also known as the Ark of the Testimony is a gold-covered wooden chest with lid cover described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. With a refreshed soul return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B.L.D.)
DAY 4: ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
An early departure, after breakfast, takes you some 30 miles away to the Komarock Sacred Shrine where, from ancient times the locals offered prayers for rain and protection against diseases. Legend has it that often the local girls would see a mysterious woman singing to a baby in her arms and gently rocking the baby to sleep. Komarock Shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary with the ten foot statue representing Our Lady as she appeared at Lourdes in 1854. The huge 70 feet figure of Jesus leaning against her chest invites the devotees to prayer, penance and sacrifice.
Continue your journey to the ‘White Highlands’ and Mt. Kenya arriving for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. After lunch a short transfer takes you to The Ark located some 7,000ft above sea level deep in the Aberdare Ranges. Modeled after Noah’s Ark, The Ark has four viewing decks with balconies and lounges to provide superb game viewing from the comfort of the lodge. The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a host of awesome wildlife. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 5: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
After breakfast, depart to Nyeri Town to Our Lady of Consolata Catholic Church where the remains of Blessed Sister Irene Stafano are interred. Sister Irene, nicknamed ‘Nyaatha’ (meaning Mother of Mercy), was beatified in May, 2015 at the first ever beatification ceremony held on the African soil, view a monument dedicated to Sister Irene and continue onto Samburu Game Reserve. Pass through Isiolo Town which is the headquarters of the Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo that serves a mix of pastoralist communities.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Enjoy some rest before proceeding on your first adventure in search of wildlife. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic northern species including the Gerenuk (twiga gazelle) due to its long neck, the Beisa Oryx, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
DAY 6: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
Enjoy an early morning game viewing drive to return in time for breakfast. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river brings a perfect end to a day on safari. Mid-morning visit Archers Post Catholic Mission to hear how the local priests interact and teach the gospel to a pastoral community who move frequently in search of grazing land for their livestock. Return to your lodge for lunch and perhaps some rest before proceeding on an afternoon of game viewing drive. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 7: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast depart with picnic lunch boxes to Nakuru but with a detour to the hilly landscape overlooking the fertile Subukia valley where stands a towering white cross that welcomes visitors to the sacred grounds of the National Marian Shrine of Kenya. The shrine, commonly known as Mji wa Maria, stands on the Equator — the meeting point of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The Catholic Church set up and blessed Mji wa Maria, designating it as a holy place in honour of Virgin Mary. According to the history of the shrine, there is a spring which started flowing since December 1991, on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and which has since never dried up. The water flowing from the spring is believed to have miraculous healing powers that attracts thousands of pilgrims to worship and reflect upon their lives.
Continue to Nakuru to arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. The environment at Lake Nakuru National Park is welcoming, one of the best places to relax, unwind and enjoy nature’s beauty. The scenery is breath-taking; a sight of the virgin forest is re-assuring. The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black and white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impalas, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. Enjoy dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
DAY 8: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast is followed by a morning of game viewing drives in the scenic national park returning for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Proceed on another game drive this afternoon or simply relax at your lodge and savour the beauty of your surroundings. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 9: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
After a hearty early morning breakfast drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. We arrive at the lodge to a very warm welcome and in time for lunch. Later this afternoon is the moment we have been longing for – depart on an exciting game viewing drive in this world famous game reserve. The Rolling plains and grasslands, stretching far into the horizons as far as the eye can see is home to the black-manned lion, the savannah elephant, the Cape buffalo, wildebeests, the elusive leopard, cheetah, the spotted & stripped hyena, the black rhino, topi, Burchell’s zebra, the Masai giraffe among many others. The Mara game reserve is one that can never disappoint. One is spoilt by the variety of bird and wildlife species in this game reserve. (B.L.D.)
DAY 10: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Full day in this beautiful game reserve with morning and afternoon game viewing drives returning to the lodge for all meals and overnight. Be on the look-out for the big five that Masai Mara is famous for. You may even be so lucky to witness a lion stalk its prey or a leopard or cheetah sprint and make a kill! We return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
-
BALLOON SAFARI:
-
TRADITIONAL MASAI MANYATTA (VILLAGE)
DAY 11: NAIROBI - USA
Amka! Wake up early to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and unbelievable but true, all good things must come to an end and sadly you must say ‘Kwaheri’ to your wonderful lodge manager and his team, as you drive back to Nairobi to arrive for lunch. Proceed to The Resurrection Garden in Karen which is run by the Consolata Missionary. The elegant garden presents an artistic chronology of the life of Jesus Christ from birth to death and resurrection. The ornate garden’s unmatched serenity and religious aura has become the perfect place for many seeking a quiet time and place for prayers and religious retreats. To conclude a beautiful and serene day of prayers Mass will be celebrated after which you will proceed to The Carnivore Restaurant, a meat-eaters den for ‘eat as much as you can’. There is also a simple vegetarian menu to those who may be vegetarians. Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B.)
ASANTE SANA NA SAFARI NJEMA!
DAY 1: USA
Depart for your overnight flight to Nairobi, Africa.
DAY 2: NAIROBI
JAMBO - KARIBU!! It is ‘touch down’ at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Your Perillo Tours representative in Kenya eagerly awaits your arrival in our unique and traditional African style - wet towels and welcome (non-alcoholic) drink. It is a tradition in Africa to present a gift as an expression of our joy and happiness - what better gift than an authentic safari hat and other safari essentials! Transfer to your hotel in Nairobi for some rest and relaxation.
Early this evening proceed to St. Austin’s Catholic Church for an evening of celebrating mass. St. Austin Catholic Parish, located in the suburb of Lavington, was founded by a small group of Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (the Spiritans) in 1899. They were the first Catholic missionaries in East Africa, arriving in Zanzibar in 1860, and quickly moving to mainland Tanzania and later into Kenya.
Tonight, after celebrating Mass, you will be guests of the Manji Family, your hosts in Kenya to a welcome dinner at their family home in Nairobi. After an enjoyable and memorable evening return to your hotel for overnight. (D.)
DAY 3: NAIROBI
After a sumptuous breakfast depart on a brief tour of the city with a visit to Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, the biggest Catholic Church and seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. Built in the 1940’s and 1950’s with interruptions due to the liberation struggle for Independence the church provided an ideal opportunity to cater to the needs of the sprawling Catholic community attracted by the building of the railway line from Mombasa to Uganda.
Continue to the beautiful suburb of Karen for an alfresco lunch at the Tamambo Restaurant set in the beautiful grounds of Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens. After lunch visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre to feed the Rothschild giraffe, and later proceed for an evening celebration of mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus where recently the replica of the biblical “Ark of the Covenant” was installed. The Ark of the Covenant also known as the Ark of the Testimony is a gold-covered wooden chest with lid cover described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. With a refreshed soul return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B.L.D.)
DAY 4: ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
An early departure, after breakfast, takes you some 30 miles away to the Komarock Sacred Shrine where, from ancient times the locals offered prayers for rain and protection against diseases. Legend has it that often the local girls would see a mysterious woman singing to a baby in her arms and gently rocking the baby to sleep. Komarock Shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary with the ten foot statue representing Our Lady as she appeared at Lourdes in 1854. The huge 70 feet figure of Jesus leaning against her chest invites the devotees to prayer, penance and sacrifice.
Continue your journey to the ‘White Highlands’ and Mt. Kenya arriving for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. After lunch a short transfer takes you to The Ark located some 7,000ft above sea level deep in the Aberdare Ranges. Modeled after Noah’s Ark, The Ark has four viewing decks with balconies and lounges to provide superb game viewing from the comfort of the lodge. The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a host of awesome wildlife. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 5: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
After breakfast, depart to Nyeri Town to Our Lady of Consolata Catholic Church where the remains of Blessed Sister Irene Stafano are interred. Sister Irene, nicknamed ‘Nyaatha’ (meaning Mother of Mercy), was beatified in May, 2015 at the first ever beatification ceremony held on the African soil, view a monument dedicated to Sister Irene and continue onto Samburu Game Reserve. Pass through Isiolo Town which is the headquarters of the Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo that serves a mix of pastoralist communities.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Enjoy some rest before proceeding on your first adventure in search of wildlife. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic northern species including the Gerenuk (twiga gazelle) due to its long neck, the Beisa Oryx, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
DAY 6: SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
Enjoy an early morning game viewing drive to return in time for breakfast. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river brings a perfect end to a day on safari. Mid-morning visit Archers Post Catholic Mission to hear how the local priests interact and teach the gospel to a pastoral community who move frequently in search of grazing land for their livestock. Return to your lodge for lunch and perhaps some rest before proceeding on an afternoon of game viewing drive. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 7: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast depart with picnic lunch boxes to Nakuru but with a detour to the hilly landscape overlooking the fertile Subukia valley where stands a towering white cross that welcomes visitors to the sacred grounds of the National Marian Shrine of Kenya. The shrine, commonly known as Mji wa Maria, stands on the Equator — the meeting point of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The Catholic Church set up and blessed Mji wa Maria, designating it as a holy place in honour of Virgin Mary. According to the history of the shrine, there is a spring which started flowing since December 1991, on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and which has since never dried up. The water flowing from the spring is believed to have miraculous healing powers that attracts thousands of pilgrims to worship and reflect upon their lives.
Continue to Nakuru to arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. The environment at Lake Nakuru National Park is welcoming, one of the best places to relax, unwind and enjoy nature’s beauty. The scenery is breath-taking; a sight of the virgin forest is re-assuring. The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black and white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impalas, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. Enjoy dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
DAY 8: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast is followed by a morning of game viewing drives in the scenic national park returning for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Proceed on another game drive this afternoon or simply relax at your lodge and savour the beauty of your surroundings. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B.L.D.)
DAY 9: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
After a hearty early morning breakfast drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. We arrive at the lodge to a very warm welcome and in time for lunch. Later this afternoon is the moment we have been longing for – depart on an exciting game viewing drive in this world famous game reserve. The Rolling plains and grasslands, stretching far into the horizons as far as the eye can see is home to the black-manned lion, the savannah elephant, the Cape buffalo, wildebeests, the elusive leopard, cheetah, the spotted & stripped hyena, the black rhino, topi, Burchell’s zebra, the Masai giraffe among many others. The Mara game reserve is one that can never disappoint. One is spoilt by the variety of bird and wildlife species in this game reserve. (B.L.D.)
DAY 10: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Full day in this beautiful game reserve with morning and afternoon game viewing drives returning to the lodge for all meals and overnight. Be on the look-out for the big five that Masai Mara is famous for. You may even be so lucky to witness a lion stalk its prey or a leopard or cheetah sprint and make a kill! We return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
-
BALLOON SAFARI:
-
TRADITIONAL MASAI MANYATTA (VILLAGE)
DAY 11: NAIROBI - USA
Amka! Wake up early to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and unbelievable but true, all good things must come to an end and sadly you must say ‘Kwaheri’ to your wonderful lodge manager and his team, as you drive back to Nairobi to arrive for lunch. Proceed to The Resurrection Garden in Karen which is run by the Consolata Missionary. The elegant garden presents an artistic chronology of the life of Jesus Christ from birth to death and resurrection. The ornate garden’s unmatched serenity and religious aura has become the perfect place for many seeking a quiet time and place for prayers and religious retreats. To conclude a beautiful and serene day of prayers Mass will be celebrated after which you will proceed to The Carnivore Restaurant, a meat-eaters den for ‘eat as much as you can’. There is also a simple vegetarian menu to those who may be vegetarians. Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B.)
ASANTE SANA NA SAFARI NJEMA!

Hotel Information

Optional Tour Add-Ons
Make the most of your time in Faith Journeys with these great optional tours: