Areas of Interest: Tree Hotels, Aberdare
Ranges, Mount Kenya, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru,
Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, The Mau
Escarpment, The Great Rift Valley, Narok, The Great Wildebeest
Migration (Seasonal), Nairobi
Activity: Scenery, Lodge Stay, Game and Bird Watching, Ethnic,
Culture, Traditional Dances (Optional), Photography, Relaxation,
Visit the Local Manyatta(village) (optional at extra cost),
Early morning Balloon Safari with Champagne Breakfast in
the Mara Park (optional at extra cost).
Country: Kenya
This safari takes you to Kenya’s central highlands,
to the barren northern frontier of Samburu, to the world
famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley - Lake
Nakuru, then South over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya’s
greatest concentration of game - the Masai Mara. Kenya’s
rift valley escarpments offer some of the most breath taking
views whilst tree hotels and lodges overlooking waterholes
offer great game viewing opportunities
FULL ITENERARY
Day 1 - Tree Hotel
We depart Nairobi early and drive to Mount Kenya or the
Aberdare Ranges to a Tree Hotel or lodge which overlooks
floodlit waterholes frequented by wildlife. As dusk ensues,
we enjoy a relaxing sun downer whilst viewing game as they
gradually approach the waterhole – a truly magical
experience. A hearty dinner and pleasant sleep follows thereafter.
Over 40 species of wildlife inhabit the Aberdare mountain
ranges, hiding in the heavily forested slopes and in the
upper moor lands. The Aberdares is noted as a rhino sanctuary
but keep an eye out for the elusive rare bongo, which is
best, spotted in the upper bamboo zone and hypericum scrub.
Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the
creation of the Rift Valley and in this splendid high elevation
scenery of mountain forest, moorland and glaciers, you will
meet with colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Samburu
After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator
to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival will be in
time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. We return to
the lodge for a sun downer, night wildlife viewing and sumptuous
dinner.
Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse
landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken
volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings. This
reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most admired stops after
the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched doum palms and
taut thorn trees give an unusual look to the region and
the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant
species found here.
Day 3 – Samburu
A full day spent exploring the park – unique both
in scenery and wildlife. Dinner and overnight at a lodge.
The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with
huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to
feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy
Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent
bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and
the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature
here.
Day 4 – Nakuru
National Park
We head off after breakfast for Lake Nakuru arriving by
lunch time after which we proceed for a game drive in the
National Park returning in time for sunset and dinner at
the lodge.
Nakuru National Park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs,
waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard.
White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some
years ago and the park has also retained its reputation
as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species
of bird found here.
Day
5 - Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National
Reserve arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. We then
proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge
for a relaxing sundowner, and dinner at the lodge or luxury
tented camp.
The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open
landscapes and fertile riverine woodland and one glimpse
is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah,
with a mass of amazing wildlife. Wherever you go in the
Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as
Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey
jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest.
Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in
great numbers. It is also common to see lions either basking
after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their
next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but
are still reasonably common.
Day 6 - Masai Mara National
Reserve
The day is spent game viewing, in the early morning hours
and in the evenings as this is when we have the best chances
of seeing wildlife. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers
fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely
want to capture this moment while sipping on a sun downer
back at the lodge.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest
exodus in July and August when millions of these grass
eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher
grass before turning south again in October.
Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing
the savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come
back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips
can be arranged at our office upon booking.
Day 7 - Nairobi
After breakfast we drive to Nairobi arriving by lunch
time
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