Day 1
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Your driver-guide will pick you up from the airport or your city hotel and take you on a scenic drive to Samburu National Reserve, located north of the equator. During the drive, you will pass through the fertile highlands of Kenya, famous for their tea and coffee. Stop at the equator before continuing on your journey to Samburu, where you'll arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll go on your first game drive, an opportunity to see rare species including Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beautiful oryx. You'll also learn about the cultural heritage of the Samburu people, known as the butterfly people, returning at sunset. Note: the drive from Nairobi can take up to 7 hours, including two pit stops. Alternatively, we can arrange a 1-hour flight transfer from Nairobi to Samburu.
Stay Luxury lodge, Samburu National Reserve
Day 2
Samburu National Reserve
Embark on an early morning game drive in this reserve, which boasts a breathtaking panorama and unique flora and fauna endemic to Kenya's north. The reserve is abundant with wildlife and famous for its rare northern species such as the Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich and reticulated giraffe. Return for a late breakfast. Spend the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do — read your favorite book or write in your journal. Then head out again at 4:00 pm as the day begins to cool down and spot the Samburu Special Five before returning to the lodge late in the evening.
Stay Luxury lodge, Samburu National Reserve
Day 3
Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After a relaxed breakfast, you'll drive south of Samburu to arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp in time for a delicious lunch. Afterward, explore the camp and its beautiful surroundings, including a waterhole next to the bar where animals come to drink, and a mudbath. Then it's time for an exciting afternoon game drive, starting with a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary before exploring the conservancy, home to white and black rhinos, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, lions, cheetahs and more. Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and the home of two of the world's last remaining northern white rhinos. It is also the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees, as the sanctuary was established to rehabilitate animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Stay Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 4
Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, you'll embark on an early morning game drive in this wildlife conservation haven, famous for an abundance of black and white rhinos and the other herbivores and carnivores that call it home. Ol Pejeta is a wonderful place for rhinos, the Big Five and over 500 bird species, all with mountain and savannah views. We will visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya, where you can observe the orphaned chimps, and the last two northern white rhinos left in the world. You will then exit the conservancy and head south to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving late in the afternoon.
Stay Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru
Day 5
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you will begin an early-morning game drive at Lake Nakuru — despite the early start, morning drives are always worth it as animals are most active. The park is home to flamingos, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, buffaloes and the endangered Rothschild's giraffes. The forested area below Rhino Cliff is a favorite lion-spotting point where lionesses love to sleep in the trees. After the game drive, you will exit the park and drive through the Rift Valley floor to the Masai Mara, stopping for lunch in Narok town on the way. On arrival, you will be met by Maasai warriors and escorted to a Maasai village for a cultural experience, learning more about the community that has co-existed with the Mara's wildlife for centuries.
Stay Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara
Day 6
Full Day in the Masai Mara
You will spend a full day exploring the tree-studded grassland and rolling hills of the famous savannah on a game-viewing tour. The Mara is well known for its vast herds of plains game, and for leopards, cheetahs and lions — virtually every type of wildlife found in Kenya lives here. You will have a picnic lunch under a flat-top acacia tree while watching the animals graze, then continue game viewing en route to camp. You can also book an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride; after landing, the crew will escort you to a lovely setting for a bush breakfast, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Later, join your driver-guide and proceed with your full-day game drive.
Stay Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara
Day 7
Masai Mara to Nairobi
After a leisurely breakfast, you will check out of your camp and drive back to Nairobi. On the way, you can choose to visit a Maasai village for a cultural experience. You'll have lunch at one of the hotels in Narok town, then continue to Nairobi, arriving in the mid-afternoon. You'll be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport, marking the end of your safari. Depending on your homebound flight departure time, you will agree the departure time from the Mara with your driver-guide.
