Samburu – Aberdare – Nakuru – Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara

8 Days / 7 Nights Kenya Safari

 

Grevy Zebra's in Samburu, Kenya

The Ark Forest Lodge, Aberdare National Park, Kenya

Lake Nakuru Flamingoes, Kenya

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Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu Game Reserve
Day 2: Samburu Game Reserve
Day 3: Samburu – Aberdare National Park/Mt. Kenya National Park (Forest tree Lodge)
Day 4: Forest Tree lodge – Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Day 6: Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 7: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 8: Masai Mara – Nairobi

 

Cost for 2011: Per Person
Land Arrangements (per person)

Child rate 2-11 years is 75% of the adult rate

 

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Nairobi – Samburu Game Reserve

This morning we travel by road to Kenya’s northern frontier. Wild and rugged, Samburu is fiercely beautiful with its arid savannahs watered by the lovely Uaso Nyiro River. It is also one of Kenya’s most protected areas and home to species only found north of the equator, from the reticulated giraffe to Grevy’s zebras and Beisa Oryxes. We also enjoy Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp, our luxurious hostelry set beneath a canopy of acacia trees along the banks of the river.

Overnight at Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp
Meals: {Breakfast}

 

Day 2
Explore Samburu Game Reserve

Dawn breaks in golden bands as we start our day in the bush by scanning the river from our tent’s veranda with a cup of steaming coffee in hand. Before the dew is off the grass, we’re off in pursuit of the elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs that thrive in the reserve’s grasslands and acacia woodlands. And so the day is spent in alternating pursuits of exploration in the bush and relaxation in our cozy camp.

 

Overnight at Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 3
Samburu – Aberdare or Mt. Kenya National Park (Forest Tree Lodge)
Today we travel to The Ark Forest Lodge or the Serena Mountain Forest Tree Lodge. Nestled in the foothills between Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Park, the lodges are famous for high perches and balconies, overlooking a salt lick and waterhole. Here we will enjoy the finest in high-altitude game viewing.

 

Overnight at The Ark Tree Lodge or the Serena Mountain Forest Tree Lodge

Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}

 

Day 4
Sweetwaters – Lake Nakuru National Park
Today we travel to the exotic Lake Nakuru National Park located in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch an exciting game run is planned for the afternoon. The game in this park is plentiful and the magnificent bird watching will make a devotee out of even the most reluctant. The Park is a home to stunning flocks of lesser and Greater Flamingos, which literally turn the lakeshores in to a magnificent pink stretch. The bird life here is world renown and over 400 bird’s species exist here, White Pelicans, Plovers, Egrets and Marabou Stork. It is also one of the very few places in Africa to see the white Rhino and rare Rothschild Giraffe.

 

Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion hill Lodge
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 5
Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha

Next, we overland to papyrus-fringed Lake Naivasha. With over 400 species of bird, this freshwater lake is a birding Paradise. Along the lake’s fabled waters, we are bound to see some of the area’s more intriguing species—hippos, giraffes, buffalo and even the arboreal colobus monkey. Lake Naivasha lies in the Great Rift Valley and the name derives from the local Masai name Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise.

 

After lunch we visit Crescent island — a private sanctuary, where you can walk beneath yellow-barked acacias (yellow fever trees) in search of giraffes, wildebeest , impala , dikdiks, thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, elands, waterbucks and countless bird species. Oh, and there are some rather gigantic pythons too! We are allowed to walk with the animals since all were introduced during the filming of Out of Africa. An optional boat ride on the lake reveals many water bird species and schools of Hippos.

Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similar
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 6
Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara Game Reserve

After a leisure breakfast at Naivasha Sopa Lodge, depart overland to the Masai Mara Game Reserve-jewel of Kenya's Game Park. The Masai Mara is Kenya's finest and most outstanding wildlife sanctuary where gentle rolling grassland ensures animals are never out of sight. The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well spread rainfall year round. The sensation of the great wildebeest migration between July and October is unparalleled. The wildlife is far from being confined within the Reserve boundaries and an even larger area extends beyond the game Reserve.

 

Centuries of close association with the wildlife has resulted in an almost symbiotic relationship where wildlife and Masai people live in peace with one another. After lunch, explore the Reserve on a late evening 'Spice' game drive. No matter how much you have thought about Africa, this is more than you expected—the big five-Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Cape buffalo are in abundance.

Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar

Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 7
Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve

Today we will be spending in the vast eco-system of the Mara searching for the big five and much more. You also have an optional balloon safari — Many call it a once in a life time experience, once you are up, you won’t want to come down, and once you land, champagne breakfast awaits you. Game viewing is great from the air with the opportunity for beautiful pictures. The annual wildebeest migration is expected in the Masai Mara between July and early November. Millions of animals migrate to the Mara from Serengeti in search for fresh green pastures and water. It’s worth noting that every game drive is different from the other, and missing one is missing out on the fun.

Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 8
Masai Mara – Nairobi

Breakfast and one last look at the Mara before we head back to Nairobi by road. We check into our Hotel and enjoy a few hours of relaxation by the pool or perhaps revisit a favorite shop or two. After dinner we proceed to the airport knowing that this has been a journey to remember for the rest of our lives.

 

Meals: {Breakfast}

 

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Included Safari Features

* Multi-lingual Professional Safari Guide/Driver. (Professional Safari Escort is available upon request)
* Round trip transport from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve, Aberdare/Mt Kenya National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Game Reserve
* Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
* Finest accommodations in all Game Parks and Game Reserves

* Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
* Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
* Guaranteed window seating with open top
* All applicable Game Park entrance fees

* All meals included while on safari
* Up to 8 Extensive Game drives
* Pre–tour itinerary document

 

Excluded Safari Features

* Personal expenses such traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, laundry, emails, faxes and phone calls beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary
* Optional Night Game drives, Horse and Camel rides, Bird watching, Picnics and sun downers, Fly fishing, Hand axes and archaeology, Nature walks etc
* Gratuity for Porterage / waiters at hotels, camps and airports

* Christmas, New Year and Easter Supplement
* Gratuity for your professional Driver Guide
* Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
* Cost of obtaining passport and visas
* Accommodations in Nairobi
* A visit to a Masai Village
* International Airfare

 

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Options that Complement this Safari

 

 

 

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