Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve (320Km: Approx. 5 hrs)

Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner.

07:00 hrs: Your driver/guide will pick you up from your Nairobi area hotel, Nairobi airport, or Nairobi area residence.

We’ll head out in our 4x4 private Jeep through Kenya’s central highlands, viewing picturesque coffee, tea, sisal, and pineapple plantations along the way. Our route takes us past local homesteads, offers views of the majestic snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya, and crosses the Equator, officially entering the northern hemisphere.

We’ll arrive at Samburu National Reserve, enjoy lunch, and take some time to relax. Then, get ready for your first exciting game drive – the first of many over the next 9 days!

The park is rich with large predators like lion and cheetah, and impressive grazers such as buffalo and elephant. We'll also keep an eye out for Samburu's unique species like the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa oryx.

Nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves are greener oases, promising more wildlife amongst their forests, woodlands, and surprising volcanic formations, offering diverse landscapes for our game viewing.

We’ll spend the first of two nights at Samburu at the lodge or tented camp of your choice.

Full Day – Samburu National Reserve: Riverine Life & Unique Species

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Let’s get up early to make the most of this beautiful day and enjoy the birdsong as we venture out on our first morning game drive.

Besides the big game like lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, and elephant, the park hosts some unusual species like Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, and the reticulated giraffe – animals you won’t commonly find in other parks, making Samburu a unique safari experience.

We’ll travel extensively along the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, the life spring of this dry park and often the best spot to view thirsty wildlife gathering.

And surprisingly in this arid reserve, you’ll find a busy assortment of birdlife amongst the forest and riverine vegetation. Look for colorful kingfisher, terrestrial guinea fowl, elegant egret, swift falcon, and majestic eagle.

We may also get a glimpse of the local Samburu tribes and their villages, offering a cultural insight into this ancient land.

Our second safari night will be in Samburu at your choice of lodge or tented camp, enjoying the tranquility of the northern wilderness.

Samburu Game Reserve – Ol Pejeta Conservancy (180 km – Approx. 3 Hrs)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

We’ll take a final early morning game viewing drive through Samburu National Reserve, enjoying one last opportunity to spot its unique wildlife before heading towards the cooler regions of Mount Kenya and Laikipia.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy amazes with its diversity – plenty of predators here, including Africa’s famous Big Five. But it also holds a very special rhino sanctuary, actively protecting over one hundred of these endangered species, offering excellent viewing opportunities for both black and white rhinos.

Here too, you’ll find the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can enjoy the antics of these intelligent and playful animals, offering a rare and heartwarming experience.

We’ll spend the evening at your choice of Ol Pejeta safari lodge or tented camp, with close views of the conservancy's wildlife.

What you may see / do around Ol Pejeta:

• Elephants
• Tree hyrax
• White-tailed mongoose
• Black-fronted duiker
• Mole rat
• Bushbuck
• Waterbuck
• Elands
• Rhino (black and white)
• Chimpanzee

Ol Pejeta – Aberdare National Park (80Kms – Approx. 1 hr)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This morning, this rich sanctuary of Ol Pejeta provides views of other species such as impala, giraffe, baboon, jackal, and hyena. Let’s take an early morning drive in the 4x4 to see if you can spot some of them and enjoy the last moments in this unique conservancy.

Now it’s a quick drive to Aberdare National Park, and the upcountry terrain here is quite different – characterized by mountains, lush rainforest, and cool evening mists, offering a refreshing change of scenery.

We’ll arrive in time for lunch and then head to your unique tree hotel. Enjoy relaxation time from your balcony as you take in the wildlife below at an adjacent watering hole. Look for antelope, elephant, buffalo, hyena, bush pigs, and waterbuck, among other species that frequently visit the lodge.

We will spend the night at your tree lodge, enjoying the unparalleled experience of game viewing directly from your balcony.

Note: Only small overnight bags are permitted at your tree hotel due to space constraints and the unique design of these lodges. Your main luggage can be securely stored by the driver.

What you may see/do at Aberdare National Park:

• Bird watching
• Game viewing (especially from the lodge at night)
• Photography

Aberdare – Lake Nakuru National Park (180 km – Approx. 4 Hrs)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

It’s time to head out to the Rift Valley lake country. On our way to Lake Nakuru National Park, we’ll stop at Nyahururu to see the awesome power of the cascading Thompson’s Falls, a magnificent natural spectacle.

We’ll pass through rich farming country as we traverse the dramatic rises and falls of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, offering stunning panoramic views.

Arriving at Lake Nakuru Park, we’ll have time for a bird and game viewing drive. This lovely reserve is pleasing to the eye with its acacia forests, waterfalls, and scenic rocky escarpments.

While recent natural factors have affected their numbers, some flamingos may still dot the lakeshore, accompanied by other vibrant birdlife such as pelicans, kingfishers, ostriches, and impressive raptors like herons and eagles. We will also spot rhinos in the protected sanctuary here, as Lake Nakuru is a vital haven for both black and white rhino species. Be on the lookout for the rare Rothschild’s giraffe nibbling at the branches above.

That’s what makes this reserve so special – its great variety of shape, form, color, and species.

We’ll spend the night at your chosen safari lodge or tented camp within or near Lake Nakuru.

What you may see at Lake Nakuru National Park:

• Fewer Flamingos (seasonal)
• Zebra
• Black Rhino
• White Rhino
• Waterbuck
• Makalia Waterfalls
• Unique vegetation
• Lions
• About 450 species of terrestrial birds

Lake Nakuru – Lake Bogoria / Lake Naivasha (340km – Approx. 6 hrs)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The lake provides a stunning setting for an early game drive, and we’ll enjoy the moment in this beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park, catching the last glimpses of its rhinos, giraffes, and birdlife before we depart.

Continuing our scenic route through the Great Rift Valley, our next destination will be Lake Bogoria National Reserve. The park is a geothermal spectacle of hot springs and bubbling geysers around an alkaline lake that often hosts spectacular numbers of flamingos (season permitting) and other wildlife in the area like kudu and antelope.

After experiencing the unique landscape of Lake Bogoria, we’ll hop back in the 4x4 heading for our next park, Lake Naivasha. This freshwater lake and its surrounding parks will give us plenty of sightings of small game and an abundance of birdlife.

Here’s your opportunity to go bicycling in a national park! We’ll take a short bicycle safari to nearby Hell’s Gate National Park and then hike through imposing gorges looking for grazing antelope, zebra, impala, and buffalo – a truly immersive and active way to see the wildlife.

We’ll spend the night at the Lake Naivasha safari lodge or tented camp of your choice, unwinding after a day packed with diverse activities and breathtaking scenery.

What you may do at Lake Naivasha:

• Boat ride
• Bird watching
• Nature walks
• Visit to Hell's Gate National Park (biking and hiking)

Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara Game Reserve (240 km – Approx. 5 hrs.)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

It’s a perfect morning for a sail across Lake Naivasha. Let’s glide by dozing hippos as they awake to see us passing by, and we’ll take in the active birdlife hovering about the tranquil waters.

Now that everyone is awake, we’ll enjoy a short, guided walking safari to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. This lovely little park is filled with yet more gentle grazing game, so keep an eye out for wildebeest, waterbuck, and gazelle strolling about, offering incredible close-up photo opportunities.

We’ve seen and experienced a lot this past week, but now it’s time to set our sights for the jewel in the crown of Kenya’s wildlife parks – the Masai Mara National Reserve.

We will arrive at the park in time for an exhilarating afternoon game drive, the first of many here. The reserve reflects an outstanding ecosystem, known for supporting the highest concentration of wildlife in this region. You’ll soon see examples of this as we go tracking the legendary Big Five and the more than 90 mammal species that call this park home.

We’ll spend the next two nights at the Masai Mara at the safari lodge or tented camp of your choice, ready to immerse ourselves in Africa's premier wildlife destination.

Full Day – Masai Mara Game Reserve: Predator Action & Optional Adventures

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we will traverse the savannahs, hills, and rivers of the Masai Mara, searching for all the big game. The Masai Mara is particularly famous for its many sightings of lion, cheetah, hyena, and other predators, offering thrilling wildlife viewing opportunities.

We’ll also see if we can spot topi, eland, and a vibrant array of birds like stork, kingfisher, and hornbills in this incredibly fertile ecosystem.

If you’re seeing great processions of wildebeests and zebra marching through the reserve, you’re most likely here during the Great Migration season – July through October. That’s when vast herds invade the park, crossing the Mara River in a never-ending search for sustenance, creating a spectacular natural event.

We’ll enjoy a scenic picnic lunch by the Mara River, famous as the site of the dramatic crossings, and look for hippos and crocodiles plying the muddy waters.

For an up-close cultural encounter, we offer an optional visit to the local Maasai tribespeople in their nearby village (at an extra cost). You’ll be able to learn about their fascinating lifestyle and perhaps purchase some colorful beaded souvenirs directly from the community.

For a truly unforgettable experience, take advantage of our optional pre-dawn hot air balloon safari over the park (at an extra cost). Imagine sailing silently, getting an eagle’s eye view of the park coming to life as the animals below awake to a fresh, new day. Just ask your driver/guide to make the arrangements for this breathtaking experience.

Our final night at the Masai Mara will be at the safari lodge or tented camp of your choice, allowing you to cherish the memories of your incredible time in this world-renowned reserve.

Masai Mara – Nairobi: Safari Conclusion & Departure (265km – Approx. 5 hrs)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch.

After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge/camp, your dedicated driver-guide will assist you with the checkout process and proceed to Nairobi – Kenya’s vibrant capital city.

On the way, your guide will point out the impressive Longonot extinct volcano, a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. It is thought to have last erupted in the 1860s, and its name is derived from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges.”

You have flexible options for your return:

• You can opt to drive via Naivasha for lunch/excursions (at an extra cost).
• Alternatively, drive straight to Nairobi and pass by Kiambethu Farm for a delightful tea farm tour inclusive of a three-course buffet lunch (at an extra cost).
• OR, drive straight back to the capital and later transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your flight back home.

We will bring you to your Nairobi hotel, residence, or the airport, ensuring a comfortable end to your journey.

Nine days, nine parks, and a whole lot of adventures. You’re now an experienced safari-goer with the tales to match your experience. We hope you enjoyed this holiday of a lifetime, and we thank you for your trust and your support. Let’s all stay in touch for more African safaris in the future!