NAIROBI – SAMBURU - KOSL001

Day 1:
0800 hrs – depart Nairobi and drive north to Samburu National Reserve. You enjoy a game drive en-route to Samburu Serena Lodge, where you arrive at around 1400 hours in time for lunch. After lunch at the lodge, you have the early afternoon free, before going for an afternoon game drive, from 1530 hrs till dusk.

Samburu National Reserve is a wildlife haven. Here you will spot Africa’s big cats - lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern Kenya park: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. The The Ewaso Nyiro River, the boundary with the neighboring Buffalo Springs National Reserve, is where the elephants, buffalo and other animal species gather for a drink. You will find the scenic semiarid landscape quite dramatic. The reserve is located within the lands of the colourful semi-nomadic Samburu tribesmen.

Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge

Day 2: SAMBURU
Start your day with an early morning game drive starting at 0600 hrs. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 0800 hrs. You spend the period before and after lunch at leisure at the lodge. At 1530 hrs you go for your afternoon game-drive till dusk.

Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge

Day 3: SAMBURU – ABERDARES
After breakfast checkout and head to the Aberdares Country Club where you will have lunch at 1200 hrs. At 1400 hrs, take the short transfer to the Aberdares National Park for an evening of game viewing from the unique tree hotel, The Ark.

Aberdares National Park has a diverse topography that includes icy rivers, spectacular waterfalls and rain forests. The flora and fauna is quite unique and is not found elsewhere in the country, expect on Mount Kenya. Leopard, elephant, serval, waterbuck, reedbuck, dikdik, rhino and the rare bongo can all be found here. You are sure to see elephants, buffalos and some other animals at the floodlit waterholes of The Ark.

Dinner and Overnight at the Ark

Day 4: ABERDARES – NAKURU
After breakfast at the Ark, transfer back to the Aberdare Country Club. Then drive to Lake Nakuru in time for lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. At 1530 hrs proceed for an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Lake Nakuru's claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo's and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons are all residents here.

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Day 5: NAKURU –MAASAI MARA
0800 hrs- Drive to via the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge. 1530 hrs- go for an afternoon game drive till dusk.

The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 6: MAASAI MARA
0900 hrs - morning game drive after breakfast. After lunch at the lodge you will have early afternoon at leisure. 1600 hrs - Afternoon game drive till dusk.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 7: MAASAI MARA - NAIROBI
0630 hrs- take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at extra cost. If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast return to Nairobi arriving around 1400 hrs. You will have lunch at the Thorn Tree Restaurant.