Overview
The name ‘Maasai Mara’ has become a synonym for the BIG FIVE. Soft grasslands dotted with acacia trees and sheer endless plains teeming with wildlife lie ahead of us. Lake Nakuru is referred to as “A lake in pink”, because it hosts the world’s largest Flamingo population. Sometimes so many of the beautiful birds are present, that the lake’s surface cannot be seen anymore! As we make our journey to the North, we leave the beaten track behind. Samburu is home to unique wildlife species, like Oryx, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe.
| Departure/Return Location | Nairobi |
| Departure Time | Early morning |
| Included |
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| Excluded |
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Optional Activities
- Balloon ride Early in the Morning – $450
Enjoy balloon safari with champagne breakfast. This is a rare opportunity to get a bird’s-eye-view of miles of rolling plains and the herds of animals that call it home and stalk its corners as you glide gently above the treetops. - Visit to a Maasai Village – $20
Maasai warriors are famously known as the proud nomadic tribe whose legendary prowess in battle and single-handed acts of bravery in fights with the wild animals are known across the world. This visit gives a good tour of Maasai culture and you will be welcomed with a sing and dance presentation, which forms part of their daily lives and sacred rituals.
Itinerary
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel or at the Nairobi airport in the early morning at 7.00am. We then travel along the Great Rift Valley, passing by the extinct volcano of Mount Longonot en-route to marvelous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. You might notice a Maasai Moran (=Warrior) standing on one foot while herding hundreds of cows, goats and sheep. His only defense against the dangerous wildlife surrounding him to all sides is a single stick or spear!
We arrive at our lodge in perfect time for lunch, find time to relax and freshen up a bit, then head for more adventures. In the late afternoon hours, we have good chances of a close encounter with the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard), and can easily spot herds of Wildebeest (Gnus), Zebras, Gazelles, Impalas and Maasai Giraffes. In the Maasai Mara we find the old Africa of the movies. You will love it!
Return back towards the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
This day of Safari adventure is exclusively spent in the Maasai Mara. We look out for the park’s Big Cats, the Big Five and the abundance of wildlife and natural wonders found in Kenya’s most famous game reserve. Remember to keep a sharp lookout; you may witness a dramatic hunt, a solitary Leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree, or a herd of Elephants protecting their young from predators. The Maasai Mara has one of the richest wildlife ensembles in the world, hosting over 95 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Game viewing is never dull here, and patience is usually rewarded with unique sightings.
Between July and October (usually best in July and August), we can witness the famous Wildebeest and Zebra migration from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. A massive accumulation of 1.5 million Wildebeest, 200,000 Zebras and 350,000 Gazelles stretches their legs over 2000km in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival.
Return to the lodge and have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Breakfast is served at our lodge, then we board the safari vehicle and enjoy our last game drive en-route in the Maasai Mara. The Mara has been the setting of the well-known movie ‘Out of Africa’. Its rich wildlife is the star of the show, providing drama and beauty against the backdrop of a spectacular scenery. Excited from our sightings, we head off towards Nakuru.
A lake in pink – that’s probably the best way to describe Lake Nakuru. Up to two million Flamingos nest around its shores, giving the lake its unique colour. Sometimes the birds are present in such numbers that the surface can hardly be seen.
We arrive at Lake Nakuru in perfect time for lunch, then depart for fabulous afternoon game viewing. The lake is home to about 450 species of birds. There are no Elephants in the park, but we can spot the other members of the Big Five, including tree-climbing Lions. Large animals live around the lake’s shores, such as Giraffes, Buffaloes, Leopards, Rhinos and Primates.
Return to the lodge and have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast at our lodge in Nakuru, we head towards Samburu National Reserve by road, driving past the impressive Mount Kenya. Upon arrival in Samburu, we enjoy a short game drive en-route to our lodge for check-in and lunch. A Safari through Samburu will show you the strange and out-of-the-ordinary species of northern Kenya. It is ideal for people who are not just after the Big Cats and the Great Migration, but love remote areas and unique landscapes. If you are looking for a tour off the beaten tracks, Samburu is a good choice.
After lunch, we find time for leisure and refreshment, then head off to an afternoon game drive. Samburu National Reserve is home to a number of very unique animals. You can marvel at beautiful Reticulated Giraffes, Grevy’s Zebras, Beisa Oryx, Blue Legged Somali Ostriches and Gerenuks (especially beautiful long-necked antelopes). Those stunning animals are referred to as the “Samburu Five”.
Return to the lodge and have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
This full day in the Samburu Game Reserve will be spent searching for the Big Five, the Samburu Five, and with observing the vast unspoiled scenery during morning and afternoon game viewing drives. Kenya’s north is characterized by hot and dry climates. Yellow grass, red earth and huge old trees paint a romantic picture of African beauty. But the environment within Samburu National Reserve is as challenging for its inhabitants, as it is beautiful.
Water is scarce here, and the Ewaso Ng’iro, the gently flowing river in Samburu, is the reserve’s only lifeline. Buffaloes, Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles and occasionally Wild Dogs are indulging in the refreshing wet. Leopards and Lions are waiting for the heat of the day to wear off, as they patiently gaze at their evening prey. But they are not the only predators at the scene. Huge Nile Crocodiles await everyone who is all too impatient to get to the river’s shores….
Return to the lodge and have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
On your final day in the Samburu National Reserve you can choose between going on an early morning game drive or relaxing and sleeping in late. Breakfast will be served at our lodge, afterwards we depart in direction of Nairobi, where our driver safely brings you back to your hotel or the airport. Your Safari ends here, but you return home with a big, bright smile across your face – that’s for sure!
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
