7 Days Samburu – Olpejeta – Naivasha – Maasai Mara Safari

Depart Nairobi and drive to Kenya’s northern frontier to the wild, rugged, semi arid region of the nomadic Samburu people. 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, commonly referred as the Samburu 5: From the Reticulated Giraffe, the rare Grevy’s Zebra with its large furry ears, the Gerenuk Antelope standing on its hind legs to feed and Somali Ostriches with their distinctive blue legs and Beisa Oryxes. In the evening we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

After breakfast leave for a game drive as you exit the park to arrive in time for lunch at Simbas Lodge in Nanyuki. After lunch drive to Ol Pejeta Ranch which is surrounded by acres of true bush country with its varied terrain of riverine forest, savannah plains and low hills. Afternoon game drive introduces you to a large selection of different animals. The beautifully marked reticulated Giraffe, Buffaloes, Oryx and a lot of plain game. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Kenya and visit the Chimps, in the 110000 acre Sanctuary. This Sanctuary is home to 42 orphaned Chimps, age varying from 2-15 years, most of which came from Jane Goodall Institute in Burundi. It’s at this Sanctuary that you will get a chance to feed Morani, a tame Black Rhino. In the evening we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

After an early breakfast, depart for Naivasha with an optional stop at Thompson’s Falls, a beautiful waterfall at the Ewaso Nyiro River which is 81 meters (265 feet) high. In the afternoon do a boat ride at an extra cost to visit Cresent Island. Lake Naivasha is home to an incredible variety of bird species. Over 400 species have been recorded here. In the evening we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

The park is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer. Olkaria gate serves the Olkaria geothermal station which is located inside the National Park. Major attractions are game viewing, raptor nesting in cliffs, spectacular gorge walk, hot springs, scenic landscape, the geothermal station, Masai culture. Activities include hiking, camping rock climbing. In the evening we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

After breakfast depart Nakuru and drive through the Great Rift Valley, the dramatic landscape and the plains inhabited by the Maasai pastoralists and across the ‘bread basket’ of Kenya covered with acres of wheat and barley. We take a brief stop at Narok town for refuelling and then climb the western wall entering Hemingway’s country; “Serengeti Plains”. The Maasai Mara Game Reserve adjoins Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is reached in time for lunch at Manyatta Camp. At 4pm proceed for an evening game viewing drive in search of Black Manned Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Cheetahs, Buffalos and other plains game. The sighting of Rhino and Leopard cannot be guaranteed and luck is a necessary factor as they are sparsely numbered, very shy and elusive. At 6:30pm we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

After breakfast at 0700hrs, start tracking game with your guide in this Reserve which borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park as only an artificial border separates the two. The Masai Mara is renowned for staging the Great Migration, recently named as the seventh wonder of the modern world. A full day is spent game viewing across (from 0800-1600 hrs) the rich, tree studded grassland and rolling hills. This reserve is the most visited Park in Kenya and the best for game as it has an extensive road and track network, which allows excellent photography and close viewing opportunities. The famous Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game, Black Manned Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs. It also has numerous Elephants and virtually every type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. Antelopes, Wildebeest, Zebras, and Maasai Giraffes can be seen as well as scavengers like Hyenas and Vultures. You’ll have a picnic lunch besides the Mara River as you watch Hippos and with luck Crocodiles on the River banks and return to the Camp at 4pm. After a short rest, visit a nearby Maasai village to see their nomadic lifestyle. (At an extra fee payable directly to the Maasai villagers – The Maasai are famous for their bravery, as they have co-existed with the animals over the years.) Rest of evening is spent at leisure with In the evening we’ll drop you back to your chosen accommodation.

Wake up early for pre-breakfast game drive from 0630 – 0800 hrs, and then back to the Manyatta Camp for late leisurely breakfast. After checking out from the Camp we depart Masai Mara region, taking lunch en route to arrive in Nairobi late afternoon, having been to Kenya’s finest wildlife sanctuary.