5 Days/ 4 Nights – Essence Safari

Sites of interests: Amboseli Park, Lake Nakuru/Naivasha National Park and Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Safari duration: 5 days/ 4 nights
Number of participants: 2 persons and above
Accommodation in Safari lodges or Tented Camps.

Detailed itinerary

DAY 01: NAIROBI SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, met and greet, thereafter commence drive to Samburu Game Reserve, this morning, our journey takes us north, past the Highlands of Kenya, one of the most fertile and productive areas of the country, with its abundance of springs and rivers flowing from Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare ranges. Our drive takes us past vast plantations of coffee and tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples and passion fruit; we then cross the Tana River (the longest river in Kenya, which drains into the Indian Ocean).

Descending the Laikipia Plains, dotted with extinct volcanoes, is reminiscent of the geographic origins of the area. We will pass through Isiolo, a small Muslim trading town, where the nomadic tribes of the north meet to trade and to exchange their wares. From here, an almost perfectly straight tarmac road of 40Km. takes us to the Samburu Reserve, all meals and overnight at SAMBURU NATIONAL RESRVE.

DAY 02: SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Morning and late afternoon game viewing drives in this Reserve, The landscape is dry and semi desert in the Samburu area, except for a scattering of small bushes, and the narrow strip of greenery bordering the Ewaso Nyiro River.

The appeal of Samburu lies in its wildlife, unique to the area. This includes the Grevy or Imperial zebra, whose stripes are finer than those of its cousin the Burchell zebra; The Gerenuk or giraffe-antelope, with its peculiar manner of feeding on leaves while standing on its hind legs; the pretty Reticulated Giraffe; the masked Oryx, and the blue-legged Somali Ostrich. Another inhabitant of the park is the Crocodile, the big boss of the river, lying camouflaged in wait for any unsuspecting victim to come its way.

We could chance upon some secretive leopards, lying hidden between the branches of the trees, while impalas and Thompson and Grant gazelles innocently feed nearby, all meals and overnight at SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE.

DAY 03: SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE – ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK

Early morning game drive, prior to breakfast at the lodge, morning return drive to Aberdares National Park, today we return south and head for Nyeri Town, lunch at the Outspan Hotel or Aberdares Country Club, afternoon transfer, in hotel shuttle vehicles, into the Aberdare National Park to the Treetops or the Ark. These famous tree hotels are situated in front of a pond, which is illuminated by night, enabling us to view the nocturnal wildlife as they come to the salt lick, and to drink water, dinner & overnight TREETOPS / ARK.

Please note: Only one small piece of luggage per person is allowed at the Treetops / the Ark. The rest of the luggage will remain at the concierge at the Outspan Hotel / Aberdares Country Club. Please ensure you have prepared your overnight bag beforehand.

Day 2: Aberdares National Park – Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha

Return for breakfast at the Aberdares Country Club. We will circle the Nyandarua, or Aberdare ranges, to the north. Crossing the Equator, a brief stop-over gives us the opportunity of visiting the Thompson fall, in Nyahururu, the highest town in Kenya. We proceed in a south-westerly direction to the Lake Nakuru National Park, lunch at the lodge game drive at 1600hrs.

Lake Nakuru is one of the most beautiful ornithological paradises in the world, and the first flamingo sanctuary to be created. Surrounded by forests of Yellow acacia and Candelabra euphorbia, it not only gains its fame for its over 450 species of birds residing in the area, but also for the mammals living in perfect harmony with the aquatic environment: waterbuck, warthogs, baboons, buffalos, giraffes and felines such as lions and leopards.

However, this small and shallow lake is more famous for its pink flamingo population, breeding along the shoreline and feeding off the lake, which gives them their characteristic pink pigmentation.

OPTION 1: Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingo Hill Tented Camp or similar, full board included.

OPTION 2: Late afternoon game viewing & bird watching drive, early evening drive to Lake Naivasha area for dinner and overnight – Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similar, full board included.

Day 3: Lake Nakuru Park or Lake Naivasha Masai Mara Game Reserve

This morning, descend the Great Rift Valley, driving to the south, past the volcanic mountains of Longonot and Suswa. After crossing Narok, the principal town in the Maasai Mara area, we approach the Loita Plains, where it is possible to observe the circular manyattas (Maasai villages) before finally arriving at the great Serengeti plains, in whose northern part is found the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, lunch at the lodge and afternoon game drive. Situated in Maasia territory, this park gets its name from the Mara River. In contrast with most of the rivers in the African savannah, the river has a permanent flow of water throughout the year, attracting a great variety of wildlife. This guarantee of water, especially during the dry season, hosts great numbers of herbivores: zebras, wildebeest, Thompson and Grant gazelles, hartebeest, topis, buffalos, elephants etc, converting the park into the one region in the world with the highest concentration of wildlife. Obviously, such a huge supply of meat attracts a host of predators. We could see lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals. The possibilities of capturing these animals on camera, and being a witness to the developments of life in the savannah, are very high. However, the Mara is not a zoo. We cannot say for sure that we will see each and every animal. The experience gives us a feeling of tracking and searching for animals, which is exciting in itself. Dinner and overnight at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Ilkeliani Camp or similar, full board included.

Day 4: Masai Mara Game Reserve

The early morning calm air of the Maasai Mara has made possible the introduction of Hot Air Balloon flights, available as an optional tour of a hot air balloon ride to see the park from a bird’s eye view, from leading lodges and camps in the reserve. (Please reserve early to avoid disappointment for this adventure!).

OPTION 1: A Pre-breakfast morning game drive in the reserve, a great opportunity to explore the vast flora and fauna of this magnificent reserve. After a rewarding game drive, return to your lodge or camp for late morning breakfast. Lunch and late afternoon game viewing drive.

OPTION 2: A full day game drive with picnic lunch boxes (full day game drive including visits to Mara River, Kenya Tanzania Border Post and a great chance to view the “Big Five”. You will have picnic lunch on the savannah under the shade of Acacia tree. Return to your lodge late in the afternoon). Later just relax or visit the nearby Maasai village as an optional excursion. Dinner and overnight at the Masai Mara Game Reserve – Ilkeliani Camp or similar, full board included.

Day 5: Masai Mara Game Reserve Nairobi – airport

After breakfast at the Lodge/Camp, embark on your return journey to Nairobi. This morning, we leave behind the legendary African savannah, seen so many times in films and documentaries; the endless extensions of grassland gives way to bush land, and slowly, to the rich green vegetation around Nairobi. Rest of day free and lunch on own arrangement (use of room is excluded).

Transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for scheduled International departure flight 3 hours prior to flight departure time.

End of safari in Kenya

Feel free to contact us for safari price

Note:

The above safari itinerary is provisional and can be modified if necessary to meet the need of the clients.

The rooms availability in the proposed lodges will be confirmed at the time of reserving the safari with us. Reserving early is recommended especially for the arrivals in high seasons for the sake of rooms availability.

Prices are subjected to changes at any moment if there will be the rise on government park entry fees, but in case like that, we will inform the clients/agent as early as possible.