Breathtaking Kenya!

NAIROBI
Upon arrival at JKIA, met by our representative and transferred to to your city hotel (kindly note rooms may not be ready for occupancy until noon).
Overnight at TAMARIND TREE HOTEL. (No meals)

NAIROBI – SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE 
Distance: 330 KM / Time approx. 6 hrs.
Collected at 07:00 hrs from your hotel and depart for Samburu National Reserve, driving North, Past Nanyuki (where you cross the Equator and possibly make a stop for a brief demonstration of Coriolis Effect).
Continue further north, past Isiolo, the gateway to the northern frontier Parks of Samburu / Buffalo & Shaba.
Arrive at your camp in time for lunch.
Late afternoon game viewing drive in the Buffalo Springs / Samburu National Reserves – hopefully an opportunity to see all the Special five of this spectacular area!
Return to the Lodge at sunset, for dinner and overnight at SAMBURU SOPA LODGE/SAMBURU SIMBA LODGE. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

SAMBURU, BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVES
The sharp contrast of colours is the most remarkable feature of the trio of the Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. The hazy blues of the surrounding hills and an infinite sky, the chocolate brown of the Uaso Nyiro River, the white dusty soils, interspaced with the vivid greens of semi-desert vegetation and the prehistoric looking Doum Palm- the only palm tree which has branches, scattered amongst the granite boulders and ancient black lava flows, found in the Shaba Reserve. The region’s animal life also pays tribute to the artist’s palette, with curious blue- legged Somali ostriches, chestnut coloured reticulated giraffes, black and white Grevy’s zebras, Gerenuk gazelles, and the grey-green Nile Crocodiles which inhabit the Uaso Nyiro River which flows through Shaba and Samburu. Samburu is often considered the country’s best leopard- viewing area, and sightings of prides of lions, cheetah, monolithic herds of elephants and buffalos in all the reserves is practically guaranteed. The birdlife in this area, ranging from the Sand Grouse to the multicolored kingfishers and spectacular eagles and falcons is striking for its diversity, as for its colorfulness.

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Morning and late afternoon game viewing drives to truly appreciate the width and breadth of Samburu National Reserve.
The reserve is rich in wildlife with an abundance of rare Northern special five that is the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, beisa oryx, somali ostrich and gerenuk.
All meals and overnight at the SAMBURU SOPA LODGE/SAMBURU SIMBA LODGE. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE – LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Distance: 320 KM / Time approx. 6 hrs.
After breakfast, commence your drive towards Nakuru town with a visit to Thompson falls Nyahururu. Lunch will be in a restaurant overlooking the falls.
After lunch, continue with the scenic drive to Lake Nakuru Nationa Park.
Upon arrival, commence game viewing in the famous bird paradise with a chance to sight several families of white rhinos that inhabit the Park.
Dinner and overnight at LAKE NAKURU SOPA LODGE. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Lake Nakuru is among Kenya's finest national parks. Flanked by rocky escarpments, patches of acacia forest and at least one waterfall, the park is often described as an ornithologist’s paradise.
It was once christened the ‘Pink Lake’, due to the over 1 million Lesser flamingos that resided on the shores of the shallow, alkaline lake. But the rising water levels in 2014 forced the flamingos to flee (although they are slowly returning). Hundreds of other water birds, including pelicans, marabou storks, seagulls, avocets, plovers and stilts can also be found at the lake itself, while the acacia trees and rocky cliffs of the park house Verreaux’s eagles, splendid fish eagles, vultures and wood hoopoes.
The parklands are filled with numerous buffaloes, waterbuck, gazelles and impalas, while the majestic and rare Rothschild giraffes roam the riverine forest of acacias, occasionally walking across the open plains. Lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals are commonly sighted, as are the black and white rhinos, who have found refuge in Kenya’s prime rhino sanctuary.

LAKE NAKURU – MAASAI MARA
Distance: 300 KM / Time approx. 5.5 hrs.
After breakfast, (at 07:30 hrs.) depart for the world famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, driving along the Rift Valley floor, past lakes Elementaita and Naivasha, via Mai Mahiu Town, where you turn left towards the Maasai Mara – going past Narok Town (the Maasai Capital).
Arrive at the Lodge in time for lunch.
Afternoon game viewing drive (at 16:00 hrs) in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, generally acclaimed as the finest game viewing area in the world!
Return to the Lodge at sunset, for dinner and overnight at MARA SOPA LODGE/ MARA SIMBA LODGE. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Offering superb plains scenery, unmatched safari activities and diverse wildlife, Masai Mara National Reserve is considered Kenya’s best park and one of Africa’s highest wildlife density region for predators. The reserve covers 583 square miles (1510 square kilometres) of outstanding wilderness in South West Kenya.
The location, wildlife, activities and comfortable moderate climate puts Mara at the top of the list, even for the most discerning traveller to Kenya. When the public reserve was first established, it covered 645 square miles (1672 square kilometres). Strategically, the size of the reserve was later reduced in 1984 to accommodate Maasai cattle grazing on their ancestral lands.
Although the decrease in land area may be considered a let-down for wildlife conservation and protection at its infancy, the animals and habitats of the reserve found new allies to ensure their survival for generations to come. Many private conservancies have been introduced to protect the land that surrounds the reserve, thereby providing more area for wildlife. The lands not only protect habitats for resident species, but also preserve a critical part of the route used by wildebeests and zebras during the Great Migration that traverses the Masai Mara via the Serengeti National Park. Recognized as one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet, the migration is a continuous route that is followed by an over 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras, gazelles and elands. In their never-ending pursuit for the finest grazing and watering grounds, the gnu relocate on an almost constant basis. The perseverance of these wildebeests is demonstrated in their ability to mate while on the move, and many cows are pregnant during part of the migration. Additionally, even the youngest wildebeest calves are expected to keep up with the herd. Standing and walking within minutes are critical to its survival.

MAASAI MARA
Morning and afternoon game viewing drives in the extensive Maasai Mara Game Reserve, if lucky, opportunity to see the big five in one day!!!
In consultation with your drivers / guides, there is an option of a full day game viewing drive with packed lunches, this allows you time to explore greater areas of the reserve uninterrupted by journeying back to the Lodge for lunch.
All meals and overnight at MARA SOPA LODGE / MARA SIMBA LODGE.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

The migrators of Masai Mara National Reserve are present from approximately late June – early August until end of October – early November. But the Mara offers year-round game viewing. The reserve and surrounding conservancies offer diverse resident species experiences. Frequently to be seen are impalas, topis, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalos, warthogs and other grazing herbivores. With so many prey animals, Masai Mara is a veritable bonanza for large predators, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles and other stealthy, powerful hunters. The abundance of terrestrial animals is enhanced by the presence of more than 450-winged species, including 57 birds of prey. Masai Mara Game Reserve offers varied tour activities to explore the plains landscape and see incredible animal behaviours. The adjoining conservancies offer distinct activities that are not allowed in the reserve. Game drives in the reserve are perfect for those who seek to be immersed in Kenya’s bush country and see larger animals.
For guests interested in observing the nocturnal animals, these are available in the form of night game drives in some of adjoining private conservancies. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is recognized for an enormous diversity of flora and fauna, and some small details are missed during game drives. Most conservancies offer bush walks for an intimate look at the micro-ecosystems of the area. To complement these walks or a general visit to the Mara, a balloon safari experience, for a bird’s-eye view of the area, is a memorable experience.
Lastly, the Maasai community is key to the advancement of wildlife management in the area. It is hence recommended for one to take time learning more about these noble people by visiting one of their villages for a life-changing cultural experience in understanding their modest and simple lives.

MAASAI MARA – NAIROBI - DEPART
Distance: 230 KM / Time approx. 4.5 hrs.
After breakfast at the Lodge, at 07:30 hrs, commence your return drive to Nairobi to arrive in time for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant.
After lunch transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight. (Breakfast)
(Transfer 03/04 hrs. prior to departure)