From Nakuru we drive south over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya's premier game reserve - The Masai Mara. The Mara Game Reserve is one of the top Game Reserves in Africa and home to an abundance of wildlife, especially the Big Cats. If we are lucky and its that time of the year we will witness the Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife displays on earth.This wildlife-rich Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari ends back in Nairobi.
Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve – Kenya Safari
After breakfast we Leave from Nairobi we head north via the shoulder of Africa's second largest mountain, Mount Kenya, making our way to the Samburu Game Reserve. Arriving at our first lodge we have lunch and embark on an exciting afternoon game drive in Samburu. We camp beside the Ewaso Nyiro River under shady palms and woodlands. The camp has refreshing cold showers to freshen-up in and escape the heat of the African plains.
Day 2: Samburu Game Reserve – Kenya safari
Day two is set aside for game viewing in Samburu Reserve, exploring its open grasslands and diverse landscapes in search of the variety of wildlife found here. Samburu hosts beautiful forests, springs and rivers, offering stunning scenery. The game park is part of a lava plain that includes varied habitats, from thorn scrub, red dirt and dried river beds, to broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcrops.
This region of Kenya is home to the uncommon Grevy's zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings and lion, hippo and giraffe are also found in the reserve. The bird watching is excellent, with over 365 species, including numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sightings are also a special feature here.
The Samburu area is also home to interesting people with a rich heritage, making for a colorful cultural experience.
Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru – Kenya safari
After breakfast we break up camp and hit the road again, game viewing on our way out of Samburu Park.
We travel south through Kenya to Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping for lunch en route. Arriving at Lake Nakuru we take an afternoon game drive in the compact wildlife area. This Kenyan game park has retained its reputation as an ornithologist's delight, with more than 400 species of bird found here. Bird species include the Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, and Long-crested Eagle.
The Nakuru National Park surrounds the lake and was first gazetted to protect the rich bird life found here, later becoming a national park to provide sanctuary for endangered species such as the rhino. There are about 25 white and black rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country. Predators are also residents to this park while Rothschild’s giraffe have been trans-located into the park for safety This small park (180 sq km) is also home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. The park has retained its reputation as an ornithologists' delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. Returning to camp we enjoy dinner and stay overnight at a Lake Nakuru guest house or hotel.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara – Kenya safari
Today we leave camp after breakfast and travel south towards the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, in southwest Kenya.
We drive through beautiful savannah grasslands and plains in the Great Rift Valley making our way to our next overnight camp. Along the way to our camp, located near Masai Mara, we keep a look out for wildlife. We spend another peaceful night camping out in the untamed bush, under starry African skies.
Day 5: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya safari
The next two days are spent embarking on game viewing drives in Masai Mara. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange-tinged sunsets worth capturing on camera. The Mara reserve covers 1510km² of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodlands, following the meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal as an iconic savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife. An optional hot-air balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost.
Day 6: Masai Mara Reserve – Kenya safari
We spend another full day exploring the spectacular Masai Mara Park. Wherever you go in the Mara Reserve you will see an abundance of wildlife, such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, and wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos. It is common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot, but are still reasonably common.
The ultimate wildlife action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these grass-eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October. The Great Migration is one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles on earth!
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi – Kenya safari
We head off into the bush on an early morning game drive in Masai Mara Reserve, before enjoying breakfast back at camp. Then we return to bustling Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, arriving in the afternoon. This Budget Samburu, Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari ends upon arrival in Nairobi.
- 1. Accommodation at the camps.
- 2. All meals as provided in the itinerary.
- 3. Transportation in a chauffeur-driven land cruiser with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
- 4. Services of an English /Spanish/French/Russian speaking tour/guide-driver
- 5. Game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
- 6. All Government taxes and levies.
- 7. Minimum of one liter Mineral water a day while on safari only
- 8. All arrival and departure transfers
- 9. 24 hours stand-by contact number
- 10. Guaranteed window seat in the land cruiser
- 11. Two-way long-range high-frequency radio communication
- 12. Unlimited Game drives
- 1. Tips
- 2. Laundry
- 3. Beverages/Drinks
- 4. International flights
- 5. Visas
- 6. Items of a personal nature
- 7. Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary