7 Days Kenya Safari for Nairobi, Samburu, Mt Kenya, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Nairobi.

Day 1: Nairobi - Samburu

Arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi where you will be met by All Seasons Safaris & Tours Representative and briefed concerning your safari as we assist with visa formalities, then escorted past the custom counter where you will be given mineral water to freshen up.

You will be introduced to your driver guide and be given your personalized detailed itinerary.

You will then drive to Samburu National Park

OUR TWO OPTIONAL SAFARI VEHICLES

Enroute, you will pass by the town of Thika, which is known as an industrial hub. You will see vast pineapple and coffee plantations. The pineapple estate is owned and managed by Delmonte Company that also deals with the processing of pineapples. The British previously owned the company but it has since been sold to an Italian company.

Continue with your drive

You will pass and stop by the popular Blue Post hotel famous for its strategic view overlooking the Chania falls. Drive on and you are passing through Karatina town and witness the largest open air market in East Africa.

You will pass through the equator for a short demonstration on how crossing from the southern to the northern hemisphere affects water flow.

Arrive in time for lunch at the Samburu Sopa Lodge with game drive enroute. sopalodges.com

About The Lodge

The lodge is built atop raised ground allowing panoramic views of distant Samburu hills to one side and El Ndonyo Keri (Samburu name for Mt. Kenya) on the other.

Location

It is accessible from the main Isiolo – Moyale road at both Ngare Mara as well as Archers post junctions.

Samburu Sopa Lodge’s location deep inside the reserve guarantees close encounters with Samburu’s shier species including elephant, leopard and the famous Special five, the rare Reticulated Giraffe, long necked Gerenuk Antelope, Somali Ostrich, Grevys zebra, and Majestic Beisa Oryx.

Easy-to-spot lion, leopard and cheetah. 

15:00hrs-Coffee or tea at the lobby.

16:00hrs-Afternoon game drive around the less crowded park.

SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK

The most unique of them all is the Gerenuk or antelope giraffe, distinguished by its extraordinarily distended neck and freakishly small head. It also possesses a unique manner of feeding, standing near-erect on its hind legs to stretch two metres above the ground and nibble on the leaves that other browsers can’t reach, the densely striped Grevy’s zebra (twice as heavy as the more familiar Burchell’s zebra), the Reticulated giraffe (neat, geometrically marked coat), the regal Beisa oryx and a comically long-horned race of the Grant’s gazelle

 Samburu came to the international limelight in the early 2000 when a lioness adopted several baby orynxs, each at different times. This made researchers from all over the world camp at the park in an effort to understand this unusual and unexpected animal behaviour.

From your hotel room you have a chance of seeing crocodiles hunt in the Owasso Nyiro River.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2: Samburu

Early morning game drive and later return to the lodge for breakfast.

You will have an option of visiting the Samburu village which is optional after breakfast or spend the rest of the morning at leisure.

13;00hrs-Lunch at the lodge

You spend time after lunch at leisure relaxing in your room or taking a swim.

 16:00hrs– Afternoon game drive at the park.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Samburu / Mt. Kenya

Breakfast then head for the Mt Kenya.

You will arrive in time for lunch at the Sweetwater’s Tented Camp www.serenahotels.com

About Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Tented Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury.

Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features thirty-nine luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager’s house of this once colonial farm, and offers both regional and international cuisine. Also within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching.

Host to all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard), the conservancy has a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any Kenyan national park and is one of only four private game conservancies to have been founded in Kenya. At the forefront of the Kenyan conservancy programme, the conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, hosts the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species.

Lunch then Take a drive around the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy (informally known as Sweetwaters for the location of Sweetwaters Tented Camp), is a 90,000 acre wildlife conservancy situated between the foothills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow capped Mount Kenya.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasts an astounding variety of animals including the non-indigenous chimpanzees and the big 5 (the endangered black rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion).
The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains of Ol Pejeta guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.

Why Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Informally Known As Sweetwaters Conservancy

Ol Pejeta conservancy is the only place in africa that offers the opportunity to see chimpanzees and the big 5.

Ol Pejeta conservancy is a 90,000 acre wildlife conservancy.
Home to over 40 chimpanzees, 73 endangered black rhino, 5 endangered white rhinos, elephants, lion, leopard, buffalo, grevy zebra, giraffe, cheetah, thomson’s gazelle, black-back jackals, ostrich, grant’s gazelle, baboons, waterbuck, oryx, eland and several hundred bird species.
Only a three hour drive from nairobi on good roads, ol pejeta conservancy is the closest place for you to come and see the big 5.

Sweetwaters tented camp offers fine quality tented accommodation overlooking a large watering hole backed by a spectacular view of Mount Kenya, a lovely swimming pool and a game viewing bar.
Ol Pejeta house offers large luxurious rooms, a stunning garden with watering hole, and two swimming pools.
During your stay at sweetwaters you will have to opportunity to meet and greet morani the tame black rhino and to go and see chimpanzees living naturally within their dedicated sanctuary. Sweetwaters tented camp also offers a true safari experience with night drives, bush walks and breakfast in the wild.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy Conservation Efforts and Community Projects

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary:-The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened in 1993. Lonrho Africa, the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) established a facility to receive and provide sanctuary and housing to an original group of 3 chimps orphaned at a young age by the bush-meat trade. With the evacuation of the JGI facility in Bujumbura due to civil war breaking out in Burundi, the chimps were brought to Sweetwaters. In 1995, 9 older chimpanzees arrived, followed at the beginning of 1996 by 10 younger chimpanzees.

The Sanctuary is partitioned into two parts, with the river acting as a natural border between the two groups. The eastern side of the sanctuary is 96 acres and home to the older group while the western side is 151 acres and home to the younger group. The sole objective of the sanctuary is to provide a safe, secure and permanent refuge for theses chimpanzees in an environment that is as natural as possible.

Owing to the ongoing destruction of the West African rainforest and continued demand for bush-meat, Sweetwaters is compelled to continue accepting new orphaned and abused chimpanzees. The sanctuary now holds 40 chimpanzees with 16 fully qualified staff taking care of them day and night.

The Rhino Sanctuary: The population of black rhino in Africa plummeted from an estimated 65,000 to about 10,000 in the early 1980’s. By 2001 the total African population was estimated at 3,100.

The population of black rhinos in Kenya dropped from an estimated 20,000 in 1970 to an estimated 450 animals presently. Kenya is the stronghold of the last remaining population of the eastern subspecies (Diceros biconis michaeli), holding 88% of the population.

In response to the drastic reduction in rhino numbers through poaching, Kenya decided to set up specially protected and fenced sanctuaries for rhino conservation. The creation of these sanctuaries was designed to maximize the breeding potential of rhinos, using surplus animals to re-stock any new areas. Sweetwaters game reserve is one such sanctuary.

Sweetwaters game reserve was set up in 1989 and covered an area of 24,000 acres. Twenty-two black rhinos were introduced into Sweetwaters from other sanctuaries between 1989 and 1993. The carrying capacity for black rhinos was then estimated at 90 animals but due to the high densities of competing species, especially elephants and giraffes, the estimated carrying capacity was reduced to approximately 40 animals.

Dinner and overnight at the Sweetwater’s Serena camp.

Day 4: Mt Kenya / Lake Nakuru

Breakfast then take a drive to Lake Nakuru National Park.

You will pass through Nyahururu one of Kenya’s highest cities, at 2360 m above sea level.

Just outside of town lies Thomson’s Falls.

Thomson’s Falls is a beautiful waterfall at the Ewaso Nyiro River in Central Kenya.

The waterfall is 74 meters (243 feet) high. One of the biggest hippo pools of Kenya is located up stream from the falls. It’s possible to view the falls from above, and there’s also a trail down to the bottom of the ravine.
The Thomson’s Falls gets it’s name from Joseph Thomson, a naturalist and geologist from Scotland who discovered it in 1887 when he walked all the way from Mombasa to Lake Victoria.

Continue with your drive to Nakuru passing through the Menengai crater.

ABOUT MENENGAI CRATER

Menengai Crater is an extinct volcano with striking views of Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria as well as the crater itself. Menengai Crater is a large Caldera, formed by millions of years of volcanic activity. The highest point, at some 2,300 m above sea level, has a signpost erected by the Rotary Club that shows the directions and distances to several places in the world.

Legend has it that the Menengai Crater is home to many demons and ghosts and so the crater is referred to as Kirima kia ngoma, “the place of devils”. Since the 19th C, it has been the scene for battles between different Maasai clans for the pastures at Naivasha and the Rift slopes.

You will then proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park.

Arrive at the lake Nakuru Lodge in time for lunch.

ABOUT LAKE NAKURU LODGE

Lake Nakuru Lodge is situated in a wonderland which lies in the heart of one of Kenya’s most densely animal populated wetland national parks (Ramsar Site), only two hours leisurely drive on first class roads from Nairobi, through some of the most exciting scenery to be seen anywhere in Africa. The 156 km Nairobi-Nakuru roads gives the visitor an unrivalled view of the majestic Great Rift Valley, winding through a series of lakes and forested uplands all the way to the bustling market town of Nakuru.

Situated in the South East Ecological niche of the park is Lake Nakuru Lodge, an oasis of comfort and excellent service, with commanding views of the lesser flamingo dotted with the Greater Flamingo for which Lake Nakuru is justly famous. It is another world for the visitor, where one easily forgets the hustle and bustle of the city. The lodge blends well with its surrounding and the animals often browse peacefully close to the lodge and environs, much to the fascination of the visitors.

There are accommodations for 120 people, either in family rooms, cottages, or suites. The service is unmatched anywhere in Kenya, a country renowned for hospitality.

There is excellent cuisine, which includes outside catering, Bush Barbecue, African night and Sundowners. After a days watching, the spacious logged Mama Nikki bar, the cool upstairs

Rhino Paddock Cocktail Bar overlooking the lake and the enticing blue swimming pool can be particularly inviting. Evening entertainment and slide shows for guests is interesting and varied. The Baboon Cliff lookout sits next to Honeymoon Hill.

16:00 hrs– you will have an afternoon game drive at the Lake Nakuru National Park.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Lake Nakuru National Park was created in 1968 to protect the huge flocks of over a million of the lesser flamingo that breed and nest at the edge of Lake Nakuru, giving it the characteristic pink rim. Lake Nakuru National Park located at an altitude of 4,000 – 5,767 feet above sea level, covers 188 square kilometers of land of great ecological diversity – from lake water, woodland, bush grassland, to rocky ridges. The park is home to not just the lesser flamingo but over 400 species of birds and one of the few places to see the endangered white rhino. Other wildlife at the park includes lions, leopards, zebra, gazelles, eland, giraffe and the hyrax.

Lake Nakuru National park is truly a remarkable park as it has achieved international fame on animal sanctuary. Both black and white Rhinos are being given a new lease of life in this park. Also it is in this park that you will find large numbers of different species of bird life and most outstanding the pink greater and lesser flamingos. The park is best known for its flamingos There are also larges flocks of pelicans and is a home to the waterbuck, leopards and the Rothschild giraffe. The park is also a Rhino sanctuary.

For bird lovers this an absolutely wonderful place to visit.

LAKE NAKURU

It is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Traditional dancers display their talent everyday at 9.00 pm.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru / Maasai Mara

After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge you shall depart for the highlights of your safari “The Magical Mara”.Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s best loved reserves. It is an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem to the south. Each year, Mara is the staging ground for the “Great Migration”, one of the awe-inspiring natural events

You will have two stops en route to visit the wash rooms. What to expect as you drive to Masai Mara is to see a nice country side – you will also pass by large scale wheat farms and admire the nomadic Maasai people with their unique culture herding their life stock by the road side.

Then proceed on with your drive to the jewel of Kenya’s parks, the world famous Masai Mara Game (Wildlife) Reserve.  This is Kenya’s number one park and is always on every tourist’s “Must see list”.

Masai Mara is most famous for the spectacular annual migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle etc from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July – October.

During this crossing, hundreds of animals are swept away by the first moving Mara River and others are killed by the ferocious African Crocodiles. This crossing gives true meaning to the phrase “Survival of the fittest”.

From the International media.

It’s now official. The Mara is an international conservation destination. It’s a verdict that was arrived by a panel of experts and announced in the American broadcasting corporation after many months of research. The wildebeest migrations have now been placed among the 7 new wonders of the world in the same category with The Tibets potala palace, the old Jerusalem city, the polar ice caps of Iceland, The underwater Hawaiian Islands and the Mayan pyramids in Mexico among others. You are visiting Masai Mara to see the annual migrations which start from the month of June and climaxes in the month of August before closing over to Serengeti towards the month of Oct.

Watch the wildebeest migrations.

You are visiting Maasai Mara to see the annual migrations which start from the month of June and climaxes in the month of August before closing over to Serengeti towards the month of Oct

What exactly is the wildebeest migration?

The wildebeest migration is a dramatic story. It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest wildlife show on earth. Between the open plains of Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, thousands and thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to greener pastures as seasons change and circle of life and death continues. Predators closely follow the wildebeest migrations waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into different territories. The most interesting part is when you watch them as they cross the Mara River. The first ones to jump into the river are trampled upon to death by the following multitude. The dead animals become a bridge over which all the other animals cross the river. The crocodiles feed on the remaining carcasses for months.

Majority of tourists literally camp in the Mara during this period with their flashy digital cameras. They will trail the migrations and even the members of the big 5 are no longer an interest at this time. When its time to cross over the river, the tourists will position themselves strategically along the Mara river, trying to get the best shot possible. Others will ride on the hot air balloon to watch the migrations from the skies. To show the implication of this phenomenal show, members of both local and international media also make their way to Mara if only to capture this hot news for interesting reading. It’s also a common feature in the world travel magazines. This is a spectacle that should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime.

1300 hrs: Finally arrive at the Maasai Mara Sopa lodge www.sopalodges.com in time for lunch.

1330 hrs: Have your buffet Lunch After

About Mara Sopa

Sopa means “Welcome” in Maasai language. Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge is set in the Oloolaimutia valley, where the lodge totally blends in perfectly with its surrounding hillside landscape. The accent here is on the Maasai tribe, and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, bird life, and natural flora to be found in the fabled Reserve. The meals are buffet, enjoyed either in the dining or under the shade of indigenous trees. The culinary affair is indeed one to delight the senses.

1500 hrs – Enjoy your afternoon tea and coffee at the lobby.

1530 hrs – your driver/guides will take you for an afternoon game drive in search of the shy and elusive leopard, the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, lions, buffalos, and many others. As the sun starts to edge its way dip into the African horizon it will be the perfect opportunity to capture the beautiful Mara landscape on film or video camera.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

Dinner and overnight at the lodge amidst Maasai dancer.

Day 6: Maasai Mara

You will have an early morning game drive or optional balloon ride.

Optional Balloon ride

06 Schedules: BALLOON SAFARI IN MAASAI MARA – 1 HOUR RIDE.

 05:00 am: You will be picked up from your camp and transfer you to the launch site. Here you will meet your pilot, receive a briefing and watch the inflation of your balloon.

At dawn we take off, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take us. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.

From time to time the pilot must put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners. In between these burns, there is silence apart from the natural sound below.

The flight is for about one hour depending on conditions, on landing you celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne (well, an excellent sparkling wine), before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in ‘Out of Africa’ style with bone china, linen table cloths, King’s silver etc.

This is how it begins and ends – LIVE COVERAGE.

You will ascend in early morning when the winds are calmest.

Watch as your professional crew fills the balloon with hot air. Slowly the big colorful bag begins to bulge and take shape. Now board the traditional wicker gondola basket while the expert pilot makes final adjustments. As the pink and red fireball of the sun rises in splendor over the plain, you are up and away –for the flight of a lifetime!

Your balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the Mara, with only the intermittent whisper of the balloon’s gas burners punctuating the silence of your majestic flight .Because wind and conditions vary, every flight is a new and a different experience

From your vantage point about 50—500 feet above the reserve, you have a fantastic 360 degrees bird’s view as one of the most dramatic scenes in nature unfolds beneath you. From here, you will see the wonder of migrations, witness herds of antelope flowing like school of fish across the plain, groups of elephants grazing undisturbed in a remote ravine, lioness stealthily stalking a herd of grunting wildebeest or zebras conferring in a confusion of black and while stripes and bark-like calls.

After your incredible flight, it is time to come back down to earth for breakfast. As you dig into a splendid breakfast of sizzling bacon, eggs, sausages, homemade breads, fresh tropical fruit and steaming cups of Kenyan tea under the clear blue sky, you might wonder what all the ordinary people are doing on this perfect African morning.

Before leaving, the pilot will present you with a balloon flight certificate. No flight of the imagination can match this air-borne experience

Enroute back to the camp, you can visit a Maasai village..

MAASAI VILLAGE: See and experience their wonderful culture. And while at the village, you will visit the Maasai village for local interaction, cultural exchange, dances, fire lighting with a barbeque goat eating ceremony.

In the village Maasai women dancing will welcome you. A guide will take you through the village explaining in details the way the Maasai live, their beliefs and traditions. You will get demonstrations of how the Maasai make fire-using sticks.

You will go into their houses and will be shown the full family set-up. At the end of the guided tour you will go a market where you will have a chance to buy some items and curios made in their village. While in the village you are allowed to take as many pictures as you want.

Lunch at the lodge

Afternoon game drive.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight amidst Maasai traditional dancers.

Day 7: Maasai Mara / Nairobi