Nairobi to Aberdare Country Club

On arrival transfer to the Somak Safari Lounge, where you can freshen up and store any additional luggage before departing for the Aberdares Country Club (180 km – approximately 4 hours). Arrive in time for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing, or on a nature walk with the resident naturalist (weather permitting).

The Aberdare Country Club, is nestled on a slope of Mweiga Hill in the Aberdare Highlands, part of the Great Rift Valley. This captivating site was the homestead of an English couple that decided to settle in Kenya. Almost a half century later, their home, “The Steep”, was renamed the Aberdare Country Club and opened for guests.

Considered a heritage property in Kenya, The Aberdare Country Club has retained the charm of a private home with the simple comforts of a country inn.

Overnight at Aberdare Country Club (L,D)

Aberdare Country Club to Samburu

Drive north across the equator to the Samburu National Reserve (190 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch before a late afternoon game drive.

Samburu National Reserve is one of the lesser-known national parks, but is nevertheless teeming with life. Situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River, there is plenty to attract wildlife from the surrounding savannah plains.

The reserve is rich in wildlife with an abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx (also referred to as Samburu Special Five). The reserve is also home to elephants and large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah. Kamunyak the miracle lioness that adopted the baby oryx was as a resident in the reserve.

Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area. Birdlife is abundant with over 450 species recorded.

Overnight at Ashnil Samburu Camp (B,L,D)

Samburu

Morning and late afternoon game drives in this open savannah which is traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River. The river is populated by hippos and crocodiles, whilst the park is home to a host of animals including several species which are rarely seen in numbers elsewhere, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffes and long- necked gerenuks.

Ashnil Samburu Camp is a luxury tented set in the spectacular backdrop drop of the Mighty Ol Olokwe mountain fronting Ewaso Nyiro River. The exclusive luxury Tents are spread out along the shady banks of the river under a thick stand of doum Palms.

It features an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun lounges, a garden and a Lounge bar offering views of the African savannah. Each tent features a decked Terrance with views of the Ewaso Nyiro River. The restaurant offers views of the river and serves a variety of menus comprising of Oriental, traditional and international cuisines.

Overnight at Ashnil Samburu Camp (B,L,D)

Samburu to Mount Kenya

Drive to your lodge in time for lunch (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Spend the afternoon viewing game from the lodge, or join a nature walk led by a local guide (payable locally and weather permitting).

Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.

Overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge (B,L,D)

Mount Kenya to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, descend into the Great Rift Valley and continue to Lake Nakuru Lodge (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch. Afternoon game drive in the national park. Drive to Lake Naivasha (80 km – approximately 1 hour).

On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic and game drives.

Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort (B,L,D)

Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara

Optional boat trip on Lake Naivasha (payable locally). Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve (320 km – approximately 5.5 hours). Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.

This is an ancient freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley and is set at its highest point – 1,890 m (6,200 ft) above sea level. The outlet for this lake, called Njorwa Gorge, forms the entrance to the Hell’s Gate National Park which has spectacular examples of rock formations and an abundance of flora and fauna; including some extremely rare breeding pairs of Lammergeyers, also known as bearded vultures.

Lake Naivasha is home to a wide variety of wildlife including a healthy population of hippo, a variety of freshwater fish like black bass, tilapia and crayfish, and many fish-eating birds like fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers and cormorants.

Overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp (B,L,D)

Maasai Mara

Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge. Alternatively, take an early morning balloon flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra).

After lunch, relax before a late afternoon game drive.

Situated in the southwest of Kenya, covering 583 square mile), the Masai Mara National Reserve is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains

The quintessential Masai Mara safari delivers many attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game, including the more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes that make up the famous Great Migration.

The reserve is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise, with abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered black rhino hide in the dense thickets and large rafts of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River.

Overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp (B,L,D)

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

After breakfast, return to Nairobi by road (300 km – 5 hours).

Fly Mara to Nairobi: Adult: USD 270 per person, Child: USD 210 per person (15kg luggage allowance on all light aircraft).

End of tour