7-Day Samburu, Sweetwaters, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara

driving past the Equator and the scenic Mount Kenya Early pick up from the airport or Nairobi hotel. Dive north across the equator and the majestic snow-capped Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve (5~6 hours). Samburu eco-system is a secluded and arid landscape dotted with lush springs and rocky river gorges. A few of the highlights of this area are the Gerenuk 'giraffe necked' antelope, the Reticulated giraffe, the Grevy's zebra, leopards in daylight and the Samburu culture. Samburu has a healthy population of lion, leopard, and cheetah. It is also a birdwatchers paradise with hundreds of species. The Ewaso Nyiro river, lifeline of the area, runs along the southern boundary dividing Samburu Game Reserve from Buffalo Springs Reserve. Crocodiles and hippos share the river with the many small herds of elephant which bathe and frolic in the muddy brown waters during the heat of the day before returning later to browse on the lush vegetation of the riverine forest. Lunch and afternoon game drive. Overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge, B, L, D.

Today, you enjoy morning and afternoon game drives to discover Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves. Samburu Game Reserve is situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District. Explore this open savannah including Shaba National Reserve 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. The Ewaso Nyiro river, lifeline of the area, runs along the southern boundary dividing Samburu Game Reserve from Buffalo Springs Reserve. Crocodiles and hippos share the river with the many small herds of elephant which bathe and frolic in the muddy brown waters during the heat of the day before returning later to browse on the lush vegetation of the riverine forest. Dinner and overnight is at Samburu Sopa Lodge, B, L, D.

After breakfast, on route game viewing as you proceed to the Equator in the Laikipia Plateau and Mt. Kenya region arriving for lunch (2hrs, drive). Enjoy an afternoon game drive at this private game ranch. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the only sanctuary for rehabilitation in Kenya of these widely abused chimpanzees with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.

The site is also a dedicated black rhino breeding area. Sweetwaters is located in typical savanna grasslands with ‘Whistling Thorn’ and other acacia trees, overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt-lick. It offers finest tented accommodation, personalized service, and abundant game viewing opportunities. All tents are en-suite; some on ground level and some erected on raised wooden platforms. All tents are covered with thatch, keeping them cool even during the hottest day. Each spacious tent has a verandah and en-suite bathroom. Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, B, L, D.

After an early breakfast, embark on a journey to Lake Nakuru (3~4hrs) via Nyahururu Falls, formerly Thompson Falls. You will arrive for lunch and then enjoy game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park. It is a shallow alkaline lake where visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity with varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Game drive is the main activity at Lake Nakuru. Foragers, grazers, hunters and scavengers all play their roles in the natural existence of Lake Nakuru. The park also has over 450 birds species including the flamingos. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic and game drives. The lake is famed as one of the world's greatest ornithological spectacles. Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to zebras, gazelles, Rothschild giraffe, impala, black and white rhino sanctuary and other large mammals. Dinner and overnight stay at Flamingo Hill Camp, B, L, D.

After breakfast, drive via Lake Naivasha for a boat cruise to see hippos and possibly walk on Crescent Island. Drive to the magnificent Masai Mara (270 km - approximately 5~6 hours). You will have lunch on route. Take an afternoon game drive in this pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the 'Big Five' in one morning. The 1,800 sq kilometers of this veteran reserve offers the classic mix of African imagery; miles of lion-gold grasslands, shoals of lilac-misted hills, a meandering river, acres of thorn-bush and mile upon mile of undulating wilderness. Game viewing in the Masai Mara is excellent all year around thanks to the diverse population of resident game, including the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – plus other species like zebra, giraffe, hyena, eland and gazelle. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge, B, L, D.

Full day in the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Masai Mara National Reserve offers one of the best opportunities to see cheetah and lions in Africa. A visit to this reserve in July will allow you the best chance to witness and watch firsthand as thousands of wildebeest migrate across the swollen crocodile infested Mara River. This is one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles, the wildebeest migration, reaches Masai Mara. The sheer number of wildebeests arriving in the area is staggering. The migration is a dramatic mass movement of almost two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles in a seasonal annual cycle driven by rainfall. In order to reach Masai Mara fresh grazing, wildebeests make dramatic river crossings, facing enormous crocodiles to feast on the Mara plains and regain their strength. November's short rains trigger the last leg of the migration, when the wildebeest move south to Serengeti. Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sopa Lodge, B, L, D.

Take a dawn game viewing drive, being the best time to spot cats at hunt and also enjoy the glorious sunrise. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. You now drive back to Nairobi by road (300 km - approximately 5~6 hours), or optional extra fly from the Masai Mara to Nairobi at the airport or drop at the hotel to proceed with your onward travel arrangements, B.

Price includes:

Transport, Accommodation on full board, all meals and park entrance fees and Game drives.

Excludes:

Drinks, cigarettes, tips and things of personal use.