Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Summary Of The Route and Costs
This 7 night/8 day private safari takes you to the remote northern part of Kenya, onto the shores of Lake Nakuru and ends with 3 nights in the famous Masai Mara. This is ideal for anyone watching their budget, as for the first 4 nights your transport is in a private safari minivan which offers a lower-priced option compared to a private 4x4 safari vehicle. Admire the long-necked gerenuk and its fellow members of the Samburu Five - Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the besia oryx and the Somali ostrich. Count endless bird species and stalk big cats across open plains. But most of all, be blown away by the scenery.
Your first camp is in the Samburu National Reserve, approximately 350 kilometers north of Nairobi - so it will be about a 6 hour drive to get here but the drive will be worth it. Elephant Bedroom Camp is set along the banks of a river and is an intimate tented camp offering simplistic elegance, luxury and style. Elephant, monkeys and impalas are amongst the camp's many regular wild visitors, whilst Samburu National Reserve has a good number of lions and leopards and offers the opportunity to see the unique Samburu Five species which are endemic to this part of northern Kenya.
You then head south again by road to the spectacular Great Rift Valley and the Lake Manyara National Park. Set on the private 6,400 acre Congreve Conservancy, Mbweha Camp offers walking, mountain biking and night game drives, as well as day trips into the Lake Manyara Park itself.
After Lake Manyara you will be driven back to Nairobi, where you say farewell to your driver-guide and hop on a light aircraft flight at Wilson Airport which will take you to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Tipilikwani Mara Camp is set on the banks of the Talek River and overlooks the mottled plains of the Masai Mara, where vast herds of wildlife co-exist with the colourful Masai people. Between June and October the plains play host to one of the most spectacular wildlife shows on earth - the great annual migration of two million wildebeest and zebra as they enter the Mara ecosystem from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Excellent food, personalised service and traditional Kenyan hospitality further enhance your stay here.
Summary Of The Itinerary
Holiday Title: A Scenic Safari Adventure
Countries Visited: Kenya
Arrive into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport.
After you have had your passports stamped by the Immigrations Officer, proceed to the Baggage Hall to collect your luggage and then go through Customs and exit the building onto the street outside, where our representative will be waiting to meet you, holding a signboard displaying your name. He will introduce you to your driver-guide and you will then be driven to the Samburu National Reserve in your private safari minivan, which has sliding windows and a roof hatch for excellent game viewing and photography opportunities. Your safari guide is accredited by the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association.
Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve surrounded by doum palms and other beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs sits the small and exclusive Elephant Bedroom Camp, consisting of just 12 luxury tents - all furnished in a rustic African style while offering all the comforts expected of a luxury camp. Huge herds of elephant, prides of lion or the solitary leopard amongst other game are regular visitors around the camp providing excellent game viewing in spectacular scenic background of rugged rolling hills.
Samburu Eco-System
After lunch and once you are fully rested you will be have the opportunity to head out on an afternoon game drive returning back to camp in time for dinner. Located in the northern part of Kenya, Samburu is a fairly remote area which means the reserve is not as busy as other safari destinations in Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro River is a permanent water supply for the wildlife in the area, and it acts as a magnet, making this a great safari destination for people who want to get away from the crowds. Lion, cheetah and leopard can often be seen on game drives, as well as elephant, hippo, and buffalo. Giraffe, waterbuck and zebra wander the open plains, alongside gerenuks - rather odd looking members of the gazelle family, who are easily distinguishable by their extremely long necks, and their ability to stand on their hind legs to reach high into bushes in order to skim the leaves off the branches with their rough tongue. The river itself is home to a large number of Nile crocodiles too. Over 365 bird species have been identified, including secretary birds, sunbirds, bee-eaters and the blue necked and legged Somali ostrich.
Today, you will enjoy a morning and an afternoon game drive in the Samburu/Buffalo Springs Reserve. Alternatively, if you would prefer, the camp can arrange for you to take a picnic lunch with you, so that you can enjoy a full day of uninterrupted game viewing with your guide.
After breakfast, depart on the drive down to the Rift Valley with a picnic lunch to enjoy on the way, arriving into camp later this afternoon in time to relax before dinner is served.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Today enjoy a full day of game viewing in the Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping at midday for a picnic lunch at a scenic location. The Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its excellent bird-watching opportunities in general, as more than 400 different bird species have been recorded. Other wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, cheetah, hippo, Masai giraffe, wildebeest, impala, zebra, warthogs, large troops of baboons, and the legendary but rarely seen tree-climbing lions.
After an early breakfast, you will be driven back to Nairobi and onto Wilson Airport, where you will check in for your afternoon flight to the Mara. The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular and most visited African game reserves. A true 'Out of Africa' safari destination, the reserve is mostly made up of open plains, baked golden by the African sun.
Safarilink 003 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Wilson Airport (WIL) departing at 13:45 to Masai Mara Airstrip, arriving at 14:45
You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your camp, arriving in time for lunch. Set on the banks of the Talek River, Tipilikwani's safari tents are decorated in warm, rich Masai colours. During your stay here, shared game drives offer the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the diversity of animals and birds living permanently in the Masai Mara, as well as many migratory bird species which are present from November to April. Guests can also learn more about the Masai people, proud pastoralists and warriors, many of whom still retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle.
Masai Mara
After a morning game drive and lunch at the camp, you will be transferred back to the airstrip where you will board your afternoon flight back to Nairobi's Wilson Airport.
Safarilink 04 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Masai Mara Airstrip departing at 16:00 to Wilson Airport (WIL), arriving at 17:30
You will be met from your flight and transferred to the nearby Ole Sereni Hotel, where you can enjoy an early dinner (own account).
You will then be collected and transferred back to Jomo Kenyatta Airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight home.
Example Cost
Holiday Title: A Scenic Safari Adventure
Holiday Destination: Holiday to Kenya for 7 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
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