HIGHLIGHTS
- Samburu game reserve – home to the Gerenuk and Grevys zebra endemic to the North
- Herds of elephant crossing the Uaso Nyiro river in Samburu reserve
- Meeting the Samburu tribes-people adorned in colourful red attire, beads and wonderful head-gear
- Look our for hippo and numerous birds on the Lake Baringo boat ride
- Flamingoes and rhino in Lake Nakuru national park
- The spectacle of the wildebeest migration in July/ August in Masai mara game reserve
- Mara – home to the Big 5 – elephants, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and other game
- Balloon ride over the Mara plains with champagne breakfast (optional)
SUMMARY
This adventure camping safari ventures into North Kenya; Samburu game reserve where the landscape is a mix of Savanna and arid, semi-desert like environment with sights of the peculiar doum palms following the Ewaso Nyiro river and taut thorn trees giving an unusual look to the region. Some animal species are only found in the North such as the grevys zebra and long necked Gerenuk whilst the Samburu people abound in their vibrant dress. You also enjoy the rift valley lakes of Baringo, Bogoria and Lake Nakuru which are particularly fantastic for bird watching before completing your classic game watching experience in the famed Masai Mara Game reserve. It is no wander that this particular circuit continues to be very popular offering diversity in geography, vegetation, culture and wildlife.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 – Samburu:
Depart Nairobi in the morning heading north via the shoulder of Africa’s second largest mountain, Mt Kenya to the Samburu Game Reserve. Accommodation in our Gametrackers semi-permanent campsite is beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents by the edge of Uaso Nyiro (meaning Brown in Samburu) River. Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing in the hot, dusty climate.
Day 2 – Samburu
Day spent game viewing in the park appreciating the diverse landscape and variety of animal species. You may have the option of enjoying a swim or cold drink at a nearby lodge. Alternatively, visit a vibrant Samburu village (optional).
Animals to look out for include lions, elephants, grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, dik diks, ostrich, oryx, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles. The horn billed stork is a common sighting as well as various other birds.
Day 3 – Baringo
Depart in the early morning (with lunch enroute) towards Lake Baringo. We arrive this fresh water lake in the late afternoon and depending on the conditions of the lake, we enjoy an evening boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile and numerous birds. A bird watcher’s haven but beware, this is malaria land so it is best to come prepared with plenty of mosquito repellent. We spend the night at Roberts campsite.
Day 4 – Lake Nakuru
A 30km drive south to the spectacular Lake Bogoria with hot springs and geysers being the main attractions. It has a nomad population of up to two million flamingos and numerous bird species. Lunch and then proceed for an afternoon game drive at the Lake Nakuru National Park which is a small but equally rewarding park which is home to the black and white rhinos, flamingos, baboons, antelopes, the elusive leopard and numerous bird species. Set up camp at a campsite (cold night) outside the park.
Day 3 – Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Break up camp after breakfast then depart towards Mai Mahiu and Narok town with lunch en route before arriving at Masai Mara game reserve. View game en route towards our Talek riverside campsite situated at the edge of the park (next to Talek gate).
Here we set up tents for the night or us our small wood cabins (if available). Hot showers and toilets are available in the camp and meals are served in the dinning area.
Day 6 – Masai Mara
The day is spent exploring the Mara magic through early morning and late afternoon game drives. Option to visit Masai village or local school.
Alternatively spend the entire day on a game drive (with packed lunches) returning to the campsite in the early evening hours. (Recommended during ).
Wherever you go in the Masai Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great numbers.
Day 7 – Masai mara to Nairobi
Depart Camp and drive through the reserve viewing game as we proceed to the main Narok road where we stop to give you a chance to buy souvenirs, or just to have a cup of tea. We return to Nairobi by late afternoon.
SAFARI PRICE – USD 600pp
Park fees – USD 450pp
Departs Mondays
