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31 - 7 Days Samburu/ Great Rift Valley Lakes and Masai Mara
Gaining popularity as a safari which covers
some of Kenya’s most admired tourist destination, this trip
promises a lot. Samburu National reserve is becoming one of Kenya's
most admired stops after the Mara with sights of the peculiarly
branched doum palms and taut thorn trees giving an unusual look
to the region. Likewise, the permanent water supply acts like
a lure for the abundant species found here, some endemic to the
North of Kenya. This trip takes you to the world famous Bird Sanctuaries
of the Great Rift Valley Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Nakuru, then
South over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya’s greatest concentration
of game - the Masai Mara. Kenya’s rift valley escarpments
offer some of the most breath taking views.
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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 semi-permanent campsite is beautifully
set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents on 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. Samburu is part of a lava plain
that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried
river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcroppings.
The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with huge
fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali
ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and
crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with
numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard
sighting is also a special feature here.
Day 3 – Baringo
Depart in the early morning across the scenic Lerochi Plateau
(with lunch enroute) towards Lake Baringo. Arriving this fresh
water lake in the late afternoon, we enjoy an evening boat ride
in search of hippo, crocodile, fish eagle and a variety of other
birds.
Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s
small Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed
acacia forest. Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are effortlessly
seen from the shore, as is a magnificent display of water birds.
This is Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different
species native to the country and more than 450 sighted here.
A bird watcher's haven but beware, this is malaria land so its
best to come prepared with plenty of mosquito repellent!
Day 4 – Lake Nakuru
A 30km drive south to the spectacular Lake Bogoria with hot springs
and geysers being the main attractions. The lake has been called
‘the new home of the flamingo’ with a nomad population
of up to two million birds. Lunch and then proceed for an afternoon
game drive at the Lake Nakuru National Park.
This small park (180 sq km) is home to warthogs,
waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White
and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and
you will find white rhino at the southern end. The park has also
retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with
more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the night at
a campsite just outside of town.
Day 5 – Masai Mara
Heading further south towards Narok, we proceed towards our permanent
campsite on the Talek River. Here we have stand-up tents with
beds or small wood cabins for those after a touch more comfort.
If all are occupied, we pitch tents.
On clear days, the Mara offers fantastic orange
tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment
while sipping on a sundowner back at our campsite. The Mara reserve
is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine
woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek
rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical
savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Day 6 – Masai Mara
The day is spent exploring the Mara magic. Wherever you go in
the 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. It is common to
see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the
plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to
spot but are still reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual
wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these grass
eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass
before turning south again in October. Balloon trips are an entirely
outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains and the wildlife
after which you come back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast.
These trips can be arranged at our office upon booking.
Day 7 – Nairobi
We break camp and drive to Narok where Masai souvenirs can be
bought, thereafter proceeding towards Nairobi.
- Costs US$ 1050 Per person in group of four
Package Includes:
- transport by safari vehicles;
- all game parks or national parks entry fees;
- all campsite fees;
- all camping equipment;
- use of our two person tents;
- foam mattresses;
- three meals per day whilst on safari, prepared
by our cook
- 1 litre of Mineral water per person per day
Price excludes:
- Drinks
- Tipping
- sleeping bags
- Personal effects
- Extras not mentioned above .

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