BSL 013: 8 Days Aberdares/Samburu/sweet waters/lake Nakuru/Maasai Mara wildlife lodge safari

A safari to the north via the high shoulder of Mountain Kenya to the Game Reserve of Samburu a park popular for the 3 Cats then to Lake Nakuru one of the alkaline Rift Valley lakes and a fantastic bird sanctuary. Its shores are eye catching being home to more than one million flamingos.? Maasai Mara is a Game Reserve for the big five and the annual wildebeest migration that takes place from July through to September. Visit to the Sweetwaters sanctuary to see the Chimpanzee.

Day 1: Nairobi - Aberdares

Pick up from your hotel at 0800 hrs and drive to the Aberdares Country Club. Passing through the industrial town of Thika and the intensely cultivated farms of the central Kenya. Lunch at the base hotel before being transferred to a Tree hotel for dinner and overnight stay. A special feature of the lodge where we stay is the floodlit watering hole where we can watch from the lodge itself throughout the night as a great variety of animals come down to drink.

Day 2: Samburu Game reserve  
After breakfast depart for Samburu passing through hush farmlands, cross the Equator where you can stop for pictures. Proceed to Samburu to a rugged semi desert region. It is noted for game not found to the more lush parks to the south e.g. unusual reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Oryx and many more. Lunch at a lodge followed by afternoon game drives. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena lodge/Samburu Lodge/Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Samburu Game reserve  
Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drive. (Optional visit to Samburu villages). Meals and overnight at a lodge.

The highlights of Samburu game reserve is the spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserves have numerous permanent springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuaries.

Day 4: Samburu - Sweetwater’s game reserve 
Break fast then view game as we exit the park and drive to Mount Kenya Region. Lunch at a Sweetwater’s tented camp then proceed for afternoon game drives at Sweetwater’s sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at the Sweet waters Tented camp

Sweetwater’s 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.

Day 5: Mt. Kenya - Lake Nakuru National park 
Breakfast then depart the lodge for Lake Nakuru National park arriving in good time for lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Full afternoon game drives followed by dinner and overnight stay at a lodge inside the park

Lake Nakuru's claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo's and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons are all residents here.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru National park - Maasai Mara. 
Breakfast then view game as we exit the park and drive to via the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch at a Lodge. Full afternoon game drive till dusk when we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Maasai Mara 
Full day exploring the park in search of the Big 5.Early morning and late afternoon game drives are offered. Dinner and overnight stay at a Mara Sopa Lodge,Keekorok Lodge or Mara Sopa

The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.

Day 8 : Maasai Mara - Nairobi

Heading north to Narok, we stop to browse in the bustling, vibrant Maasai markets to buy curios and handicrafts before continuing to Nairobi where our safari ends

Cost per person sharing

• 2 people 1960
• 4 people 1880