This safari takes you to Kenya’s central highlands, to the barren northern frontier of Samburu, to the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley - Lake 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 whilst tree hotels and lodges overlooking waterholes offer great game viewing opportunities.
Day 1 - Tree Hotel
We depart Nairobi early and drive to Mount Kenya or the Aberdare Ranges to a Tree Hotel or lodge which overlooks floodlit waterholes frequented by wildlife. As dusk ensues, we enjoy a relaxing sun downer whilst viewing game as they gradually approach the waterhole – a truly magical experience. A hearty dinner and pleasant sleep follows thereafter.
Over 40 species of wildlife inhabit the Aberdare mountain ranges, hiding in the heavily forested slopes and in the upper moor lands. The Aberdares is noted as a rhino sanctuary but keep an eye out for the elusive rare bongo, which is best, spotted in the upper bamboo zone and hypericum scrub.
Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the creation of the Rift Valley and in this splendid high elevation scenery of mountain forest, moorland and glaciers, you will meet with colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Samburu
After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival will be in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. We return to the lodge for a sun downer, night wildlife viewing and sumptuous dinner.
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. This reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched doum palms and taut thorn trees give an unusual look to the region and the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here.
Day 3 – Samburu
A full day spent exploring the park – unique both in scenery and wildlife. Dinner and overnight at a lodge.
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 4 – Nakuru National Park
We head off after breakfast for Lake Nakuru arriving by lunch time after which we proceed for a game drive in the National Park returning in time for sunset and dinner at the lodge.
Nakuru National Park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and the park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here.
Day 5 - Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. We then proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge for a relaxing sundowner, and dinner at the lodge or luxury tented camp.
The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland and one glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife. 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 also 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.
Day 6 - Masai Mara National Reserve
The day is spent game viewing, in the early morning hours and in the evenings as this is when we have the best chances of seeing wildlife. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on a sun downer back at the lodge.
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
After breakfast we drive to Nairobi arriving by lunch time.
For more information on Kenya lodge safaris visit http://www.afripotsafaris.com
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