06/03/2020
14 DAY MAJESTIC KENYA CAMPING SAFARI
Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Pick up from your Nairobi Hotel at 0700 Hours and depart by road driving north crossing the equator from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere to Samburu Game Reserve a semi-arid region excellent for photographers.
Arrive at the camp in time for lunch followed by some leisure hours for a siesta/swim before you depart at around 16:00hrs for an afternoon game viewing and return back to the camp before sunset.
Samburu is a name of Masai origin ‘Samburu’ being a traditional leather bag for carrying honey and milk. The region is characterized by vast, open landscapes, dried riverbeds (depending on the season of the year) and red volcanic soil. Rock outcroppings contrast against the dense woodland vegetation along the banks of Ewaso Nyiro meaning ‘River of brown water’, the river that gives life to the reserve.
Accommodation at Intrepid Camp
Day 2 Full Day Samburu National Reserve
These full day in the Samburu Game Reserve will be spend searching for the big five, the Samburu five and observing the vast unspoiled scenery during morning and afternoon game viewing drive, watching crocodiles bask on muddy riverbanks and velvet monkeys frolic in the late afternoon sun.
In addition, you will have a chance to interact with the Samburu People to learn about their culture.
These five particular animals are usually only found north of the equator – the long necked gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe which is characterized by its liver-colored geometric patches defined by narrow white lines, the Gravy’s zebra which is smaller than the common zebra and looks more like a horse, the beisa Oryx with black horizontal stripe running across its lower flank and the Somali ostrich males which have blue-grey necks and thighs.
Accommodation at Intrepid Camp
Day 3: Samburu – Ol Pejeta
After breakfast depart for Ol Pejeta
We will arrive at camp with enough time to settle in before lunch with a little time to relax before we head out for our first game drive between 1500hrs to 1830hrs. Host to all the members of the ‘Big Five' (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard), the conservancy has a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any Kenyan national park. The conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, hosts the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species. Your luxury camp is a sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy; Sweetwater’s Serena Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and Kenyan safari luxury.
Accommodation at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Day 4: Full Day Ol Pejeta
After breakfast will spend your full day again at Ol Pejeta. The conservancy has a higher wildlife ratio than any Kenyan national Park, The conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, hosts the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species. Your luxury camp is a sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Accommodation at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Day 5: Ol Pejeta – Masai Mara
After breakfast before 6:30am, we start with game drive en-route as we head to Mara and thereafter drive via Narok town to Masai Mara National Reserve, the land of the Masai tribe. The proud young Masai warrior-nomads with their plaited hair, red cloaks, and spears, will spark your curiosity. The 700-square-mile Game Reserve is the Africa of your dreams, complete with wild animals grazing amid the superb rolling landscape of gentle hills and acacia woodlands. Arrive at the lodge/camp, check in thereafter lunch. An afternoon game drive is planned. Exit the park and arrive at the lodge/camp before dusk for dinner & overnight.
Accommodation at Kimana Mara Tented Camp
Day 6/7: Full Day Game Drive at Masai Mara
Optional: Balloon safari in the early morning, followed by a champagne breakfast on the Mara Plains. Take to the skies for the ultimate Masai Mara wildlife adventure, soaring in a hot air balloon over herds of game to the inner reaches of the Mara. You'll ascend in the early morning, when winds are calmest. Your balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the Mara, with only the intermittent whisper of the balloon's gas burners punctuating the silence of your majestic flight.
If you do not opt to go for the balloon, you will head towards the Mara River for a full day uninterrupted game drive. A picnic box will be given by the lodge for lunch on the Mara Plains. Return to the lodge/camp before dusk.
Accommodation at Kimana Mara Tented Camp
Day 8: Masai Mara – Lake Bogoria
After breakfast depart for Lake Bogoria which is a shallow soda lake paradise known for its beautiful scenery, millions of flamingos, hot springs and geysers. Upon arrival you will check-in at the resort for lunch. Later in the afternoon enjoy and afternoon game drive at the reserve with bird watching.
Accommodation at Roberts Camp
Day 9: Lake Bogoria – Lake Nakuru
After breakfast before 6:30am, we start with game drive en-route as we head to Nakuru. Arrive Nakuru check in at the hotel thereafter lunch. An Afternoon game drive is planned. Nakuru's Southern white rhino is a must see in the park, as they are often located around the lake grazing grass. Return to the hotel before dusk for dinner & overnight.
Accommodation at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Day 10: Full Day Lake Nakuru National Park
After early breakfast spend the morning in Nakuru Park where you have a chance to see flamingos among other birds [about 350 species recorded]. This is also home to the black and the white rhinoceros. The park has also been established for the protection of endangered species such as the Rhino and also home to Columbus monkeys. Leopards, giraffes, and a variety of plain antelope.
Accommodation at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Day 11: Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
We proceed out of the national park and depart for Lake Naivasha with hot lunch en-route to arrive for a relaxing walk through Hell's Gate National Park and enjoy the geothermal tower for an hour. Optional boat ride to Crescent Island in the evening.
Stay for dinner and overnight stay at the luxurious Enashipai Resort & Spa.
Accommodation at Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
Day 12: Full Day Lake Naivasha
After early morning breakfast will spend full day at Lake Naivasha, it is the highest and the most beautiful of the Rif Valley lakes. At 1910m (6200f), the water is fresh and the lake is fringed with dense clumps of papyrus (ancient Egyptian once used this to make paper). Kingfishers use the papyrus as a perch, herons hide in it while searching for food.
Naivasha is yet another area popular for bird watching (over 400species have been recorded). It is also a favourite weekend retreat for Nairobi residents, who come here to sail, water ski and fish. There are no crocodiles in the lake as the water is too cold for them, due to altitude but there are a number of hippos. Along the lakeshore, vineyards produce grapes for the country's fledgling wine industry.
Accommodation Naivasha Crescent Camp
Day 13: Lake Naivasha – Nairobi. After breakfast have a nature walk in the Hell’s Gate National Park. You may hire bicycles to cycle in this only. There are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, Augur Buzzard, and Swifts. African Buffalo, Zebra, Eland, Hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, and Baboons are also common. The park is also home to Klipspringer Antelope and Chanler's Mountain Reedbuck–enjoy hot or picnic lunches and later drive back to Nairobi arriving in the afternoon.
Accommodation at Serena Hotel Nairobi
Day 14: Nairobi
Today, your whirlwind Kenya safari tour comes to an end. You'll take early breakfast, then transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.
(by Hakeem Hussein)
