9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Day 2: Aberdare – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Day 3: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 5: Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 9: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park

Pick up our 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and start your safari with a drive to the Aberdare National Park, arriving at Aberdare Country Club or at the Outspan Hotel for lunch.

Later in the afternoon transfer to The Ark Tree Lodge where you will spend your evening observing wildlife as the animals come to the nearby saltlick and waterhole.

Animals easily observed in the park include; the black rhino, leopard, baboon, Black and White colobus monkey and Sykes monkey. Rare sightings include those of lions, the Golden cat and the Bongo- an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest.

Animals like the eland are spotted and melanistic Serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s Francolin, Sparry hawk, Goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

Overnight Accommodation: Ark Lodge, Mountain Lodge or Treetops Hotel
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Aberdare – Drive to Samburu National Reserve

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and board the 4×4 safari vehicle to drive north to Samburu National Reserve, arrive for check and lunch follows. After relaxation, proceed on an afternoon game drive in the reserve returning later for dinner and overnight.

Samburu National Reserve offers a breathtaking sun-baked landscape surrounded by mountains – to the west, the sheer-sided slopes of majestic Ol Olokwe Mountain form a perfect backdrop to any photograph.

Animals commonly seen are elephants, lions, cheetahs, Grevy zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks, buffalos, oryx, grants gazelles, dik-diks and waterbucks. There are over 350 varieties of birds.

These include the famous Somali ostriches (distinguished by their unique purple/ blue legs during mating season), kingfishers, hummingbirds, eagles, guinea fowls and vultures.

The reserve is also home to the Samburu tribe, cousins of the Maasai, who share the same nomadic, cattle-herding existence and strict adherence to their age-old rites and customs.

Overnight Accommodation: Samburu Safari Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge or Samburu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Explore Samburu Game Reserve

Today is set aside for game viewing in Samburu National Reserve, exploring its open grasslands and diverse landscapes in search of the variety of wildlife found here.

Samburu hosts beautiful forests, springs and rivers, offering stunning scenery. The game park is part of a lava plain that includes varied habitats, from thorn scrub, red dirt and dried river beds, to broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcrops.

This region of Kenya is home to crocodiles, hippos and the reticulated giraffe. Leopard sightings are also a special feature here.

Overnight Accommodation: Samburu Safari Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge or Samburu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Today we travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy – a 364sq km wildlife conservancy situated between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya has over 10000 large mammals and it is the only park where the big 5 and chimpanzees can be seen.

Ol Pejeta is where the fastest-growing population of rhinos in Africa can be found. There are southern white rhinos, about 80 endangered black rhinos and in a special sanctuary there are two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos.

The afternoon is spent visiting rescued chimpanzees at Sweetwaters game ranch and on a game drive. Safari by vehicle is not the only option at Ol Pejeta. Safari game walks, horse rides and even camel rides are available, as are safari night drives.

Overnight Accommodation: Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Porini Rhino Camp or Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning, we leave Sweetwaters/Ol Pejeta Conservancy after breakfast and head for Lake Nakuru National Park. We arrive at a camp in good time for lunch and after a refreshing stop, head out for an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru, a soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley is rich in bird life and home to over 400 different species. Its claim to fame, however, is its large flocks of flamingos. The sight of millions of flamingoes making the lake appear ringed in pink is spectacular.

In addition to the abundant bird life, it is also an important haven for the endangered species of Rothschild’s giraffe and both black and white rhino. Lake Nakuru is rich in wildlife giving you and your family the chance to spot lions, waterbuck, buffalo, baboons and much more.

Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, we set off for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Travelling via the scenic Great Rift Valley, we arrive in time for lunch at our camp/ lodge where you will settle in and relax before the afternoon game drive.

The iconic Masai Mara National Reserve is the backdrop for an unbelievably full-afternoon game drive. Welcome to the great plains of Africa! The Masai Mara is an unfenced wilderness area that stretches over more than 1500 square kilometres.

The reserve is home to the most famous East African tribe, the Masai, whom you will see along the roadside herding cattle in their red robes. The Mara is home to herds of wildebeest, zebra and other antelope as well as giraffe and buffalo.

There are plenty of predators too with lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. We stay out until dusk when the animals are at their most active.

Overnight Accommodation: Sarova Tented Camp, Siana Tented Camp or Mara Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7 & Day 8: Discover Masai Mara Game Reserve

The next two days are set aside for game viewing in the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. After an early breakfast at the camp/ lodge, we spend time in Kenya’s leading game park to see wildlife and experience the legendary Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Wherever you go in the vast Masai Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffes, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest, Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos are also found 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 reasonably common.

The ultimate action here is, without doubt, the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August when millions of these grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of greener grass before turning south again in October.

Hot-air balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the Savannah plains teeming with wildlife. These Masai Mara balloon trips can be arranged at extra cost.

Overnight Accommodation: Sarova Tented Camp, Siana Tented Camp or Mara Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

Start our day with an early morning game drive. After breakfast, depart back to Nairobi by road arriving early afternoon.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}