This 7-day road safari, which features both traditional safari lodges and a luxury tented camp experience, contrasts the Afro-Alpine scenery of the world-famous Aberdare National Park with the starkly arid beauty of the northern Samburu district. It also showcases the renowned Masai Mara National Reserve and the glory of Lake Nakuru National Park, home to over one million flamingoes.
The following was our initial itinerary – further posts will describe our actual experiences. Change is inevitable due to weather, sightings by other vehicles and the unexpected.
Day1, Nairobi
Welcome Cocktail at 0600pm at The Poolside
Overnight at The Sarova Stanley Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
Day 2, In the mountains of the Aberdares
Breakfast will be at 0800am. Departure from your Nairobi Hotel at 0900am
After being collected from your Nairobi hotel (or the airport), you will be driven to the famous Aberdare National Park. Aptly dubbed ‘Scotland with Lions’, this charismatic Afro-Alpine realm showcases the wild beauty of the Aberdare Mountain range where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests and spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools. Arriving in time for lunch at The Aberdares Country Club you will later be transported into the exclusive sanctuary that surrounds The Ark. A secluded lodge designed to resemble Noah’s Ark, this timbered lodge is unique, not least because of the splendour of the game-watching experience around its private waterhole, which attracts large herds of elephants. NB: Kindly note only an overnight bag is allowed at Ark. Rest of the luggage will be locked up at the Aberdare Country Club at no extra cost. Dinner and overnight at The Ark Lodge
Day 3, North to Samburu
0630am Breakfast
0730am – After breakfast you will be transferred back to The Aberdare Country Club, where you will reconnect with your driver guide. Drive north to ‘Born Free’ country where Joy and George Adamson raised Elsa the lion cub in the wild and beautiful Shaba National Reserve. Arrive in time for lunch at the luxurious Sarova Shaba Game Lodge. Spend the afternoon discovering the unique wildlife of the reserve, which is famous for its elephants and lions. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Day 4, On safari in Shaba
0630am – Breakfast
0730am – Spend the morning on safari (breakfast and lunch at the lodge) in the reserve, which offers sanctuary to large herds of elephants, healthy numbers of lions, leopards, cheetahs, plentiful plains game, reticulated giraffes, rare Beisa oryx, kudus and gerenuks. All meals and overnight at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Day 5, To Lake Nakuru
0630am – Breakfast
0730am – After breakfast drive to Lake Nakuru with lunch enroute at Panari Resort Nyahururu. You will arrive at lake Nakuru National Park in time for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is the most famous of the Great Rift Valley lakes and home to a shifting population of over one million flamingoes and Kenya’s first and largest rhino sanctuary. After game drive, check in at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in time for a hot shower. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Day 6, To the Masai Mara
0630am – Breakfast
0730am – After breakfast, drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to ‘the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest. Arrive in time for lunch at the Sarova Mara Game Camp, a luxury tented camp, before spending the afternoon on safari in Kenya’s most popular reserve. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Mara Camp
Day 7, On safari in the Mara
0630am – Breakfast
0730am – Spend the whole day on safari in Africa’s richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya’s largest lion prides and elephant herds. Spend the evening in camp where Maasai dance performances are offered nightly. All meals and overnight at Sarova Mara Camp
Day 8, Up the Rift Valley to Nairobi
0700am – Breakfast
0830am – Depart for Nairobi
After breakfast drive back down the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi.
Ready for your safari? Or just have questions?
Contact us for more information and a free quote. We’ll walk you through choosing a time of year, destinations, and lodging.
