Combine days at the Masai Mara camp with more at Samburu and Naivasha. Each location offers different landscapes and animal groups. It’s the ideal Safari for those wanting to explore Kenya and see even more. The Samburu park consists of a beautiful but scorched landscape and the conditions are ideal for Grevy’s zebra, oryx, gerenuk and many more dry country mammals, as well as a huge variety of birds such as the vulturine guineafowl. The river is the lifeline in Samburu and depending on the time of year, it can be a raging torrent or as dry as a bone, but you will never be disappointed. Samburu is the place to see huge numbers of elephant.
After a couple of days in Samburu we drive on the tarmac road to Isiolo, a small cosmopolitan town, before travelling up and around Mt. Kenya to Nanyuki. Here we stop for a cool drink before continuing west to Thomson’s Falls where we stop for lunch. We then proceed south down the Rift Valley wall to Naivasha, arriving by late afternoon. We stay at Elsasmere, the former home of George Adamson (Born Free) right on the lake shore. There is time for a boat trip on Lake Naivasha taking pictures of Fish Eagles swooping down and Hippos close by.
The following morning after breakfast we say goodbye to Naivasha and head off to the Mara for more game viewing.
Typical 14 days itinerary
Day 1
Samburu safari
Transfer from your hotel to Wilson Airport, Nairobi for your flight to Samburu at 09:o0. On arrival you will be met by your Driver/Guide at around 10:00 who will stay with you throughout your Safari. Your driver will take you to your lodge while you do your morning game drive on the way. At the lodge you check in and will be taken to your room, where you will have time to unpack, freshen up and have lunch before an afternoon game drive which starts at 3:30 until last light. In the evening, sitting around the fire on the river bank is just magical before dinner.
Day 2-4
Your African adventure begins!
We are out at first light, making the most of the cool morning. The park consists of a beautiful but scorched landscape and the conditions are ideal for Grevy’s zebra, oryx, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and many more dry country mammals as well as a huge variety of birds such as the vulturine guineafowl. The river is the lifeline here and depending on the time of year, it can be a raging torrent or as dry as a bone, but you will never be disappointed. The glades produce great leopards. Samburu is usually very hot, dry and dusty so take good precautions for yourself and your equipment!
Day 5
Ewaso Nyiro River camp & Thomson’s Falls, Mt Kenya
We aim to leave by 08:00. We drive on the tarmac road to Isiolo, a small cosmopolitan town before travelling up and around Mt, Kenya to Nanyuki where we stop for a cool drink before continuing west to Thomson’s Falls where we stop for lunch. We then proceed south down the Rift Valley wall to Naivasha, arriving by late afternoon. We stay at Elsamere, the former home of George Adamson (Born Free) right on the lake shore. There is time for a boat trip on Lake Naivasha taking pictures of Fish Eagles swooping down and Hippos close by.
Day 6
Navaisha to Masai Mara
After breakfast we say goodbye to Naivasha and head off to the Mara, a drive of six hours or so depending on the state of the road and traffic. The road continues right across the Rift Valley to the eastern wall from Naivasha making this an interesting drive across the Rift Valley, then through the Masai capital of Narok, a scruffy, dusty town which is always full of action. We arrive in the Mara in time for a late lunch before an afternoon game drive, returning to the camp at last light to shower before the tradition of drinks and samosas around the fire before dinner.
Day 7-13
Masai Mara
Daily Camp routine includes an early game drive at dawn and another at dusk –prime viewing times for Africa’s animals.
An early rise and breakfast, then out in search of the game. As the camp is so well located at the edge of the National Park, there are many available routes. We usually start looking for a particular cat, a male leopard for instance, but that can all change if a cheetah is spotted out hunting. Rest assured that we will spend time with the game and will stay if action is anticipated. Mara Photographic Safaris offers much more flexibility than other safari companies as our location means you are in amongst the action – not spending 2 – 3 hours travelling just to get into the park. There is nothing more enjoyable than watching an active pride of lions in the morning light – especially if there are cubs. During the migration we check on the huge wildebeest herds to see if they are moving down to the Mara river to cross. River crossings are so exciting as the tension builds up in anticipation. Will they go this time? Just as the conditions are right something spooks them and they all turn and wander off. So, there is yet another wait until eventually those at the water’s edge are pressured into the water and the drama starts. The crocs move into position, it’s nail-biting action! The wait for a crossing can take anything from 10 minutes to 5 hours and many times we have called up lunch as we don’t dare to leave. Having lunch under an acacia tree within sight of thousands of wildebeest and zebras is quite something!
The Mara is full of surprises. There is no better place in Africa that matches up so well to people’s expectations. We will search for black rhino, particularly if we find a bull or a mother with calf. Black rhino are very grumpy and can charge us so we often say, “Keep filming, we’ll look after you safely!”
All good things must come to an end!
We leave for a final game drive before lunch if you’ve paid for early arrival and late supplement check out. Then there is ample time to freshen up, pack the rest of your kit and have a final cup of tea before leaving for the airstrip. You arrive in Nairobi and take a taxi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport where you will continue your onward journey with great new experiences and terrific Kenyan memories.
Or you can choose to extend you stay in the Mara.
