Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive at Nairobi

   • You are met and transferred from Nairobi Airport to Jacaranda Hotel or similar, where you will be staying on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Depending on what time you arrive, you will have the rest of the day to explore Nairobi at your own pace.

2. Day 2: Samburu National Park

   • Depart after breakfast and drive to Kenya's rugged northeastern region, home of the colourful Samburu tribe. You will cross the equator en route. Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some of the best and most colourful game viewing opportunities in the country. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch followed by time to relax. Enjoy an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge at sunset. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Intrepids.

3. Day 3: Samburu National Park

   • Enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives exploring this arid wilderness while photographing its main inhabitants. The great thing about Samburu is that it is located in a semi-desert region of Kenya and therefore not overcrowded with tourists, so you are always assured of fantastic game viewing. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Intrepids.

4. Day 4: Aberdares National Park

   • Go for an early morning game drive in the reserve returning to the lodge for a late breakfast and checkout. Then drive to Aberdares National Park, situated in the shadow of Mt Kenya, Kenya's highest mountain. Dinner and overnight at The Ark.

5. Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park

   • Depart after breakfast and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous as the home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingo. This park also provides a sanctuary for Rothschild giraffe, rhino and leopard. Continue to Lake Nakuru Lodge where you overnight.

6. Day 6: Masai Mara National Park

   • Depart after breakfast and drive via Narok to the Masai Mara National Reserve offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Arrive in time for lunch at your camp and go on an afternoon game drive until sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mara Leisure Camp.

7. Day 7: Masai Mara National Park

   • Today you may enjoy a full day of game drives with a picnic lunch in the wild, with superb photographic opportunities to capture the stately black-maned lion, elephant and various plains game.
   • You also have an opportunity to go on a spectacular optional balloon ride across the Masai Mara. The Balloon Safari begins in the pre-dawn hours. The magnificent view of the park is thrilling. Towards the end of the safari, you rise to a height of 1500 feet for a panoramic view of the twisting Mara River and the Savannah below. After an hour or so in the air, your safari finishes with a flourish: a champagne breakfast in the bush, cooked on the balloon's burners. Please note that this is an optional extra which can be arranged at the time of booking this trip. A full refund will be given if the balloon trip is cancelled due to bad weather. Dinner and overnight at Mara Leisure Camp.

8. Day 8: Depart for Nairobi

   • Depart after breakfast and drive to Nairobi, Kenya's colourful capital city (5-hour drive). On arrival, you will be dropped off at a city centre hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your departure flight.