A pride of lions emerges from the bush at dusk, a mass of bright pink flamingos fills the horizon and a mother and baby elephant take shade under an acacia tree. A dawn chorus of birds awakes you and the laugh of a hyena fills the night air. Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra share the open plains with Masai warriors beneath a vast African sky. ‘Jambo,’ welcome, this is Kenya, a magical mix of incredible wildlife and rich cultural heritage.

• Travelling - 1 to 2
  

  Fly to Nairobi, arriving on Day 2. Time to freshen up before the start of your wildlife adventure.

• Nature trails in the Aberdares - 1 to 2
  

  Drive north from the city towards the majestic Aberdares Mountains. Travel through tea, coffee and pineapple plantations to your historic hotel, once the home of Lord and Lady Baden Powell. Follow trails along the River Chania with a Specialist Guide this afternoon. Catch glimpses of snow capped Mount Kenya and learn about the many species of bird. Shade under the massive 500 year old Mugumo tree. This is a sacred place to the local Kikuyu people. Take a cooling dip in the pool, order a Tusker beer and enjoy the delightful grounds of the hotel.

• Samburu Tribes - 3
  

  The terrain changes as you cross the Equator and enter the desert bush country of northern Kenya. Empty and wild, this rich coloured landscape is the home of the indigenous Samburu tribe. Seminomadic, these people live in harmony with their herds of cows, sheep, goats and camels. Duties in the tribe are clearly defined, men care for their herds and women look after the portable mud huts, milk the cattle and collect water and firewood. We’ll meet with them at our lodge for a special introduction.

• An introduction to the reserves - 3
  

  Samburu and Buffalo Springs Reserve are separated by the meandering Ewaso Nyiro River, a fertile green ribbon. Your safari guide will choose a route ensuring you see as many animals as possible in the area. As dusk falls join an evening game drive and seek out some of the rarer species that inhabit the reserves. A local Park Ranger/Naturalist joins us at camp for a talk on wildlife in the reserves.

• Safaris and sundowners - 4
  

  Wake early for the first of two game drives. Watch the sun rising over the rugged landscape. As you drive through the acacia trees look out for lion, leopard and cheetah; you may need the expert eyes of your safari guide. Buffalo and waterbuck shade under the trees and impalas graze on the grassland. Yellow-billed hornbill, pygmy falcon and bristle-crowned starling regularly patrol the skies. As the sun sets, relax at camp with a complimentary sundowner. Watch out for a flock of orange-bellied parrots or a herd of elephants taking shade under the trees by the cool waters. A refreshing cocktail in one hand, binoculars in the other, this really is the perfect end to the day. Overnight Samburu.

• Wildlife of the lakes - 5
  

  Travel south-west through a landscape of towns and scattered villages. Lake Naivasha was a regular landing place for flying boats en route from Durban to London. Today it is a peaceful haven set against the stunning backdrop of Longonot Volcano. Flower farms, colonial homes and small villages dot the shoreline. Zebra, impala and giraffe graze the surrounding grasslands and hippos snort and wallow in the waters of the lake. Relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at the lodge or join a local expert for an optional afternoon of bird watching. Fish eagles, osprey and black crakes are just a small handful of the 450 species that inhabit the immediate area. Overnight Lake Naivasha.

• Time with the flamingos - 6
  

  A vivid splash of colour should be your first sight as you approach Lake Nakuru. Draw closer and the image becomes clearer, splitting into clusters of hundreds of bright pink flamingos in season. This is one of the iconic sights of East Africa and a photographers dream. Your safari guide will ensure you are always in the best viewing place to capture the perfect shot of this natural wonder. Although flamingos are the main event pelicans, spoonbills and yellow-billed storks reside on these shores too. A game drive in the park may reveal other wildlife treasures; look out for white and the rarer black rhino, leopard and buffalo and listen out for the laughter of hyenas. Overnight Lake Naivasha.

• Traditional villages of the Masai - 7
  

  Journey along the floor of the Rift Valley and onwards to the rolling plains of the Masai Mara. Pause to visit pupils at a local Masai school, they will no doubt be pleased to see you. Take in the magnificent vistas as you make the last approach to the reserve. You are now in the Masai Mara, famed for its prolific wildlife and home to the Masai people. A visit to a local village, known as a manyatta, will be made during your stay. Meet these people who have not succumbed to modern life, preferring their traditional ways. Visit a typical home and the boma where precious cattle are sheltered every night.

• An afternoon in the reserve - 7
  

  Game abounds in the Masai. Millions of wildebeest and zebras make their way back and forth across the Mara River on their annual trek, known as the ‘Great Migration’ (typically July-October in the Mara). Join your safari guide for an afternoon game drive. The reserve boasts one of the highest concentrations of lions in Africa. Herds of elephants take shelter under the trees and you may spot rare rhino taking cover in the bush. Dusk is one of the best times of day for spotting the big cats. Look out for cheetahs and leopards as your jeep follows the tracks and trails.

• A day of game drives - 8
  

  Wake early for another day of adventure. Take off at sunrise and drift across the Masai Mara on an optional hot air balloon ride. After landing enjoy a champagne breakfast under the cool shade of trees. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are included today. You may prefer to relax in the surroundings of the lodge; why not take a dip in the pool or enjoy the great views across the landscape.

• Travelling - 9 to 10
  

  Drive to Nairobi where a light lunch is included. Return to the UK.

Accommodation

• Outspan Hotel, Aberdares (4-Star) - 1 Night
• Ashnil Samburu Lodge, Samburu (4-Star) - 2 Nights
• Lake Naivasha Simba, Sopa Or Country Club, Lake Naivasha (4-Star) - 2 Nights
• Mara Simba Lodge, Masai Mara (4-Star) - 2 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 6:45 am

Includes

Not Included