8 DAY SAMBURU MARA SAFARI IN 5 STAR

Day notes

Your host will be on hand when you arrive at the airport and will take you to the luxurious Boma Hotel. This elegant property, one of Nairobi’s finest, is conveniently located near the airport which means you’ll be resting and relaxing in your room shortly after arrival.

Day notes

After breakfast, fly north to the rugged landscape of Samburu. You will arrive time for lunch at Samburu Intrepids Camp. In the afternoon, take your first game drive through this remote, arid and beautiful reserve. Gloriously dramatic, the 104 sq kms of the Samburu National Reserve feature rocky battlements, tumbling scarps, palm-fringed rivers and mile upon mile of dry thorn scrub, which provides sanctuary for an exclusive range of essentially northern wildlife. Several species including the long-necked Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx and Reticulated Giraffe can be seen on private game-drives that take place in the morning and afternoon. Since the area has very little grass cover, you may be able to see some cheetahs and lions near the river banks. Mount Ololokwe, a tabletop mountain, can be seen across the red plains and scrub that make up the desert scenery in the area. This desert area is home to the Ewaso Ngiro River, which is an important watering hole for the many species in the area and is a large part of what makes Kenyan safaris enjoyable for wildlife enthusiasts.

Wake up in this remote, arid and beautiful reserve. Gloriously dramatic, the 104 sq kms of the Samburu National Reserve feature rocky battlements, tumbling scarps, palm-fringed rivers and mile upon mile of dry thorn scrub, which provides sanctuary for an exclusive range of essentially northern wildlife. Several species including the long-necked Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx and Reticulated Giraffe can be seen on private game-drives that take place in the morning and afternoon. Since the area has very little grass cover, you may be able to see some cheetahs and lions near the river banks. Mount Ololokwe, a tabletop mountain, can be seen across the red plains and scrub that make up the desert scenery in the area. This desert area is home to the Ewaso Ngiro River, which is an important watering hole for the many species in the area and is a large part of what makes Kenyan safaris enjoyable for wildlife enthusiasts.

Samburu is also home to large herds of elephants, and the reserve is well known for providing the opportunity to see wildlife that only lives in the dry north of Kenya. Be on the lookout for gerenuks - these odd, yet distinguished looking, gazelle have long necks, and stand on their hind legs to feed. For the birders, around 365 species have been recorded and the river area is particularly rewarding. For those wanting to experience something a little different today, a walking safari, camel ride or a visit to a local tribal village are optional extras. For an unforgettable experience, you could take a guided nature walk.

Day notes

When those of us in the west hear the term “African Safari” the picture that comes to mind is the Maasai Mara Reserve, which is where you are going today. Here is where you’ll find the grasslands, the lions, the jackals, the wildebeests and more. This will also be your opportunity to get to know the Maasai, the semi-nomadic natives of Kenya. These cattle-herding people have managed to preserve their way of life through the centuries; visiting them is an enriching experience. Tonight you’ll stay at the exquisite Mara Intrepids Luxury Camp set on the bank of the Mara River on a truly spectacular location. Throughout the day elephants, giraffes, zebras and impalas come for a drink while a large hippo pod rest lazily in the river.

You will be glad to have a second day to explore the Maasai Mara Reserve and to stay at the Mara Intrepids. Today you’ll have both a morning and an afternoon game drive and you’ll marvel at how completely different they are. You will be able to see Kenya's famed wildlife up close; including cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, wildebeests, hyenas, antelope, giraffes and lions. These drives will certainly provide a number of outstanding photo opportunities. The well-appointed accommodations at the Mara Intrepids Camp include private verandas and restrooms located en suite. You can easily catch a quick nap in your room, or visit the pool and bar area while you're waiting for your next game-drive. You can also go on a walking tour with one of the rangers from the reserve, or stop by the Maasai village to experience their hospitality and culture.

Once again you will be able to experience game drives in the morning and in the afternoon. Both drives will give you great wildlife viewing opportunities. You will see large herds of local grazing animals going by, and also have a good chance of seeing some of the big cats. If you’re able to visit between July and October, you may be able to witness the Great Migration, when huge herds of Thomson’s gazelles, wildebeests and zebras travel in mass from the Serengeti. It is an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed. No matter when you visit, you will also have a chance to take a “walking safari”, or visit a local tribal village if you wish. You will learn about the Maasai way of life and how they have managed to retain their semi-nomadic customs even in today’s modern world, when so much of their world is at risk. After all these adventures, you will be more than ready for a mid-day nap, a dip in the pool or laze on the veranda to escape the heat of the day.

Day notes

A day that seemed a long way off has come much too soon. Business, work and home await and it is time to return to that other world and bid your travel companions goodbye. After you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your camp, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your flight to Nairobi where you check-in to your hotel to rest and relax. A complimentary farewell dinner awaits you before you depart. You later transfer to the airport in Nairobi and connect with your outbound flight home, carrying a lifetime of memories from your African Safari with you.