Nairobi - Samburu Lake Nakuru - Maasai Mara Mombasa - Nairobi

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14 & 22 days

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The Samburu Game reserves are the most accessible of the Northern frontier faunal sanctuaries, 343 km (213 miles) from Nairobi. The reserve covers an area of 104 sq. Km (40 sq. Miles) on the Northern bank of the Uaso river. The Buffalo springs reserve lies on the southern bank of the river. In addition to the rugged splendour of it's landscape the very name 'northern frontier province' conjures up an atmosphere of mystery and adventure. It is indeed a vast and little visited region where the traveling is rugged and the people have changed little over the centuries.
The main attractions are the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx, the blue necked Somali Ostrich and river crocodiles. Elephant are plentiful and Black Rhinoceros, lion leopard, Cheetah, Gerenuk, Buffalo and the two species of Hyena are to be seen. Among the smaller mammals the Ground Squirrel is abundant and tame. For such relatively small area the bird life is strikingly numerous and colourful; there is no difficulty in seeing well over a hundred species of birds in a single day. Perhaps the most impressive sight is the immense flocks of helmeted and vulturine Guinea fowl which make their way each afternoon to the riverbank to drink, the latter resplendent with white streaked necks and brilliant blue underparts.
Buffalo springs, in the reserve of that name with it's pools and streams of fresh water, is the drinking place in the dry season for literally thousands of Sandgrouse and doves, in addition to a galaxy of smaller birds. The tiny Pygmy Falcon is common, the males blue-grey and white, the females with a mahogany- brown mantle. At a distance, when perched high in some acacia tree, they distinctly resemble shrikes. The giant Martial Eagle is often seen, usually perched high on some vantage point, alert for Dik-Dik or guinea fowl.
Accommodation with all amenities is at the Samburu Game lodge sited on the edge of the Uaso Nyiro River, below giant Newtonia trees and Dom palms. The lodge is built on the camp site of the most famous of the old time Elephant hunters, Arthur Newman. The visitor may find it fitting to take a 'sundowner', to contemplate the austerity endured by the early hunters and explorers contrasted with the comfort of the modern day Safari!

Lake Nakuru is the world famous haunt of Flamingos, being a shallow alkaline lake in Kenya's Rift valley, being 62 sq km (24 sq miles) in size, lying south of Nakuru township.
The National Park comprises the Lake and it's surrounds. The landscape is picturesque, areas of sedge, marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of yellow bared acacia woodland and on the Eastern perimeter rocky hillsides covered with a forest of grotesque-looking Euphorbia trees- all set against a background of hilly Broken Country.
Although the National park is primarily a bird sanctuary, the number of animals to be encountered is not inconsiderable. A small herd of Hippopotamus lives among the reeds in the Northeastern corner, where springs have created a series of Hippo-pools. The Lake shore is a good place to observe Bohor Reedbuck; these animals are often flushed from high grass or sedge in which they sleep during the day. In recent years there has been a marked increase in their numbers and those of the Defassa Waterbuck in the park. Bushbuck may be seen at the edge of acacia woodland. Especially at dawn and towards dusk. Lake Nakuru is the home of a the very rare Long-eared Leaf-nosed Bat, a tiny orange-buff species with ears half the length of it's body. This mix of game animals and a brilliant suffusion of at least a thousand types of wild bird make sit a breathtaking and exciting place to visit.

The Mara Game Reserve, as it was originally known, an area of some 1,812 sq Km (700 sq Miles), was establish din 1961. It's Southern boundary is contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, and it is divided into two sections. The inner reserve has been developed on the lines of a National Park, no intrusion or Human settlement have been allowed, while the outer remains and undeveloped area where local Masai are permitted to pasture their cattle but which is otherwise undisturbed.
The reserve extends from the edge of the Loita hills in the East to the Mara triangle and the base of the Siria escarpment in the West. The inner section, with it's network of roads specially constructed for Game watching, embraces the area around the Keekorok Lodge and Westwards to the Mara River. Everything in the Mara is Big. It is a country of breathtaking vistas, a panorama of vast rolling plains and rounded hills, of intermittent groves of acacia woodlands and thickets of scrub. The whole is bisected by the Mara river and it's tributaries which are margined by luxuriant riverene forests. And in every direction, there are seemingly endless herds of game animals.
Mara possesses the largest population of Lions to be found in Kenya, it boasts large herds of Topi and a small population of Roan antelope, animals not found in many Kenya parks or reserves. Elephants are fairly common and a traveler may sometimes be held up by 'Elephants on the road'. The numerous large beasts to be found here include; Buffalo, Black Rhino, hippopotamus, Leopard, Cheetah, Zebra, Coke's Hartebeest, White Bearded Gnu, Warthog and Thompsons and Grants Gazelle. The Bird life is as profuse as the mammalian fauna. Orange-Buff Pel's fishing Owls, Bustards, Crested Guinea Fowl, Hornbills, secretary Birds and at least 53 species of bird's of prey.
Accommodation is provided at the Mara Serena Lodge, sited on high ground in the west of the Park overlooking the Mara river and two luxury campsites sited on the Eastern bank of the Mara river near the old Mara bridge and the Governors camp. From the Lodge it possible to see the Hippos at play from the viewing platform, arguably the best place in Kenya.

Day 1:
Pick up from the airport then transfer to a hotel in Nairobi for an overnight hotel stay with a delicious Breakfast.

Day 2:
Early morning pick up from the hotel then drive northwards skirting the massive of Mt Kenya, to reach Samburu National Park in time for lunch. In the afternoon a game drive affords you the opportunity to see certain northern species game not seen south of the equator. These include the splendid reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and the Somali ostrich. Overnight at the lodge/camp.

Day 3:
Full day game viewing with breaks for meals before proceeding to the river for midday game viewing of native animals and crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.

Day 4:
A pre-breakfast game drive then return to the lodge/camp for a late breakfast before departing for Nakuru checking in the lodge for lunch. Afternoon visit to Lake Nakuru where the sight of a million or more flamingos cannot be forgotten. Overnight at the lodge /camp.

Day 5:
After breakfast leave this beautiful place to drive across the lunar landscape of the Great Rift Valley to reach Kenya's best known game reserve the 'Maasai Mara' checking in at the lodge camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon explore the ranging hills and plains for wonderful sights of the great number of species found here. Dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.

Day 6:
Full day game drive in a minibus with a pop-up roof searching for the black manned lions, cheetahs, elephant, buffalos and other plains game. All meals and accommodation at the lodge/camp.

Day 7:
An early morning game drive after which you return to the lodge for a late breakfast before departing for Nairobi reaching early in the afternoon. Late in the afternoon transfer to the railway station to catch your overnight train to Mombasa.

Day 8:
Morning arrival in Mombasa checking in a hotel at half board. Afternoon leisure returning to the hotel for overnight.

Days 9 and 10:
Days at leisure accommodation on half board.

Day 11:
Full day at leisure after which you will be transferred to the railway station to catch your overnight train to Nairobi.

Day 12:
Morning pickup from the railway station then transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home.

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