SAMBURU FIVE AND BIG FIVE

Overview

A really diversified 10-day safari taking you through the central highlands of Kenya; visiting the Aberdares mountain range with its’ fabulous waterfalls, great views of Mount Kenya and endemic wildlife such as the mountain bongo - then onto the semi-arid Samburu with its’ unusual wildlife species known as the Special Five, where you'll also have a great chance to spot leopard. You’ll continue your safari onto the Ol Pejeta conservancy where you can see rhino, track lions and experience a night game drive. The safari will then head to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha for a boat safari before heading to the Savannah plains of the Maasai Mara to track down all the Big Five. 

The semi-arid Samburu is a great place to find leopard

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Need to know

• ​Parks and reserves visited: Aberdares, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha, & the Maasai Mara
• ​Accommodation type: A mix of luxury lodges​ and tented camps, located inside the parks and reserves
• Activities: ​Game drives, bush walks, boat safari, lion tracking
• Transport: 4x4 land cruiser with lifting roof
• Safari start and finish point: Nairobi
• Customisation: ​Itinerary can be customised
• Private hire: ​​A private vehicle and dedicated guide for the duration of your safari
• Departures: Private hire departures can depart any day​

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Transfers and game drives are provided in comfortable 4x4 land cruisers with lifting roofs for game viewing

​From $3,100 USD to $4,949 USD per person for private hire
(dependent on season and party size)

Request full itinerary and quotation

​Day by day itinerary in brief

Day ​1 - Aberdares, The Ark​
Spend a night at The Ark, a unique game viewing lodge with four viewing decks and a hide, set in the Aberdares mountain range. There are many waterfalls here and you can see mountain elephant and black rhino. 

Day 2 & 3​ - Samburu, Intrepids
Spend two days on game drives in the semi-arid Samburu, a very scenic but lesser known reserve, where you can find the gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and is also home to a number of large predators including cheetah, lion and leopard. Accommodation is at Intrepids Camp, set on the banks of the great Uaso Nyiro River. Each luxury tent sits on a raised wooden deck overlooking the river where the elephants sometimes make an appearance or the crocodiles come out to lounge by the river banks.

​Day 4 & 5 - Ol Pejeta - Sweetwaters
Depart Samburu for the Ol Pejeta conservancy, located on a vast plateau and has the highest density of large mammals in Kenya; including unusual species such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and the Lelwel hartebeest. Spend two nights at the stunning, luxury Sweetwaters tented camp, overlooking a watering hole that attracts in wildlife. You’ll spend your time here on game drives during the day and night and lion tracking!

Day 6 - Lake Naivasha - Sopa Resort
Head to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari and bush walk, where you can see hippos and many species of birds. Accommodation is at Sopa Resort, located close to the lake shore where there is often wildlife wandering around such as bushbuck, zebra and giraffe.

​Day 7 to 9 - Maasai Mara - Mara Elatia
Depart Naivasha for the open grassland of the Maasai Mara (4.5 hours), rich in biodiversity and home to a large variety of bird species and wildlife, this savannah reserve offers great game viewing and bird watching opportunities. The Maasai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife reserves and is home to the annual wildebeest migration, which involves over 1.5 million animals!  Accommodation is at Elatia, a small luxury camp situated on the western side of the Mara on the Oloololo escarpment, next to the renowned Mara Triangle.

​Day 10 - Maasai Mara to Nairobi​
After an early breakfast, enjoy the views across the river then head back to Nairobi by road.​

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Accommodation

Accommodation on this safari is in a mix of upper mid-range luxury lodges and tented camps

Other information

Whats included?

• All accommodation on full board basis
• Transport in a private, safari tour vehicle with lifting roof for game viewing
• Unlimited game drives
• Experienced driver / guide
• All park fees that are payable to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and private conservancies
• All airport transfers
• All excursions and entrance fees as stated in itinerary
• Drinking water while on safari

What’s not included in the price?

• International flights
• Kenyan tourist visa
• Alcoholic drinks
• Soft drinks
• Tips & gratuities

 
 Optional activities (prices on request)

• Maasai village visit
• Hot air balloon flight
• Bush breakfast / dinner
• Local flights from Maasai Mara to Nairobi

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Notes

• Safaris are priced in US Dollars, prices quoted in other currencies will be subject to current exchange rates
• Single room supplements apply
• Supplements apply at Easter & Christmas
• Discounts for children under 18
• Group discounts available
• ​Full terms & conditions available on request

Seasons

• January to March: mid-season
• April to June: low season
• July to October: high season
• November to mid-December: shoulder season
• Mid-December to 4th January: high season

Request full itinerary and quotation