Samburu and the Mara

Morning and afternoon game drives cover Samburu's open plains and river circuits. The combination of riverine forest and open thorn-scrub produces varied sightings: the Samburu Five alongside elephants, lions, leopards, and a wide range of birds including vultures, bee-eaters, and Somali ostriches. During the day there is a visit to a local Samburu community.

After breakfast you'll drive south to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley fringed by acacia and papyrus. An afternoon boat safari covers the hippo pools and waterbird colonies - pelicans, herons, African fish eagles, and kingfishers are all present. A walk on Crescent Island allows closer, quieter encounters with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle on foot.

After breakfast you'll drive west to the Masai Mara National Reserve, passing through Rift Valley scenery and Maasai pastoral country. You arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive across the Mara's open grassland. The shift in landscape from the north is immediate: wide plains, dense game, and the Mara River cutting through the western circuit.

A full day of game drives, with packed lunch taken in the field. The Mara holds high concentrations of lion, leopard, and cheetah year-round, alongside elephant, buffalo, hippo, and crocodile. Between July and October, wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in large numbers; the crossings are unpredictable and worth positioning for. The guide will adapt the route to recent sightings throughout the day.

A morning visit to a local Maasai community before the drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.