7 Days Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Camping Safaris

Depart from Nairobi we head north via the shoulder of Africa's making our way to the Samburu Game Reserve. We camp beside the Ewaso Nyiro River under shady palms and woodlands. The camp has refreshing cold showers to freshen-up in and escape the heat of the African plains. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Meals: Lunch and dinner.

Day two is a full game drive in Samburu National reserve exploring its open grasslands and diverse landscapes in search of the variety of wildlife found here. Samburu hosts beautiful forests, springs and rivers, offering stunning scenery. The game park is part of a lava plain that includes varied habitats, from thorn scrub, red dirt and dried river beds, to broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcrops. This region of Kenya is home to the uncommon Gravy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings and lion, hippo and giraffe are also found in the reserve. Leopard sightings are also a special feature here. Overnight at the camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast we break up camp and hit the road again, game viewing on our way out of Samburu Park. We travel south through Kenya to Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping for lunch enroute. Arriving at Lake Nakuru we take an afternoon game drive in the compact wildlife area. The Nakuru National Park surrounds the lake and was first gazetted to protect the rich bird life found here, later becoming a national park to provide sanctuary for endangered species such as the rhino. This small park (180 sq km) is also home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. The park has retained its reputation as an ornithologists' delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. Returning to camp we enjoy dinner and stay overnight at a Lake Nakuru guest house or hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Pre-breakfast as we drive for early morning game drive, The Nakuru National Park surrounds the lake and was first gazetted to protect the rich bird life found here, later becoming a national park to provide sanctuary for endangered species such as the rhino. There are about 25 white and black rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country. Predators are also residents to this park while Rothschild’s giraffe have been trans-located into the park for safety. After breakfast and travel south towards the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, in southwest Kenya. We drive through beautiful Savannah grasslands and plains in the Great Rift Valley making our way to our next overnight at the camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The next two days are spent embarking on game viewing drives in Masai Mara. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange-tinged sunsets worth capturing on camera. The Mara reserve covers 1510km² of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodlands, following the meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal as an iconic savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife. An optional balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We spend another full day exploring the spectacular Masai Mara Park. It is common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot, but are still reasonably common. The ultimate wildlife action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these grass-eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We head off into the bush on an early morning game drive in Masai Mara Reserve, before enjoying breakfast back at camp. Then we return to bustling Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, arriving in the afternoon. Meals: Lunch and dinner.