10 Days Kenya Big Five Luxury & Cultural Safari
(Ol Pejeta Ranch, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara, Loita Hills)
Safari highlights:
– Private safari starting and ending in Nairobi
– Explore Ol Pejeta to see the big five and visit the well-established Chimpanzee sanctuary
– Visit Samburu for the “special big five animals” (Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Gravy’s Zebra, Masai Ostrich & Reticulated Giraffe)
– Endangered white rhino in Lake Nakuru Park
– The big five in Masai Mara (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), predators, herbivores, bird life, reptiles, e.t.c.
– Accommodation as stated in luxury camps with all meals included
– Spend a night in a Masai village to experience culture and interact with Masai people
– Transport in 4×4 safari land cruiser with pop up roof for best game viewing opportunities
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Hotel
Meet and greet at Jomo Kenyatta Airport upon your arrival and after briefing, you are driven to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport Hotel
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Drive to Ol Pejeta Ranch
Early breakfast then check out of the hotel by 0630hrs and be driven to the scenic Ol Pejeta ranch, which is well known for its beauty and also home to Africa’s big five animals. Arrive for check in and lunch at the camp then afterwards an afternoon exploration of the park. Ol Pejeta is East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary and the only place in Kenya to see the chimpanzee. As you enjoy game drives, you will see the scenic and breathtaking views of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare ranges from a distance. In the evening, you are transferred back to your accommodation for rest and overnight.
Overnight: Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 3: Ol Pejeta Ranch
After breakfast you will spend another day exploring the sprawling Ol Pejeta Conservancy which is one of Kenya’s most noteworthy conservancies and home to the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard). In the evening, you are transferred back to your accommodation for rest and overnight.
Overnight: Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Drive to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast you will check out of the camp and have a morning drive to Samburu through beautiful farmlands as you head north towards the semi-arid countryside of the colorful Samburu tribesmen. You will arrive at the lodge for check in and hot lunch and rest followed by afternoon game viewing; animals in Samburu include rare grants gazelle, gerenuk, gravy’s zebra, Beisa Oryx and other rare wild plants. As the sun sets you are transferred back to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Explore Samburu
Early breakfast then start off the day with a relaxing morning game drive in Samburu Park in the company of your experienced tour driver to look for “Samburu’s Special Five Animals”. On this day, you will have the choice of carrying picnic lunch from the lodge or returning to the lodge for hot lunch. After lunch you will enjoy uninterrupted photography sessions stopping frequently to spot and observe animals in nature. Settle back to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing bath as you wait for dinner to be served.
Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast you will check out of the camp and proceed to Lake Nakuru passing through the equatorial towns of Nanyuki / Nyahururu with a possible stop at the scenic Thompson Falls for a brief tour of the falls as well as lunch at the nearby lodge. Afterwards you will proceed to Lake Nakuru arriving for early evening game drive till sunset for a chance to spot and photograph various kinds of animals. You will also visit the scenic observation hill or baboon cliff where you will see the lake from the view point. Lake Nakuru has for the longest time been known as the flamingo lake, but recently, the number of flamingos has greatly reduced to just a few because of rising water levels which make it hard for the birds to feed on algae. These birds have since migrated to other lakes such as Bogoria, Naivasha and Amboseli. Enjoy fantastic sunset in the evening at Lake Nakuru.
Overnight: Flamingo Hill Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Drive to Masai Mara
Early breakfast then check out of the camp with picnic lunch at 0630hrs for an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru; thereafter you will exit from the park and drive to Masai Mara passing through Narok Town which is a busy Masai town located along this route. Drive on to Masai Mara arriving for an afternoon game drives for an opportunity to spot the big five animals as well as many other animals which include the cheetah, hyena, giraffe, warthog, gazelle, wildebeest and others. As the sun sets, you are driven to the camp rest and dinner.
Overnight: Entim Mara Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Masai Mara
Early wakeup call then have an early morning pre breakfast game drive at 6.30am for a chance to see the park when most active. Afterwards return to the camp for late breakfast then carry packed picnic lunch and depart for full day game drives. You will explore the new 8th wonder of the world and if lucky you might see an adrenaline filled cheetah hunt in the open plains of the Masai Mara. In the evening you will transfer back to accommodation for dinner and rest
Overnight: Entim Mara Camp
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Day 9: Drive from Masai Mara to Loita Hills
On this day you will have an early wakeup call then have an early morning game drive at 6.30am for a chance to see the park as the sun rises. Afterwards return to the camp for late breakfast followed by check out from the camp and drive to Maji Moto Eco Camp where you will experience Masai culture and tradition fully when you spend the night. The camp is operated by local Masai people and your overnight stay will immerse you into the intense natural beauty of the Loita Hills and ancient culture and knowledge of the Masai community. On arrival at the camp, you will spend the evening on a guided nature walk which acts as an orientation of the camp. During the walk you are guided by a Masai warrior who tells you stories about the culture and various practices. Afterwards, you return to camp for campfire overnight and dinner, giving you an opportunity to sample some local cuisine.
Overnight: Maji Moto Eco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Cultural Activities then Transfer to Nairobi
After breakfast, you will engage in an exciting Masai warrior training course, measuring skills, stick fighting, spear throwing and archery, specially organized by a Masai warrior. Also, if interested, you can also visit the nearby hot spring which is near the village and you can dip in the spring to refresh yourself and soak away the day’s exertions. There is also a nearby school which you can visit (if school is in session), and see how the Masai children are taught as well as learn how the camp supports local children who are needy by providing basic education. After this, you will have lunch then check out of the camp by 2pm and board your vehicle for a transfer back to Nairobi at leisure. On arrival you are transferred back to Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your international flight
Overnight: N/A
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Cost includes:
– All airport transfers
– All Park Fees and activities stated for the Masai village
– Game drives as indicated in all national parks / wildlife reserves
– Accommodation and meals as indicated in luxury camps with an overnight in a Masai village
– Transport and game drives in a private 4×4 safari land cruiser with pop up roof
– Bottled water during the safari
– Services of an experienced tour driver / guide
Cost excludes:
– Tips
– Extra activities which are not listed in the itinerary e.g. hot air balloon ride, night game drives, e.t.c.
– Kenya visa
– International / domestic flights
– Items of personal nature
– Any other item not indicated in this itinerary