This 7 Day Safari combines two of the most popular travel regions in Kenya – Laikipia and the Maasai Mara. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, central Kenya, offers 365km² of quality game viewing. Spend 3 nights at Kicheche Laikipia, situated at an active waterhole with frequent visits by elephant, black rhino, plains game and a wealth of birdlife. Then fly down the Rift Valley to an exclusive conservancy near the Maasai Mara National Park. Only a few vehicles are permitted here. Enjoy unhindered views of spectacular wildlife in some of the most breathtaking African scenery.
Highlights
Visit two of the best safari destinations in Kenya; Laikipia and Maasai Mara
Excellent game viewing by open safari vehicle or on foot
Exclusive conservancy safari camps, away from the congestion and tourist crowds in the national parks
Accompanied by expert, experienced guides on all safari activities
Includes flights between destinations
Luxury tented accommodation with all meals
Wide choice of optional activities includes visit to chimpanzee sanctuary and local tribal villages, lion tracking on foot, mountain biking, canoeing and guided bush walks
Day 1 – Laikipia
You’ll be met at Nairobi JKI Airport or your Nairobi hotel and transferred to Wilson airport for a morning flight to Nanyuki airstrip. On arrival, we transfer to Kicheche Laikipia camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, approximately one hour’s game drive time. We enjoy lunch at camp then have time to relax and settle in until afternoon tea. We head out on an open vehicle game drive to witness the enormous array of wildlife the area has to offer. We return to camp for dinner, and share drinks and stories around the campfire or in the cosy lounge tent. Fall asleep to the sounds of the bush outside your tent.
Day 2
Off to an early start with coffee/tea/hot chocolate, then a longer game drive with a delicious picnic breakfast out on the plains. Lunch will be al fresco back at camp with time to enjoy the game and birdlife around the waterhole. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary before heading out on a late afternoon/evening game drive. On a night drive we can see the shy nocturnal animals seldom seen in daylight.
Day 3
Various optional activities include lion tracking, mountain biking, canoeing, game driving or going for a bush walk with one of the guides and a ranger. Walks usually last from 2 – 3 hours and are adapted to your preferences. Alternatively, head out on a morning game drive and enjoy another picnic breakfast out on the plains before returning to camp. After lunch, you may want to take some time to visit the ranching program or the Wildlife Centre to learn more about the amazing Ol Pejeta conservation success story, where cattle ranching has successfully merged with wildlife conservation. After our afternoon/evening game drive, we return to camp to enjoy some drinks around the campfire or in the lounge tent. Dinner will be served in the adjacent dining tent.
Day 4 – Maasai Mara
After a leisurely al fresco breakfast, we depart for the Nanyuki airstrip for our morning flight by light aircraft to the famous Maasai Mara. Upon arrival, a local Kicheche guide welcomes us and drives us to Kicheche Mara Camp. There’s a good chance of spotting some game en-route. At camp, take some time to settle in, enjoy lunch and perhaps a siesta before afternoon tea. Afterwards we set off for the afternoon game drive rounded off with evening sundowners overlooking the plains. We arrive back at camp in time for a shower and a drink before a delicious dinner.
Day 5
Up early with tea and coffee brought to your tent. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for a full day’s game drive, either within the conservancy, or to the Mara reserve, or to another conservancy. You’ll see different terrain with a variety of animal and birdlife, stopping for a picnic lunch at one of the many scenic viewpoints. Arriving back at camp late afternoon, enjoy an aperitif and discuss the day’s sightings around the campfire before dinner is served.
Day 6
In the morning we’ll embark on a guided game walk of approximately 2 hours which offers yet another perspective of the terrain and fauna whilst crossing the plains. In the afternoon you may wish to visit a traditional Maasai manyatta (village) or opt for another afternoon/evening game drive.
Day 7
Up early for our final morning game drive in the Mara. We return to camp to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before our transfer to the airstrip for the 90 minute flight back to Nairobi. You’ll be met at Wilson airport and transferred back to Jomo Kenyatta International for your evening outbound flight onwards or back to your Nairobi hotel. We’ll be happy to arrange accommodation for you in Nairobi for the night before or after your safari.
Accommodation in Ol Pejeta
Kicheche Laikipia
This camp consists of six luxurious tents set at the foot of an indigenous forest overlooking a waterhole in the centre of the Conservancy.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy has East Africa’s largest population of black rhino along with elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah and many other wildlife species including unique northern species such as reticulated giraffe, oryx, Grevy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest. In addition to the incredible game viewing opportunities, there’s a wide range of activities on offer to ensure you enjoy a complete wilderness experience.
Accommodation Options in Maasai Mara
Kicheche Mara Camp
This is a classic tented camp hidden in a beautiful valley in a prime wildlife area of the Mara North Conservancy. There are only eight tents, set in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere alongside a seasonal stream where the resident birdlife and plains game come to drink and relax.
The location is ideal as game viewing frequently starts in the camp itself with prime wildlife habitat on all sides providing an ideal base for your safari in the Maasai Mara.
Kicheche Bush Camp
Located in a superb wildlife area in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy which borders the Maasai Mara Reserve, it has six luxury tents spread out beneath the acacia trees. All camp life revolves around the central campfire where you’ll gather each evening for an aperitif before dinner. Game viewing here is top class and exclusive as vehicle numbers are strictly limited. Game drives start from the camp itself and it’s an ideal location from where to witness the annual wildebeest migration.
Kicheche Valley Camp
Located in acacia woodlands in a secluded valley of the newly-created Mara Naboisho Conservancy, this is the most luxurious tented camp of the three. The luxury tents are built in a unique eco-style, set on platforms to provide the best views of the stunning wildlife and wilderness surrounds. Here you’ll enjoy an intimate, exclusive safari experience with very limited numbers of guests and vehicles.
Includes
Flights (Nairobi – Nanyuki – Maasai Mara – Nairobi), Nairobi and Mara airstrip transfers
Luxury accommodation with all meals, including all drinks (excluding champagne)
Unlimited game drives, escorted bush walks, services of a KPSGA qualified guide
Laundry and conservation fees.
Excludes
Visas
Items of personal nature
Village visit entrances
Gratuities
Accommodation in Nairobi before and after safari