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SAFARI TO SAMBURU RIFT VALLEY AND MAASAI MARA
A safari to see
the best game parks in Kenya and also the world famous bird sanctuaries of
the Great Rift Valley lakes before taking you down to the coast to enjoy at
leisure the beautiful sunny beaches of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu. For 40
million years Africa has been torn apart by forces deep below the earth’s
crust, they have formed The Great Rift Valley, the largest visible scar on
the earth’s surface. Along this great fissure, is an incredible and
unparalleled diversity of ecosystems. Nowhere is The Rift Valley more
prevalent than in Kenya, where the high escarpment walls, and associated
volcanoes, support a unique Afro-alpine environment. Winter and summertime
temperatures are experienced in a single twenty four hour period. Along the
valley floor, lakes - both fresh water and alkaline - support huge
concentrations of wildlife. The millions of Lesser Flamingos on Lake Nakuru
have a well deserved reputation as being one of the world’s greatest bird
spectacles. The grassland savannas, formed by the volcanic ash are home to
the last great concentrations of large mammals are still to be seen on our
planet. The great Wildebeest migration of the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem is
truly an unforgettable experience.
Day 1 –
Samburu
Depart Nairobi
in the morning passing through the rich agricultural farmland on the slopes
of Mountain Kenya to the mainly dry scrubland and open Savannah plains of
Samburu Game Reserve. Here the Ewaso Nyiro River supports a wide variety of
game among them elephant, buffalo, cheetah leopard, lion, grevy's zebra,
reticulated giraffe, oryx and the long necked gerenuk. Accommodation in our
permanent campsite beautifully set on the edge of the river under a canopy
of trees, or pitch tent nearby.
Day 2 – Samburu
Day spent game
viewing in the park.
Day 3 –
Baringo
Leaving Samburu
in the early morning, we make a scenic drive to the west across the Lerochi
Plateau. Lunch enroute and later descend to the floor of the Great Rift
Valley, arriving at Lake Baringo in the afternoon. This is a fresh water
lake, which supports a great variety of birds as well as hippos and
crocodiles. Indeed, the lake is reputed to be the bird-watching centre of
Kenya.
Day 4 - Lake Nakuru
Early in the
morning we head south via Lake Bogoria, which is a shallow soda lake with a
beautiful scenery and also home to a sizeable number of flamingos and other
species of birds. The highlight, however, is the boiling hot springs and
geysers, which also contribute to the beauty of the lake. After lunch, we
proceed to lake Nakuru in the south - another shallow soda lake that has
been described as "an ornithologists paradise and one of the world's most
magnificent sights". Here one has an opportunity to see up to two million
flamingos besides tens of thousands of other birds if lucky. Lake Nakuru is
a rhino sanctuary and also harbors lions, warthogs, waterbucks, buffaloes,
hippo and many other animals. Dinner and overnight in a campsite outside
town.
Day 5 -
Maasai Mara
We head further
south to Narok, camping in our permanent campsite on the Talek River, which
is at the edge of the park by afternoon. Here we have stand-up tents with
beds for use, if available, otherwise we pitch tent. tent. Showers are
available in the camp and meals are served in the dining mess or in the
open.
Day 6 - Maasai Mara
From the base
camp, we explore the Mara region, packed with the elephant, zebra, rhino and
all kinds of game throughout the year with the spectacular wildebeest
migration from Serengeti occurring mainly in July and August. Being at
Maasai Mara is "as if you found yourself in the New York of the natural
world according to some authorities". Indeed, you have the best opportunity
of seeing all the big five.
Day 7 – Nairobi
We break camp
and drive to Narok where Maasai souvenirs can be bought and then proceed to
Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.
WHAT YOU
NEED TO BRING
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Sleeping
bag (available for hire in Nairobi office)
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Money for
personal spending and tipping.
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Only a
small case or rucksack, as storage space is limited.
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A pair of
long trousers and jersey for the cool mornings and evenings in addition
to plenty of light clothes for hot days (don't forget a hat), a pillow,
good walking shoes.
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Torch,
sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent.
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Mineral
water for drinking (available in office)
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Camera,
films, binoculars, maps, guidebooks.
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Toilet
paper, towel, soap, toothbrush/paste.
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Flying
Doctor's Service Card, available in Nairobi.
It is a good
idea to bring any drinks you might want around the campfire, they are not
always available enroute.
Important:
Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival
Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to
you upon receipt of final payment.
All
itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.
Prices
for-
Kenya Group Safaris
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