AAS09: MASAI MARA, THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY, TREE HOTEL & SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK

Masai Mara | Rift Valley | Tree hotel | Samburu (6 days) Departs 08:00hrs daily

Samburu National Reserve is located north of Nairobi, and was established in the 1970's. Samburu National Reserve is adjacent to the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Samburu Reserve is 40 square miles in size; temperature during the day is hot, but tends to cool during the night. This area of the region to this date is referred to as the Northern Frontier District because of the war in the 1960's and early 70's with the Somali people. Culturally, Northern Kenya has always had a strong influence of Somali, Galla and Borana communities/tribes, who have been nomads for many centuries.

Samburu National Reserve can be entered via the Ngare Mare and Buffalo Springs gates. Once inside the reserve, there are two mountains visible: Koitogor and Ololokwe. Samburu National Reserve is very peaceful and attracts animals because of River Uaso Nyiro (meaning "brown water" and pronounced U-aa-so-Nyee-ro) that runs through it and the mixture of acacia, riverine forest, thorn trees and grass vegetation. The Uaso Nyiro flows from the Kenyan highlands and completes down stream at the famous Lorian Swamp. The natural serenity that is evident here is due to its distance from industries and the inaccessibility of the reserve for many years.

There is a wide variety of animal and bird life seen at Samburu National Reserve. Several species are considered unique to the region:

    * Grevy's Zebra
    * Beisa Oryx
    * Reticulated Giraffe
    * Somali Ostrich

Other mammals frequently seen in the park include:

    * African Elephant
    * Lion
    * Cheetah
    * Gerenuk
    * African Buffalo
    * Grant's Gazelle
    * Kirk's Dik-dik
    * Impala
    * Waterbuck
There are over 350 species of bird. These include:

    * Kingfisher
    * Sunbird
    * Bee-eater
    * Marabou Stork
    * Tawny Eagle
    * Bateleur
    * Guinea fowl
    * Palm-nut Vulture
    * Vultures

Day 1: Nairobi - Masai Mara. The Mara Game Reserve is situated 250 km by road to the west of Nairobi. Arrival in this park is in time for lunch. After lunch a game drive is provided in this vast game reserve renowned for its large concentration of game. Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge, Mara Serena Lodge or Mara Sarova Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 2: Masai Mara. The morning and afternoon is spent exploring this park, which is a photographer's paradise. Meals and overnight as in Day 1 directly above.

Day 3: Masai Mara - Rift Valley. After breakfast depart for the Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch at either Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru. Both these lakes are famous for their large species of birds. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 4: Rift Valley - Tree hotel. After a relaxed breakfast we drive to the north of Kenya, proceeding to the Aberdare forests. The Tree hotels are strategically situated for night game viewing and have waterholes which are floodlit. Overnight and meals at Treetops, Ark or Mountain Lodge.
         
Day 5: Tree hotel - Samburu. After breakfast the tour proceeds further north entering the warm and drier area of semi desert stretching to Kenya's boundary with Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan. The Samburu National Reserve has all the big five and the Uaso Nyiro River, which flows through the game reserves, is infested with crocodiles. Lunch is taken at the lodge and the afternoon is spent exploring the park. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Lodge, Samburu Serena Lodge or Larsen’s Luxury Tented Camp.
         
Day 6: Samburu - Nairobi. Early morning game drive is provided in this park. After breakfast a stop is made at Naro Moru River lodge for lunch. After lunch drive to Nairobi.

PRICES

Price includes: - Transport in 9-seater minibus with English speaking driver/guide, full board accommodation, park entrance fees and game drives while on safari