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A traditional 8-night safari visiting Samburu,
home to unique wildlife, followed by the Rift Valley
Lakes where pink flamingoes often tint the horizon.
The final destination is the Masai Mara where
vast numbers of plains game and spectacular big
cats reside.
This itinerary starts in the Aberdares Range
followed by Samburu, home to some of the most
unique wildlife in Kenya and a host of birds. Your
stay is at the delightful Ashnil Samburu Camp,
spread out along the shady banks of the Ewaso
Nyiro River, under a thick stand of doum palms
and acacia trees that are a feature of the area.
The safari route takes you to Lake Naivasha and
Lake Nakuru. Around Lake Nakuru a game reserve
has been created where the endangered black rhino
is protected and may be seen along with antelope,
giraffes, lions and hyenas.
Finally, the magnificent Masai Mara, famed for
its vast numbers of plains game and the
spectacular big cats. Here you stay in the luxury
Ashnil Mara Camp, which offers an unrivaled
position for wildlife spotting, and is close to the
action during the annual wildebeest migration.
Day 1
Sunday
Nairobi
Met at Nairobi airport and transferred to the Ole-Sereni
Hotel for overnight.
Day 2
Monday
Aberdares
After breakfast depart for the Aberdares (180 km –
approximately 4 hours). Arrive in time for lunch and
spend the afternoon relaxing, or on a nature walk with
the resident naturalist (weather permitting). Overnight:
Aberdare Country Club. (b,l,d)
Day 3
Tuesday
Samburu
Drive north across the equator to the Samburu National
Reserve (190 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch.
Late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Ashnil Samburu
Camp. (b,l,d)
Day 4
Wednesday
Samburu
Morning and late afternoon game drives in this open
savannah which is traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp. (b,l,d)
Day 5
Thursday
Aberdares
Drive to Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Mount Kenya
in time for lunch (240 km – approximately 4 hours).
Spend the afternoon viewing game from the lodge, or
join a nature walk led by a local guide (payable locally
and weather permitting). Overnight: Serena Mountain
Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 6
Friday
Lake Nakuru–Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, descend into the Great Rift Valley and
continue to Lake Nakuru Lodge (240 km – approximately
4 hours) for lunch. Afternoon game drive in the national
park. Drive to Lake Naivasha (80 km – approximately
1 hour). Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 7
Saturday
Masai Mara
Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve (320 km –
approximately 5.5 hours). Arrive in time for lunch
followed by an afternoon game drive. Overnight: Ashnil
Mara Camp. (b,l,d)
Day 8
Sunday
Masai Mara
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at
the camp. Alternatively, take an early morning balloon
flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast
(optional extra). After lunch, relax before a late afternoon
game drive. Overnight: Ashnil Mara Camp. (b,l,d)
Day 9
Monday
Extension or USA
After breakfast, return to Nairobi by road (300 km –
5 hours), or fly from the Mara to Nairobi: morning flight
(from $295); lunch in the Mara and afternoon flight
(from $420). Proceed with your chosen extension (see
‘where next’) or return to the USA. (b)
Alternatively, fly directly from the Mara to Mombasa,
including lunch in the Mara (from $575).
15kg luggage allowance on all light aircraft.
Where Next
Complement your Cheetah Safari with a beach stay on
the Kenya Coast, Zanzibar, Seychelles or Mauritius.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a superb addition to a safari
– see pages 92-93.
Cheetah Safari
RRRRR
1 night Nairobi – 2 nights Aberdares – 2 nights Samburu – 1 Lake Naivasha – 2 nights Masai Mara
