Embark on an epic 12-day Kenyan safari, exploring seven of the country's most iconic and diverse wildlife destinations. Begin in Samburu National Reserve, known for its rare and endemic species like the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Next, experience the unique blend of Big Five encounters and conservation efforts at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, including a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Then, journey to the lush Aberdare National Park, a haven for the elusive bongo antelope and other unique wildlife. Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its breathtaking flocks of flamingos. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of Lake Naivasha, home to hippos, vibrant birdlife, and the unique Crescent Island sanctuary. Next, witness the thrill of the Maasai Mara, with the potential to observe the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal) and encounter the Big Five. Finally, experience the majestic elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, and then explore the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Tsavo West National Park. This extended tour offers the ultimate Kenyan safari experience, showcasing the country's rich biodiversity and stunning scenery, with ample time to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and thrilling encounters.

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Samburu
Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 4: Ol Pejeta to Aberdare National Park
Day 5: Aberdare to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Day 8: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
Day 9: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
Day 10: Full-Day Game Drives in Amboseli
Day 11: Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
Day 12: Tsavo West to Nairobi

Activities:

* Multiple game drives in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks
* Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta
* Boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
* Nature walk on Crescent Island.
Optional activities: Cultural visits to Samburu villages, camel rides, bird watching, hiking, visiting a Maasai village, night game drives, or taking a hot air balloon safari in the Maasai Mara (additional cost).

Optional Travel Upgrade:

Travel Between Parks with Light Aircraft: For a seamless and time-efficient experience, consider upgrading your transportation between parks with a scenic light aircraft flight. This option offers breathtaking aerial views of the Kenyan landscape and significantly reduces travel time, allowing you to maximize your time on safari.

Wildlife & Scenic Highlights:

Samburu National Reserve: The "Samburu Special Five" (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich), elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and a variety of bird species including the vulturine guineafowl and the Somali bee-eater.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), chimpanzees, giraffes, zebras, impalas, elands, oryx, and a variety of bird species including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
Aberdare National Park: Bongo antelopes, elephants, leopards, black rhinos, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, Sykes' monkeys, colobus monkeys, and a variety of bird species, including the African fish eagle and the Jackson's francolin.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Flamingos, rhinos (both black and white), lions, leopards, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras, and a plethora of bird species, including pelicans, eagles, and storks.
Lake Naivasha: Hippos, African fish eagles, cormorants, pelicans, herons, kingfishers, and a variety of other water birds.
Crescent Island: Zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, and numerous bird species.
Maasai Mara National Reserve: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and a diverse array of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Witness the annual spectacle of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River in search of fresh grazing lands. (Seasonal, typically July-October)
Amboseli National Park: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and secretary birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro: The majestic backdrop of Africa's highest peak, offering stunning photo opportunities.
Tsavo West National Park: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, black rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species.
Scenic Landscapes: The semi-arid landscapes of Samburu, the lush rainforest, cascading waterfalls, and moorlands of Aberdare, the picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley, acacia forests, the shimmering waters of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha; and the vast plains, rolling hills, and acacia-dotted savannahs of the Maasai Mara, the Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, and the Chaimu Crater in Tsavo West

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Itinerary

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Day 1: JKIA (Nairobi) to Samburu National Reserve (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Arrival and Departure from JKIA: Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi, you will be met by your professional driver/guide. After a brief welcome and safari briefing, depart for Samburu National Reserve.
• Mid-morning (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Scenic Drive North: The drive takes you north through diverse landscapes, passing through agricultural areas and gradually transitioning into more arid terrain.
• Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch En Route: A stop for lunch will be arranged en route, typically in a town like Nanyuki or Isiolo.
• Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival and Afternoon Game Drive: Arrive at your chosen lodge or camp in or near Samburu National Reserve. Check-in and have some time to freshen up before embarking on your first game drive. Samburu is known for its unique wildlife adapted to the arid environment, including Grevy's zebras, reticulated giraffes, Beisa oryx, Somali ostriches, and gerenuk.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Return to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Samburu National Reserve

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-Day Game Drives: Enjoy full-day game drives in Samburu with packed lunches. Explore different areas of the reserve, focusing on the Ewaso Ng'iro River and searching for wildlife.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Return to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive & Breakfast: Enjoy a final game drive in Samburu, followed by breakfast at the lodge.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Drive to Ol Pejeta: Drive south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
• Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival, Lunch, and Afternoon Activities: Arrive at your accommodation in or near Ol Pejeta. Check in and have lunch. In the afternoon, explore Ol Pejeta, known for its rhino and chimpanzee conservation efforts. Activities can include game drives, a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or a visit to the endangered species boma.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Aberdare National Park (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Morning Activities & Breakfast: Enjoy a final activity in Ol Pejeta, followed by breakfast.
• Late Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drive to Aberdare: Drive to Aberdare National Park.
• Afternoon (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival, Lunch and Transfer to Tree Hotel: Arrive at the Aberdare Country Club for lunch (often the base for transfers into the park). Transfer into Aberdare National Park and check in to your chosen tree hotel (The Ark or Treetops).
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Night Wildlife Viewing: Enjoy night wildlife viewing from the lodge overlooking the floodlit waterhole.

Day 5: Aberdare National Park to Lake Nakuru National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours drive)

• Morning (6:30 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Viewing & Breakfast: Enjoy final viewing from the lodge followed by breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Descend and Drive to Nakuru: Descend from the Aberdares and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park.
• Afternoon (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival, Lunch, and Game Drive: Arrive at Lake Nakuru, check-in, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is known for its birdlife (though flamingo numbers vary) and rhino sanctuary.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive & Breakfast: Enjoy a final game drive in Lake Nakuru, followed by breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Drive to Maasai Mara: Drive to the Maasai Mara, with a stop for lunch en route.
• Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival and Afternoon Game Drive: Arrive at your chosen accommodation in or near the Maasai Mara and begin your first game drive.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-Day Game Drives: Enjoy full-day game drives in the Maasai Mara with packed lunches. This maximizes your chances of seeing the "Big Five" and other iconic wildlife.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive & Breakfast: Enjoy a final game drive in the Mara and then have breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Drive to Naivasha: Drive to Lake Naivasha, with a stop for lunch.
• Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival and Boat Ride: Arrive at Lake Naivasha, check-in, and enjoy a boat ride on the lake for birdwatching and hippo viewing.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Activities & Breakfast: Enjoy a morning activity at Naivasha (e.g., visit Crescent Island) followed by breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to Amboseli: Drive to Amboseli, with a stop for lunch en route. This is a longer driving day.
• Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival and Afternoon Game Drive: Arrive at your accommodation in Amboseli and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10: Full-Day Game Drives in Amboseli National Park

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-Day Game Drives: Enjoy full-day game drives in Amboseli with packed lunches, focusing on elephant viewing with the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11: Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive & Breakfast: Enjoy a final game drive in Amboseli and then have breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drive to Tsavo West: Drive to Tsavo West.
• Afternoon (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Arrival, Lunch and Game Drive: Arrive at your accommodation in Tsavo West, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Visit Mzima Springs.
• Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner and Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12: Tsavo West to JKIA (Nairobi) (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Morning Game Drive & Breakfast: Enjoy a final early morning game drive in Tsavo West, perhaps focusing on areas you haven't yet explored or revisiting a favourite spot. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drive to Nairobi/JKIA: Check out of your accommodation and begin the drive back to Nairobi. Depending on your flight schedule, you can either be transferred directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) or to a hotel in Nairobi for a day room or overnight stay before your departure.
• Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch En Route (Optional): If time allows, a brief stop for lunch can be arranged en route. Otherwise, you can have a meal at the airport or your Nairobi hotel.
• Afternoon (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM/Depending on traffic): Arrival at JKIA/Nairobi: Arrive at JKIA for your departure flight or at your chosen location in Nairobi.

Important Notes:

• This is a sample itinerary and can be customized.
• Driving times are estimates and depend on road conditions and traffic, especially in and around Nairobi.
• It is highly recommended that you book your safari well in advance, especially during peak season (July-October for the Great Migration in the Mara).
• Pack appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions, including warm layers (especially for early mornings and evenings and for Aberdare), comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and binoculars.