7 Days African Plains Road Safari

Upon arrival into Nairobi, you are met by our representative and ushered into your 4X4 Landcruisers. Driving north out of the city, you will move through the Kikuyu tribal lands of the central province. As the landscape becomes increasingly more arid, you will know you are approaching your first destination: Samburu National Reserve.

Arriving in the afternoon, you might enjoy spending the remainder of your day relaxing on the lodge grounds. With a spa on site, a massage may be the perfect way to unwind from all the travel. Alternatively, you may enjoy quietly relaxing with a book near the pool. However, if you are especially excited to get into the bush, it is always possible to join a late afternoon safari that will set out into the arid plains. The remainder of the day is spent entirely at your leisure. Enjoy your first bush buffet dinner with the lodge under the starry night sky, before returning sleepily to your bed.

Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to venture out into the bush, given that these periods are when the wildlife are most active. The wildlife in these northern lands is among Kenya’s most unique, and we recommend scanning the plains for the ‘Samburu Special Five:' the reticulated giraffe, the gerenuk, the grevy’s Zebra, the Somali ostrich and the beisa oryx. An especially lucky few may even have the chance to see the endangered African wild dog. These packs of fierce spotted hunters are among the continent’s most successful predators, and are capable of tackling prey as large as wildebeest. They are, however, endangered as a result of a decline in territory, and their susceptibility to domestic animal disease. Elusive and ingenious, a moment with a wild dog would be a truly coveted sighting.

This morning you will rise early to retrace your steps from the first day, driving back towards stunning Mount Kenya. Pause on route to hop out of the truck on the equator, straddling yourself between the northern and southern hemispheres. Carry on into the shadow of the mountain, eventually arriving midday at the Serena Mountain Lodge. Located on the slopes of Mount Kenya with an ever-refreshing breeze, your time in Mount Kenya National Park will sit in perfect contrast to the dryness of Samburu. After a fresh lunch, spend the afternoon soaking in the tranquility and serenity of this forest oasis.

Towards the end of the day, return to the lodge rooftop for a delightful dinner under the stars. Head to your private log cabin to spend a few final moments looking out over the illuminated watering hole, before slipping into a cozy bed heated by a hot water bottle.

Rise early this morning to catch the sunrise over the peak of Mount Kenya, while sipping on a hot cup of coffee in the brisk morning hours. Return to your private vehicle to continue on with your journey westwards, descending from the plateaus to the floor of the Great Rift Valley. After a couple of hours of this stunning landscape, you will approach the shores of Lake Nakuru – a flamingo-fringed alkaline lake on the valley floor. You will check into Lake Nakuru sopa Lodge - Located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa. The lodge also overlooks Lake Nakuru and its surrounding National Park, one that is a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike. Lake Nakuru National Park is mainly a wooded and bushy grassland with a wide ecological diversity and characteristic habitats that range from the lake waters to the escarpment and ridges.

After an early breakfast, you will hit the road as you leave the picturesque rift valley and head out to the world famous Maasai Mara. On arrival, you will check into the Little Governors Camp. Little Governors’ is intimate in character, with just 17 luxury en-suite tents tucked around a large watering hole teeming with both birds and wildlife. Located on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp is accessed by a very short boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed. The guest tents at Little Governors’ have wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the marsh in front of camp.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident families of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors’ properties are unfenced, all kinds of wildlife visit the camp and guests may need to make way for elephants which often visit during lunch time! In the evening, a warming log fire burns in front of the bar tent, and a candlelit dinner is served in the nearby dining tent.

This morning you will rise before the sun in order to squeeze in a few final moments in the bush. Enjoy a final game drive against the backdrop of a stunning sunrise, and observe the bush at one of its most active points. Whether you opt to spend the morning in search of a few final unseen species, or simply absorbing the resident wildlife as it appears, this final game drive will be spent entirely as you wish. Return to camp for a final bush breakfast before you begin your journey back to Nairobi. Depending on the timing of your outbound departure, you will either drive directly to the airport or will spend some time at a local hotel. Early morning travelers will likely spend a final night in the capital.