8 Days Big Five Expedition

Day 1: JKIA To Ole Sereni

Upon arrival in Nairobi, clients will be met and transferred from the airport to the Ole Sereni Hotel. Located nearby the airport, Ole Sereni is one of Nairobi’s most iconic hotels, situated opposite Nairobi National Park. Here, you can watch zebras stopping for their morning drink while enjoying your own from the privacy of your room’s balcony. All 134 rooms at Ole Sereni are thoughtfully designed to accommodate every guest, featuring amenities such as LCD flat-screen TVs and minibars.

Day 2: Nairobi To Nakuru National Park

After breakfast and check-out at Ole Sereni, the driver-guide will pick you up at 7:00 am for a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Arriving in time for lunch, your adventure begins with a game drive en route to your lodge for check-in and a well-deserved meal. Lake Nakuru is famous for its vast flocks of flamingos along the shores, creating a stunning pink spectacle that shifts with water and food conditions. The park offers diverse habitats, abundant wildlife, and bird species, including pelicans, fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers. It’s also Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, home to black and white rhinos, and features lush acacia woodlands, rocky outcrops, and a variety of animals like giraffes, zebras, lions, and primates. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge, an eco-friendly lodge with panoramic views of the lake and wildlife.

Day 3: Nakuru National Park to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After breakfast and checking out from Lake Nakuru Lodge, enjoy a short morning game drive as you exit Nakuru National Park and begin your journey to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive, exploring the diverse wildlife, including the Big Five, and learning about the conservancy’s successful rhino conservation programs. Ol Pejeta, located in central Kenya’s Laikipia district, was established in 1988 as a cattle farm and has since become a vital wildlife sanctuary. It offers activities like game drives, mountain biking, lion tracking, and community visits (at extra cost).

Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy To Meru National Park

After an early breakfast, check out with a short game drive en route to Olpejeta Conservancy, then continue to Meru National Park, which covers 336 square miles. The park is home to the Big Five and various wildlife like zebras and gazelles grazing on dry grass. Rivers support crocodiles, hippos, and other animals, with diverse landscapes including jungle, grasslands, swamps, and termite mounds. Meru is called “Complete Wilderness” by Kenyan Wildlife Services. The park’s elevation ranges from the Tana River in the southeast to 3,400 feet at the Nyambeni Range. Stay overnight at Ikweta Camp, a luxury tented camp offering game drives, bush walks, and cultural visits.

Day 5: Full Day Meru National Park

After an early breakfast, check out with a short game drive en route to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, then continue to Meru National Park, covering 870 sq km. The park hosts the Big Five and diverse wildlife, including zebras, gazelles, crocodiles, and hippos. It features varied landscapes like grasslands, rivers, and termite mounds, with the Tana, Rojerwero, and Ura rivers providing water. Meru is known as “Complete Wilderness,” with elevations from the Tana River to Nyambeni Range’s 1,036 meters. After a restful night and breakfast, enjoy a full day of game viewing, seeing elephants, rhinos, lions, birds, and more. The park is famous for Elsa’s story and features Adamson’s Falls. Overnight at Ikweta Camp.

Day 6: From Meru National Park To Samburu Game Reserve

After breakfast and check-out from Ikweta Camp, enjoy a short game drive as you depart for Samburu National Reserve, passing along Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. Located in northern Kenya, Samburu is a premier game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. It hosts diverse wildlife, including gerenuk, Gravy’s zebra, oryx, reticulated giraffe, lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo, and hippopotamuses. Also visible are olive baboons, warthogs, Grant’s gazelles, Kirk’s dik-diks, impalas, and waterbucks. Arriving in time for lunch, check-in at Samburu Simba Lodge, then enjoy a thrilling evening game drive before returning for dinner and overnight, with spectacular sunset views by the pool.

Day 7: Full Day Samburu Game Reserve

Start your day with a hearty breakfast to energize you for exploring the Samburu’s beauty, marvels, and rugged terrain. Game drives will reveal the day’s different course, with lunch served mid-day. In the afternoon, choose to visit the Samburu community village, where the indigenous people live peacefully alongside nature. The Samburu, related to the Maasai, wear traditional dress, speak Maa, and have a similar lifestyle, now incorporating farming and trading. You can enjoy cultural dances, learn about livestock, and buy local crafts. Conclude your day with a delicious dinner at your lodge, making it a truly memorable experience.

Samburu village visit available on request.

Day 8: Samburu Game Reserve to Nairobi

After breakfast, embark on a game viewing drive as you prepare to leave Samburu land. Enjoy the chance to spot wildlife one last time before departing. Once the game drive concludes, transfer to Nairobi Airport for your onward journey. This scenic drive offers the opportunity to observe more of the unique flora and fauna of the region. Ensure you arrive at the airport with ample time for check-in and security procedures. Reflect on your memorable safari experience as you head back home, carrying wonderful memories of the wildlife and landscapes encountered during your adventure in Samburu.