8 Days Nature Trail Expedition

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we will meet you in style- for assistance and transfer to Sarova Panafric Hotel where you are booked on bed and breakfast basis. Nestled in the midst of beautifully landscaped gardens a few minutes away from the humble buzz that is Nairobi's Central Business District and 20 minutes away from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sarova Panafric is a 4-star luxury hotel whose idyllic location allows for an immersive city experience without compromising on comfort and tranquility. World-class facilities, friendly service & delightful cuisine set us apart as one of the very best in Nairobi.

The Sarova Panafric is the perfect stop for business travelers, leisure tourists and business delegates alike. Top-notch conferencing and banqueting services make us a preferred choice for meetings and events. The Flame Tree Restaurant - a Nairobi classic and the Pool Deck bar & lounge are both spaces within the hotel that provide spectacular dining experiences. Exploring Nairobi's city attractions has never been easier. The Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Karen Blixen Museum are some of the attractions within easy proximity of the hotel.

Enjoy an early morning breakfast, drive north to Samburu National Reserve where you will spend the next two nights at Ashnil Samburu. Experience the African desert at its best and as a lesser known park it is less crowded, with game drives on both days giving you the opportunity to spot leopard, lion and cheetah. This is the dry, north of Kenya and the reserve attracts wildlife not often seen elsewhere, so be on the lookout for gerenuks – a unique gazelle with a long neck that stands on its hind legs.

Explore the Samburu National Reserve through morning and afternoon game drives. You may opt to do some of the activities offered at the lodges and a visit to Samburu Villages at an extra cost. The light and vast openness creates a lonesome panoramic beauty and the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy's zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here.

Drive south to the Aberdare Mountain Ranges. Have lunch at the Outspan Hotel, then drive on to the famous Treetops, your spectacular viewing perch for the night and the place where Princess Elizabeth was staying when she ascended to the British throne in 1952. Game is attracted by the waterholes and salt licks around this unique tree lodge.

Aberdare National Park protects the mountain range of the same name. Tree hotels are designed for guests to observe wildlife coming to waterholes (or salt licks) in pristine forest habitat. Wildlife viewing from this elevated position is a remarkably rewarding way to see animals otherwise difficult to spot in the dense vegetation.

All the Big Five are present. Buffalo and elephant are common, and there is a chance to see black rhino at one of the tree hotel waterholes at night. Lion and leopard tend to stay at higher altitudes in the park and are difficult to spot. Black-and-white colobus monkeys are a real treat, while bushbuck and waterbuck are particularly common.

After an early breakfast, proceed for a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru Park known for its migratory thousands of flamingoes and other water birds species. This is the only park in Kenya to see the white and black rhinos, buffaloes and tree climbing lions. Proceed to Lake Oloiden in Naivasha to see flamingoes and other birds’ species. Visit Hells Gate Park and have a swim in the natural spar swimming-pool (Note: remember to bring your swimming costumes). Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge is set in one hundred and fifty acres of grassland studded with Acacia bushes and trees, the resort is not only home to our resident giraffe, waterbuck and both Vervet and Colobus monkeys, but it is also a night stop for the hippos when they leave the lake every night to come and trim the grass on our expansive lawns.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge has 21 cottages with each having 2 ground floor rooms and 2 upper floor rooms adding up to 84 rooms. 6 of the 21 cottages have interconnecting rooms which makes them ideal for families. 2 of the rooms are wheelchair accessible. The rooms have either king-size or queen-size beds. Stone walls with creepers and bougainvilleas are quintessential to the design of the cottages. Facilities, activities and amenities include; Bird watching, board games,  swimming pool, conference hall, gift shop, laundry, nature walk, outdoor dining hall, on request at a cost – sundowners, horse-riding, fishing, water sports, cycling and nature trails, bird walks, boat trips and day trips to nearby Crescent Island, Elsemere and Hells Gate National Park..

Drive to the awe-inspiring Maasai Mara and take an afternoon game drive. The most famous game reserve in the world, the Maasai Mara is what safari dreams are made of - rolling grasslands, wide open savannah and rich in African wildlife. Spot prides of lions basking in the shade, seek out an elusive solo leopard and have your camera at the ready for other spectacular wildlife including cheetah and hyena. The Maasai Mara is also renowned for the incredible annual migration of zebra and wildebeest. You will take three nights here to Explore, Experience and to re-discover the Magic of Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Early morning, mid-morning and afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara game reserve or perhaps takes an optional balloon-ride-safari (extra cost). Mara Sopa Lodge comprises 50 Guest Cottages with two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, 6 of which feature 2 larger luxurious Suites, and one decadent Honeymoon Suite. Built Masai-style with rustic thatch roofs and spread out along the hilltop, features include mosquito nets, an electronic safe and private verandah. A restaurant, bar and lounge encircle a huge fireplace at the main lodge where wide glass doors open on to a swimming pool and sun terrace. Dinners are served buffet-style with a wide selection of traditional fare.

After breakfast, return to Nairobi with lunch on the way. Arriving at your Nairobi hotel late afternoon or transfer to the airport for your onward journey.