Rift Valley
Private Luxury Tented Camp Safari
Nakuru - Samburu - Masai Mara

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Safari Features:

• Accompanied by an incredibly knowledgeable Professional Safari Guide (KPSGA Silver)
• Luxury tented camps
• Exclusive use of Origins Safaris Classic Mobile Tented Camp in Nakuru
• 4WD extended safari Land Rover vehicles with extra roof hatches, legroom & luggage space
• 3 eco-systems
• 3 distinct tribal groups: Kikuyu, Samburu & Maasai
• 45 - 50 mammal species including rare Northern endemics
• 450 bird species

Summary Itinerary:

• Day 1 - Arrive JKIA Nairobi, met & transferred by our operator, 1 o/n Norfolk Hotel
• Days 2 & 3 - Drive to Lake Nakuru, 2 o/n Origins Classic Mobile Camp
• Days 4 to 6 - Drive to Samburu, 3 o/n Larsens Camp
• Days 7 to 9 - Fly to Masai Mara, 3 o/n Mara Explorer Camp
• Day 10 - Fly to Nairobi, day room Norfolk Hotel, transfer to JKIA, depart

Day 1     Nairobi

• Arrive JKIA, Nairobi
• Meet by Origins Safaris & transferred to Hotel
• Accommodation: Norfolk Hotel
• Meal Plan: All meals

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by your safari operator and transferred to the Norfolk Hotel for the night.

Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi - Older than the Ritz, younger than the Savoy, no other hotel in Kenya has as rich a history as the Norfolk. Built in 1904 as a watering hole for early settlers, some say Nairobi grew up around the Norfolk. With 167 bedrooms, many overlooking the famous courtyard gardens, a swimming pool and spa, 2 restaurants and 2 terrace/lounge bars this hotel is a luxurious start and end to any safari.

Nairobi is a bustling city with numerous attractions. Uhuru Park is a beautiful preserve overlooking the city. The neo-classical McMillan Library, built in 1930, memorializes Sir Northrup McMillan, who settled in Kenya in 1905 as one of the earliest pioneer farmers of the area. He later became a prominent figure in the city.

Considered the father of the nation, Jomo Kenyatta served as the country's first president. His mausoleum, unveiled in 1968, includes a fine statue of this historically significant Kenyan.

Other attractions include the Nairobi National Museum and the Snake Park. On the outskirts, the suburb known as Karen was named after famous resident and author of 'Out of Africa' : Karen Blixen (Isac Dineson) whose home from 1917 to 1931 is now the Karen Blixen Museum. In close proximity is the Giraffe Feeding Centre a sanctuary for orphaned giraffe that roam the grounds of the so-called Giraffe Manor. Perhaps Nairobi's principal attraction is the Nairobi National Park - a successful Rhino Sanctuary and host to plentiful plains game and their big cat predators bordering the city itself, and is nearby animal orphanage.

Days 2 & 3     Lake Nakuru National Park

Day 2

• Early breakfast & check-out
• Drive to Lake Nakuru on the Rift Valley floor
• Arrive in camp in time for lunch inside the Park
• Accommodation: Origins Classic Mobile Tented Camp
• Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3

• Full day exploring Lake Nakuru National Park with picnic lunch
• Dinner & campfire in camp
• Accommodation: Origins Classic Mobile Tented Camp
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Your Professional Safari Guide will meet you at breakfast and brief you on the journey ahead. After checking out you drive out of Nairobi, over the escarpment and descend to the floor of the Great Rift Valley, passing lakes Naivasha and Elementaita on your way to Nakuru in Central Kenya. After lunch and a siesta you set off for a longer game drive along the lake shore.

Lake Nakuru National Park is relatively small, and because it's enclosed, protects plentiful game, which is largely habituated to tourism, and thus easy to observe without disturbing wildlife patterns. The park was opened in 1968 to preserve the breeding grounds of the millions of Lesser Flamingo that line the lakeshore.

The lake lies between a rock cliff and the town of Nakuru itself. The attractive wood and grasslands offer relatively easy game spotting of such species as Waterbuck, Bohor's Reedbuck, Steinbok, Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer in addition to the Leopard and Lion.

Nakuru is notable for its resident population of both White and Black Rhino, which have been re-introduced to the park in the course of the last 15 years.

Origins Safaris Classic Tented Camp: Your private, hosted tented camp is set up and waiting for you: hot tea, hot showers and a campfire burning. Whether classic green or beige canvas, the atmosphere is the same: a tented camp is the traditional and many say the best way to experience Africa: tune in to the bush, sleep under canvas immersed in the night sounds of the bush; gather around the campfire as hot days turn to cool nights.

Our camp is exclusive - set up specifically for your group with a team of friendly, efficient staff on hand to look after you. Drinks are refrigerated and fresh cooked meals are served out in the open or in the dining tent. You sleep in good-sized walk-in tents, comfortable twin beds and open verandahs, traditionally outfitted with canvas safari chairs, wool rugs, dressing table, clothes horse and a vanity unit with mirror.

Each tent has its own dressing and bathroom area en-suite, hot showers, flush toilets and a restful lounge area and dining tent.

The campsite is a lovely shaded area, and a private camp is the ultimate safari experience. Everything is geared to your rhythm, led by your own private guide and host who has a deep knowledge and passion for this jewel of a park. Leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo are plentiful and the photo opportunities are great. This private tented camp with the silence only broken by the sounds of the bush, the beautiful views and the complete flexibility will be one of the most memorable highlights of your safari.

Days 4 to 6     Samburu & Shaba National Reserves

Day 4

• Early breakfast & depart
• Drive upcountry through the highlands to the Northern Frontier District
• Picnic lunch en route
• PM arrive in camp
• Accommodation: Larsens Camp
• Meal Plan: Full board

Days 5 & 6

• Spend 2 full days exploring Samburu & Shaba National Reserves
• Accommodation: Larsens Camp
• Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast you leave Lake Nakuru behind you and cross through the lush arable land of central Kenya towards the dry, northern territory, known as the Northern Frontier District.

You take a picnic lunch and arrive at your charming tented camp inside the reserve by mid-afternoon - in time for a hot shower and a cool drink. You will spend the next two days exploring Samburu and neighbouring Shaba Reserves - both of which offer incredible scenery, cultural immersion and game viewing opportunities in a balmy climate, at around 3,500 ft above sea level.

Samburu National Reserve is a semi arid area to the north of Mount Kenya and the equator. The countryside here is characterized by thorn scrub interspersed with wide lava strewn plains. Acacia (the yellow barked 'fever' trees) and Doum Palms shade the broken ridges and sand rivers that form the typical northern frontier landscape.

Against this dramatic backdrop Samburu herdsman coexist with the wildlife; many rare & endemic species thrive here including Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Yellow Baboon, Guenther's DikDik and Reticulated Giraffe; Leopard and Elephant are plentiful. Game drives are flexible - in this hot dry northern land the wildlife is visible daylong - so early starts are optional not compulsory!

The Uaso Nyiro River is the main feature of this habitat and it supports a large variety of wildlife and game birds. Even in times of drought it provides succour to the local game, the elephants dig deep into the dry sand to create small water holes. The reserve shelters 66 known elephant family units and approximately 100 bulls - in total over 750 elephant.

Shaba National Reserve is home to Joy Adamson's Monument. This reserve was beloved by Joy and George Adamson of "Born Free" fame, who spent a lot of time here with their famous cats. The reserve is particularly notable for its massive migratory elephant population, and also for amazing landscape and its hot springs. The vista offers open stretches bordered by rugged hills with excellent game viewing and visibility - the light here is great for photography.

Larsens Tented Camp is a small, luxurious, tented camp set in lush lawns on the bank of Uaso Nyiro, a river in Samburu National Reserve. The 17 tents, each shaded by palm trees and named for a bird, have ensuite bathrooms and all face the river. There are birds and vervet monkeys everywhere and dik diks wander freely around the camp. An animal-viewing platform in a tree lets you scan the vast Samburu plain.

In the heat of the day you can relax on your private deck while the monkeys play in the trees around you and animals drink from the opposite bank. The sounds you hear are birdsong, flowing water and the breeze whispering through the doum palms.

This is camping in style with all the home comforts: hot showers and a surprising degree of comfort. Towelling gowns are in your tent, the safari chairs have maroon leather seats and a complimentary sherry aperitif is served before dinner from a decanter.

The dining tent is open on three sides and faces the river. A first class dinner is elegantly served by candlelight on tables set with silver and Larsen's china. In the bar, Eric Larsen's old cabin trunks and pith helmets add to the period flavour while you play backgammon or chess on his original boards.

Days 7 to 9     Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 7

• Depart after breakfast
• Transfer to airstrip
• Fly to Masai Mara
• Meet & transfer to Mara Explorer
• Lunch in camp & siesta
• Afternoon game drive
• Dinner in camp
• Overnight: Mara Explorer
• Meal Plan: Full board

Days 8 & 9

• 0630 Wake up & tea
• Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast (booked on request - 0600 flight)
• 0630 depart for morning game drive
• Breakfast at camp
• Lunch at camp & siesta
• Late afternoon game drive & sundowners
• Dinner & campfire in camp
• Overnight Mara Explorer
• Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast you check out and transfer to the airstrip for the 1 & quarter hour flight to the Masai Mara. You will be met on arrival and transferred the short distance this luxury tented camp on the banks of the Talek river - a favourite with crocodiles each year as the Great Migration bursts across its banks.

You spend the next three days exploring this incredible, species rich reserve.

The Masai Mara is the Jewel in the Crown of East Africa, forever to be associated with vast numbers of game - the greatest wildlife experience of all. Year round the Masai Mara Reserve is host to an enormous concentration of animals, boosted by the famous wildebeest and zebra migration during July/August/October.

All the Big Cats, Elephant, Black Rhino and thousands of plains game spread out before you - it's better than the Discovery Channel because you are part of the spectacle. The birds are fantastic - from the giant Martial Eagle, to the ground Hornbill and a myriad of other diverse species.

The Mara is undoubtedly Hollywood Africa, grass plains interspersed with Migunga and Croton thickets, rolling hills and small kopjes, islands in the sea of grass abound. Small rivers feed massive fig trees on their banks. This is the northernmost extension of the Serengeti ecosystem and is a microhabitat in its own right.

Here during the months of July to December you witness the spectacle of the migration of a million and a half Wildebeest and Zebra, with all their attendant carnivores, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena and possibly Wild Dog. The rest of the year is no less exciting as the Lion and Leopard remain resident and are commonly seen hunting plains game that include Thompson and Grants Gazelle, Coke's Hartebeest, Topi, Eland, Waterbuck, great herds of Wildebeest and groups of the chestnut coated Impala.

We can arrange a hot air balloon safari for you during your stay - one of lifes best experiences - drifting over the treetops, looking down over the hippos, warthogs and plains game - ending far out on the plains with a champagne breakfast - definitely a treat.

Mara Explorer, Talek River, Masai Mara Built as an eco-friendly camp, Mara Explorer works closely with the local Maasai community and is involved in many projects in the local area. The camp itself sits on a thickly forested bend on the Talek River in the very heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve.

This luxury tented camp enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between June and September and during the remainder of the year herds of watering elephant, giraffe and other animals can often be seen from each tent verandah.

Designed to blend and compliment its luscious wooded setting overlooking the river, Mara Explorer is the perfect hideaway with only ten spacious tents generously spaced apart and personal butler service available 24 hours.

The views over the Talek River and surrounding bush make this a special treat in a very special reserve. This is a great game viewing destination: with up to three game drives a day in the world's most celebrated 'Big Cat' country.

Day 10     Nairobi & Depart

Day 10

• Leisurely breakfast & check-out
• Short game drive to airstrip
• Scheduled flight to Nairobi (1050 - 1215)
• Met and transferred to
• Norfolk Hotel (day room reserved)
• 5pm check-out & transfer by Origins Safaris:
• Farewell dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant.
• Evening transfer to JKIA for international flight departure
• Meal Plan: All meals

After a leisurely start to the day, breakfast and check-out you take your last game drive across the Mara plains to the airstrip to catch the 1015 scheduled flight, arriving 1215 in Nairobi and transferring to the Norfolk Hotel where a day room is booked. After sightseeing or just chilling by the pool it's time to pack up and check out.

Tonight you head off to the famous Carnivore Restaurant for a traditional feast of 'nyama choma' (roast & barbecued meat) - a chance to eat crocodile, zebra, eland as well as the more traditional pork spare ribs, roast beef and delicious Molo lamb - vegetarians are also well provided for with a wonderful salad bar - and the whole experience makes a fitting grand finale to your safari. After your meal you will be transferred, by your safari operator, to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international flight home.

Prices vary according to group size, but this private safari, based on four passengers in the high season, (June - December) will cost $ 5,077 per person

Call us for more detailed pricing and information.

Safari Arrangements

Included in the price of your safari

• ALL accommodation and meals on safari as
• indicated in this itinerary (meal plan)
• ALL government hotel taxes and service
• charges
• ALL Land transport in specially built Land Rover safari vehicles
• ALL air transport as specified in
• itinerary
• ALL National Park, entrance fees & nature
• walks
• ALL tips and gratuities to airport &
• hotel/lodge porters
• ALL negotiations and entries to Maasai and Samburu Tribal Manyattas
• ALL administrative, development and
• operational costs
• ALL porterage and airport assistance
• Bottled mineral water with all meals and in your Land Rover Safari vehicles for game drives
• Incredibly knowledgeable English speaking
• driver/guide
• Temporary Flying Doctor (AMREF),
• emergency evacuation to Nairobi

Not included: (unless specifically requested)

• Hot Air Balloon Flight & Champagne Breakfast - must be pre-booked.
• Personal laundry, beverages and other
• personal expenses
• Tips to bar staff for personal beverages or
• room service
• Gratuities to driver / guides
• Personal shopping
• International Flights/Visa fees