On this 10-day trip, encounter Kenya’s most iconic conservancies. From the rugged, unending vistas of Samburu, to the World Heritage plains of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. All this shadowed by the snow-tipped peaks of Mount Kenya, and the plentiful open grasslands, rivers, and mountains of the Masai Mara, a wonder of the world. Experience the spectacular wildlife and landscapes through game drives and bush walks, and learn how conservation and tourism can really make a difference.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Details for Today
Arrive in Jomo Kenyatta, Transfer to Wilson Airport for a flight to Lewa Downs
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy:
- Enjoying a game drive en route to your hotel
- Check-in and relax for the day, enjoying Lewa Conservancy’s amenities
Accommodation: Lewa Wilderness
Meals: L,D
Welcome!
Upon Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be greeted by a vehicle that will transfer you to Wilson Airport for your flight to Lewa Downs. Depart Nairobi’s Wilson airport, arriving in Lewa an hour later.
You are met on arrival and transferred to Lewa Wilderness, enjoying a game drive en route. Enjoy lunch and an afternoon of discovering Lewa Conservancy.
Tonight will include a candle-lit dinner at Lewa Wilderness.
Lewa Wilderness will be your home for the next few nights. This accommodation sits within one of Kenya’s major private conservation success stories; the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. 62,000 acres of varied African terrain, overlooked by the magnificent Mount Kenya, has as good wildlife experiences as anywhere else in Africa. Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s original private safari experiences and has been the Craig family home since 1972 where they proudly continue to entertain guests giving a truly unique and personal safari experience. Natural springs, home-raised livestock, and a 5-acre organic garden is the source of the healthy and delicious cuisine served against the backdrop of passing herds of wildlife.
Photo by Stevie Mann
Day 2
Details for Today
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy:
- Enjoy game drives, horseback riding, camel safaris, and bush walks
Accommodation: Lewa Wilderness
Meals: B, L, D
Lewa Wilderness offers a myriad of activities by which to enjoy Lewa Wildlife Conservancy from traditional game drives, to horse riding, and camel safaris, or guided bush walks.
Your meals are served in the lodge while enjoying the picturesque views, or as a picnic outside, enjoying all Lewa Conservancy has to offer.
Photo by Stevie Mann
Day 3
Details for Today
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy:
- A ‘behind-the-scenes’ visit of the Lewa Conservancy conservation activities
- Optional: A scenic flight in East Africa’s only open cockpit biplane
Accommodation: Lewa Wilderness
Meals: B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and get ready for another action-packed day.
Today take part in activities that bring you closer to the wildlife. A ‘behind-the-scenes’ visit of the Lewa Conservancy conservation activities gives you an insider perspective on protecting this precious eco-system.
Or for a more thrilling experience, enjoy a memorable scenic flight in East Africa’s only open cockpit biplane (at additional cost).
Enjoy dinner at Lewa Wilderness lodge tonight.
Photo by Stevie Mann
Day 4
Details for Today
Transfer to Kalama Conservancy
Kalama Conservancy:
- Experience a game drive in Kalama Conservancy
- Explore acres of pristine wilderness
Accommodation: Saruni Samburu
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, you will take a vehicle transfer from Lewa Wilderness to Samburu, about a two hours drive. Upon arrival at Saruni Samburu, your guide will greet you and lead you to Samburu lodge.
In the afternoon take a game drive in Kalama Conservancy. You will explore over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness in total privacy while enjoying the breath-taking view.
Enjoy dinner back at Samburu lodge.
Saruni Samburu, where you will be staying for the next 2 nights, is located on top of an enormous red rock in the heartlands of the Kalama Conservancy. It is filled with spectacular views of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya in the distance. The lodge is revered for its innovative, eco-chic architecture and interesting design and décor, as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the infinity pool and the Samburu Wellbeing Space. SaruniSamburu is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, which borders Samburu National Reserve, with 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness to explore and enjoy exclusively.
Day 5
Details for Today
Samburu National Reserve:
- Game drive to seek out the ‘Samburu Special Five’, and elephants, lions and leopards
- Indulge in a relaxing massage at the lodge
Accommodation: Saruni Samburu
Meals: B, L, D
Enjoy your morning breakfast at Saruni Samburu, and get ready for your early morning game drive into Samburu National Reserve.
Seek out the ‘Samburu Special Five’: the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy zebra, the beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk. These are all rare species that are only in this part of the country. Make sure to also keep an eye out for the well-known larger wildlife including elephants, lions, and leopards.
After your game drive, you will enjoy a picnic lunch.
Later, head back to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy a complimentary half hour massage at the Wellbeing Space.
Day 6
Details for Today
Samburu National Reserve & Kalama Conservancy:
- Explore the wonders of Samburu with a morning game drive, and nature walk
- Enjoy an evening game drive in Kalama Conservancy
- Indulge in a bush dinner under the stars
- Watch a show performed by the Samburu warriors
Accommodation: Saruni Samburu
Meals: B, L, D
Today you will continue to explore the wonders of Samburu with a morning game drive and a nature walk after lunch. You will be discovering animals, plants and the caves covered with paintings in the local area. This will all be led by your skillful and knowledgeable guide.
In the evening, take part in a night game drive in Kalama Conservancy, the 200,000-acre private wildlife conservancy in which Saruni Samburu is located.
End the day off with a bush dinner under the stars in the middle of the wilderness, and a night drive back to the lodge.
Tonight at the lodge the Samburu warriors will be dancing surrounded by candles and fire under the vast African skies. This makes for a truly magical experience and will be one of the highlights of your stay.
Day 7
Details for Today
Fly to Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve:
- Enjoy a game drive through the less-explored corner of the Mara ecosystem in total privacy
- Picnic lunch under an acacia tree or by the river next to a pod of hippos
Accommodation: Saruni Wild / Saruni Mara
Meals: B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge.
Today you will be leaving Samburu and heading to Saruni Wild or Saruni Mara. Your flight will be about an hour and a half to Masai Mara.
Upon your arrival, you will have the chance to enjoy a game drive with a picnic lunch under an acacia tree or by the river next to a pod of hippos. You also have the option to head to Saruni Wild or Saruni Mara for some rest and take an exclusive game drive later in the afternoon in Mara North Conservancy. You will have the chance to explore the less-explored corner of the Mara ecosystem in total privacy, brimming with wildlife. Over 30,000 acres of plentiful, protected land bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Saruni Wild is just 40 minutes from its sister lodge Saruni Mara. Saruni Wild is considered the more adventurous options in the Mara Conservancies, it is suited to travelers who like the camping style, camping elegantly and comfortably that is. Surrounded by untouched wilderness, and endless views. Saruni Mara is a terrific choice for the traveler who wants the best of both worlds – surrounded by the hectic pace of the Masai Mara National Reserve, as well as the peace of a private conservancy.
Day 8
Details for Today
Masai Mara National Reserve:
- Enjoy a morning game drive, looking for big cats and other predators
- Relax at the Maasai Wellbeing Space
- See the largest tower of giraffes
- Optional: Enjoy a game drive at night
Accommodation: Saruni Wild / Saruni Mara
Meals: B, L, D
Get ready for an early morning game drive to look for the big cats and other predators of the Mara. After your drive, you will be returning to the camp or the lodge for lunch and treatments at the Maasai Wellbeing Space.
In the afternoon, a game drive will take you to a special area where the largest tower of giraffes can be seen, followed by dinner at the lodge or camp and an optional night game drive.
Day 9
Details for Today
Masai Mara National Reserve:
- Walk through the valleys and plains surrounding Saruni Mara
- Game drive up to the top of Kilileoni, the highest mountain in the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem
- Enjoy a bush dinner in the middle of nature under the vast African sky
- Watch Maasai warriors perform singing and dancing around the fire
Accommodations: Saruni Wild / Saruni Mara
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, you will head out on a walking tour through the valleys and plains surrounding Saruni Mara, accompanied by a vehicle, or take part in a game drive up to the top of Kilileoni, the highest mountain in the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem – led by your skillful and knowledgeable guide.
In the afternoon you will discover more of Mara North and its neighboring conservancies. Experience first-hand what makes the Mara one of the most exciting wildernesses in the world.
Weather permitting, enjoy a bush dinner in the middle of nature under the vast African sky, with Maasai warriors singing and dancing around the fire.
Day 10
Details for Today
Masai Mara:
- Visit the rhino sanctuary
Fly back to Nairobi for your international departure
Meals: B, L, D
Today you will say goodbye to your lodge or camp and head to the airport. On your way to the airport you will visit the rhino sanctuary, and once again admire the hippos and the crocodiles of the Mara River.
Once you have transferred back to Nairobi, you will then transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with your driver. Depending on the time of your international flight, stop at the Talisman or Carnivore restaurant for dinner.
Accommodation
This accommodation sits within one of Kenya’s major private conservation success stories; the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. 62,000 acres of varied African terrain, overlooked by the magnificent Mount Kenya, has as good wildlife experiences anywhere else in Africa. Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s original private safari experiences and has been the Craig family home since 1972 where they proudly continue to entertain guests giving a truly unique and personal safari experience. Being the hub of all activities on Lewa, there is an endless list of activities on offer; owning East Africa’s only open cockpit biplane and a stable yard of horses suited to all levels of experience. Guests can also camel ride among the wildlife, game drive, take guided bush walks, visit the local community enhancement projects, and much more.
Natural springs, home-raised livestock, and a 5-acre organic garden is the source of the healthy and delicious cuisine served against the backdrop of passing herds of wildlife. The lodge has nine cottages tucked into the hillside overlooking Lewa’s Eastern Marania Valley, each luxuriously comfortable with the rustic character of a ranch homestead.
Activities and amenities: daily game drives, guided bush walks, scenic flights in the Waco Bi-Plane, horse riding, camel rides, community visits, behind the scenes conservation activities, Ngare Ndare Forest day trips, farm visits, Swimming Pool, tennis/ gym, visits to Lewa Crafts Furniture and Kifuma Weaving project.
Saruni Samburu’s six luxury villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya in the distance. The warm and welcoming hospitality makes for an intimate and exceptional experience. The lodge is revered for its innovative, eco-chic architecture and interesting design and décor, as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the infinity pool and the Samburu Wellbeing Space. SaruniSamburu is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, which borders Samburu National Reserve, with 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness to explore and enjoy exclusively. You are guided from start to finish by Samburu warriors who are passionate about their land and their culture, learning first-hand about their fascinating customs and traditions and gaining ancient, local knowledge about the land and the animals – a truly authentic experience.
Activities and amenities: day and night game drives, photographic hide, bush meals, guided walks, birdwatching, Samburu Wellbeing Space treatments (payable extra), picnics, two swimming pools, helicopter excursions (payable extra), Samburu cultural visits (payable extra), Saruni Shop.
Saruni Wild is a tented camp elegantly and comfortably furnished with all the necessary luxuries of a wild yet classic safari. The camp is located in the heart of the Masai Mara plains, on the border between Lemek Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy. Surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of pristine, untouched wilderness, the camp has the most classic Masai Mara setting. The wildlife thrives right next to its tents. Enjoy endless views, fire-lit meals under the vast African sky, guided game drives led by Maasai warriors.
Activities and amenities: day and night game drives, bush meals, guided walks, birdwatching, Maasai Wellbeing Space treatments (payable extra), picnics, library, balloon safaris (payable extra), Saruni Shop.
Saruni Mara has one family villa, one private villa, and five elegant cottages, and is the only small boutique lodge in the Mara, making it very intimate and exclusive. The beautifully decorated themed rooms have a luxurious and classic safari feel. The lodge is tucked away in a secluded valley in the private Mara North Conservancy, a prime and private game viewing area, which borders the Masai Mara National Reserve – the most renowned wildlife park in Africa. Enjoy the Italian-inspired cuisine and being immersed in nature from your private verandah, the Maasai Wellbeing Space and the open lounge and dining area. Maasai warriors will guide you throughout your stay, sharing their ancient wisdom and local knowledge of the area and the animals, their way of life and their secret corners of the most loved wildlife reserve in Kenya.
Activities and amenities: day and night game drives, bush meals, guided walks, birdwatching, Maasai Wellbeing Space treatments (payable extra), picnics, library, balloon safaris (payable extra), Saruni Shop.
