Kenya’s Wildlife Kaleidoscope

After meeting your guide at your hotel or the international airport, you’re driven to Wilson Airport, where you’ll board a light aircraft for a flight of one hour.  On touching down at Samburu, you will be transported to your lodgings to arrive in time for lunch.  

Samburu National Park covers an area of 165 sq. km (63 sq. mi).  The landscape is a pleasing blend of arid and semi-arid habitats. These range from riverine forest galleries to acacia woodlands and savanna grasslands.  After settling in, you’ll set off on your first game drive to explore the park.  

Situated in central Kenya, about 300 kilometres northeast of Nairobi, the climate is generally hot and dry, cooling overnight.  We do suggest packing some warm clothing for early morning game drives.  Annual rains peak in April and November, although this seldom impacts activities.  

What makes Samburu distinct are the various desert-adapted species.  Notable among these are the endangered Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and  Beisa oryx.  Aside from these, the reserve is home to four of the Big 5.  Buffalo and elephants are plentiful, while rhinos are absent.  Large predators are represented by lions, leopards and hyenas, with occasional sightings of cheetahs and African wild dogs.

The excursion is followed by dinner, before retiring for a well-earned rest.

• Accommodation at your camp or lodge
• Overnight stay inside Samburu National Reserve
• Lunch and dinner, no breakfast
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra

The second day of your safari adventure will be spent on a full-day game drive in the national reserve.  With ample refreshments provided, the day will be broken with a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic spot.

As wildlife is most active during the cooler hours – dawn and dusk – the game drive departs close to sunrise.  While marvelling at the rich, warm light as it paints the varying landscape, your guide will point out various indigenous wildlife species.  Alongside the other predators, Samburu boasts both spotted and striped hyenas.  To sustain the park’s population of predators, there are healthy populations of prey species.  These include Grant’s gazelles, Kirk’s dik-diks, warthogs, bushbucks and waterbucks.

While the parks’ predators roam throughout, other wildlife may prefer certain habitats, but all depend on water.  The only permanent water source is the Ewaso Ng’iro River, forming the southern boundary of the reserve.  With its mixed habitats, the park is also home to numerous bird species not commonly found elsewhere.  Keen birders should be on the lookout for the endangered Somali ostrich, vulturine guineafowl and the beautiful Somali bee-eater.

The day’s activities include an optional cultural experience with the local Samburu people and conclude with dinners at your lodgings.

• Accommodation at your camp or lodge
• Overnight stay inside Samburu National Reserve
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra

Having enjoyed the best of Samburu’s dry country, it is now time to explore the landscapes for which Kenya is most renowned.  After breakfast, we’ll transfer you back to the airstrip to board another light aircraft for your flight to the esteemed Masai Mara National Reserve.  The flying time is an estimated 1 h 45, after which you will be transferred to your accommodation for the duration of your stay.  On arrival, a hearty lunch awaits, followed by time to settle into your room.

Situated on Kenya’s southern border, the reserve forms part of the Greater Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which encompasses the renowned wildebeest migration route.  Typically, the migration moves through the reserve between July and October.  The reserve covers 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and rises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level.  At this altitude, the climate is slightly cooler and wetter than one might expect this close to the equator.  The park experiences distinct dry (June to October) and wet seasons (November to May).

Having refreshed yourself, an afternoon game drive awaits.  Without question, the wildebeest migration is a seasonal highlight, but wildlife viewing is considered excellent throughout the year.  

Once again, the day concludes with a delicious meal and a comfortable bed.

• Accommodation at your camp or lodge
• Overnight stay inside Masai Mara National Reserve
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra

The day starts with an optional thrilling hot-air balloon flight over the waking wildlife at an additional cost of USD 450 per person.  It truly is a magical experience to drift quietly in the still air, marvelling at the abundance of life below.  Afterwards, you’ll return to your safari vehicle for a full day of game viewing.  As always, there will be ample refreshments on board.  At lunchtime, your guide will stop at a scenic spot where you can stretch your legs.

Much of the area is considered prime terrain for predators.  At the top of the food chain are the lions.  Bigger and stronger than their competitors, they live in social groups called prides.  Coming in a close second, spotted hyenas also live in groups known as clans.  Highly intelligent, hyenas frequently steal from other predators, including lions.  Rarely seen in the Mara, African wild dogs are another social predator.  

Of the spotted cats, leopards are the more elusive in the reserve.  But sightings are fairly frequent, as guides share information of their whereabouts.  Blindingly fast, but lightly built, cheetahs are the most vulnerable of the predators.  These, along with smaller predators like servals, caracals and jackals, ensure that beauty and drama are never far away.

The day concludes with dinner and bed.

• Accommodation at your camp or lodge
• Overnight stay inside Masai Mara National Reserve
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra

Fittingly, your final day on safari is once again devoted to wildlife viewing.  After breakfast, you board your safari vehicle in the company of your guide.  While many are obsessed with big game, your guide will also point out various plants, insects, birds and reptiles seen along the way.

The array of wildlife in the reserve is astonishing.  Large herbivores, including elephants, buffalo and hippos, are plentiful, while highly endangered black rhinos are occasionally seen.  Other well-known herbivores include giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, topi, impala, reedbuck, Thomson’s gazelle and eland.

Depending on when you visit, you may be fortunate to see the Great Migration.  The stuff of legends, some 2 million wildebeest accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and various antelope species arrive from the Serengeti to the south, to graze on the newly-sprouted grasses.

Besides its prolific wildlife, the reserve is also home to nearly 500 species of birds, of which 47 are raptors (birds of prey).  Among them, vultures are your ally when looking for predators.  Circling high above, they can spot carcasses at great distances before gliding down to enjoy the waiting feast.  

During the day, you can visit a traditional Maasai village as an optional activity.

After dinner, fall asleep to the sounds of the African night.

• Accommodation at your camp or lodge
• Overnight stay inside Masai Mara National Reserve
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra

As your adventure draws to a close, enjoy the wildlife seen en route to the airstrip.  From there, you’ll board a light aircraft for your departure to Nairobi.  After a flight of just over an hour, the Africa FlashMc Tours team bid you farewell.  As you go, ponder these words, “Why is it you can never hope to describe the emotion Africa creates? You are lifted. Out of whatever pit, unbound from whatever tie, released from whatever fear. You are lifted and you see it all from above.”  

And, we hope you return to see it all again.

• No accommodation, this is the final day
• Breakfast and lunch, no dinner
• Drinking water, other drinks are extra