Explore Special Five
I personally love the Northern Route as with the Crossing of the Equator our wildlife have been categorized as the Northern and Southern Species. The drive up to the North is an interesting one as you pass fertile farm lands to the arid areas of Samburu that falls on the lee ward side of Mt Kenya. A night at Aberdare National Park offers game viewing directly from the lodge where you will spot the Forest Elephants, Spotted Hyena’s, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Bush Buck and the Bongo that congregate at the water hole for a drink and salt lick. What makes Samburu National Reserve a unique park is the collection of the special five that can only be seen here and are adaptive to the arid condition i.e The Grevy Zebra , Reticulated Giraffe , Somali Ostrich , Gerenuk Antelope and the Besia Oryx. Ol Pejeta is must experience as you will have the chance to spot the Big Five , Track the notorious Pack of Wild Dogs and come face to face with the Chimpanzees.
Day 1: Nairobi – Arrival
On arrival at JKI Airport , get your visa sorted with immigration and after that you will head to the baggage hall. A final clearance will be done by the Customs and do exit the building where our guide will be awaiting your arrival.
A transfer will be arranged to the hotel for leisure. Overnight at Eka Hotel.
Day 2: Nairobi – Aberdare
Drive time : 3.5hrs drive
Distance : 170kms
Breakfast will be served at 0730hrs and thereafter at 0800hrs an office staff will meet you at the lobby to offer a briefing for your program. On check out you will depart at 0830hrs for Aberdare National Park. The drive will take you through pineapple plantations and fertile vegetation lands. Arrival at the beautiful Aberdare Country Club will be around 1200hrs where you will be welcomed with a hot buffet lunch. The beautiful gardens offer panoramic views of exotic plants which offer a calm sense of relaxation.
At 1330hrs a transfer will be arranged to Aberdare National Park where you will be escorted by a ranger to the water pools. A walk will be done to a preferred site where you will be handed fishing equipment and have the chance to catch the famous trout.
Late afternoon a drive will be done to the lodge with your catch. The lodge is designed like Noah’s Ark and built with a wood structure , This offer a unique experience and yet the feeling of being in the old days. There are verandahs on each floor where you will get to view wildlife that visit the water hole. Dinner and overnight at The Ark (B/L/D)
Day 3: Aberdare – Samburu
Drive time : 4hrs drive
Distance : 180kms
The morning wake up call is a sweet melody that rings in the hall way. Breakfast is served between 0630 – 0745hrs and thereafter you will be transferred back to Aberdare Country Club. Your guide will be anxiously waiting at the lobby and on a check out formality proceed to Samburu National Reserve. Enjoy a beautiful drive as you pass large wheat plantations that create outstanding landscapes.
Humidity will increase as you start the descent into the arid area , Arrival at the lodge will be in time for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Take a nap or enjoy a dip in the pool. At 1500hrs you will have a game drive as you search for wildlife by the Ewaso Ngiro River or The Rocky Mountains that offers shelter to the elusive cats. Return to the lodge for leisure and a cultural talk will be provided by the Bar Area which provides a deeper insight into the Eco-system and the colorful Samburu people. Dinner and Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp (B/L/D).
Day 4: Samburu
Breakfast will be served at 0630hrs. Depart at 0700hrs for a half day game drive as you search for wildlife over an extensive area.. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and leisure.. This afternoon you will get to experience a Camel Safari as you cross the Ewaso Ngiro to head to a Samburu Village to learn more about this unique tribe that are cousins to the Maasai People and speak the same Maa language.. Return to the lodge early evening for leisure. Dinner and Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp (B/L/D)
Day 5: Samburu – Ol Pejeta
Drive time : 2.5hrs drive Distance : 100kms
After breakfast a check out will be arranged at 0700hrs. Experience a game drive in search of wildlife. Depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The journey will have a great ascend as you drive to the highlands and arrival will be at the lodge for lunch and leisure. A visit will be arranged to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary where you walk along the River to spot this amazing primates that are closely related to humans. Proceed for a game drive as you search for the Wild Dogs that hunt in packs and terrorize their prey. Arrive back at the lodge and spend time at leisure. Dinner and Overnight at Serena Sweet Waters Camp (B/L/D)
Day 6: Ol Pejeta – Nairobi
Drive time : 5hrs drive Distance : 250kms
A morning game drive will be arranged at 0630hrs. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a check out will be arranged. Depart for Nairobi. Enjoy a leisurely drive and arrival will be early afternoon. Late Lunch will be served at a Steak House and thereafter you will be met by an office staff for a debriefing to discuss on your experience. After a farewell you will be dropped at JKI Airport to board your flight back home (B/L)