9-Day Classic Kenya Safari Adventure Tour from Nairobi: Aberdare National Park & Maasai Mara National Reserve | 4 X 4 Safari Vehicle

Jambo (Hello) Nairobi

Your safari journey begins in Nairobi, where a Tours4Fun Representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. In the evening, meet your fellow travelers and Driver Guide over a memorable dinner at the renowned Carnivore restaurant.

Journey to Aberdare National Park
Leave the hustle and bustle of Nairobi behind and embark on a 4 x 4 journey north to Aberdare National Park. En route you'll Connect With Locals during a Be My Guest experience in the highlands of central Kenya. Join Elizabeth to learn about the complete journey of coffee and tea production before settling in to savor local cuisine including a sample of local tea and coffee made from the onsite coffee and and tea plantation. Tonight you’ll stay in The Ark Lodge, offering spectacular opportunities to view the resident birdlife and wildlife.

【Included with trip】
Kiburi Plantation Visit
Built in 1962 and set in rural Kerugoya town on the foothills of Mt. Kenya, the house is located within an operational coffee and tea estate. It is the home of the late Geoffrey Kariithi, a pre-eminent civil servant in Kenya’s first independence government, now run and managed by his daughter Grace. While at the house you will have the opportunity to discover and learn about the complete process of coffee and tea production, from planting to processing, and enjoy local cuisine including a sample of the region's tea and coffee.

Stays with Stories
Resembling Noah's Ark, the Ark Lodge in Aberdare National Park has four viewing areas for observing the wildlife which congregate around a floodlit waterhole and salt lick.

On to Samburu National Reserve
We'll leave the lush greenery of the Kenya highlands region behind as we journey to the contrasting arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve. As you continue your safari adventure here, you'll hopefully have the chance to tick the 'Samburu Special 5' off your list as you track such species as the Grevy's Zebra and the Reticulated Giraffe found only in the northern Kenya region. Your accommodation tonight is a luxury tented camp on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

【Included with trip】
Samburu National Reserve Tour
Drive through the Samburu National Reserve, known for its diverse wildlife and expansive landscapes. 

【Additional cost applies】
Samburu Guided Nature Walk
Experience the Samburu National Reserve from a different perspective, as you embark on a guided walking safari along a section of its periphery. This excursion is expertly guided by a naturalist, who will share their wealth of knowledge about the flora, fauna and animals you see along the way and for your safety, there will be an armed game ranger accompanying.

Samburu Sundowner
Toast to a successful day on safari and your time in Samburu National Reserve during this sundowner experience. Your driver will find the perfect spot to watch one of Africa's beautiful sunsets; sit back and watch the sun sink with your choice of alcoholic or non alcoholic drink in hand. The bar stays open for drink top ups for 45 minutes before you return to your lodge for dinner. Weather permitting, you have the option to enjoy this experience on one of two days.

Safari in Samburu National Reserve
Made famous in the award-winning book and movie Born Free, Samburu National Reserve was the home of Elsa, the famous lioness raised by conservationists George and Joy Adamson. Rise early with the birds and embark on a morning game drive through acacia forest and expansive grasslands in search of wildlife. Relax at your camp on your return then head out back out into the savannah on a late afternoon game drive.

【Included with trip】
Morning Safari Through Samburu National Reserve
Embark on a morning game drive through Samburu National Reserve, perhaps glimpsing the animal inhabitants that roam the grasslands and riverside. 

【Additional cost applies】
Samburu Bush BBQ
For a special and memorable meal (for a minimum of 4 guests), the culinary team at your lodge will prepare a barbecue for you to enjoy in a unique bushveld setting. Where the accompaniment to this private meal will be the gentle sounds of nature. Weather permitting, you have the option to enjoy this experience on one of two days.

Off to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The plight of Africa’s rhinos takes center stage today during a poignant visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This morning you’ll learn about their efforts to fight poaching in East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary and enjoy a quick photo stop at the point where the equator slices through the conservancy. Next up is a visit to Sweetwaters Sanctuary to meet the cheeky resident orphaned or rescued chimpanzees. Then continue to your accommodation tonight, keeping a keen eye out this evening for thirsty wildlife that come to the floodlit on site waterhole to drink after a dry day in the African wilderness.

【Included with trip】
Learn about Conservation in Ol Pejeta
Visit Ol Pejeta, a not-for-profit conservancy known for its anti-poaching efforts and learn about its valuable endangered species conservation work.

【Additional cost applies】
Ol Pejeta Guided Bush Walk
Join an experienced game ranger for a two hour fascinating and educational bush walk. Your guide will share their wealth of knowledge about game trails, and how to identify the various animal ‘spoor’ (tracks) you come across along the way. Also learn about the insects, birds and smaller mammals that reside within Ol Pejeta.

Onwards to Lake Nakuru National Park
Have your camera ready for a photo stop at the spectacular Thomson's Falls. Visit the bird watcher's paradise that is Lake Nakuru National Park, then join your Driver Guide for an afternoon game drive to spot pink flamingos lining the lakeshore and to search for lion and leopard.

【Included with trip】
See Thomson's Falls
Stop to take in the thunderous power of Thomson's Falls.

Visit Lake Nakuru National Park
See the birds of Lake Nakuru National Park and marvel at the flamingos that crowd the water's edge. 

【Additional cost applies】
Ol Pejeta Lion Tracking
A once in a lifetime opportunity to join the Ol Pejeta team as they undertake their regular monitoring of the collared lions residing within the conservancy. Participate in helping the staff gather vital research information that is passed over to the Ol Pejeta Ecological Monitoring Department, or if on the day you are unlucky in sighting the collared lions, you and your ranger will report on other lion sightings. This Optional Experience offers a great insight into the lion species and how whiskers, spots, ear tears and other distinguishing features are used to identify individuals.

Continue to the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Your journey continues to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, your home for the next two nights. During your time here, spend some time at your lodge’s watering hole where large pods of hippo can often be seen.

【Included with trip】
Scenic Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Embark on a journey through the wilderness as you enjoy the sights of the best game viewing in the world at Maasai Mara National Reserve.

A Day to Discover the Maasai Mara
Don your hat and polish those binoculars for a full day of safari in Maasai Mara's wilderness. When you’re not traversing the savannah in search of the Big 5, you’ll join a Maasai community in their local village. Watch the colorfully clad warriors demonstrate their jumping prowess, then tour the village to gain in-depth insights into their daily life. Your visit to the village is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, indulge in a bush picnic – the sounds of the bush the perfect accompaniment while you keep your eyes peeled for the flash of resident Bee-eaters, Rollers and Hoopoes flitting from tree to tree.

【Included with trip】
Support a Local Maasai Tribe on a Village Visit
Support a local Maasai tribe during a visit to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and learn about the local traditions and ways of life. This experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Tour Maasai Mara National Reserve
Full day in the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives to explore its vast plains and rolling hills with more game spotting opportunities.

【Additional cost applies】
Bush Banquet with Maasai Entertainment
Dining beneath the stars against the background of the African bush is a unique and unforgettable experience. A gentle stroll along lamp-lit paths takes you to the bush dining area where tables, chairs, campfire, hurricane lanterns, bush bar and bush kitchen will already be set up. Relax around the campfire whilst your selection of meat and fish is freshly prepared by the chef on the glowing charcoal stoves. Your accompaniments of salads, vegetarian options and your desserts are plentiful. During this special dinner, Maasai dancers will be on hand to demonstrate some traditional dances.

Admire the Maasai Mara and Return to Nairobi
Your Kenyan safari adventure at its end, you’ll return to Nairobi, where a day room has been reserved at the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport Hotel for you to use prior to your evening flight home (onward flights should not be booked to depart until after 5 pm).

Please Note: The full duration of this itinerary is operated by a 4 X 4 safari vehicle, including all road travel and safari game drives. The trip will travel over a variety of terrains, resulting in some rough and bumpy journeys.