Cheetah Safari

A traditional seven-night safari visiting Samburu, home to unique wildlife, followed by the Rift Valley Lakes where thousands of pink flamingoes often tint the horizon. The final destination is the Masai Mara where vast numbers of plains game and spectacular big cats abide.

This itinerary starts in the Aberdares Range followed by Samburu, home to some of the most unique wildlife in Kenya and a host of birds. Your stay is at the deluxe Ashnil Samburu Camp, spread out along the shady banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, under a thick stand of doum palms and acacia trees that are a feature of the area.

Safari route takes you to Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru where thousands of pink flamingoes tint the horizon. Around the lake a game reserve has been created where the endangered black rhino is protected and may be seen along with antelope, giraffes, lions and hyenas.

Finally, the magnificent Masai Mara, famed for its vast numbers of plains game and the spectacular big cats. Here you stay in the luxury Ashnil Mara Camp, which offers an unrivalled position for wildlife spotting, and is close to the action during the annual wildebeest migration.

DAY 1 SUNDAY HEATHROW – NAIROBI
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Nairobi.

DAY 2 MONDAY ABERDARES
On arrival transfer to the Somak Safari Lounge, where you can freshen up and store any additional luggage before departing for the Aberdares (180 km – approximately 4 hours). Arrive in time for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing, or on a nature walk with the resident naturalist (weather permitting). Overnight: Aberdare Country Club. (l,d)

DAY 3 TUESDAY SAMBURU
Drive north across the equator to the Samburu National Reserve (190 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch before a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp. (b,l,d)

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY SAMBURU
Morning and late afternoon game drives in this open savannah which is traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River. The river is populated by hippos and crocodiles, whilst the park is home to a host of animals including several species which are rarely seen in numbers elsewhere, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffes and long-necked gerenuks. Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp. (b,l,d)

DAY 5 THURSDAY ABERDARES
Drive to your lodge in time for lunch (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Spend the afternoon viewing game from the lodge, or join a nature walk led by a local guide (payable locally and weather permitting). Overnight: Serena Mountain Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 6 FRIDAY LAKE NAKURU/NAIVASHA
After breakfast, descend into the Great Rift Valley and continue to Lake Nakuru Lodge (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch. Afternoon game drive in the national park. Drive to Lake Naivasha (80 km – approximately 1 hour). Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 7 SATURDAY MASAI MARA
Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve (320 km – approximately 5.5 hours). Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. Overnight: Ashnil Mara Camp. (b,l,d)

DAY 8 SUNDAY MASAI MARA
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge. Alternatively, take an early morning balloon flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra). After lunch, relax before a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Ashnil Mara Camp. (b,l,d)

DAY 9 MONDAY EXTENSION OR HEATHROW
After breakfast, return to Nairobi by road (300 km – 5 hours), or fly from the Mara to Nairobi: morning flight (from £170); lunch in the Mara and afternoon flight (from £240). Proceed with your chosen beach extension or return to Heathrow. (b) Alternatively, fly directly from the Mara to Mombasa, including lunch in the Mara (from £370).

Important Information

Light aircraft baggage allowance – 15 kg.

Established in 1968, Somak Holidays is an independant Tour Operator specialising in holidays to East Africa.

Somak Holidays aim to offer inspiring holidays to the most superb locations in Africa. Above all they pride themselves on being a family-owned and run company. That means they are solely focused on the holidays they arrange, and not on appeasing shareholders. Somak Holidays continually inspect hotels and airlines, and test itineraries in order to improve some aspect or another.

Somak Holidays is a multi-award winning operator, winning such accolades as “Best Independant Tour Operator to Africa” in the Travel Weekly Awards 2010.

Our Opinion
“Somak Holidays has been arranging safaris to Kenya for over 40 years and have built an excellent reputation as the number one independant tour operator to East Africa.”