Masai Safari

Travelling through some of the richest game areas in the world, the Masai Safari presents excellent opportunities for viewing the ‘big five’. It includes the Masai Mara, home to the greatest wildlife show on earth.

The Samburu Reserve, home to the colourful Samburu people, is a dramatic and rugged landscape which is truly rewarding. A host of plains game along with the ‘big five’ are accompanied by a variety of exotic birds including eagles, falcons and bateleurs.

As you approach Lake Nakuru, you may be fortunate enough to witness a pink cloud on the horizon which gradually reveals its source, thousands of pink flamingoes, a magnificent sight of immense beauty. 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.

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

DAY 2 MONDAY – NAIROBI
On arrival transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure or choose from a selection of optional excursions, which can be booked and paid for locally. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel

DAY 3 TUESDAY – SAMBURU
After an early breakfast drive to the Samburu National Reserve (360 km – approximately 6 hours) and check in to your lodge. Lunch. Late afternoon game drive with possible sightings of species which are seldom seen elsewhere, including Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes and blue-legged Somali ostriches. Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY – SAMBURU
Morning and late afternoon game drives. Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge. (b,l,d)

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

DAY 6 FRIDAY – LAKE NAKURU
After breakfast continue to Lake Nakuru (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, which enjoys spectacular views of the lake and often a flamboyance of flamingoes. An afternoon game drive with possible sightings of rhino. Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 7 SATURDAY – MASAI MARA
After an early breakfast drive through the Great Rift Valley and into the Masai Mara (370 km – approximately 7 hours). Lunch will be taken en route to your lodge. A late afternoon game drive in one of the world’s richest wildlife reserves will prove to be an exhilarating experience. Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 8 SUNDAY – MASAI MARA
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, or an early morning balloon flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra). Spend the rest of the day relaxing before a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge. (b,l,d)

DAY 9 MONDAY – EXTENSION OR HEATHROW
Return to Nairobi by road (360 km – approximately 6 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).

Light aircraft baggage allowance – 15 kg.

Children aged 7 and below are not permitted on this safari.

SO MUCH MORE
ALL SOMAK GUESTS: Receive a free hippo pool breakfast in the Masai Mara.
HONEYMOONERS: Receive a bottle of wine and fruit platter in room on arrival at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

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.”