Day 1 - Kalama Conservancy
This morning fly from Nairobi Wilson Airport, to Samburu. Arriving at Samburu an hour later, your Saruni Samburu guide will meet you and transfer you to the lodge, or take you on a game drive. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive on Kalama Conservancy exploring over 81,000 hectares of pristine wilderness in total privacy and sundowners with a breath taking view. (LD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Saruni Samburu.
Saruni Samburu’s six luxury villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya. The lodge is celebrated for its innovative, eco-chic design as well as its Italian inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the two infinity pools and spa. The warm hospitality makes for an intimate and exceptional experience. Saruni Samburu is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, with over 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife to explore exclusively. Guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture, you learn first-hand about their fascinating customs and gain ancient, local knowledge about the land and animals – a truly authentic safari experience.
Day 2 - Kalama Conservancy
Early morning game drive into Samburu National Reserve to seek out the ‘Samburu Special Five’: the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy zebra, the beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich and the gerenuk, all rare species that occur only in this part of the country, and look for its well known larger wildlife including elephants, lion and leopard. Enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to the lodge to relax for the afternoon. Enjoy a complimentary half hour massage upon arriving back at the lodge at the Samburu Wellbeing Space. (BLD)
Day 3 - Sera Conservancy
Depart Saruni Samburu accompanied by Saruni Samburu guides for Sera Conservancy and Saruni Rhino Camp (approximately 2 hours). Enjoy lunch in camp with breathtaking views of a waterhole frequently visited by wildlife. (BLD)
This afternoon, start your Rhino Tracking Experience (children under 16 years cannot do the Rhino Tracking). Drive to within a short distance of the endangered black rhino, leaving the vehicle on foot to track the rhino in the safety of a guide and a ranger. After an exhilarating, ‘up close and personal’ experience, game drive back to camp where a lantern-lit bush dinner awaits you in the idyllic setting of the dry river bed, as the night sounds reverberate around you.
Accommodation: 2 nights Saruni Rhino Camp.
Located in Sera Conservancy, in the wild, undiscovered northern frontier of Kenya, Saruni Rhino comprises of two elegant ‘bandas’ (open stone cottages) sleeping 4-6 and a main ‘mess’ cottage for dining and relaxing. Saruni Rhino is nestled amidst swaying doum palms dotted along a dry river bed (the Kauro ‘lugga’, in the heart of the conservancy) with sweeping views of a nearby waterhole and dramatic landscape so typical of the north. The waterhole is a popular watering stop-off for a diverse range of wildlife: elephant, impala, birdlife, hyena, oryx, Grevy’s zebra and much more, making it great ‘bush TV’ from the comfort of your cottage’s sandy veranda at any time. The dry river bed proves the quintessential torch-lit bush dinner location under the vast African skies.
Day 4 - Sera Conservancy
Depart early this morning with a picnic breakfast on a game drive to the nearby Fifty Wells or the Singing Wells, where you will witness pastoralists watering their livestock at a series of natural wells as they have done for centuries. Birders and non-birders alike will delight in the incredible spectacle that is thousands upon thousands of sand grouse dipping to take water in the natural wells and waterholes throughout Sera Conservancy, a truly astounding sight and sound show. Game drive into the Rhino Sanctuary from a different entrance, possibly spotting more rhino on the way from your vehicle. Return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Reteti Elephant Orphanage (visit payable) before returning to camp for dinner. (BLD)
Day 5 - Mara North Conservancy
Following breakfast in camp, or equipped with a picnic breakfast, leave early morning from Saruni Rhino for your departing onward flight to the Mara. Game drive with a picnic lunch to enjoy under an acacia tree or by the river next to a pod of hippos. Alternatively, head to Saruni Mara for some rest and an exclusive game drive later in the afternoon in Mara North Conservancy – over 12,000 hectares of plentiful, protected land bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy a completely different and less-explored corner of the Mara ecosystem in total privacy, brimming with wildlife. (BLD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Saruni Mara Camp.
Saruni Mara is the only small, boutique lodge in the Mara, with five elegant cottages, one family villa and one private villa. The beautiful rooms are each decorated to a unique theme with a luxurious, classic safari feel. The lodge is nestled in a secluded valley in the heart of the most exciting wilderness in Africa: Mara North Conservancy – an exclusive, private wildlife concession bordering the world-renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve. Encounter Africa’s ‘Big Five’ and the most remarkable natural spectacle on Earth, the Great Migration. Enjoy the Italian inspired cuisine, exceptional service and being immersed in nature from your private verandah, the Wellbeing Space and the open lounge and dining area. Masai warriors guide you throughout, sharing their ancient wisdom of the area and animals and their fascinating way of life – a truly life-enriching safari experience.
Day 6 - Mara North Conservancy
Early morning game drive to look for the big cats and other predators of the Mara, returning to the lodge for lunch and treatments at the Maasai Wellbeing Space. In the afternoon, a game drive will take you to a special area where the largest tower of giraffe can be seen, followed by dinner at the lodge and an optional night game drive. (BLD)
Day 7 - End of Saruni Wilderness Safari
After early morning activity and breakfast fly back to Nairobi. (B)