Best of Kenya Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Photo Safari - Sep 2024
OVERVIEW
This 14-day photo safari includes three of Kenya's most famous and photographically productive reserves, Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara.
First-time visitors to Africa enjoy this itinerary. It offers an incredible selection of different landscapes and the most diverse collection of animal species.
The photographic safari begins in Nairobi, where you will be met by our safari representative at the airport and transferred to a Nairobi hotel for an overnight stay.
The following morning you will drive from Nairobi to Samburu, arriving in time for a late lunch. You will spend three nights in Samburu, exploring this rugged dry region, searching for several species only found here.
Your second destination, Lake Nakuru, is reached by road, and you will arrive here in time for a late lunch and afternoon game drive down to the edge of the lake. You will spend two nights at this perfect stop-over location between Samburu and the Maasai Mara.
From Lake Nakuru, you will drive to the Maasai Mara arriving for a late lunch at your accommodation located in the Mara Triangle overlooking the Mara River.
This is Kenya's most famous and photo-productive reserve with a fantastic abundance of animals. It is especially good for Big Cat photography (lions, leopards & cheetahs).
You will spend 3 nights at a lodge in the Mara Triangle and a further 4 nights at a second smaller tented camp, right on the Mara river itself. These two locations will alow you to explore all corners of the reserve.
After a final morning photo game drive in the Mara, you will fly back to Nairobi and enjoy the comfort of a dayroom. Later that same evening, you will depart on your international flight home.
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu is a photographer's paradise and has a fantastic diversity of wildlife only found in this area of Kenya.
There is an excellent road network in Samburu, which allows you to thoroughly explore this game-rich area without having to travel very far.
Unique species such as the Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, Vulturine Guineafowl, Beisa Oryx, and the Reticulated Giraffe are only found in Samburu. They will be high on the photography checklist for this first location on the safari.
In addition, the beautiful Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounding hills and mountains offer great photo opportunities to capture some stunning landscapes.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley Lakes and lies nearly 1800m above sea level.
The growth of algae and plankton in the warm water attracts a fantastic diversity of birdlife.
The park also provides a secure habitat for Rothschild Giraffe, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo and other herbivores, and predators like lions, leopards and Spotted Hyaenas. Many different species of water birds such as pelicans and cormorants also flock to the shores of the lake, delighting photographers in their diversity.
Lake Nakuru is the perfect stop-over point between Samburu and the Masai Mara. Despite changes in the lake's water level, it is still a fantastic place for photography with plenty of subjects to keep any photographer happy.
MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Gentle rolling hills, savanna grassland, riverine thickets, and the famous Mara River are some of the scenery highlights you will encounter in the Maasai Mara. Covering 1500 square kilometres (560 square miles), this is one of the best locations for a photo safari, right in the heart of authentic Africa.
The Maasai Mara ranks as one of the best places to photograph Africa's big cats (Lion, Leopard and Cheetah). However, these are not the only residents. The sheer number of mammals, birds, and reptiles found here is astounding.
DETAILS
There will be a maximum of 3 participants in 1 private vehicle on this photo safari. You will have plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides of the safari vehicle.
Our professional and experienced safari guide will locate the wildlife and position the vehicle correctly, considering the light and distance to the subject.
There is an excellent chance to see and photograph the following animals on this safari:
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Reticulated Giraffe, Rothschild Giraffe, Maasai Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Plains Zebra, Hippo, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Spotted Hyena, Jackal, White Bearded Wildebeest, Thompson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Coke's Hartebeest, Topi, Waterbuck, and an excellent variety of birdlife and reptiles.
DAY 1
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), overnight in Nairobi - Kenya
Your safari begins with a meet & greet at the airport. A road transfer will take you to a local hotel.
You will stay for 1 night in Nairobi at the BEST WESTERN in Upper Hill.
(Bed & Breakfast only)
DAY 2
Depart at 7 am and drive 6 hours to Samburu Reserve. Afternoon game drive
Enjoy an early breakfast before you are met by your local Kenyan Guides. You will travel north towards Samburu passing Mount Kenya and other scenic highlights on the way. You will reach Samburu in time to check-in and enjoy a delicious lunch. You will prepare to head out on your first afternoon photo game drive at around 16:00.
You will stay for 3 nights in Samburu at ELEPHANT BEDROOM CAMP in en-suite tents.
(All meals included)
DAY 3
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Samburu
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography. Packed breakfasts will be taken on board the safari vehicle to allow you to maximize the early morning hours looking for subjects to photograph when they are the most active. At a convenient time, you will stop to enjoy your breakfast in the bush and a well-earned leg stretch.
Samburu will be quite hot around midday so it is a great time to head back to camp for lunch and a short siesta before heading out in the late afternoon when it starts to become cooler and the wildlife becomes more active.
DAY 4
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Samburu
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 5
Depart Samburu. 6-hour drive to Lake Nakuru. Afternoon game drive
Enjoy a packed breakfast as you depart Samburu and begin driving to Lake Nakuru. Drive through the rift valley to arrive at Lake Nakuru for a late lunch followed by a game drive to explore the edge of the lake.
You will stay for 2 nights in Lake Nakuru National Park at SAROVA LION HILL LODGE in en-suite rooms.
(All meals included)
DAY 6
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives at Lake Nakuru
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 7
Depart Lake Nakuru and drive 6 hours to Maasai Mara. Afternoon game drive
You will depart Lake Nakuru after breakfast and begin driving to the Maasai Mara. This road trip will take you through the town of Narok and you arrive in the Mara in the mid-afternoon. Settle into your rooms and depart for your first afternoon game drive in this famous reserve.
For the first 3 nights in the Mara you will stay at the Mara Serena Lodge which has an incredible view over the Mara River and reserve.
(All meals included)
DAY 8
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Maasai Mara
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography. Packed breakfasts will be arranged to allow you to maximize your time in the field. It can also get quite warm around midday so returning to camp for lunch and a siesta are also recommended. However, if there is something worth staying out to photograph then our guide can be as flexible as you need him to be.
DAY 9
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Maasai Mara
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 10
Move to your second location in the Mara, arrive for lunch with photography en-route
Your final three nights will be spent at Entim Mara camp, conveniently located right on the Mara River. This is a small tented camp with excellent food and facilities.
(All meals included)
( Local drinks and laundry included)
DAY 11
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Maasai Mara
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 12
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Maasai Mara
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 13
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Maasai Mara
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
DAY 14
Short morning game drive. Fly back to Nairobi. Use of a day room before departure
Enjoy your final morning game drive before flying back to Nairobi Wilson Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the FOUR POINTS SHERATON AIRPORT HOTEL. You will have the use of a day room until your time of departure. The complimentary shuttle bus will take you the short 5 min journey to the airport to catch your international flight home.
(Room only, no meals or drinks included)
STEP 1 - PLEASE READ OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
We first recommend that you read and become familiar with our booking terms & conditions, which can be found on this page, under the PRICES box.
STEP 2 - GET IN TOUCH
Get in touch with us to confirm that there are still spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. Click on the “ENQUIRE NOW” button above.
STEP 3 - AWAIT A REPLY FROM US & THEN CREATE YOUR CLIENT ACCOUNT
Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to join the safari, we will send you a direct link via email. Follow this unique link to sign up to our CLIENT AREA. After you have registered with your name, email address and a password of your choice, you will then be asked to complete our online booking form.
STEP 4 - COMPLETE A BOOKING FORM
As soon as we receive your completed booking form/s (1 per participant) then you will be required to send us the deposit to secure your place on the safari.
STEP 5 - SEND YOUR DEPOSIT
Deposits can be paid via credit card, PayPal or international bank transfer. We will notify you as soon as your deposit arrives. Places on the safari will only be confirmed once we have received both a completed booking form and deposit payment.
STEP 6 - FINAL BALANCE PAYMENT
As soon as your booking form and deposit are with us, we will update your CLIENT AREA to display the outstanding balance amount. This amount will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.