Day 1 The Ark

Be ready for collection between 8.30 a.m. - 9.00 a.m.

You drive north out of Nairobi, past business complexes, and in to open country where you will see coffee and sisal growing. Pass by Thika (home of Elspeth Huxley of "Flame Trees of Thika" fame) and the Agricultural Research Institute on into rolling Kikuyu agricultural country.

Drive through Nyeri, to Mweiga and the Aberdare Country Club.

This attractive club is sited on the side of a hill with wide views across towards Mt. Kenya, and there is a small game sanctuary, suitable for walking, in the grounds.

1430hrs - You drive into the forest to the Ark with only an overnight bag. The rest of the luggage will be stored at the Aberdare Country Club till next day.

NB - Evenings here are cold and you are advised to wear warm clothing.

The Ark overlooks floodlit water holes visited regularly by buffalo, elephant, wart hog, bush pig, a variety of antelope and occasionally lion and other large animals. The evening is spent on the open air verandahs or in the public areas, watching the animals and birds as they come to drink.

Dinner is served in the dining room and it is possible to arrange a call at night if a particular animal, such as a rhino, visits the water hole.

Day 2 Lake Nakuru

Breakfast at the Noah's Ark and drive back to the Aberdare Country Club to retrieve your luggage.

0830hrs - Drive around the Aberdare range of mountains (named after a past President of the National Geographic Society) and drop down into the Great Rift Valley. You arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon you game drive in the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park. This Park was originally set up as an ornithological retreat. The lake itself is seasonally host to millions of flamingo and birds of many other species. Water buck, wart hog, impala and giraffe graze near the waters, there are several pride of lion within the park and leopard are fairly frequent. This was one of the first rhino sanctuaries in East Africa and the success of the venture is obvious by the number of rhino seen in the vicinity of the lake.

Dinner and overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 3 Maasai Mara

Leaving after an early breakfast you drive along the Rift Valley and turn left towards  the western wall of the escarpment, driving on to the Maasai provincial centre of Narok and across the Loita Plains where grazing animals often concentrate, and then continue on to enter the Maasai Mara itself. You arrive at Mara Simba Lodge, which is your base for two nights, in time for lunch and a chance to relax before your evening game drive.

Mara Simba Lodge is sited in the north of the Reserve, overlooking a river and close to areas where the plains game graze throughout the year. 

The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is the home of the largest concentrations of animals in Kenya, and is the northern extension of the famous Tanzania Serengeti National Park. It is in this area that the annual migration of wildebeeste, accompanied by the predators, takes place (normally between June and September). Resident wildebeeste always dot the plains.

Huge prides of lions live in the Mara;  cheetah are often found on the plains.

There are large herds of elephant and buffalo (but sadly few rhino remain). Impala, zebra, giraffe, the unusual topi, and many other antelope graze across the famous grassy plains. The birdlife in the Mara is fantastic.

Return to Mara Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Maasai Mara

An early morning game drive, followed by breakfast and then time to relax. After lunch an afternoon game drive.

Overnight at Mara Simba Lodge where you may have a chance of watching interesting videos of animal activities and enjoying a dancing display by the colourful Maasai.

Day 5 Nairobi

After breakfast you bid farewell to the Mara and set off on the journey back to Nairobi, arriving before lunch, at the end of your safari.