Arrival in the evening at Nairobi airport. There are direct flights from important European cities such as London, Amsterdam and Paris normally with arrival times in the evening. You will be picked-up at the airport and transferred to Fairview Hotel for a two night stay. “The hotel’s leafy acres and scattered buildings are laid out on Nairobi Hill, a world away from the overheated bustle . . . “Elle Magazine” 

Day Two
Our first day proper and we will visit the Nairobi National Park, located at only 7 km from the centre of Nairobi. With highland forest, Acacia woodland, rocky escarpments, open grassland, large ponds, and small streams, this park with 117 km2 is home to a wide variety of birds and mammals. More than 400 different species of birds have been recorded here! The park is one of the most successful of Kenya’s Rhino sanctuaries, where a visitor can be almost certain of seeing a black Rhino in its natural habitat. 

Day Three
A morning transfer to Serena Mountain Lodge, with several short stops en route. We will visit here because it is an interesting stop between Nairobi and the Samburu National Park. The Serena Mountain Lodge is located on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya, Africa’s second tallest mountain and is an excellent place to locate many highland forest species, although at an elevation of almost 8.000 ft. the nights can be quite chilly. The large waterhole and salt lick at the lodge is host to many mammals and we can expect Blue Sykes Monkey, White-tailed and Marsh Mongooses, Common Genet, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Giant Forest Hog, and the tiny Suni. Serena Mountain Lodge is surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive with the sounds of the wild, while the rocky peaks of Mount Kenya overlooks its abundant game. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and waterbuck are regular sights at the 42-roomed lodge. Our first destination during our transfer to the lodge is the Blue Post Hotel in Thika, where we will bird the hotel grounds and woodlands along the Chania River.

Day Four – Six
-morning of day four we will leave the cool climate of Mt Kenya for more arid country in the north, specifically the Samburu Game Reserve. The drive will offer spectacular scenery, and the grasslands along the roadside will show us many birds. Samburu Game Reserve is one of the most exciting reserves in East Africa. The semi-desert habitat and the rich woodlands along the Ewaso Nyiro River are teeming with wildlife. Mammal life is also prolific, with many species not seen elsewhere on our tour. Just a few of the many possibilities are Olive Baboon, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Dwarf Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Kirk’s Dikdik, Common Waterbuck, Gerenuk and the magnificent Beisa Oryx. Here we can relax with a 3 nights stay at The Samburu Serena Lodge. The lodge is situated on the fertile banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, in the centre of the Samburu National Reserve. All guest rooms have private verandas with uninterrupted vistas of the languid river and the wildlife it attracts, as well as the countless crocodiles that make the waters their home. Accommodations are cooled by breezes off the river and overhead punkah fans. The artistic interior decor of each room is directly inspired by traditions of the Samburu tribe. Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and the meandering Uaso Nyiro River, the open air dining room serves guests with sumptuous international menus, buffets and barbecues alongside authentic African dishes. The gracious dining and lounge areas are enhanced by Samburu details and murals depicting local nature. 

Day Eight – Nine
next destination is a fresh-water lake in the north called Lake Baringo. Here the combination of a large lake in semi-desert country and the nearby Baringo cliffs provide the perfect habitat for a great diversity of bird life. Above all, Baringo means birds, birds and more birds. Over 460 species have been recorded here. Lake Baringo is a Mecca for bird watchers and a highlight of the ornithological circuit of East Africa. We will enjoy a 2 night stay at the Lake Baringo Country Club. Lake Baringo Club is a neat, compact hotel on the lakeshore. The architecture has a Spanish air about it and the garden and grounds are unmistakably African, but laid out with English flair. There is a very welcoming atmosphere, the staff are friendly and the food is excellent. Rooms at Lake Baringo Club are cool and comfortable with a central overhead fan, mosquito nets around the beds and a decent shower.

Day Ten – Eleven
early we will be transferring to Lake Nakuru National Park allowing time to search for several key species along the way. A large rocky escarpment en route is a favourite roosting spot for the Mackinder’s Eagle Owl and with some luck we should be able to locate this highly sought-after specie. In the afternoon we will arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park. Here we will stay two nights in The Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. Set on a plateau in the Rift valley, at an elevation above Lake Nakuru , The Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge has 67 chalets all overlooking the lake, within the Lake Nakuru National Park. It is the perfect place to experience one of the world’s largest ornithological spectacles, The Pink Flamingo, or a rich concentration of wildlife including black and white colobus monkey and is also a famed Rhino Sanctuary. When conditions are right, between one and two million lesser and greater flamingo feed around the shores of the shallow soda lake, together with tens of thousands of other birds. Exploring the Acacia woodland and the lakeside marshes we will no doubt encounter many wonderful avian delights. Lake Nakuru was declared a national park in 1961 and it now covers an area of some 180 km2. You will see warthog, waterbuck and large numbers of impala; slightly shyer residents include buffalo, Rothschild giraffe, eland, the occasional leopard and both black and white rhino. A herd of hippo have their territory in the northern part of the lake.

Day Twelve
is the day our trip ends. After our early morning game/birding drive and breakfast we will return to Nairobi. It will take us about 5 hours. In the evening we will go to the airport to catch our flights back home.