Samburu, Lewa and Mara North - Kenya Wilderness Immersion

On arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a Vencha representative and transported to the Wilson Airport for your connecting flight to Samburu. Here you’ll be met by your guide from Saruni Samburu and transferred to the lodge, with an optional game drive en route.   
Saruni Samburu is the only lodge in the Kalama Conservancy, which borders the Samburu National Reserve. It’s renowned for its chic, eco-friendly design, with full-board accommodation and a complimentary back and neck massage included in your stay. 
Take time to settle into your suite, then embark on an afternoon game drive through the 200,000-acre pristine wilderness of the Kalama Conservancy.

Begin the day with an early morning game drive through the Samburu National Reserve to spot the “Samburu Special Five” - reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk - all of which are rare and occur only in this part of Kenya. You may also be treated to sightings of elephants, lions and leopards, with a picnic lunch served out in the bush before returning to the lodge in the afternoon.    

Enjoy a complimentary half-hour massage at the Samburu Wellbeing Space and an afternoon at your leisure. A delicious dinner of Italian-inspired dishes with then be served, ending an unforgettable day. 

Embark on a morning game drive in the Samburu National Reserve to experience the incredible wildlife sightings along the Ewaso Nyiro. Watch as an endless stream of birds, elephants and antelopes come to refuel along the river banks, with crocodiles lurking in the water below. After lunch back at the lodge, follow one of their knowledgeable Samburu guides on a nature walk to discover the native plant species of the region and witness the rock paintings that decorate the nearby caves.    

In the early evening, head out on a game drive through the Kalama Conservancy, ending with a bush dinner under the stars in the middle of the wilderness. Return to the lodge during a night drive to spot some of the conservancy’s nocturnal species and be treated to a performance of Samburu warriors dancing around the campfire. 

After breakfast at Saruni Samburu, depart Samburu for the two-hour drive to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where you’ll be staying at the Sirikoi Lodge. Settle into your elegant safari tent, then relax beside the swimming pool that overlooks a wildlife-filled wetland. In the late afternoon, head out on an evening game drive, accompanied by sundowners and magnificent views. 

Embark on a morning game drive through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in search of the “Big Five” and the exceptional birdlife that congregates around the swamp. Stop in at the rhino sanctuary to get up-close to their hand-reared rhino, then visit the Ngare Ndare Forest Canopy Walkway and Blue Glacial Pools that form part of the high-altitude equatorial cedar forests of the Mount Kenya ecosystem. 

After breakfast at Sirikoi Lodge, spend the day as you please. You may opt to either head out on a game drive to wildlife spot, embark on a bushwalk or indulge with a spa treatment while relaxing at the lodge. 

After breakfast at the lodge, depart on a morning flight to the Maasai Mara. You’ll be met on arrival by one of our representatives and enjoy a game drive (and picnic in the bush) en route to Saruni Mara or Saruni Wild where you’ll spend the night. 

Take time to relax and freshen up before an afternoon game drive through the Mara North Conservancy, which sprawls across 30,000 acres bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Blissfully crowd-free, it offers an exclusive wildlife viewing experience in total privacy. 

Embark on an early morning game drive to spot some of the big cats and predators that call the Maasai Mara home before returning to your accommodation in time for lunch. You can indulge in a treatment at the Maasai Wellbeing Space or enjoy an afternoon siesta.   

Later in the day, you’ll head out on another game drive to an area where towering giraffes are regularly seen, then return to the lodge or camp in time for dinner and an optional night game drive. 

Begin the day with a walk through the valleys and plains surrounding Saruni Mara, led by knowledgeable Maasai guides. Alternatively, you may opt for a game drive to the top of Kilileoni, which is the highest mountain in the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem.    

In the afternoon, head out to explore more of the Mara North Conservancy and discover why it’s one of the most majestic wilderness areas in the world. If the weather allows, a bush dinner will be served under the stars, accompanied by the dance and song of Maasai warriors. 

After breakfast at your lodge or camp, it’s time to head towards the airstrip, with the opportunity to spot hippos and crocodiles along the banks of the Mara River en route. On arrival at the Wilson Airstrip, you’ll be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.