7-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari through Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha and Mara

• Depart from Nairobi, heading north past pineapple and banana plantations and the Tana River to the fertile Mt Kenya region. Pass tea and coffee farms, citrus orchards, and many regional towns bustling with day-to-day activity. Stop on the route for photos at the equator.

• Arrive at Ashnil Lodge in time for lunch.

• After check-in and lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve.

• See some of the Big Five, as well as species not present in Kenya's southern parks, including the oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, and Grevy's zebra. Birdlife is also abundant here, with different species of eagles, pygmy falcons, sandgrouse, and large flocks of guinea fowl. Be prepared for hot temperatures, as they regularly reach 40 degrees centigrade during the day, even if it rains.

• Depart on an early game drive to try to spot the early risers in the park before returning for breakfast.

• After breakfast, relax at your accommodation or undertake a full-day game drive in Shaba or Buffalo Springs.

Return to your accommodation for meals and overnight.

Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

• Rise early for a game drive.

• Then return for breakfast and check out.

• Depart for Nakuru, stopping for a picnic.

• Have lunch en route.

• On the way, stop for views of the beautiful Thomson Falls.

• Lake Nakuru is famous for the thousands of flamingos that seasonally inhabit the shores of the lake. The park has been a successful habitat for introducing endangered species, including black rhino, white rhino, Rothchild giraffe, and the elusive leopard, all of which are frequently seen on game drives. You can spot these along with buffalo, lion, zebra, waterbuck, gazelle, impala, hyrax, and hippo.

Arrive late afternoon at Lake Nakuru Lodge for dinner and overnight.

• After breakfast, depart for a morning exploring Lake Nakuru National Park before continuing to Lake Naivasha.

• Arrive at Simba Lodge in time for lunch. Have the pleasure of the company of a family of black and white colobus monkeys, as well as a variety of birds that also have a sweet tooth.

• After lunch, enjoy an hour-long boat ride on Lake Naivasha (or Lake Olodian), where you can spot hippos as well as a variety of birds common to this area.

Proceed to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

• After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha for the Masai Mara. Head around the lake, then turn west along the floor of the Great Rift Valley.

• After a stop in the Maasai town of Narok for fuel, supplies, and snacks, proceed to the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

• Arrive at Sentrim Lodge in time for lunch.

• Enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

• Enjoy a full day of game viewing with a picnic lunch on the Mara River overlooking the Hippo Pools and the savannah. One of Kenya's premier reserves, the Masai Mara is an extension of the Serengeti and is world-famous for the spectacular migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra during the months of July to October. The Mara is also rich in resident game, with over 95 species recorded, including the 'Big Five' - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino - as well as giraffe, cheetah, hyena, and numerous species of antelope. The reserve is also rich in birdlife, with over 480 species.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

• Wake for breakfast and enjoy a morning game drive.

• Mid-morning, depart for Nairobi, stopping for lunch en route.

• Arrive in Nairobi around 5:00 pm.