Itinerary

1. Day 1 : Nairobi to the Masai Mara

   • Morning: Depart from the bustle of Nairobi, your anticipation high. Fly west over the Great Rift Valley escarpment, descending into the vast, golden sea of grass that is the Masai Mara.
   • Afternoon: Touch down on the airstrip and transfer to your intimate camp. After a swift lunch, waste no time-head straight out on your first game drive. Your guide tunes the radio to the whispers of the bush, immediately beginning the search across the rolling plains where cheetahs scan for prey and lion prides lounge in the sun.
   • Evening: Return to camp for sundowners, recounting the day's first sightings. As darkness falls, listen for the resonant roar of a lion-the iconic sound of the African night-knowing the hunt for the elusive leopard begins at dawn.

2. Day 2 : Full Day in the Kingdom of Cats

   • Morning: Wake before the sun for coffee and a brief safari. Dawn is the golden hour for predators. Drive to known cheetah territories on the open plains, hoping to witness the speed of the hunt. Then, track towards the riverine forests, scanning the acacia trees for the draped silhouette of a leopard.
   • Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of a solitary tree, always watching the horizon. The afternoon heat brings lions to rest, offering perfect photographic opportunities of pride dynamics. Your guide will seek out updates on any fresh leopard kills or active dens.
   • Evening: Return to camp, your senses alive with the drama of the day. After dinner, perhaps a night drive (if in a conservancy) to spot the nocturnal shift-a hyena on the prowl, or with immense luck, a leopard on the move.

3. Day 3 : Deep Tracking in the Mara

   • Morning: Venture into a different sector of the ecosystem today-perhaps a private conservancy or the famous Musiara Marsh. This is the territory of legendary lion prides. With patience and expert tracking, spend dedicated time observing their social interactions, from tender cubs to commanding males.
   • Afternoon: Your quest continues. Focus on areas where the big cats' preferred prey gathers. Your guide's knowledge and communication with other expert trackers offer the best chance to find a leopard, perhaps descending for an evening drink or guarding its prize in a tree.
   • Evening: A final Mara sunset over the savanna. This is your last night in lion country, a chance to reflect on the power and grace witnessed over the last three days.

4. Day 4 : Masai Mara to Samburu

   • Morning: A final, poignant morning drive. Savor the last moments on these epic plains, perhaps catching a pride on the move. Return to camp for breakfast before your flight north.
   • Afternoon: Fly to the arid, dramatic beauty of Samburu National Reserve. The landscape transforms to rugged hills and palm-fringed rivers. Arrive at your lodge on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River-a lifeline and a leopard highway. An afternoon drive introduces you to the "Samburu Special Five" and the riverine forests, prime leopard real estate.
   • Evening: Settle in, the air warmer and drier. Listen for the bark of baboons-a key leopard alarm-and know you are in another legendary cat destination.

5. Day 5 : The Arid-Adapted Hunters of Samburu

   • Morning: Focus entirely on the river this morning. Drive slowly along the Ewaso Nyiro, scanning every overhanging branch and rocky outcrop. Samburu’s leopards are renowned, and the lions here—the majestic, desert-adapted males with full black manes—often patrol these banks.
   • Afternoon: Leave the river for the open, rocky plains where the unique reticulated giraffe roam. This is cheetah country. Search the shorter grass for their slender forms. Visit a natural spring like Buffalo Springs, where wildlife converges and patient waiting can reward you with multiple cat sightings.
   • Evening: Your final safari drive. With your guide’s expertise, revisit the most promising leopard spot or wait at a vantage point as the sun sets, hoping for a silhouette to appear on a kopje. A farewell dinner under a blanket of brilliant stars.

6. Day 6 : Samburu to Nairobi – Departure

   • Morning: One last chance. Embark on an early game drive with a single-minded goal: to find the cat that has eluded you. The cool morning air brings everything to life for one final, magnificent display of wild Kenya.
   • Afternoon: Return for a leisurely breakfast before your flight back to Nairobi. Transfer directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey, your mind and camera full of the unforgettable gaze of Kenya’s great cats.