11 Day Flying Safari - All Inclusive - Samburu/ Maasai Mara/ Watamu, Indian Ocean Day 1 Sasaab, Samburu Depart early in the morning on the scheduled flight to Samburu in the Northern Frontier District of Kenya. This is an area of staggering beauty where the rugged splendour of its landscape conjures up an atmosphere of mystery and adventure. On arrival in Samburu you will be met by your host and transferred to the luxury tented Sasaab. The camp is situated above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and offers amazing views towards the Laikipia plateau. This secluded camp offers tranquillity and allows a combination of riverine and dry country birding and wildlife. The 9 en-suite tents comprise of a bedroom, sitting room, fully serviced bathrooms and own private plunge pool. Electricity is solar powered, offering outlets for charging equipment in each tent. Day 2 Sasaab The gateway to the North, it is famous for its game species, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevys Zebra, Besia Oryx and the long necked Gerenuk. Leopard, Lion, Cheetah and Caracal are all regular visitors to the camp. Game drives in 4-wheel drive vehicles will take you around the conservation area & into Samburu Reserve where you will be able to see huge herds of Elephant as well as the above mentioned animals. The afternoon can be spent on a game drive looking for game or you may take a gentle stroll along the river banks & forests and enjoy a ‘sundowner' in the African bush in the company of Samburu Warriors. Day 3 Sasaab After a wake-up call with your choice of tea, coffee or juice on your veranda its time for a morning game drive and a picnic breakfast. During your stay at Sasaab you will have the opportunity to meet the Samburu tribes' people and experience first hand their culture as you visit their villages. One can also enjoy camel walks around the area or have an afternoon of relaxation back at camp lounging by the pool or enjoying a massage. Day 4 Kicheche Camp, Maasai Mara Depart on the mornings scheduled flight from Samburu to the vast savannahs of the world famous Maasai Mara & Kicheche Camp. Kicheche is located on the Aitong Plains in the northern Koiyaki Lemek region and is hidden in a grove of wild olive and croton trees in a prime wildlife area. Game viewing starts right from the camp itself. The camp has 11 spacious, fully insect-proof Selous style tents equipped with proper beds, linen, bedside tables, luggage racks and rugs. Bathrooms are en-suite and are equipped with a dresser, shower and flushing toilet. The tents are supplied with 24 hour electricity via a solar invertor system. There are canvas director's chairs on the veranda and hammocks slung between nearby trees to relax in. Day 5 Kicheche Most meals at Kicheche are taken al-fresco in a clearing overlooking the plains or, in the event of bad weather, in the spacious dining tent. In the early morning guests are woken with tea or coffee brought to their tent followed by an early morning game drive which sets off at sunrise and returns to the camp 2-3 hours later. Breakfast is a leisurely affair taken outside in the morning sunlight. Lunch is also served al-fresco in the shade of an olive tree. Day 6 Kicheche During the heat of the day, relax in a hammock and appreciate the silence, punctuated only by birdcalls. Alternatively, utilise the reference library in the Nyati tent, which has an excellent selection of books. An afternoon game drive departs around 1600 and returns at sundown. Freshen up before joining other guests around the campfire for a pre-dinner drink. Dinner is served by candlelight al-fresco or in the dining tent. Take a nightcap by the fire before retiring. Escorted bush walks from the camp are also a very popular excursion. Day 7 Hemingway's, Watamu Depart from the Mara on the 1100 scheduled SafariLink flight to Wilson Airport arriving at approx 1215. You will be met by a vehicle which will take you on to the famous Carnivore Restaurant for lunch. The restaurant has beautiful gardens, a bar, relaxing lounge areas and an arts & crafts gallery which will keep you busy until your transfer back to Wilson Airport for the 1715hrs scheduled Air Kenya flight to Malindi for your stay at Hemingway's. A transfer bus will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the resort. Hemingway's overlooks the stunning beach of Watamu Marine Park and the ambience of the hotel is of relaxed sophistication, with the friendliness of a privately owned hotel coupled with the facilities and standards of an international resort. Day 8 Hemingway's Three miles down the coast from Hemingway's is Mida, a tidal lagoon of mangrove creeks teeming with exotic bird-life and the venue for sundowner cruises on an Arabic Dhow. The Kenyan coast is renowned for its fishing. The resort offers half or full day fishing trips. In season you can reel in Sailfish & Marlin and feisty Tuna. Also out to see is the option to go dolphin watching, snorkeling over the coral reefs and diving. Day 9 Hemingway's When not out to sea, there is plenty to do at the coast; you could try your hand at wind-surfing, take a trip to the snake park or the Gede Ruins which is the remains of a 13th century Swahili settlement that was inexplicably abandoned in the 17th century. With its two swimming pools and great cocktail bars, you could spend the day simply relaxing by the pool with a good book and cool drink at hand. The hotel also has a gymnasium, tennis and squash courts located on the resorts property. Day 10 Hemingway's A trip can be taken to the Arabuko-Sokoke forest, which is one of the last remaining stands of virgin coastal rain-forest. It contains a number of rare and unique species, including the Sokoke Scops owl. Ancient elephant tracks criss-cross the forest, whilst on the forest floor you might glimpse a Golden-rumped elephant shrew and higher up brilliantly-coloured butterflies teem in the clearings. Day 11 Departure The Hemingway's transfer bus will take you to Malindi Airport for your scheduled Air Kenya flight departing at 1900, arriving at 2030 in Wilson, Nairobi. A transfer vehicle will meet you at the airport and take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your outward bound flight or for an overnight stay in Nairobi depending on flight details. (Overnight stay in Nairobi not included in the itinerary, but can be arranged by us with prior notice). Please contact us or your preferred agent if you would like to book this safari.