Samburu, Laikipia, the Mara and Lamu in 11 days (10 nights)

11 days · Kenya · Nairobi → Lamu · best 7, 8, 9, 10

Three bush legs of two nights each, joined by light aircraft rather than road: the dry riverine country of Samburu, then a conservancy lodge on the Laikipia plateau, then a camp on the Oloololo Escarpment in the western Mara. Changing camp every second night keeps the wildlife varied but leaves little idle time, so the trip closes with four nights on Lamu. The island has no roads to speak of: boats in place of cars, an old town to walk, and enough time that a late flight does not cost a beach day. July to October covers the migration months in the Mara.

The route, stop by stop

1. Samburu, Kenya · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Air taxi from Nairobi to the Samburu reserve

Two nights in the arid north, where the river pulls game in to drink and several species do not occur further south.

2. Laikipia, Kenya · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Air taxi south to a lodge in the Borana Wildlife Conservancy, with Mount Kenya and the highland lakes in view from the air

Two nights on conservancy land in the Borana hills, a change of country between the northern reserves and the Mara and quieter than either.

Laikipia — Photo: Ray in Manila, CC-BY, via Wikimedia Commons

3. Masai Mara, Kenya · 2 nights

Arrive by fly — Air taxi to a camp on the Oloololo Escarpment, in the north-west of the reserve

Two nights on the quieter western side of the reserve, which still allows two full days of driving over the open plains.

Masai Mara — Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC-BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Lamu, Kenya · 4 nights

Arrive by fly — Flight from the Mara on to Lamu

Four nights with no cars, boats in place of roads and an old town to walk gives the trip somewhere to slow down after three fast bush legs.

Places to stay: Wimbi House

Experts who can arrange this trip

The Safari Vibe, who works in Kenya.

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