This is one of our most popular short safaris because it offers a wonderful combination of mountain scenery, lake birds and plains dotted with game. En route you will see thorn trees: flat-topped, umbrella trees, traditionally where travellers would post messages for each other.

Start in Aberdares National Park, an area of exceptional natural beauty. Your stay here is at Treetops, one of the most famous game viewing lodges in the world. On to Lake Naivasha where over 450 species of birds have been recorded in and around this freshwater lake.

Finally the safari ends in the world-famous Masai Mara, home to the big five. You will stay at Keekorok Lodge. The Thorn Tree Safari offers great value and can be combined easily with a few days on the beach.

This safari operates every Monday throughout the year.


Day 1: Monday - Heathrow–Nairobi
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Nairobi.

Day 2: Tuesday - Aberdares
Transfer to the Safari Lounge, where you can freshen up before departing for lunch at the Outspan Hotel (180 km – approximately 4 hours). Continue onto Treetops with an overnight bag (the remainder of your luggage can be stored at Outspan) (lunch and dinner included).

Day 3: Wednesday - Lake Nakuru–Lake Naivasha
Drive to Lake Nakuru (180 km – approximately 4 hours). Enjoy a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, sanctuary to one of the largest populations of rhinos in Kenya, plus Rothschild’s giraffes, leopards and lions. After lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge, continue your journey to Lake Naivasha (80 km – approximately 2 hours). Overnight: Lake Naivasha Country Club (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Day 4: Thursday - Masai Mara
Drive to the Masai Mara (270 km – approximately 5 hours 30 minutes). Afternoon game drive. Overnight: Keekorok Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Day 5: Friday - Masai Mara
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, or take an early morning balloon flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra). A second game drive will take place in the late afternoon. Overnight: Keekorok Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Day 6: Saturday - Extension or Heathrow
Return to Nairobi by road (300 km – approximately 6 hours) then proceed with your chosen beach extension, or return to Heathrow (breakfast included).


Option to fly from the Mara to Nairobi - from £170
Option to fly from the Mara to Mombasa - from £290
Flights are in light aircraft and the baggage allowance is strictly 15 kg per person. Where possible, additional luggage can be left at your hotel or at the Safari Lounge in Nairobi and retrieved after the safari. When flying from the Masai Mara to Mombasa entire luggage must be restricted to 15 kg as no luggage can be stored in Nairobi.

Notes
This itinerary operates with a maximum of 6 passengers, all guaranteed a window seat.
On occasion the itinerary may operate in a different order, or different lodges used according to availability and road conditions.
Travel times vary on road conditions and game sightings.
Pack a mixture of warm and light clothing in soft bags, plus sunglasses, camera and insect repellent.
Minimum age 8 years.