Samburu's Special Five, rhino and bongo

Nairobi, your arrival

When you arrive at Nairobi International Airport a representative from Giraffe Manor will meet you and transfer you by road to the Manor (approximately 45 minutes). Arrive in time for lunch which you can enjoy with the resident Rothschild's giraffe that give the Manor its name and unique character. The giraffes vie for guests’ attention by poking their heads through the dining room windows. After lunch enjoy a stroll though the parkland or down to the Giraffe Centre nearby. In the evening, enjoy a private dinner on the balcony of your room, outside on the terrace or in the dining room.

Laikipia's Solio, what a start

Enjoy an early morning breakfast in the company of the endangered Rothschild's giraffe before being transferred to Wilson Airport. Connect with the 10:20am scheduled flight between Wilson Airport and Nanyuki. You'll be collected from Nanyuki airstrip and taken by road to Solio Lodge. This transfer will become a game drive, arriving at the lodge in time for lunch. After lunch, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Solio Lodge or go on an afternoon game drive. In the evening, enjoy a sundowner out in the bush or at the outdoor viewing deck, and finish off the day with a succulent three-course meal and some wine back in the main lodge.

It is hard to leave the lodge

Enjoy the privacy and vastness that Solio Lodge has to offer. Take a morning walk, bike ride or horseback safari to become one with nature, followed by an afternoon or 4x4 night safari. If you're more adventurous, there's the option to take a helicopter safari around Mount Kenya to see the breathtaking views in the area, or a day trip to the Aberdares for trout fishing. Note that the helicopter safari and trout fishing must be pre-booked and are at an additional cost. Overnight at Solio, with your meals and other activities included.

Your activities are worth it

We recommend that you go to look for the elusive and rare bongo at Aberdare, after which you'll return to Solio for some rest and relaxation. Solio is the perfect balance of relaxation, good game viewing and interesting species viewed from any mode of transport – by guided game drives, horseback or on foot. Overnight again at Solio Lodge, with your meals and drinks included.

Samburu's weird and wonderful

Have an early breakfast before transferring to Nanyuki for the scheduled flight to Samburu. The flight lands at Buffalo Springs, with a two-hour road transfer to Sasaab through the Samburu National Park. Arrive at Sasaab for a light lunch and then take a siesta in the heat of the day. In the afternoon you'll start your quest to find Samburu’s Special Five, with reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra probably the easiest. Overnight at Sasaab Lodge, with your meals and drinks included.

Sasaab's magic and the Samburu people

You can do as much or as little as you want at Sasaab. Morning and afternoon game drives are always on offer, camel trekking, spa treatments, walks in the surrounding area or simply relaxing by your private plunge pool overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River. Sasaab is closely linked to the local Samburu tribes and a visit to the local village is recommended to learn about their culture, beliefs and values, as well as how Sasaab plays a crucial part in the local community and conversancy projects.
Sasaab’s position high on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River is a vantage point to spot game throughout the day. Elephants frequently come to the opposite bank to drink as there's little water in the area. Venture a little further into the arid wilderness to find the more rarely seen gerenuk and Somali ostrich. As the sun disappears, enjoy a traditional Samburu celebration ceremony in the reserve’s natural rock amphitheatre, where the sounds of Morani dancers fill the night air, accompanied by a starlit Bush BBQ dinner under the African sky. Overnight at Sasaab, with meals and drinks included.

Grevy's zebra will dazzle you

You have the option to go fly-camping (overnight away from the lodge at a specially set-up mobile camp)  into the far reaching areas of the conservancy – a fabulous activity if you want to experience an unforgettable night under the stars. You'd probably have to travel a little further into Samburu country to find the last of the Samburu Special Five, the beisa oryx. Enjoy your last evening in this special part of the world. Overnight at Sasaab, with your activities, meals and drinks included.

Fly Home

You'll be transferred to Buffalo Springs to connect with your flight back Wilson airport at Nairobi, then transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International for your flight home.