Day 1: Nairobi – Mount Kenya

Most clients arrive in Nairobi a few days prior to the official start day. Many may be joining the Southern Trails trip, which runs from Nairobi to Victoria Falls taking in all the highlights of Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, but will initially experience some of East Africa on this stunning short backpacker tour.

This meeting will give you all a chance to meet your fellow travellers and get to know your guides. The meeting will cover all the aspects of the trip. Please bring with you to this meeting: your passport with relevant visas and evidence of medical and personal insurance. Please also bring the Local Payment.

This must be paid to the tour leader prior to departure and must be paid in US Dollars cash. Please note that hotel accommodation in Nairobi is not included as part of this backpacker tour and that the tour commences straight after the meeting with the vehicles departure to Mount Kenya on day 1.

You head out of the city and travel north to the campsite at the foot of Mt Kenya (5199m), the second highest mountain in Africa. You have the afternoon free to enjoy an optional walk in the forest around the base of Mt Kenya, known for its prolific bird life and black and white Colobus monkeys. Camping (Mountain Rock Bantu Lodge or similar). Lunch and Dinner.

If you have any questions regarding arrival prior to the tour or any other questions whatsoever please contact your travel agency.

Days 2 & 3: Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is situated on the banks of the Uaaso Nyiro River in Kenya. This means plenty of water, trees and shade to attract wildlife like Elephant, Lion, Giraffe and Zebra from the surrounding savannah plains. Leopards are also regularly spotted.

The Uaaso Nyiro River's magnificent displays are the long and huge Crocodiles, which exceed six metres (20 feet) from snout to tail. You will enjoy a game drive en route to your campsite and on day 3 you will depart on a morning game drive and return to camp for lunch.

In the afternoon once the temperature cools off you head out for an afternoon game drive returning in time to prepare dinner. Accommodation is in camps.

Day 4: Thompson's Falls

You will travel to Thompson's Falls and arrive at approximately lunch time – you have the afternoon free to explore the waterfalls which during the rainy season is particularly spectacular. The height of the falls is 75 metres high. Camping in Thomson Falls Lodge.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru

You depart for your campsite, on the Kenana Farm. Visit the Kenana Knitters, a local community development project, or the local school. You visit Lake Nakuru National Park, which is famous for the presence of up to two million Flamingos, seasonally feeding on the abundant algae.

The park is also well known for its Leopard and, as it is a Rhino sanctuary, sightings of Black and White Rhino are common, as well as Lion and Buffalo. You enjoy an included game drive into the Park. Camping (Kembu Campsite or similar). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Days 6 & 7: Masai Mara National Reserve

The famous Masai Mara Game Reserve is known for its density of animals including the Big Five and 453 species of birds. It is one of the most visited reserves in Africa. This National Reserve's plains are predominantly open savannah, interspersed with patches of acacia woodland, and along the Mara River, riparian forest.

Whilst game viewing is excellent in the Mara all year round, the most popular time to visit is in late July into August where, over one million Wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of Zebra migrate from the Serengeti. The dramatic river crossings are a gruesome spectacle of survival of the fittest.

You will set up camp here for 2 nights and enjoy early starts, for your game drives, returning to camp for a late breakfast or brunch. Time to reflect and relax for the hotter part of the day and then out for another game drive in the afternoon.

You enjoy your last night and dinner around the campfire, listening to the sounds of the open bush. Camping will be outside Sekenani Gate or similar. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 8: Masai Mara - Nairobi

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, before you break down camp and head back to Nairobi arriving around lunchtime, where you check into your hotel in Nairobi. Rest of day at leisure to explore the city. No meals are included today except for breakfast. Tonight you overnight in Silver Springs Hotel.