Naboisho Conservancy & Masai Mara NR, Kenya

Dates: August 2nd - August 9th, 2025

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Extension: We do not currently offer any extensions to this itinerary.

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Prices: £6,850 pp sharing (with a £900 single supplement)​, excluding international flights.

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In a sentence: Experience the most memorable safari experience Africa has to offer, with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest storming through the Mara, setting the scene for some of the best viewing of large predators anywhere in the world.

Surely the most famous safari destination in Africa, the Masai Mara offers a wildlife experience unlike any other. At any time of year, the reserve offers game-viewing to delight any nature enthusiast, with the 'Big Five' seen regularly alongside a supporting cast of superb wildlife. Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, cheetah, giraffe, spotted hyena and much more are likely to be encountered on a daily basis, with lucky visitors also likely to encounter black rhino, serval and even, rarely, caracal. But, from July to October, the reserve teems with even more life than usual. This is the time when vast herds of grazers migrate into the Mara, following the seasonal rains and fresh grases, adding a cacophony of noise and tapestry of colour to the Mara. In turn, these huge gatherings of wildebeest and zebra draw in predators in impressive concentrations, enhancing the already world-class game-viewing. Perhaps most impressively of all, these grazers regularly crash across the Mara River in astounding numbers, often hunted by crocodiles as they swim. Quite simply, this spectacle is amongst the greatest sights the animal kingdom can offer.

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One accusation sometimes leveled at the Mara is that it can become crowded, particularly at sightings of big cats and river crossings. Whilst the incredible wildlife more than makes up for this, this itinerary allows guests to experience the Mara at its very best whilst also escaping the crowds for a stay at the remarkable Naboisho Conservancy. This area, just outside the reserve itself, boasts perhaps even better game-viewing, and the sightings here can be spectacular. Leopard, cheetah, lion and much more all thrive here, completing an itinerary that is a must for anyone to see Africa's wildlife at its most vivid.

Day One

Nairobi

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On arrival into Nairobi, you will be met by your Pictus Safaris tour leader and transferred to your comfortable local hotel. There will be a pre-tour briefing in the hotel this evening, with the remainder of your day at leisure after a long inbound flight.

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Day Two

Naboisho Conservancy

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This morning our safari begins in earnest! You are transferred to Wilson Airport this morning for your hour-long flight southwards towards the Tanzanian border and the wonders of the Masai Mara. On arrival at the airstrip at the world-famous Naboisho Conservancy, we are met by a guide and private game-viewer set aside for the exclusive use of our group. The conservancy is wonderfully wildlife-rich and highly exclusive, offering arguably the finest game-viewing experience in East Africa. In fact, guests may even notice on the short drive to our lovely, luxurious accommodation the paucity of other vehicles, even at sightings. And sightings there may well be as we make our way first through the whistling-thorn acacia around the airstrip and then into open woodland and savanna towards camp. Cheetah are common in this area, as are lion, and we may be lucky with our first big cat sighting on this drive. The game more generally is also superb, and we will quickly spot impala, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and much more.

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On arrival at our accommodation, there will be a few hours to soak in the warm hospitality and sensational views from camp. This afternoon we will head out on our first game drive proper of the tour, exploring the plains and open woodland in the central area of the conservancy. There is no telling what we might see, but we will be sure to take our time to enjoy each sighting as it comes. Leopard, lion and cheetah will all be targets, and all use this area very regularly. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, eland and much more all make up a spectacular supporting cast, and the chances are high here of observing rarely-seen behaviour, including leopard and cheetah hunts, as well as encountering cubs of these species.

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One of the benefits to staying in the conservancy is that we will also be able to embark on a night drive after dinner tonight. This isn't possible in the reserve, and this is a superb way to view big cats at their most active in the hours of darkness. This is also a great way to improve our chances of spotting the very rarest mammals in the area, including serval, caracal, aardwolf and aardvark. Following an action-packed first day in the Mara, we return to camp this evening for some well-earned rest.

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Days Three to Four

Naboisho Conservancy

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The next two full days are ours to explore Naboisho as our heart's desire in our private vehicle. Our exact focus is flexible depending on the interests of the group, but we are likely to spend morning and afternoon game drives on the trail of large predators. Naboisho is one of the best areas in Africa to observe cheetahs hunting, so some time may be spent in the areas of Payia and Pardamat where the plains open up and this behaviour is most easily observed. The habituated leopards in the core area of the conservancy are also worth seeking out, and past trips have enjoyed prolonged sightings of leopard cubs, which is always a real highlight. When not seeking out spotted cats, the resident populations of lion, spotted hyena, elephant and much more are sure to keep us entertained, as will the diverse and impressive array of birdlife. Night drives after dinner each night may reveal some really special wildlife, including zorilla and striped hyena. 

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The game drives here are spectacular, but so are the views from camp, and guests are encouraged to enjoy the warm Kenyan hospitality at camp when not seeking out wildlife.

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Day Five

Masai Mara

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This morning, following a last breakfast in Naboisho, we make the drive southwards through the conservancy and into the Masai Mara National Reserve. This drive takes us through community areas, but don't discount the possibility of seeing wildlife this morning too - cheetah, leopard and even wild dog use these areas. On arrival at our next excellent camp, we will have a few hours to settle in before setting out to enjoy the majesty of this superb wilderness area.

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The difference between the conservancy and the main reserve will become clear quite quickly. The reserve is undoubtedly busier, especially at this time of year, but the density of wildlife is also noticeably higher as the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra will be present. And herein lies the primary reason for our visit - the spectacular wall of noise, smell and colour associated with these herds is a wonderful experience. Our first afternoon will be spent in our private vehicle patrolling the banks of the nearby rivers, where the herds will gather in great numbers as they prepare to cross. No crossing can be guaranteed but, with luck, we will be fortunate enough to witness thousands of wildebeest and zebra streaming across the river, often pursued by huge crocodiles, and drawing in the attentions of predators including lion and leopard. Should no crossing be forthcoming, the game-viewing in this area is still hugely productive, with cheetah, serval and many other species occurring in good densities.

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Following a full afternoon out in the reserve, we return to our luxurious camp to enjoy a freshly-prepared dinner.

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Days Six to Seven

Masai Mara

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Our final two full days are spent enjoying everything that the Mara has to offer. River crossings will, of course, be a top priority for us, and morning and evening game drives will see us visit several known crossing points to see if large herds of grazers are gathering. These crossings can also be a real waiting game, as the wildebeest and zebra cautiously edge towards the water. With luck, one or more crossing points will eventually explode into action as the first zebra makes the leap, and is followed by hundreds or thousands of others. Crocodiles will meander into position and the spring into attacks on the helpless grazers, and the banks are prime ambush points for lions and leopards.

 

Our drives will also present opportunities for targeting any species that may have eluded us in Naboisho, and nights will be spent enjoying the luxuries of our lovely camp within the reserve. 

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Day Eight

Nairobi

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This morning, guests are transferred to a local airstrip for their return flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport, where this tour ends.​

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Please be aware that whilst we make every effort to follow the above itinerary as closely as possible, circumstances may occasionally arise that mean the tour deviates from the itinerary.