9-Day Kenya Cat Scratch Circuit
Overview
Scratch off you’re to-see list of the rarest Kenyan cats (big and small) in a single tour. Our expert Masai guides will take you on the prowl for leopards, lions, serval cats, cheetahs, golden cats, African wild cats, and African civet cats on a 4-park upscale adventure. Your guide will meet you in Nairobi where you’ll be transported privately in a pop-up roof land cruiser to Laikipia Plateau, then to Lake Nakuru, Naboisho Conservancy, Masai Mara National Reserve, and finally back to Nairobi.
Day 1–2 Departure from Nairobi Seeking the Black Leopard in Laikipia Wilderness
Since 2019, Laikipia Plateau has held frequent sightings of the elusive black leopard. You’ll be transported in your private 4×4 pop-roof land cruiser from your hotel in Nairobi to your upscale lodge on the Laikipia Plateau. You’ll arrive in time for lunch, then set out on a long afternoon game drive. On your second day, you’ll have the option of a full-day game drive with a packed lunch or split it into morning and afternoon adventures with lunch at the lodge in between. Here in Laikipia, you’ll have the opportunity to view rare cats such as serval cats, golden cats, African wild cats, and African civet cats among rare gems such as wild dogs and several of the Big Five. Laikipia is within viewing distance of Mount Kenya, towering over the horizon as you approach the park. Cheetahs, lions, and leopards frequent Laikipia as do elephants, waterbucks, zebras, and countless others.
Main Destination: Laikipia Plateau
Accommodation: El Karama Lodge
Mid-range lodge located inside Laikipia
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3–4 Laikipia to Lake Nakuru National Park
Lions, leopards, and cheetahs top the list of big cats to see against the breathtaking backdrop of Kenya’s “pink lake,” Lake Nakuru. You will arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on your first day, and set out on an all-day game drive on your second day, or split it into morning and afternoon with lunch at the lodge spaced between. This park has thousands of flamingos in the waters creating the illusion of pink, moving waters. On the land, you’ll also view black rhinos, the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, antelopes, and many more. Your lodge is your luxurious place to unwind after the adventures of your game drives. Plus, within an easy drive, you can take extra excursions such as horseback rides among the giraffes, a boat ride to the island where “Out Of Africa” was filmed, or go rock climbing.
Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Lake Nakuru NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5–6 World Famous Masai Mara National Reserve
You will arrive in time for lunch then set out on a long afternoon game drive where you’ll see cheetahs, several lion prides, leopards, and big game like hippos, giraffes, and antelopes. Your home for this segment of the adventure is a tented luxury camp inside the Mara gates, where you’ll feel right at home. Enjoy any of your meals at the camp or enjoy them on an all-day game drive with views of zebras and antelopes as you dine. Dinner as always is in the camp as the Mara doesn’t allow game drives after dark. Upon returning at the end of an action-packed day, you’ll have the chance to look carefully for serval cats running through the brush escaping headlights. On your final day, you will take a trip to the Maasai village where the villagers will give you a tour of their homes, perform ceremonial dances, and invite you to shop their hand-crafted beadwork and carvings.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Olive Bush Camp
Luxury tented camp located inside Masai Mara NR
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7 Naboisho Conservancy: Big Cat Central
Naboisho Conservancy borders the Masai Mara National Reserve to the east, making it convenient to access without moving camps. On the relatively short drive to Naboisho’s gates, you’ll have the chance to stop along the Mara River for a walking game tour with an armed park ranger to view crocodiles and hippos up close. Inside Naboisho, lions, cheetahs, and leopards are renowned to congregate in greater numbers than inside the neighboring Mara, making this final stop a big cat lover’s dream come true.
Main Destination: Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)
Accommodation: Olive Bush Camp
Luxury tented camp located just outside Naboisho
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8 Naboisho Conservancy & Mara Lookout
You’ll enjoy a packed breakfast on the Mara as you watch the zebras and giraffes graze while the sun rises. Afterward, take in the views of elephants as they set out for the day, along our drive to Naboisho Conservancy. On this second day in Naboisho, your Maasai guide will take in any special requests and do his best to accommodate special sightings such as lion cubs, leopards having breakfast in a tree, or similar sightings. Due to the density of big cats inside Naboisho, there’s always an awe-inspiring sight to witness. Lunch will be taken on the plains of Naboisho, safe from the big cats, and you’ll return from an afternoon game drive via the Mara, stopping to photograph the majestic landscape from the heights of Mara Lookout Hill before returning to camp for dinner.
Main Destination: Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)
Accommodation: Olive Bush Camp
Luxury tented camp located just outside Naboisho
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9 Return to Nairobi
Before leaving the camp, you’ll have breakfast and enjoy a game drive on the Masai Mara as we leave the camp bound for Nairobi. Along the way, you’ll stop for souvenirs if you’d like, and give you an excellent opportunity for final photos standing on the rim of the escarpment overlooking the Rift Valley. You can stop for lunch along the way, or arrange a packed lunch with the camp before departure.
Main Destination: Nairobi (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You’ll be dropped off at the airport.
Price includes
- 4×4 Safari vehicle
- Professional guide fees
- Accommodation and meals during the safari
- Activities during the safari
Price excludes
- Visas
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Flights
- Anything else not mentioned in the itinerary
