At your Nairobi hotel or the airport you will be met by a representative of Albatros Kenya and introduced to your driver/guide who will accompany you throughout the trip. You will then be driven to Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary, a drive of approximately four hours, where you will spend the night at Sweetwaters Tented Camp. Here you will experience a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury in a sheltered oasis beside around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Your game viewing experience will commence this afternoon. Ol Pejeta conservancy is home to all of the ‘Big Five’ members, and being one of only four private game conservancies found in Kenya, the area has a higher wildlife concentration than any of Kenya`s national parks, making it perfect for intimate game-viewing experiences.

Today we will rise early for breakfast before transferring to Samburu National Reserve with an en route game drive. As you enter the reserve, you will be able to see two beautiful mountains, Koitogor and Ololokwe, which form the perfect background to your safari. Large herds of elephants comprise some of the reserve’s large and diverse wildlife population, which also includes numerous big cats, reticulated giraffes, buffalo and gerenuks.

Ewaso Nyiro River is the main attraction for wildlife here, but many animals can also be seen in the acacia trees, river forest, thorn trees and grasslands. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Samburu Lodge, which has been inspired by the architecture of the indigenous Samburu tribe and blends into its natural environment by making full use of the local building materials. This will be your home for the next two nights. From your private veranda you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the languid river and the wildlife it attracts - which includes the numerous crocodiles that make these waters their home.

Sleep in or rise early today, but if you want to see the animals at their most active we recommend taking advantage of the cool early morning to maximise your game viewing experience. As you continue with your game drive through this wildlife rich reserve, watch out for the unique northern species, only found north of the equator, which include the helmeted guinea fowl, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra and Beisa oryx.

We will seek relief from the hot African sun back at the lodge where we will spend the afternoon relaxing. As the day cools, you can return to the reserve for one last game drive and enjoy a sundowner at a beautiful location, before returning to Samburu Lodge for an opulent dinner before retiring to your room.

This morning Kenya’s highest mountain awaits you. We transfer from Samburu National Reserve to the magnificent Mount Kenya, which looms above the plains at a height of almost 5,200 metres.

A UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, Mount Kenya was formed some three and half million years ago and is considered sacred by the Kikuyu people, who believe it is the abode of their god Ngai. You could spend all day gazing at the incredible views, however a number of activities are on offer for those are not content with just looking at the scenery. On offer are guided forest walks, trips up to the moorland zone of the mountain, and fishing for river trout. Mount Kenya truly offers something for all visitors!

Serena's Mountain Lodge, where you will be staying, is a timber-constructed eco-lodge nestled in the forest and offering champagne-clear mountain air and sweeping views over the forest canopy. Located on the mountain slopes at 2,134 meters above sea level, the lodge is cool and tranquil and an ideal place from which to view wildlife. The open-air viewing-deck looks down on to a water hole and salt-lick, which attracts herds of elephant, buffalo and birds. There is also a hide, offering unique game viewing and photographic opportunities, situated as it is just meters away from the watering hole to which the animals go to quench their thirst.

For dinner you will be offered a choice of dishes from the a-la-carte menu, with most food being sourced from the surrounding land and communities. The restaurant has an extensive wine list.

This morning you will leave the verdant slopes of Mount Kenya and drive to the Lake Elementaita, one of the famous soda ash lakes of the Great Rift Valley, and home to numerous flamingos and over 400 species of bird. This small but perfectly formed lake is perfect for relaxing next to or – for the more active – go on a horse ride, a bird safari or pay a visit to the natural warm spa that flows into the lake.

The newly established Sunbird Lodge will accommodate you in eco-friendly luxury in a stunning setting beside the ethereal beauty of the lake. For dinner, the lodge’s chefs will prepare you a delicious meal in the intimate and romantic restaurant as you sit beside an open fire and look out over the lake as the sun sets.

Today, after a hearty breakfast you will set out on a full day’s game drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake contains an abundance of algae, which is flamingos’ favourite food and contributes to their colouring, making this one of the greatest bird spectacles on Earth. Sometimes it is possible to see over a million bright pink flamingos gathered here. Both species can be found here: the Lesser flamingo, distinguished by its red carmine bill and pink plumage, and its Greater cousin, which is slightly larger and has a black tip on its bill.

The area around Lake Nakuru Park has recently been widened to accommodate a rhino sanctuary - making it one of the largest concentrations of these animals in the country. Other species commonly found in this beautiful and intimate park include waterbuck, Rothschild’s giraffe and giant python, with lions and leopards making the occasional appearance.

Lunch is taken in the park at a superb picnic site overlooking the lake, and is followed by a continuation of the game drive before returning to Sunbird Lodge for another exceptional dinner and a good night’s sleep.

From Lake Elementaita, the adventure continues as we proceed to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve - one of the most spectacular game reserves in Africa. An en route game drive through the reserve will whet your appetite for the upcoming days.

When we arrive in the reserve we will proceed to your lodge, the Serena Masai Mara. Situated on a forested hill overlooking the Mara River, the lodge is a fantastic place to observe the surrounding savannah and the pods of hippos in the river. The sophisticated architecture is like nothing you will have seen before, with each room based on the circular design of the traditional Maasai homestead. These luxurious rooms blend into the landscape and have their own private balconies providing uninterrupted views. There is also a vanishing horizon swimming pool in which to take a refreshing dip during the heat of the day.

At the lodge’s Maasai inspired dining room, you can taste some traditional Kenyan dishes, such as Nyama Choma – a spread of roasted meats – and sample a selection of old and new world wines, as well as local beers.

The Masai Mara is the setting for the awe inspiring annual wildebeest migration, which has been described as ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth’. This breathtaking spectacle is shared with the renowned Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, with the animals moving in a circular motion following the rains.

The diversity of the Masai Mara scenery, including its meandering rivers, towering escarpments and rolling grasslands, provides the perfect habitat for the abundance of game, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and black rhino – all of which can be found here.

Depending on the time of year, today will involve a drive down to the river or across the plains in search of the scores of wildebeest who gather here at certain times of the year, or admiring the resident game which can be found all year round. Whatever the time of year, today is a wildlife safari extravaganza with an experienced and knowledgeable guide that you will never forget. Prepare to be amazed!

We will spend our second night at the inimitable Serena Masai Mara lodge.

This morning, we offer you another opportunity to experience the magic of the Masai Mara. For the more adventerous traveller, the optional activity - a hot air balloon ride, may appeal. Rise early and experience a game viewing adventure from an entirely different perspective – the air! Our hot air balloon safari lifts off in the crisp morning air, and you will spend the next hour floating peacefully and silently above the plains and rivers, observing the wildlife below and taking in the stunning views as the sun spreads slowly over the Masai Mara.

Upon touchdown a luxury champagne breakfast awaits you. More game viewing opportunities arise later that morning as you enjoy the scenic journey back to camp. In addition to the spectacular abundance of game, you will need to keep your eyes open to spot some of the 450 species of birds that have been identified in the Masai Mara ecosystem. What better way to round off your safari experience?

Note: Not all guests wish to go on the balloon excursion so this is included as an additional item attracting a fee. For details of this see the 'What's Included' section. Guests who do not wish to partake in the balloon trip will spend the time at leisure at the safari lodge.

Tonight we will spend our third and final night at the Serena Masai Mara lodge.

It may be the last day of safari however your game viewing does not stop just yet. After breakfast, we will experience an en route game drive on our way out of the Masai Mara on the return leg to Nairobi.

You will arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon and be transferred to the airport or your hotel as you wish.