Most Kenya safaris stay south. This one heads north first: and the difference in what you see is remarkable.  Samburu National Reserve sits on the edge of Kenya's semi-arid north, where five animals live that are found nowhere else in the country: the reticulated giraffe (world's tallest), the Grevy's zebra (world's largest zebra, with narrower stripes than the common species), the long-necked gerenuk, the Somali ostrich, and the Beisa oryx. These are the Northern Five:  a completely different cast from the Masai Mara, and many experienced safari-goers say Samburu is Kenya's best-kept secret.  After two days in Samburu we head south through the Rift Valley, stopping at Lake Nakuru for its flamingo spectacle and rhino sanctuary, and then into the Masai Mara for the Big Five finale. By the end of this circuit you will have seen more Kenya wildlife species than on any other 7-day itinerary we offer.