7-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Nairobi → Samburu → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara → Nairobi

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Samburu

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Nairobi for the drive to Samburu, travelling north past Mount Kenya and through Nanyuki and Isiolo into the drier northern country. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five. Northern Kenya holds species rarely seen further south, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. The vehicle and driver-guide are private to your party throughout. The evening is spent at your Samburu accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

2. Day 2

   Full-Day Samburu Safari

   Today is spent entirely in Samburu, beginning with a game drive shortly after first light. The drives cover semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river, moving between habitats as conditions change. Sightings may include elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five, depending on season and conditions. The river is the reserve's lifeline, and game commonly concentrates along it through the heat of the day. Northern Kenya holds species rarely seen further south, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. The vehicle and driver-guide are private to your party throughout. Dinner and overnight are again at your Samburu camp or lodge.

3. Day 3

   Samburu to Lake Nakuru

   You leave Samburu after breakfast and head for Lake Nakuru, travelling through the Rift Valley floor and the farming towns of the Nakuru region. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into a Rift Valley soda lake ringed by yellow-barked acacia woodland and steep escarpment viewpoints. This is good country in which to look for black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and dense birdlife. The park operates as a sanctuary and is one of Kenya's more reliable places to look for rhino; flamingo numbers on the lake rise and fall with water levels. The evening is spent at your Lake Nakuru accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

4. Day 4

   Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara, descending the wall of the Great Rift Valley and passing through Narok and Maasai farming country. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. Look for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game as the light softens through the afternoon. The reserve is best known for its big cat densities, and between roughly July and October the wildebeest migration commonly moves through the ecosystem. Dinner is served at your Masai Mara camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

5. Day 5

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   The day is set aside for Masai Mara, with drives timed around the first and last hours of light. Much of the day is spent among open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. There is the possibility of seeing lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game, though wild sightings are never guaranteed. A full day allows morning and late-afternoon drives when animals are most active, with the option of a picnic lunch out in the reserve. The reserve is best known for its big cat densities, and between roughly July and October the wildebeest migration commonly moves through the ecosystem. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Masai Mara.

6. Day 6

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   The whole day is given to Masai Mara, with an early start to make the most of the cooler morning hours. Much of the day is spent among open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. Sightings may include lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game, depending on season and conditions. A full day allows morning and late-afternoon drives when animals are most active, with the option of a picnic lunch out in the reserve. The reserve is best known for its big cat densities, and between roughly July and October the wildebeest migration commonly moves through the ecosystem. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Masai Mara.

7. Day 7

   Masai Mara to Nairobi

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Masai Mara for the drive to Nairobi, returning through the highland approaches to the city. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into Kenya's highland capital and the usual start and end point for road safaris. Nairobi is the arrival and departure hub for most Kenyan safari itineraries. You are dropped at your Nairobi hotel or the airport in the late afternoon.