9-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Masai Mara & Amboseli Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Nairobi → Samburu → Lake Nakuru → Lake Baringo / Lake Bogoria → Masai Mara → Amboseli → Nairobi

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Samburu

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Nairobi to Samburu, travelling north past Mount Kenya and through Nanyuki and Isiolo into the drier northern country. Once you reach Samburu there is time to check in before heading out among semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. This is good country in which to look for 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. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Samburu.

2. Day 2

   Full-Day Samburu Safari

   The day is set aside for Samburu, with drives timed around the first and last hours of light. Much of the day is spent among semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Keep watch for elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five as you move between the different habitats. 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. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Samburu.

3. Day 3

   Samburu to Lake Nakuru

   The day opens in Samburu with a morning departure for Lake Nakuru, travelling through the Rift Valley floor and the farming towns of the Nakuru region. Once you reach Lake Nakuru there is time to check in before heading out among a Rift Valley soda lake ringed by yellow-barked acacia woodland and steep escarpment viewpoints. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes 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 Lake Baringo / Lake Bogoria

   You leave Lake Nakuru after breakfast and head for Lake Baringo / Lake Bogoria. On arrival at Lake Baringo / Lake Bogoria you check in and the remainder of the day is at a relaxed pace. Your guide sets the pace, allowing time for photographs where the country opens up. The evening is spent at your Lake Baringo / Lake Bogoria accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

5. Day 5

   Baringo/Bogoria to Masai Mara

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Baringo/Bogoria bound for Masai Mara, descending the wall of the Great Rift Valley and passing through Narok and Maasai farming country. Lunch and check-in come first, then an afternoon drive through 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. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Masai Mara.

6. Day 6

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   You have a complete day in Masai Mara, starting early while the air is still cool and animals are active. 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. The evening returns you to your Masai Mara accommodation for dinner and overnight.

7. Day 7

   Masai Mara to Amboseli

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Masai Mara for the drive to Amboseli, travelling south past Kajiado and through Maasai rangeland toward the Tanzanian border country. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into open plains, dust flats and spring-fed swamps beneath the bulk of Kilimanjaro. Your guide works the area for large elephant herds, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and abundant water birds around the swamps, with sightings varying by season and conditions. Amboseli is known for its free-ranging elephant families, and on clear mornings Mount Kilimanjaro often rises above the plains, though cloud can hide it. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Amboseli.

8. Day 8

   Full-Day Amboseli Safari

   You have a complete day in Amboseli, starting early while the air is still cool and animals are active. The drives cover open plains, dust flats and spring-fed swamps beneath the bulk of Kilimanjaro, moving between habitats as conditions change. Species commonly associated with the area include large elephant herds, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and abundant water birds around the swamps. The swamps stay green through dry months, drawing elephants and plains game into concentrated, highly photographable groups. Amboseli is known for its free-ranging elephant families, and on clear mornings Mount Kilimanjaro often rises above the plains, though cloud can hide it. The evening returns you to your Amboseli accommodation for dinner and overnight.

9. Day 9

   Amboseli to Nairobi

   The day opens in Amboseli with a morning departure for 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.