8-Day Kenya Safari, Samburu to Masai Mara

This 8-day Kenya Safari from Nairobi combines some of Kenya’s most rewarding wildlife destinations in one route. The journey starts in Samburu National Reserve, known for rare northern Kenya species, then continues to Ol Pejeta Conservancy for rhino conservation and chimpanzee sanctuary viewing. You then travel to Lake Nakuru National Park for birdlife and rhinos, Lake Naivasha for optional boat rides and Crescent Island experiences, and finally to Masai Mara National Reserve for classic big cat and savannah wildlife viewing. This itinerary is suitable for travellers looking for a well-balanced Kenya safari with rare wildlife, conservation experiences, Rift Valley lakes, rhinos, birdlife, and the open plains of the Masai Mara.

Safari Highlights

• Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or agreed location
• Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
• Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy, known for rhinos and conservation work
• Chance to visit the chimpanzee sanctuary at Ol Pejeta
• Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Rhino viewing and birdlife around Lake Nakuru
• Optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Optional Crescent Island walking safari
• Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
• Full day game drive in Masai Mara
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
• Return transfer to Nairobi

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Your safari begins with pick-up from your hotel or agreed location in Nairobi. After a short briefing from your safari driver guide, you will leave the city and drive north through central Kenya towards Samburu National Reserve. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for your first game drive in Samburu, a reserve known for dry northern landscapes, riverine habitats, and rare wildlife species. During the game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions, leopards, and Samburu special species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Samburu Elephant Lodge, luxury, Samburu Sopa Lodge. Meal plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 2, Full Day Game Drive in Samburu National Reserve

After breakfast, you will spend the day exploring Samburu National Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives. The reserve is known for its dry scenery, open grasslands, riverine forest, rocky outcrops, and the Ewaso Nyiro River, which attracts wildlife throughout the year. During the game drives, you may see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, gerenuks, oryx, Somali ostriches, and many bird species. Your guide will choose the best routes based on recent sightings and wildlife movement. You will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation between game drives, then continue with more wildlife viewing in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Transfer from Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After breakfast, you will check out and drive south towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This conservancy is one of Kenya’s most important wildlife and conservation areas, especially for rhino protection. On arrival, you will check in at your camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive in the conservancy, with chances to see rhinos, elephants, buffalos, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and other wildlife. Depending on timing and arrangements, you may also visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, which protects rescued chimpanzees. Later, return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Camp. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4, Transfer from Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will leave Ol Pejeta and drive towards Lake Nakuru National Park in the Rift Valley region. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru National Park is known for rhino viewing, birdlife, lake scenery, acacia woodland, and grassland habitats. During the game drive, you may see black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalos, zebras, waterbucks, baboons, warthogs, lions, hyenas, and occasional leopards. Flamingos and other water birds may be seen along the lake shore depending on water levels and feeding conditions. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range Lake Nakuru Safari Lodge, Luxury Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Transfer from Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Lake Naivasha, one of the best-known Rift Valley lakes in Kenya. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and spend time relaxing around the lake area. Lake Naivasha is known for hippos, fish eagles, water birds, and peaceful scenery. You may take an optional boat ride on the lake at an extra cost. The boat ride gives you a chance to see birdlife and hippos from the water. You may also visit Crescent Island for an optional walking safari among wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and gazelles. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Enashipai Resort & Spa, Chui Lodge Naivasha, Naivasha Kongoni Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, if included in the final package

Day 6, Transfer from Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most famous wildlife destinations. The journey takes you through Rift Valley landscapes and local towns before reaching the Mara region. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge or camp and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive in the Masai Mara, with chances to see lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, cheetahs, and other wildlife. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget, Sentrim Mara Lodge, Mid-range, Zebra Plains Mara Camp or  Julia’s River Camp, Luxury Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge with a packed lunch for a full day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve. This day gives you more time to explore the open plains, river areas, and wildlife-rich sections of the reserve. During the game drive, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, topis, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, hyenas, jackals, hippos, and crocodiles. During the migration season, usually around July to September, large herds of wildebeests and zebras may be seen in the Mara, although river crossings and herd movements depend on timing, rainfall, and natural movement.

Optional activity: A hot air balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost. The activity usually takes place early in the morning and gives travellers aerial views of the Mara plains at sunrise. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8, Transfer from Masai Mara to Nairobi

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge or camp and start the drive back to Nairobi. The journey time depends on road conditions, traffic, and stops along the way. On arrival in Nairobi, your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel, residence, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or another agreed location. This marks the end of your 8 Days Kenya Safari. Meal plan: Breakfast

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or agreed location
• Drop-off in Nairobi or at the airport
• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
• Services of an English-speaking safari driver guide
• Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
• Game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
• Bottled drinking water during the safari
• Park and conservancy fees

Exclusions

• International flights
• Kenya visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Optional Lake Naivasha boat ride
• Optional Crescent Island visit
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks, and beverages
• Tips and gratuities
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari