7 Days Samburu Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari

This 7-day Samburu Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari is a classic Kenya wildlife itinerary starting and ending in Nairobi. The safari takes you north to Samburu National Reserve, then south to Lake Nakuru National Park, before ending with game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve. It is designed for travellers who want a varied Kenya safari with rare northern wildlife, rhino viewing, birdlife, Rift Valley scenery, big cats, and the open plains of the Mara. Samburu gives the trip a different wildlife experience with species such as Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, elephants, and leopards. Lake Nakuru adds strong rhino and birding interest, while Masai Mara gives travellers excellent chances for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and seasonal wildebeest migration activity. This itinerary suits travellers looking for a well-rounded 7-day Kenya safari from Nairobi with three major wildlife regions in one route.

Safari Highlights

• Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel
• Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
• Bird watching and riverine wildlife in Samburu
• Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Rhino viewing and birdlife around Lake Nakuru
• Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve through Narok
• Full day game drive across the Mara plains
• Seasonal wildebeest migration viewing in Masai Mara, usually around July to September
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
• Return transfer to Nairobi or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Your 7 Days Samburu Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari begins with pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi. After a short briefing from your driver guide, you will leave the city and drive north through central Kenya, passing scenic countryside and views around the Mount Kenya region. You will continue to Samburu National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge, depending on road conditions and departure time. After check-in and a short rest, you will go for an afternoon game drive in Samburu. This first game drive introduces you to the reserve’s dry landscapes, riverine areas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and possible predator sightings. Accommodation: Mid-range, Samburu Elephant 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, or as arranged by your guide. Samburu is known for its dry northern Kenya scenery, open grasslands, riverine forest, springs, rocky outcrops, and the Ewaso Nyiro River, which attracts wildlife throughout the year. During the game drives, you may see elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalos, crocodiles, hippos, and many bird species. Samburu is also known for rare northern Kenya wildlife, including Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe. Bird watching is also rewarding, with raptors, weavers, and other dry country species commonly seen.  After a full day of wildlife viewing, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Transfer from Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and begin the drive from Samburu towards Lake Nakuru National Park. You may enjoy brief wildlife viewing as you exit the reserve before continuing through central Kenya and the Rift Valley region, with lunch en route. On arrival at Lake Nakuru National Park, you will go for an afternoon game drive, depending on arrival time. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s best-known rhino viewing parks and is also popular for birdlife, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalos, zebras, waterbucks, baboons, warthogs, and occasional leopard sightings. Flamingos may be seen along the lake shore depending on water levels and feeding conditions. Later, proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget, Punda Milia Tented Camp, Mid-range, Lake Nakuru Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4, Full Day Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will go for a full-day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is compact but rewarding, with lake views, acacia woodland, grassland, rocky viewpoints, and forested areas that support different wildlife species. During the game drive, you may see black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalos, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, baboons, hyenas, lions, and leopards. Lake Nakuru is also a strong birding destination, with pelicans, storks, eagles, and flamingos sometimes seen along the lake shore depending on water levels and food conditions. You will continue exploring the park in the afternoon before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Transfer from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, passing through the Rift Valley region and Narok town. The journey time depends on road conditions, stops, and the location of your lodge. You will have lunch en route and continue towards the Mara. On arrival, you will enter the reserve or conservancy area with game viewing on the way to your lodge, depending on time. The Masai Mara is known for its open plains, big cats, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and seasonal wildebeest migration activity. You will check in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget, Sentrim Mara Lodge, Mid-range, Zebra Plains Mara Camp. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6, 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 time to explore the open plains, river areas, and wildlife-rich sections of the reserve with your driver guide. During the game drive, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, topis, Thomson’s gazelles, hyenas, jackals, bat-eared foxes, hippos, and crocodiles. During the migration season, usually from July to September, large herds of wildebeests and zebras may be seen in the Masai Mara, with river activity depending on timing, rainfall, and herd movement. You will enjoy your packed lunch in the reserve and continue with afternoon game viewing before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional activity: A hot air balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost. The flight usually takes place early in the morning, offering aerial views of the Mara plains at sunrise. This activity is weather dependent and must be confirmed in advance. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Transfer from Masai Mara to Nairobi for Departure

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and start the journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours depending 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 7 Days Samburu Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari. Meal plan: Breakfast

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick up from your Nairobi hotel
• Drop-off in Nairobi or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle or safari van
• Services of an English-speaking driver guide
• Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
• Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
• Park entry fees
• Bottled drinking water during the safari

Exclusions

• International flights
• Kenya visa fees
• Travel insurance
• 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