8 Days Magical Kenya Safari from Nairobi

This 8-day Magical Kenya Safari from Nairobi combines five of Kenya’s most rewarding safari regions in one itinerary. The journey begins in Samburu National Reserve, known for rare northern Kenya wildlife, before continuing to Aberdare National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve. The safari is designed for international travellers who want a varied Kenyan wildlife experience, including dry northern landscapes, forested highlands, Mount Kilimanjaro views, rhino viewing, birdlife, big cats, and classic Mara plains. Samburu adds species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Aberdare adds forest scenery, waterfalls, and waterhole viewing. Amboseli is known for elephants and Kilimanjaro views, while Lake Nakuru offers rhino and birdlife interest. The journey ends in Masai Mara, one of Kenya’s strongest areas for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and seasonal migration activity.

Safari Highlights

• Pick-up from Nairobi
• Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
• Transfer to Aberdare National Park
• Forest scenery, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing in Aberdare
• Possible tree lodge or waterhole wildlife experience
• Game drives in Amboseli National Park
• Views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, weather permitting
• Chance to see large elephant herds in Amboseli
• Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Rhino viewing and birdlife around Lake Nakuru
• Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
• Full day game drive in Masai Mara
• Seasonal wildebeest migration activity in Masai Mara, depending on travel dates
• Return transfer to Nairobi

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel, residence, airport, or agreed location in Nairobi. After a short briefing from your safari driver guide, you will 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, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and Samburu special species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. 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 with 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, Beisa 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 the lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Transfer from Samburu to Aberdare National Park

After breakfast, you will check out and drive from Samburu to  Aberdare National Park. This day shifts the safari from the dry northern landscapes of Samburu to the cooler highland and forest scenery of central Kenya. On arrival, you will have lunch and later enjoy a game drive or transfer to your booked lodge, depending on the lodge location and park arrangements. Aberdare National Park is known for forested landscapes, waterfalls, mountain scenery, and wildlife such as elephants, buffalos, bushbucks, warthogs, monkeys, and, with luck, the rare bongo antelope. If staying at a tree lodge or waterhole lodge, you may watch animals visiting the waterhole during the evening and night. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge. Accommodation:  The Ark Lodge or Treetops Lodge or  Aberdare Country Club. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4, Transfer from Aberdare to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, you will check out and begin the journey to Amboseli National Park. This is a long travel day, taking you from central Kenya’s highland scenery towards the southern plains near the Tanzania border. On arrival in Amboseli, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch, depending on arrival time. In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive in Amboseli National Park, a destination known for large elephant herds, wetlands, open plains, and views of Mount Kilimanjaro when the weather is clear. During the game drive, you may see elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, warthogs, lions, hyenas, and many bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Amboseli Eco Camp, Mid-range Amboseli Sopa Lodge or Ol Tukai Lodge, Luxury  Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge or Tawi Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Transfer from Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park in the Rift Valley region. This is a long but scenic transfer, with stops along the way depending on timing and road conditions. On arrival, you will check in at your lodge and have lunch, depending on arrival time. Later, you will go for an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is known for rhino viewing, birdlife, lake scenery, acacia woodland, grassland, and rocky viewpoints. 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: Budget Punda Milia Tented Lodge, Mid-range Lake Nakuru Lodge, Luxury The Cliff. Meal plan: Breakfast lunch and dinner

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

After breakfast, you will check out and drive towards Masai Mara National Reserve. 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, one of Kenya’s best areas for big cats and plains wildlife. During the game drive, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, topis, impalas, and other wildlife. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Budget Miti Mingi Eco 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 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, 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 Masai Mara, although river crossings depend on timing, rainfall, and natural wildlife movement. You will have your packed lunch in the reserve and continue with afternoon game viewing before returning 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 an early breakfast, you may enjoy a short morning game drive or en route wildlife viewing as you leave the Masai Mara, depending on departure time and park arrangements. You will then start the journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes several hours, with stops along the way depending on road conditions and timing. 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 Magical Kenya Safari from Nairobi. Meal plan: Breakfast

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick-up from Nairobi
• Drop-off in Nairobi or at  Airport
• Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle or safari van
• 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 Amboseli National Park
• Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
• Bottled drinking water during the safari
• Park entry fees

Exclusions

• International flights
• Kenya visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
• Optional cultural visits
• Drinks and beverages
• Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
• Tips and gratuities
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari