7-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Nairobi To Samburu Game Reserve

Your Kenyan safari begins with a morning pickup at 07:00AM from your Nairobi hotel or airport, drive to the north through Central Kenya’s highlands. Enjoy views of lush tea and coffee plantations as you journey toward the arid and rugged region of Samburu Game Reserve. This reserve is located on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, where wildlife gathers for water in this dry, remote habitat. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch.

Spend the early afternoon relaxing and soaking in views of the wilderness. In the late afternoon at around 4PM, head out for your first game drive across the Samburu savannah. Keep your eyes peeled for the “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk. The sparse vegetation makes wildlife easy to spot, and this region is a great place to see elephants and big cats. Return to your lodge for a hot dinner and overnight stay beneath the star-filled Samburu sky.

Main Destination:

Samburu National Reserve

Best Time To Visit June to September and January to February

High Season December to March and July to October (Busy)

Best Weather June and December (Cool and fresh after rain)

Wildlife in Samburu NR

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

ZebraCommon

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

Show more

HippoOccasional

HyenaOccasional

CheetahRare

Wild DogRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

Samburu Simba Lodge

• Mid-range lodge bordering Samburu NR without fences

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full Day In Samburu Game Reserve

Wake to the sounds of the wild and enjoy breakfast at your lodge before setting out for a morning game drive. Samburu’s landscape of rolling hills and riverine forests offers a stark and striking contrast to the more well-known parks. This region is not only rich in unique wildlife but also provides exceptional birdwatching opportunities, with over 450 species recorded. Explore the different ecological zones of the park while your guide helps track lions, cheetahs, leopards, and elephants.

Return to the lodge around midday for a hot lunch and a chance to relax during the heat of the day. You may choose to enjoy a siesta, lounge by the pool, or simply enjoy the serenity of nature. In the late afternoon at 4PM, embark on another game drive, this time with the possibility of spotting nocturnal creatures stirring before dusk. As the sun sets, return to camp, where a hearty dinner awaits. Enjoy your second night in the wilds of Samburu, surrounded by the sounds of Africa.

Main Destination:

Samburu National Reserve

Accommodation:

Samburu Simba Lodge

• Mid-range lodge bordering Samburu NR without fences

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast at 7:00 AM, check out and depart Samburu, heading south toward Lake Nakuru National Park. Stop at the Equator just before Nyahururu for photos and a demonstration of the Coriolis effect, a fun geographical moment. Continue to Nyahururu for a another stop at the amazing Thomson’s Falls, a 74-meter cascade that plunges into a forested gorge, a perfect spot to stretch and take in the views. Proceed through the Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday.

Check in at your lodge and enjoy a well-deserved lunch, followed by rest and leisure. If you’re feeling energetic, head out for an evening game drive. Lake Nakuru is famous for its pink flamingos, white and black rhinos, and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Alternatively, the game drive can be scheduled for the next morning, allowing more time to relax after a long drive on this day. Dinner will be served at the lodge, where you’ll stay overnight amid acacia woodlands and lakeside views.

Main Destination:

Lake Nakuru National Park

Best Time To Visit June to February (Best for wildlife viewing; little rain)

High Season July to February (The park gets very busy)

Best Weather June to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Nakuru NP

GiraffeCommon

White RhinoCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

Black RhinoOccasional

Show more

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

ElephantNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Lake Nakuru NP

+4 Photos

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast at around 7:30 AM, check out and begin your journey to the legendary Masai Mara Game Reserve. The drive takes you through the stunning Rift Valley and the fertile Mau Highlands, with panoramic views of Kenya’s agricultural heartland. You’ll pass remote villages and scenic farmlands before descending into the vast plains of the Mara. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time for lunch and a short rest. In the late afternoon, set out for your first game drive in the Masai Mara.

Masai Mara Game Reserve is world-renowned for its concentration of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and cheetahs. During July, the Great Migration may be underway, bringing huge herds of wildebeest and zebras from the Serengeti on the Tanzania side. The open savannah makes for excellent photography and game viewing. Return to camp as the day winds down, with time to freshen up before a delicious dinner. Overnight stay in the heart of Kenya’s most iconic reserve.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Best Time To Visit June to October (For general wildlife viewing) and July or August to October (For wildebeest migration)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Masai Mara NR

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

BuffaloCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Mara Simba Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Masai Mara NR

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full Day In Masai Mara Game Reserve

Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out for a full-day game drive with picnic lunch boxes packed by your lodge. Explore the rolling grasslands and acacia-dotted plains of the Masai Mara in search of the Big Five. During the migration season, the Mara is alive with drama as thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River, braving crocodile-infested waters. Your experienced guide will take you to different areas of the park to maximize your chances of wildlife sightings, from hippos at the Mara river to lion prides resting in the shades.

Lunch is enjoyed picnic-style in the wild under a tree, an unforgettable bush experience. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon around 4PM and 5PM and relax after a full day of adventure. If time allows, you may visit a nearby Maasai village for an optional cultural experience to learn about their customs and traditions. Enjoy dinner and your final overnight stay in the Mara under the African stars.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation:

Mara Simba Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Masai Mara NR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

Start the morning with a relaxed breakfast before checking out at around 8:00 AM. Depart the Masai Mara and travel east to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake nestled in the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes you through a mix of rural landscapes and charming small towns. Arrive at your lodge by midday and settle in for lunch, followed by a restful afternoon.

In the evening, an optional boat ride on the lake is highly recommended to spot hippos, fish eagles, and other birdlife as you glide across the calm waters. You may also enjoy a guided walk at the nearby wildlife sanctuary, where you can safely stroll among zebras, giraffes, and gazelles. Lake Naivasha is a perfect place to unwind after the excitement of the Masai Mara. Return to the lodge for dinner and a quiet evening by the lakeshore. Overnight stay at Lake Naivasha.

Main Destination:

Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)

Accommodation:

Sawela Lodges

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

Begin your final day with a relaxed breakfast by the lake, enjoying the serene morning views. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take an optional visit to Hell’s Gate National Park, famous for its dramatic gorges, geothermal features, and opportunities for cycling and hiking among wildlife (entry fee extra). At around 9:00 or 10:00 AM, check out and start your drive back to Nairobi.

The drive from Naivasha to Nairobi takes about 2–3 hours depending on traffic and includes scenic views of the Rift Valley escarpment. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you'll be dropped off at your hotel or directly at the airport depending on your departure plans. Reflect on the unforgettable experiences of your 7-day safari adventure across Kenya’s top wildlife destinations. Thank you for choosing to explore Kenya’s natural beauty, “Karibu Tena” (Welcome Again)!

Main Destination:

Nairobi (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.