Northern frontier wildlife, equatorial wonders and classic savannah drama – a diverse safari blending rare species, Rift Valley lakes and Kenya’s most iconic plains into one seamless journey.
Overview
Carefully structured for both comfort and depth, this safari blends Kenya’s northern frontier and Rift Valley ecosystems into one seamless journey. From the rare species of Samburu National Reserve to the conservation success of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the rhino sanctuary of Lake Nakuru National Park, the freshwater experiences of Lake Naivasha and the wildlife-rich plains of Maasai Mara National Reserve, the journey offers a balanced mix of game drives, scenic transitions and interactive experiences across Kenya’s most celebrated regions.
Trip Highlights
- Rare northern species in Samburu including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk
- Chimpanzee sanctuary and rhino conservation at Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Rhino sanctuary and birdlife at Lake Nakuru National Park
- Boat safari and walking experiences at Lake Naivasha
- Cycling and gorge exploration in Hell’s Gate National Park
- Big Five safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Scenic transitions from northern frontier landscapes to Rift Valley and savannah plains
Itinerary
This eight-day safari delivers a well-paced and immersive journey through Kenya’s most diverse wildlife destinations, beginning and ending in Nairobi. The experience unfolds across the semi-arid landscapes of Samburu, the conservation-focused plains of Ol Pejeta, the wildlife-rich ecosystems of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, and culminates in the expansive savannahs of the Maasai Mara, creating a dynamic and rewarding safari from start to finish.
Distance: Approx. 310 km
Drive Time: Approx. 6 - 7 hours
07:00 - 08:00 | Departure - Nairobi to Central Highlands
Depart Nairobi and travel north through the central highlands, passing coffee plantations, farmlands and small towns set against the slopes of Mount Kenya.
08:30 - 01:30 | Scenic Transfer - Equator Crossing and Northern Frontier Landscapes
Continue north, crossing the equator and gradually entering drier, more rugged terrain. The landscape transitions into semi-arid scrubland, signalling entry into Kenya’s northern frontier.
01:30 - 02:30 | Arrival and Lunch - Samburu Lodge Setting
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the surrounding wilderness, often with views of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - Introduction to Samburu Wildlife
Set out for your first game drive in Samburu, known for its unique species adapted to arid conditions. Look out for Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and the elegant gerenuk, often seen standing upright to feed.
Elephants gather along the riverbanks, while predators such as lions and leopards patrol the rugged terrain.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in a remote wilderness setting, where the sounds of the river and surrounding wildlife create a peaceful and immersive northern safari atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget Umoja Campsite | Samburu Riverside Tented Camps
Option 2: Standard Sopa Lodge | Ashnil Samburu Camp | Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Option 3: Luxury Elephant Bedroom Camp | Shaba Lodge
Option 4: Above Luxury Sasaab | Saruni Samburu | Simba Lodge | Soroi Larsens Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Guided nature walk
-Samburu cultural visit
-Birdwatching experience
06:30 - 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive - Riverine Wildlife Activity
Begin the day along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where wildlife congregates in the early hours. Elephants, antelope and predators are often active, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast - Lodge with River Views
Return to the lodge for breakfast, accompanied by birdlife and occasional wildlife movement near the river.
10:00 - 01:00 | Extended Game Viewing - Northern Species Exploration
Explore deeper into the reserve, focusing on spotting the Samburu Special Five and observing their unique adaptations to the environment.
01:00 - 02:00 | Lunch - Relaxed Lodge Experience
Enjoy lunch at the lodge with time to rest.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - Predator Tracking and Scenic Exploration
Continue exploring different sectors of the reserve, with opportunities to encounter lions, cheetahs and leopards against the dramatic northern landscape.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Samburu, surrounded by rugged landscapes and a tranquil atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget Umoja Campsite | Samburu Riverside Tented Camps
Option 2: Standard Sopa Lodge | Ashnil Samburu Camp | Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Option 3: Luxury Elephant Bedroom Camp | Shaba Lodge
Option 4: Above Luxury Sasaab | Saruni Samburu | Simba Lodge | Soroi Larsens Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Sundowner experience
-Cultural interaction
-Private guided game drive
Distance: Approx. 180 km
Drive Time: Approx. 4 - 5 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast - Morning Wilderness Ambience
Enjoy breakfast as the early light spreads across the Samburu landscape.
08:00 - 12:30 | Scenic Transfer - Mount Kenya Region
Depart Samburu and travel south towards the Mount Kenya region, where the landscape becomes greener and more fertile.
01:00 - 02:00 | Arrival and Lunch - Ol Pejeta Setting
Arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and enjoy lunch overlooking the plains.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - Conservation and Wildlife Encounters
Explore Ol Pejeta, home to the last two northern white rhinos and a thriving population of black rhinos. The conservancy also hosts lions, elephants, buffalo and numerous antelope species.
Visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, a unique feature within the conservancy.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in a private conservancy setting, offering a blend of conservation and wildlife experiences at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Riverside Villas Nanyuki | The Glacier Hotel
Option 2: Standard | Sarova Maiyan Hotel | Peaks Hotel Nanyuki | Esiankiki Resort | lifestyle Villas Nanyuki
Option 3: Luxury | Sweetwaters Serena Camp | Maisha Sweetwaters Camp | Ol Pejeta House
Option 4: Above Luxury | Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages | Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club | Kicheche Valley Camps | Tambarare Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Visit to chimpanzee sanctuary
-Night game drive
-Guided bush walk
Distance: Approx. 200 km
Drive Time: Approx. 4 - 5 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast - Highland Morning Setting
Begin the day with breakfast overlooking the conservancy as wildlife grazes in the early light.
08:00 - 12:30 | Scenic Transfer - Into the Great Rift Valley
Depart Ol Pejeta and travel through Nyahururu and the Great Rift Valley escarpment, descending into dramatic landscapes characterised by vast valley floors and volcanic formations.
01:00 - 02:00 | Arrival and Lunch - Nakuru Region
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the Rift Valley surroundings.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - Rhino Sanctuary and Birdlife
Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its high concentration of rhinos and vibrant birdlife. Flamingos may line the lake shores, while Rothschild giraffes, lions and leopards roam the park.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in a cool highland setting, offering a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1 : Standard | Lake Nakuru Lodge | Flamingo Hill Camp
Option 2 : Luxury | Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | Sarova Lion Hill
Option 3 : Above Luxury | The Cliff, Nakuru,
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Guided nature walk
-Birdwatching experience
Distance: Approx. 80 km
Drive Time: Approx. 2 - 3 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast - Rift Valley Morning Calm
Begin the day with breakfast in the cool highland air, where soft morning light filters through acacia woodland and birdlife becomes increasingly active along the lodge surroundings.
08:00 - 10:30 | Scenic Transfer - Rift Valley Floor Transition
Depart Lake Nakuru and travel south along the Rift Valley floor towards Lake Naivasha. The short journey offers scenic views of open farmland, volcanic formations and distant escarpments that define this geological corridor.
11:00 - 12:30 | Arrival and Check-in - Lakeside Setting
Arrive at your lodge or camp set along the shores of Lake Naivasha. The environment immediately shifts to a tranquil lakeside atmosphere, often with resident wildlife such as giraffes, zebras and waterbucks grazing freely within the grounds.
12:30 - 01:30 | Lunch - Relaxed Lakeside Experience
Enjoy lunch overlooking the lake, where hippos may occasionally be seen surfacing near the shoreline and fish eagles call overhead.
02:30 - 04:00 | Boat Safari - Close-Range Wildlife and Birdlife Viewing
Embark on a guided boat safari across the calm waters of Lake Naivasha. This experience offers close encounters with hippos resting in pods, as well as an impressive variety of bird species including pelicans, cormorants and African fish eagles.
04:30 - 06:30 | Crescent Island Walking Safari - Up-Close Encounters
Continue to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari. With no large predators present, this allows for safe, close-range interaction with giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other herbivores in an open and natural setting.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in a tranquil lakeside setting, where the cool evening air, gentle water movements and distant hippo calls create a calm and immersive atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Options 1 : Budget | Hotel Chambai Safari
Options 2 : Standard | Panorama Hotel
Options 3 : Luxury | Naivasha Crescent Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park
-Guided gorge walk in Hell’s Gate
-Horse riding safari
-Birdwatching excursion
Distance: Approx. 230 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast - Lakeside Morning Serenity
Begin the day with breakfast overlooking the calm waters of Lake Naivasha, where early morning light reflects off the lake surface and birdlife becomes increasingly active. Fish eagles call from treetops while grazing animals move quietly within the lodge grounds.
08:00 - 01:30 | Scenic Transfer - Rift Valley to Maasai Plains
Depart Lake Naivasha and travel south-west towards Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey passes through rolling highland farms before gradually opening into expansive savannah plains. Maasai homesteads and livestock herds dot the landscape, offering insight into the region’s cultural heritage.
01:30 - 02:30 | Arrival and Lunch - Mara Plains Setting
Arrive at your camp or lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the vast plains. Wildlife sightings often begin immediately, with zebras, gazelles and giraffes commonly visible in the surrounding areas.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - First Mara Exploration
Set out for your first game drive in the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich ecosystems. Herds of wildebeests, zebras and antelope move across the plains, while elephants roam steadily through the savannah.
Predators are a defining feature of the Mara - lions are often seen resting in prides, while cheetahs scan the plains from elevated vantage points. Hyenas patrol in organised clans, contributing to the dynamic balance of the ecosystem.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in the heart of the savannah, where the vast open landscape and distant wildlife calls create a deeply immersive safari atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice rom the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard | Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Sundowner experience
-Private guided game drive
06:30 - 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive - Predator Activity at Sunrise
Begin the day at sunrise, when the Mara is at its most active. The golden light spreads across endless plains as predators complete their nocturnal hunts.
Lions may be observed feeding or resting near tall grass, while cheetahs position themselves on termite mounds scanning for prey. Hyenas move in coordinated groups, and large herbivore herds begin grazing in the cool morning air.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast - Bush or Lodge Experience
Return to the lodge for breakfast or enjoy a bush breakfast within the reserve. The surrounding ecosystem remains alive with bird calls and distant wildlife movement, creating a fully immersive experience.
10:00 - 01:00 | Extended Game Viewing - River Systems and Open Plains
Venture deeper into the reserve, including areas around the Mara River where hippos gather in large pods and crocodiles lie along the banks.
During migration season, vast herds of wildebeests and zebras dominate the plains. Outside migration periods, the high density of resident wildlife ensures continuous and rewarding sightings.
01:00 - 02:00 | Picnic Lunch - Within the Reserve
Enjoy a picnic lunch under a shaded tree, remaining fully immersed in the natural environment.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive - Big Five Tracking and Scenic Diversity
Continue exploring different sectors of the Mara, maximising opportunities to encounter the Big Five. The diversity of terrain - from open plains to riverine forests - supports a wide range of wildlife, ensuring each drive offers new perspectives.
07:30 - 09:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay under the African night sky, where the stillness of the savannah and distant wildlife sounds create a powerful and memorable safari atmosphere at the accommodation of your choice rom the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard | Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Hot air balloon safari (pre-booking required)
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
-Photography-focused game drive
Distance: Approx. 270 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 - 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive - Final Wildlife Moments
Begin your final day with a sunrise game drive, offering one last opportunity to experience the Mara’s wildlife. The golden morning light enhances visibility, often revealing elephants, grazing herds and predators still active after the night.
This final drive provides a reflective and rewarding conclusion to your time in one of Africa’s most iconic reserves.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast - Farewell to the Mara
Return to camp for breakfast, where the calm surroundings and expansive views provide a peaceful farewell to the savannah.
10:00 - 03:30 | Scenic Return Journey - Rift Valley to Nairobi
Depart the Maasai Mara and travel back to Nairobi through the scenic Great Rift Valley. Elevated viewpoints, rolling hills and changing landscapes provide a final visual summary of Kenya’s natural diversity.
03:30 onwards | Arrival in Nairobi - End of Safari
Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to your hotel or airport, marking the end of your journey.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- -Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- -Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- -Park entrance fees for all parks and conservancies
- -Accommodation for 7 nights
- -All meals as per itinerary
- -Game drives as per itinerary
- -Bottled mineral water during game drives
- -Government taxes and levies
Excludes
- -International flights
- -Personal travel insurance
- -Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- -Optional activities
- -Lunch on Day 8 (unless specified)
- -Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
- -Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Samburu offers a unique semi-arid ecosystem and is home to rare species not commonly found elsewhere in Kenya, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk.
Ol Pejeta is a leading conservation area, home to the last remaining northern white rhinos and a chimpanzee sanctuary, making it both a wildlife and conservation-focused destination.
Yes, activities such as cycling and walking in Hell’s Gate National Park and Crescent Island are safe as there are no large predators.
Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos, along with Rothschild giraffes and diverse birdlife.
This itinerary offers strong chances of seeing the Big Five across Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara.
Yes, wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year, with or without the migration.
Pack light clothing, warm layers, comfortable footwear, sun protection, insect repellent and camera gear.
Yes, it offers a balanced mix of experiences and manageable travel distances.
