Kenya · Safari

8-Day Kenya Safari with Maasai Homestay and Samburu Wildlife

8 Days Round trip from XXW7+7FF Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Experience a two-night Maasai homestay with shared meals, stories, and daily traditions
  • 02 Walk among wildlife on Crescent Island and explore Hell's Gate with a Maasai guide
  • 03 Track the Samburu Special Five across Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba reserves
  • 04 Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy to see the last northern white rhinos and the chimpanzee sanctuary

Discover Kenya's landscapes and traditions on this 8-day cultural and wildlife safari, combining immersive experiences with active exploration. Stay with a Maasai family at Hell's Gate and enjoy guided walking safaris on Crescent Island and through dramatic gorges. Track rare wildlife in Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba while visiting Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Camp beside the Gura River and hike through the misty Aberdare Forest on a journey that balances culture, conservation, and adventure.

Search for the Samburu Special Five, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Nanyuki, Naivasha, Nairobi, Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Hell's Gate National Park, Aberdare National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival and Maasai Homestay at Hell's Gate

  • Pick up from your Nairobi hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and drive through the Great Rift Valley toward Hell's Gate National Park.
  • Arrive at a traditional Maasai homestead and settle in.
  • Take a gentle evening walk with your Maasai host while learning about local flora and fauna.
  • Share a traditional dinner and storytelling session with the host family.

Overnight at the Maasai homestead.

2
Day 02

Crescent Island Safari and Hell's Gate Exploration

  • Enjoy an early breakfast at the homestead.
  • Drive to Lake Naivasha for a guided walking safari on Crescent Island among giraffes, zebras, and waterbirds.
  • Enter Hell's Gate National Park to explore the gorge, Fischer's Tower, and geothermal steam vents on foot or by bicycle with a Maasai guide.
  • Return to the homestead and participate in cultural activities such as beadwork and traditional practices.

Dinner and overnight at the Maasai homestead.

3
Day 03

From Hell's Gate to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  • Say farewell to the host family after breakfast.
  • Drive north through scenic landscapes toward Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
  • Check in and enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of the Big Five and the last two northern white rhinos.

Dinner and overnight at the Ol Pejeta camp or lodge.

4
Day 04

Ol Pejeta to the Samburu Region

  • Have breakfast before visiting the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
  • Depart Ol Pejeta and travel toward Kenya's northern frontier.
  • Arrive at the lodge or camp in the Samburu region along the Ewaso Ngiro River.
  • Relax after check-in.

Dinner and overnight at the Samburu lodge or camp.

5
Day 05

Game Drives in Samburu National Reserve

  • Enjoy breakfast followed by a morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve.
  • Search for the Samburu Special Five, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.
  • Return to camp for lunch and relaxation.
  • Head out for an afternoon game drive in different areas of the reserve.

Dinner and overnight at the Samburu lodge or camp.

6
Day 06

Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves

  • Cross the river for a game drive in Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
  • Observe wildlife around the natural springs and riverine areas.
  • After lunch, explore the volcanic landscapes of Shaba National Reserve.
  • Experience the dramatic scenery and wildlife of this lesser-visited reserve.

Dinner and overnight at the Samburu lodge or camp.

7
Day 07

Samburu to Gura River Bush Camping

  • Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before beginning the journey south toward the Aberdare region.
  • Arrive at the Gura River and set up camp along the riverbank.
  • Spend the afternoon enjoying the natural surroundings, with optional nature walks along the river.
  • Enjoy a classic bush dinner under the stars.

Overnight camping at Gura River.

8
Day 08

Aberdare Forest Hike and Return to Nairobi

  • Have breakfast and break camp.
  • Embark on a guided hike into the misty Aberdare Forest.
  • Explore dense montane forest, waterfalls, birdlife, and unique flora.
  • Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest.
  • Drive back to Nairobi in the late afternoon.
  • Arrive in the evening for a festive Carnival Dinner with local cuisine and live performances.
  • Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Nairobi hotel.
Crescent Island, Hell's Gate National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve

Where this trip takes you

Crescent Island, Hell's Gate National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from XXW7+7FF 7 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All ground transportation in a custom 4x4 Land Cruiser or safari minivan with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing

  • Full-board accommodation as specified in the itinerary, including homestays, camps, lodges, and bush camping

  • All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8, and a continuous supply of bottled drinking water in the vehicle

  • Services of a professional, experienced, and licensed English-speaking safari driver-guide throughout the trip

  • Guided Maasai homestead experiences, walks, and cultural activities at Hell's Gate

  • Entry and guided walking safari on Crescent Island

  • Visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary

  • Guided hike in the Aberdare Forest

  • Hell's Gate National Park exploration with vehicle entry

  • All game drives in Ol Pejeta, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba

  • Gura River camping experience with tents, mattresses, chairs, and necessary camping equipment, excluding personal sleeping bags

  • Carnival farewell dinner in Nairobi with local cuisine and performances

  • All applicable government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

  • International flights to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi
  • Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory for participation
  • National park, national reserve, and conservancy entry fees
  • Kenya tourist visa fees
  • Optional activities not specifically listed as included
  • Beverages, including alcoholic drinks, sodas, and juices, unless stated otherwise
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and tips
  • Guide and staff gratuities, including driver-guide, camp staff, and homestay hosts
  • Personal safari gear, including sleeping bags, binoculars, and specialised clothing

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Nairobi, Kenya
Tour start
XXW7+7FF, Nanyuki, Kenya
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in XXW7+7FF.

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