6-Day Big Cats Safari in Kenya with Masai Mara and Samburu

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Track lions, leopards, and cheetahs in the Masai Mara and Samburu National Reserve
• 02 Witness desert-adapted Samburu lions and elusive leopards along the Ewaso Nyiro River
• 03 Enjoy expert-guided game drives and real-time predator tracking with veteran guides
• 04 Experience immersive wildlife encounters, from hunting cheetahs to lion roars at dusk

Experience Kenya's iconic big cats on a six-day safari across the Masai Mara and Samburu National Reserve. Track lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitats with expert guides, observing prides, hunting cheetahs, and elusive leopards in riverine forests and open savannas. Enjoy daily game drives, panoramic landscapes, and immersive wildlife encounters while staying in tented camps. Witness desert-adapted lions in Samburu, the Samburu Special Five, and dramatic African sunsets throughout this medium-paced safari adventure.

Experience Kenya's iconic big cats on a six-day safari across the Masai Mara and Samburu National Reserve.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Nairobi, Masai Mara, Samburu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Nairobi to the Masai Mara Plains

• Morning: Depart from the bustle of Nairobi, your anticipation high. Fly west over the Great Rift Valley escarpment, descending into the vast, golden sea of grass that is the Masai Mara.
• Afternoon: Touch down on the airstrip and transfer to your intimate camp. After a swift lunch, waste no time - head straight out on your first game drive. Your guide tunes the radio to the whispers of the bush, immediately beginning the search across the rolling plains where cheetahs scan for prey and lion prides lounge in the sun.
• Evening: Return to camp for sundowners, recounting the day's first sightings. As darkness falls, listen for the resonant roar of a lion - the iconic sound of the African night - knowing the hunt for the elusive leopard begins at dawn.

2

Day 02

Full Day in the Kingdom of Cats

• Morning: Wake before the sun for coffee and a brief safari. Dawn is the golden hour for predators. Drive to known cheetah territories on the open plains, hoping to witness the speed of the hunt. Then track towards the riverine forests, scanning the acacia trees for the draped silhouette of a leopard.
• Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of a solitary tree, always watching the horizon. The afternoon heat brings lions to rest, offering perfect photographic opportunities of pride dynamics. Your guide will seek out updates on any fresh leopard kills or active dens.
• Evening: Return to camp, your senses alive with the drama of the day. After dinner, perhaps enjoy a night drive, if in a conservancy, to spot the nocturnal shift - a hyena on the prowl, or with immense luck, a leopard on the move.

3

Day 03

Deep Tracking in the Mara

• Morning: Venture into a different sector of the ecosystem today - perhaps a private conservancy or the famous Musiara Marsh. This is the territory of legendary lion prides. With patience and expert tracking, spend dedicated time observing their social interactions, from tender cubs to commanding males.
• Afternoon: Your quest continues. Focus on areas where the big cats' preferred prey gathers. Your guide's knowledge and communication with other expert trackers offer the best chance to find a leopard, perhaps descending for an evening drink or guarding its prize in a tree.
• Evening: A final Mara sunset over the savanna. This is your last night in lion country, a chance to reflect on the power and grace witnessed over the last three days.

4

Day 04

Masai Mara to Samburu

• Morning: Enjoy a final, poignant morning drive. Savor the last moments on these epic plains, perhaps catching a pride on the move. Return to camp for breakfast before your flight north.
• Afternoon: Fly to the arid, dramatic beauty of Samburu National Reserve. The landscape transforms to rugged hills and palm-fringed rivers. Arrive at your lodge on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River - a lifeline and a leopard highway. An afternoon drive introduces you to the Samburu Special Five and the riverine forests, prime leopard territory.
• Evening: Settle in as the air grows warmer and drier. Listen for the bark of baboons - a key leopard alarm - and know you are in another legendary cat destination.

5

Day 05

The Arid-Adapted Hunters of Samburu

• Morning: Focus entirely on the river this morning. Drive slowly along the Ewaso Nyiro, scanning every overhanging branch and rocky outcrop. Samburu's leopards are renowned, and the lions here - the majestic, desert-adapted males with full black manes - often patrol these banks.
• Afternoon: Leave the river for the open, rocky plains where the unique reticulated giraffe roam. This is cheetah country. Search the shorter grass for their slender forms. Visit a natural spring like Buffalo Springs, where wildlife converges and patient waiting can reward you with multiple cat sightings.
• Evening: Your final safari drive. With your guide's expertise, revisit the most promising leopard spot or wait at a vantage point as the sun sets, hoping for a silhouette to appear on a kopje. A farewell dinner under a blanket of brilliant stars.

6

Day 06

Samburu to Nairobi Departure

• Morning: One last chance. Embark on an early game drive with a single-minded goal: to find the cat that has eluded you. The cool morning air brings everything to life for one final, magnificent display of wild Kenya.
• Afternoon: Return for a leisurely breakfast before your flight back to Nairobi. Transfer directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey, your mind and camera full of the unforgettable gaze of Kenya's great cats.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All accommodation as specified in the itinerary (3 nights in Masai Mara, 2 nights in Samburu National Reserve).
• All domestic flights as detailed (Nairobi Wilson to Masai Mara, Masai Mara to Samburu, Samburu to Nairobi Wilson).
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and selected beverages (soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits, and beers) while at safari camps and lodges.
• Daily scheduled game drives in custom-built, pop-top 4x4 safari vehicles.
• Services of a professional, English-speaking safari guide/driver throughout the road transfers and game drives.
• All airport and airstrip transfers as per the itinerary.
• All applicable taxes (VAT, tourism levy) and service charges at the included accommodations.
• One complimentary pair of binoculars per vehicle for use during the safari.

What's Not Included

• International flights to and from Nairobi.
• Kenya Tourist Visa fees.
• All park fees, reserve fees, and conservancy fees. This includes Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees, Samburu National Reserve entry fees, and any applicable conservancy fees.
• Premium imported beverages, champagne, and private cellar wines.
• Gratuities for guides, camp staff, and porters (tipping is at your discretion).
• Any activities or services not explicitly mentioned as included, such as an optional hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara, guided nature walks, cultural village visits, and night game drives where available.
• Personal travel insurance, highly recommended, covering medical expenses, loss of baggage, and trip cancellation.
• Items of a personal nature, including laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Nairobi, Kenya

Tour start

Nairobi, Kenya

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.