6-Day Kenya Safari to Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara

6 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

View all 10 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore three iconic Kenyan safari destinations - Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara.
02 Spend 2 nights in Samburu National Reserve, home to elephants, big cats and the famous Samburu Special Five.
03 Search for rare species including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
04 Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its black and white rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes.
05 Enjoy a scenic stop at the impressive Thomson's Falls in Nyahururu.
06 Spend 2 nights in the legendary Maasai Mara, one of Africa's finest wildlife destinations.
07 Search for the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Discover three of Kenya's most spectacular wildlife destinations on this 6-day safari through Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara. From Samburu's rugged, wildlife-rich landscapes to Lake Nakuru's renowned rhino sanctuary and the legendary plains of the Maasai Mara, this journey combines exceptional game viewing, beautiful scenery and authentic Kenyan experiences. Travel in a customized 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, accompanied by an experienced professional safari driver-guide, as you search for the Big Five, Samburu's rare northern species, black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, big cats and abundant birdlife. With 2 nights in Samburu, 1 night at Lake Nakuru and 2 nights in the Maasai Mara, the itinerary offers time to explore each destination while experiencing the dramatic changes in Kenya's landscape.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Nyahururu, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve Safari

Pick-up: Early morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, residence, or agreed meeting point.
Meet: Meet your professional safari driver-guide and depart Nairobi, travelling north through Kenya's fertile central highlands.
Scenery: The journey offers beautiful views of farms, small towns, and agricultural plantations, with opportunities to see Mount Kenya on a clear day.
Travel: Continue north toward the increasingly dry and dramatic landscapes of Samburu County before arriving at Samburu National Reserve.
Check-in: Check in at your safari lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch before heading out for your first afternoon game drive.
Game drive: Keep watch for Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
Evening: Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Dinner & Overnight: Samburu
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02

Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Samburu

Morning: Wake up surrounded by the wilderness and prepare for a full day of wildlife exploration in Samburu National Reserve.
Breakfast: After breakfast, venture into the reserve with your safari guide in search of Samburu's remarkable wildlife.
Wildlife: The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeline of this semi-arid ecosystem, attracting elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and predators.
Wildlife: Large elephant herds are one of Samburu's signature sights, while the surrounding woodland and rocky terrain provide excellent habitat for lions and leopards.
Search for: The Samburu Special Five:
- Grevy's zebra
- Reticulated giraffe
- Gerenuk
- Beisa oryx
- Somali ostrich
Game drives: Enjoy game drives with breaks for meals and relaxation at your lodge or camp, depending on the day's wildlife movements and your preferred safari pace.
Evening: Return for dinner and your second night in Samburu.
Dinner & Overnight: Samburu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03

Samburu to Lake Nakuru via Thomson's Falls

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast before checking out and departing Samburu for the Great Rift Valley.
Stop: Travel through Kenya's changing landscapes toward Nyahururu, where you will make a scenic stop at Thomson's Falls, an impressive waterfall plunging approximately 74 metres into the gorge below.
Travel: After enjoying the views, continue toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
Landscape: Lake Nakuru is surrounded by wooded hills, rocky escarpments, acacia forests, and open grasslands, creating a remarkably diverse wildlife habitat.
Game drive: Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of white rhinos, black rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, and baboons.
Birdlife: The lake and surrounding wetlands also support impressive birdlife, including pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, herons, eagles, and, depending on water and feeding conditions, flamingos.
Evening: Later, proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Dinner & Overnight: Lake Nakuru
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04

Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Breakfast: After breakfast, begin your journey toward the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Travel: Travel through the beautiful Great Rift Valley countryside and onward toward Maasai country.
Arrival: Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara in time for lunch or later in the afternoon, depending on road conditions and the location of your accommodation.
Game drive: After settling in, head into the reserve for your first Maasai Mara game drive.
Wildlife: Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, and several species of antelope.
Predators: Your guide will search for lions, cheetahs, and leopards as you explore the savannah.
Sunset: Enjoy the African sunset before returning to your camp or lodge.
Dinner & Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05

Full-Day Safari Across the Maasai Mara

Game drive: After an early breakfast, set out for an extensive game drive across the Mara's rolling plains.
Wildlife: Search for lions resting beneath acacia trees, cheetahs scanning the open plains, elephants moving across the savannah, and, with some luck, the elusive leopard.
Mara River: Your safari may take you toward the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles can often be seen.
Great Wildebeest Migration: Between approximately July and October, the wider Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration. The exact timing and location of the herds vary each year according to rainfall and grazing conditions, so river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve or return to your lodge for lunch, depending on the day's game-viewing plan.
Evening: Return to your lodge or camp for your final safari dinner and overnight.
Dinner & Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Breakfast: Depending on your accommodation location and departure schedule, enjoy breakfast and a final opportunity to appreciate the beautiful Mara landscape before checking out.
Travel: Begin the journey back to Nairobi, travelling through the Great Rift Valley.
Stops: There will be stops along the way for refreshments and scenic views before continuing to Nairobi.
Drop-off: Arrive in the afternoon or early evening and be dropped off at your hotel, residence, or agreed location, marking the end of your memorable 6-day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 6 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser: with pop-up roof
Guide: Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
Pick-up and drop-off: in Nairobi
Transportation: All road transportation during the safari
Accommodation: 2 nights accommodation in Samburu
Accommodation: 1 night accommodation in Lake Nakuru
Accommodation: 2 nights accommodation in Maasai Mara
Meals: Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Entrance fees: Entrance fees to the national parks and reserves included in your confirmed package
Game drives: Scheduled game drives as detailed in the itinerary
Water: Bottled drinking water during safari drives

What's Not Included

International and domestic flights unless specifically included in your quotation
Kenya visa/eTA and related travel documentation
Travel and medical insurance
Optional Maasai village visit
Optional Maasai Mara hot-air balloon safari
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls
Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, hotel staff, and other service providers
Activities or excursions not specifically mentioned as included
Additional accommodation before or after the safari
Any increase in government taxes, park fees, or conservation charges introduced after confirmation, where applicable

Know before you go

Between approximately July and October, the wider Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration. The exact timing and location of the herds vary each year according to rainfall and grazing conditions, so river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Logistics