7 Day Kenya Wildlife Safari through Samburu, Rift Valley and Maasai Mara

7 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Search for the rare Samburu Special Five - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich
  • 02 Spend two nights exploring Samburu's rugged northern wilderness and the wildlife-rich Ewaso Nyiro River
  • 03 Experience Kenya's changing landscapes from Mount Kenya views and Aberdare forests to the Great Rift Valley
  • 04 Explore Lake Nakuru, one of Kenya's leading sanctuaries for black and white rhinos
  • 05 Cruise on Lake Naivasha among hippos and shoreline birdlife
  • 06 Take a guided walking safari on Crescent Island alongside giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and antelopes
  • 07 Spend two nights in the Maasai Mara searching for the Big Five across legendary savannah plains
  • 08 Visit the Mara River, where hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles can often be seen

Discover a more diverse side of Kenya on this 7-day luxury safari, a beautifully curated journey through some of the country's most contrasting landscapes and rewarding wildlife destinations. Travel from the rugged wilderness of Samburu, home to rare species such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx, to the cool forests of the Aberdare region, then into the Great Rift Valley for rhino encounters, spectacular lake scenery, a boat safari among hippos, and a guided walk alongside giraffes and zebras. Your journey ends with two nights in the Maasai Mara, one of Africa's richest wildlife ecosystems, in search of the Big Five and vast herds of plains game. With a private customized 4x4 Land Cruiser, an experienced safari driver-guide, and carefully selected lodges and camps, this itinerary blends remarkable wildlife diversity, changing landscapes, and authentic experiences with comfort and understated luxury.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Luxury
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Nyahururu, Naivasha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu, Aberdare National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Nairobi to Samburu and an Afternoon Game Drive

  • Meet: Your private safari driver-guide will meet you in Nairobi at your hotel, residence, or agreed pick-up point.
  • Transport: Settle into your customized 4x4 Land Cruiser and travel north through Kenya's fertile central highlands.
  • Scenery: Enjoy beautiful countryside and, on clear days, views of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya.
  • Arrival: Approach Samburu National Reserve.
  • Check-in & Lunch: Arrive at your lodge or luxury tented camp for check-in and lunch.
  • Game drive: Head out on an afternoon game drive through this striking northern wilderness.
  • Wildlife: Search for Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
  • Wildlife: Elephants are also frequently encountered, particularly around the Ewaso Nyiro River, along with lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
  • Return: Return to your lodge or camp as the sun sets over the rugged landscape.
  • Overnight: Samburu
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
2
Day 02

Samburu Special Five and Riverbank Wildlife

  • Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast before heading out for another day of exceptional wildlife viewing.
  • Wildlife viewing: The Ewaso Nyiro River draws elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and predators to its banks.
  • Wildlife: Search for the famous Samburu Special Five:
  • Grevy's zebra
  • Reticulated giraffe
  • Gerenuk
  • Beisa oryx
  • Somali ostrich
  • Wildlife: Look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, and other species.
  • Game drives: Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, with time in between to relax at your lodge.
  • Optional: An optional cultural visit to a local Samburu community can be arranged.
  • Dinner: Return to your lodge or camp for dinner.
  • Overnight: Samburu
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3
Day 03

Samburu to Aberdare Through Kenya's Central Highlands

  • Breakfast: After breakfast, travel south toward Kenya's lush central highlands.
  • Scenery: Semi-arid plains give way to fertile farmland, rolling hills, and dense mountain forest.
  • Arrival: Arrive in the Aberdare region and continue to your forest accommodation.
  • Wildlife viewing: Watch for animals visiting nearby waterholes and salt licks.
  • Wildlife: Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other forest wildlife may appear.
  • Wildlife: The Aberdare ecosystem is also home to the elusive bongo antelope, although sightings are uncommon.
  • Dinner: Enjoy dinner and a quiet evening surrounded by cool mountain air and forest sounds.
  • Overnight: Aberdare Area
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4
Day 04

Thomson's Falls, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha

  • Breakfast: After breakfast, continue toward the Great Rift Valley.
  • Stop: Visit Thomson's Falls in Nyahururu, where the Ewaso Narok River plunges approximately 74 metres into the gorge below.
  • Travel: Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park.
  • Game drive: Search for black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, and other wildlife.
  • Birdlife: Look out for pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, herons, and eagles; flamingos may also be present.
  • Travel: Continue to Lake Naivasha.
  • Check-in: Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
  • Overnight: Lake Naivasha
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Day 05

Lake Naivasha Boat Safari and Onward to Maasai Mara

  • Activity: Enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
  • Wildlife: Watch hippos resting in the shallows and birdlife along the shoreline.
  • Visit: Travel toward Crescent Island.
  • Activity: Join a guided walking safari with a local guide through open grasslands.
  • Wildlife: Look for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks, and antelopes.
  • Travel: Continue toward Maasai Mara National Reserve.
  • Arrival: Arrive at your lodge or luxury tented camp.
  • Game drive: Enjoy an afternoon game drive, time permitting.
  • Dinner: Return to your lodge or camp for dinner.
  • Overnight: Maasai Mara
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Day 06

Maasai Mara Big Five Safari and Mara River

  • Breakfast: After breakfast, venture deeper into the reserve for an extensive game-viewing experience.
  • Wildlife: Search for the Big Five alongside cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous antelope species.
  • Game viewing: Your guide will plan the day's route based on wildlife movements.
  • Visit: Travel toward the Mara River, where hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles can often be seen.
  • Seasonal: Great Wildebeest Migration season generally falls between July and October, though timing and location vary each year.
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch.
  • Game drive: Continue your afternoon game drive.
  • Return: Return to your lodge or camp for your final evening in the wilderness.
  • Overnight: Maasai Mara
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
Day 07

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

  • Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your lodge or camp.
  • Check-out: Check out and begin your journey back to Nairobi.
  • Travel: Travel through Maasai country and the Great Rift Valley, with scenic and comfort stops along the way.
  • Arrival: Arrive in Nairobi during the afternoon or early evening.
  • Transfer: Transfer to your hotel, residence, or agreed drop-off location.
  • End: Your 7 Day Kenya Luxury Safari - Rare Wildlife, Forests, Lakes & Big Five Experience comes to an end.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Nairobi 8 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation in a customized 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
  • Professional and experienced safari driver-guide
  • Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi
  • 2 nights' accommodation in Samburu
  • 1 night's accommodation in the Aberdare region
  • 1 night's accommodation in Lake Naivasha
  • 2 nights' accommodation in Maasai Mara
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • National park and reserve entrance fees included in the confirmed package
  • Scheduled game drives throughout the safari
  • Visit to Thomson's Falls
  • Lake Nakuru National Park game drive
  • Lake Naivasha boat safari
  • Guided Crescent Island walking safari
  • Bottled drinking water during safari drives
  • Applicable government taxes and safari levies included in your confirmed quotation

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights unless specifically included
  • Kenya eTA and other travel documentation
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Optional Maasai village visit
  • Optional Samburu cultural visit
  • Optional Maasai Mara hot-air balloon safari
  • Alcoholic and premium beverages
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Laundry, souvenirs, and other personal expenses
  • Additional excursions not specified as included
  • Accommodation before or after the safari unless included
  • Any newly introduced government taxes, conservation fees, or park fee increases where applicable

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Nairobi, at your hotel, residence or agreed pick-up point
Tour start
Nairobi
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Nairobi.

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Starting from

USD 2,910 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $4,365.00 — $4,550.00
Double Sharing $2,910.00 — $3,180.00

When

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