6-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Nairobi → Samburu → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara → Nairobi

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Samburu

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Nairobi for the drive to Samburu, travelling north past Mount Kenya and through Nanyuki and Isiolo into the drier northern country. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out into semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five. Northern Kenya holds species rarely seen further south, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Your safari vehicle and guide are used by your party alone. The evening is spent at your Samburu accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

2. Day 2

   Full-Day Samburu Safari

   You spend the day in Samburu, heading out early and returning as the light goes. The drives cover semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river, moving between habitats as conditions change. There is the possibility of seeing elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five, though wild sightings are never guaranteed. The river is the reserve's lifeline, and game commonly concentrates along it through the heat of the day. Northern Kenya holds species rarely seen further south, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Your safari vehicle and guide are used by your party alone. The evening returns you to your Samburu accommodation for dinner and overnight.

3. Day 3

   Samburu to Lake Nakuru

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Samburu to Lake Nakuru, travelling through the Rift Valley floor and the farming towns of the Nakuru region. Once you reach Lake Nakuru there is time to check in before heading out among a Rift Valley soda lake ringed by yellow-barked acacia woodland and steep escarpment viewpoints. Your guide works the area for black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and dense birdlife, with sightings varying by season and conditions. The park operates as a sanctuary and is one of Kenya's more reliable places to look for rhino; flamingo numbers on the lake rise and fall with water levels. Dinner is served at your Lake Nakuru camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

4. Day 4

   Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

   The morning starts in Lake Nakuru, from where you continue overland to Masai Mara, descending the wall of the Great Rift Valley and passing through Narok and Maasai farming country. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out into open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. Your guide works the area for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game, with sightings varying by season and conditions. The reserve is best known for its big cat densities, and between roughly July and October the wildebeest migration commonly moves through the ecosystem. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Masai Mara.

5. Day 5

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   An unhurried full day in Masai Mara gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. The drives cover open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem, moving between habitats as conditions change. Species commonly associated with the area include lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game. A full day allows morning and late-afternoon drives when animals are most active, with the option of a picnic lunch out in the reserve. The reserve is best known for its big cat densities, and between roughly July and October the wildebeest migration commonly moves through the ecosystem. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Masai Mara.

6. Day 6

   Masai Mara to Nairobi

   The day opens in Masai Mara with a morning departure for Nairobi, returning through the highland approaches to the city. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into Kenya's highland capital and the usual start and end point for road safaris. Nairobi is the arrival and departure hub for most Kenyan safari itineraries. Arrival back is normally in the afternoon, with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.