8-Day Samburu, Treetops, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Nairobi → Samburu → Treetops / Aberdare Region → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara → Nairobi

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Samburu

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Nairobi bound for Samburu, travelling north past Mount Kenya and through Nanyuki and Isiolo into the drier northern country. Once you reach Samburu there is time to check in before heading out among semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. This is good country in which to look for 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. The vehicle and driver-guide are private to your party throughout. Dinner and overnight are at your camp or lodge in Samburu.

2. Day 2

   Full-Day Samburu Safari

   An unhurried full day in Samburu gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. Much of the day is spent among semi-arid northern rangeland of doum palms and riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Keep watch for elephant, lion, leopard and the dry-country species often called the Samburu Special Five as you move between the different habitats. 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. The vehicle and driver-guide are private to your party throughout. Dinner and overnight are again at your Samburu camp or lodge.

3. Day 3

   Samburu to Treetops / Aberdare Region

   After breakfast you leave Samburu and travel on toward Treetops / Aberdare Region, climbing into the central highlands through Nyeri and the tea and coffee country. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across high montane forest, bamboo belt and moorland cut by streams and waterfalls. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck and, with patience, rarely seen forest species. The Aberdare lodges are built overlooking floodlit waterholes, so wildlife is watched from the building itself rather than from a vehicle. The evening is spent at your Treetops / Aberdare Region accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

4. Day 4

   Treetops / Aberdare to Lake Nakuru

   You leave Treetops / Aberdare after breakfast and head for 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. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and dense birdlife. 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. The evening is spent at your Lake Nakuru accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

5. Day 5

   Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Lake Nakuru for the drive to Masai Mara, descending the wall of the Great Rift Valley and passing through Narok and Maasai farming country. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. There is the possibility of seeing lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game, depending on movement and conditions on the day. 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.

6. Day 6

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   Today is spent entirely in Masai Mara, beginning with a game drive shortly after first light. Much of the day is spent among open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. Keep watch for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game as you move between the different habitats. 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. The evening returns you to your Masai Mara accommodation for dinner and overnight.

7. Day 7

   Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

   An unhurried full day in Masai Mara gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. Much of the day is spent among open savanna grassland, acacia stands and the rolling country of the greater Mara ecosystem. Sightings may include lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and large herds of plains game, depending on season and conditions. 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. The evening returns you to your Masai Mara accommodation for dinner and overnight.

8. Day 8

   Masai Mara to Nairobi

   After breakfast you leave Masai Mara and travel on toward Nairobi, returning through the highland approaches to the city. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out 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.