Tour Overview
For travellers who want to see Kenya properly rather than a shortlist of parks, this circuit adds Samburu National Reserve in the north - drier, more rugged country with species you won't see further south, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk. Seven days is enough to move between four very different landscapes without feeling like you're constantly packing the vehicle.
Repeat visitors to KenyaSerious wildlife watchersLonger-stay travellers
Safari Highlights
Four distinct Kenyan ecosystems in one trip
Samburu's dry-country wildlife found nowhere else on this circuit
Rhino sanctuary at Lake Nakuru
Full days of game drives in the Mara and Samburu
Day-by-Day Itinerary
D1
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Nairobi → Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive from Nairobi to the Mara, arriving for lunch, then an afternoon game drive.
D2
Full Day in the Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives across the reserve.
D3
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Masai Mara National Reserve → Lake Nakuru National Park
Morning departure and afternoon game drive at Lake Nakuru, focused on the rhino sanctuary.
D4
Lake Nakuru to Nairobi (transit)
Lake Nakuru → Nairobi
Morning game drive, then the drive back through Nairobi to break up the long transfer north, with an overnight stop to keep driving hours manageable.
D5
Nairobi to Samburu
Nairobi → Samburu National Reserve
Drive north through Mount Kenya's foothills to Samburu National Reserve, arriving for an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
D6
Full Day in Samburu
Samburu National Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives in search of Samburu's "special five" - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and beisa oryx - alongside elephant and predators.
D7
Samburu to Nairobi
Samburu National Reserve → Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi via Nanyuki, with a stop for lunch, arriving in the evening.
What's Included
- Transport in a 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- 6 nights' accommodation on the basis stated
- All game drives and park/reserve entry fees
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
What's Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Tips for your driver-guide and lodge/camp staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Items of a personal nature
Accommodation & Safari Vehicle
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge and tented camp (upgradeable to luxury)
Vehicle: 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Best Time to Visit
The Mara has resident wildlife throughout the year. For the wildebeest migration and river crossings, July to October is the classic window, though exact timing shifts year to year with rainfall. The calving season further south in the Serengeti (January-March) means fewer wildebeest in the Mara itself during those months, though resident game viewing remains good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Could we fly between parks instead of driving the whole route?
Yes - several of these parks have airstrips with scheduled light-aircraft flights. We can build a fly-in version of this itinerary if you'd rather spend less time on the road; it costs more but saves a full day of driving.
Why add Amboseli is missing from this one?
This particular routing swaps Amboseli for Samburu to avoid excessive backtracking across Nairobi. If you want both Amboseli and Samburu in a single circuit, ask us about a custom 9-10 day itinerary.
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