6-Day Northern Kenya & Masai Mara Wildlife Safari

Start your Kenyan safari adventure with an early morning pickup from Nairobi. Travel north through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, stopping at viewpoints and small towns along the way. Arrive in Samburu National Reserve in the afternoon and settle into your lodge or tented camp. Enjoy your first game drive to catch a glimpse of northern Kenya’s wildlife.

Highlights:

• Scenic drive from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve (~350 km | 6–7 hours)
• Afternoon game drive spotting Samburu’s “Special Five” (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, beisa oryx)
• First encounters with elephants, lions, and leopards

Optional Experiences:

• Photography safari at sunset

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Samburu Sopa Lodge

Midrange

Samburu Simba Lodge / Samburu Sopa Lodge 

Upper Midrange

Samburu Game Lodge / Sarova Shaba Game Lodge / Ashnil Samburu Camp / Samburu Intrepids Camp

Luxury

Soroi Larsens Camp / Saruni Samburu Lodge / Elephant Bedroom Camp / Surana Buffalo Springs

Spend the day exploring Samburu National Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives. Spot the Big Five and Samburu’s Special Five while capturing stunning photos of wildlife against dramatic northern Kenyan landscapes. Enhance your safari experience with a guided cultural interaction with the Samburu communities.

Highlights:

• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Spot Samburu’s Special Five and the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino)
• Wildlife photography opportunities
• Guided cultural interaction with Samburu communities

Optional Experiences:

• Walking safari along riverbeds
• Guided photography safari

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1 

After breakfast, depart Samburu and drive south toward Lake Nakuru National Park, passing scenic farmlands and small towns. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive focusing on rhinos, flamingos, and diverse birdlife.

Highlights:

• Scenic drive (~380 km | 6–7 hours)
• Afternoon game drive with rhinos, flamingos, and abundant bird species
• Photography of Lake Nakuru and park landscapes

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Midrange

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge / Sarova Woodlands / Mbweha Camp

Upper Midrange

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge / Flamingo Hill Tented Camp / Lake Elementaita Serena Camp

Luxury

Cliff Nakuru Lodge

Begin with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, then drive south to Masai Mara. Arrive in the Mara in the afternoon for your first game drive in one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves.

Highlights:

• Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Scenic drive through Rift Valley farmlands (~250 km | 5–6 hours)
• Afternoon/evening game drive in Masai Mara

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Elangata Olerai Camp / Orng’atuny Mara King Camp / Enkorok Camp / Mara Chui Camp / Jambo Mara Safari Lodge 

Midrange

Zebra Plains Mara Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge / Mara Leisure Camp / Prideinn Mara Camp / Osero Camp / AA Mara Lodge / Sentrim Mara Lodge / Mara River Lodge / Basecamp Masai Mara / Sekenani River Camp / Azure Mara Haven Hotel / La Maison Royale Mara Camp / Olengoti Eco Safari Camp / Emayian Luxury Camp 

Upper Midrange

Sarova Mara Game Camp / Keekorok Lodge / Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Mara Simba – Tent Rooms / Mara Maisha Camp / Tipilikwani Mara Camp / Matira Camp / Loyk Mara Camp / Mara Engai Lodge / Mara River Camp / Ashnil Mara Camp / Karen Blixen Camp / Neptune Mara Rianta Luxury Camp / Fig Tree Camp-Ngamboli Tents / Mara Crossings Camp / Royal Mara Safari Lodge / Soroi Mara Bush Camp / Fairmont Mara Safari Club / Kandili Camp / Eagle View Camp / Mara Intrepids Camp / Governors Camp Masai Mara / Naserian Mara Camp 

Luxury

Sand River Mara Camp / &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Camp / Saruni Mara Camp / Olare Mara Kempinski Camp / Porini Mara Camp / Entumoto Safari Camp / Kicheche Mara Camp / Mara Bushtop Luxury Camp / Entim Mara Camp / Mara Explorer Camp / Mara Eden Safari Camp / IIkeliani Mara Camp / Mara Ngenche Safari Camp

Rise early for sunrise game drives and spend the day spotting lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and giraffes. Optional hot-air balloon rides provide breathtaking aerial views of the Mara, and visits to Maasai villages offer insight into traditional life and crafts.

Highlights:

• Full-day game drives in Masai Mara
• Witness the Big Five and diverse wildlife
• Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara
• Maasai cultural visit with craft demonstrations

Optional Experiences:

• Guided photography safari
• Hot-air balloon ride at sunrise
• Maasai village cultural experience

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1

Enjoy a final morning game drive before departing Masai Mara. Stop for a picnic lunch in the Rift Valley, then continue back to Nairobi for hotel drop-off or transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Highlights:

• Morning game drive in Masai Mara
• Scenic return journey through the Great Rift Valley (~270 km | 5–6 hours)
• Transfer to Nairobi / JKIA