8-Day Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru & Mara Safari

Your safari begins with pick-up from JKIA or your Nairobi hotel, followed by a scenic drive north through the Great Rift Valley and into the dramatic semi-arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve. Watch the scenery shift from highland greenery to ochre-toned wilderness.

Highlights:

• Afternoon game drive on arrival
• Elephants, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffes & early predators
• Golden sunset over the Ewaso Ng’iro River

Drive Time: Nairobi → Samburu ~330 km (6–7 hrs)

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 with a KPSGA-certified guide, known for spotting rare northern species. Midday break available for optional cultural experiences.

Samburu is home to the Special Five — Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx — plus lions, leopards, elephants and more.

Optional Add-ons:

• Samburu village cultural visit
• Guided bush walk
• Night game drive (where permitted)

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1 

Depart after a sunrise game drive for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa’s leading conservation hub and the largest black rhino sanctuary in Kenya.

Afternoon Activities:

• Rhino tracking
• Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• Conservation talk & community projects

Highlights:

• Black rhino encounters
• Chimpanzees (only place in Kenya)
• Possible lions, leopards & nocturnal species

Drive Time: Samburu → Ol Pejeta ~200 km (4–5 hrs)

Accommodation Options:

Travel south to the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park, famed for seasonal flamingos, rich birdlife, and excellent rhino populations.

Highlights:

• Flamingo-lined shoreline (seasonal)
• White & black rhinos
• Rothschild giraffes
• Beautiful lakeside photography

Drive Time: Ol Pejeta → Nakuru ~160 km (3–4 hrs)

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 an early morning game drive in Nakuru, then travel through the Great Rift Valley to the world-famous Masai Mara. Enjoy a late afternoon arrival game drive.

Drive Time: Nakuru → Masai Mara ~250 km (5–6 hrs)

Highlights:

• Rift Valley escarpment viewpoints
• First wildlife sightings upon entering Mara

Drive Time: Nakuru → Masai Mara ~250 km (5–6 hrs)

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

Enjoy two game drives tailored to maximize wildlife viewing. The Masai Mara is world-renowned for big cats, expansive plains, and — in July–October — the iconic Great Migration.

Options:

• Hot-air balloon safari
• Full-day extended game drive
• Professional photography coaching

Highlights:

• Lions, cheetahs, leopards
• Migration river crossings (seasonal)
• Endless herds of grazers

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1

Your final full day features a sunrise game drive followed by a community-led Maasai cultural visit — a powerful conservation and storytelling experience. Enjoy a sundowner drive to end the day.

Cultural interaction builds trust, enhances guest experience, and increases booking confidence for Pita Safaris.

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1

Optional pre-breakfast game drive, then return to Nairobi with a picnic lunch. Arrive mid-late afternoon for drop-off or airport transfer.

Drive Time: Masai Mara → Nairobi ~270 km (5–6 hrs)