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7-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

When travelers think of an Africa Safari Kenya, they imagine vast savannahs dotted with acacia trees, elephants moving gracefully across golden plains, lions lazing in the sun, and colorful Maasai warriors keeping their timeless traditions alive. This 7-day safari through Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara brings all of that to life, offering the perfect combination of Kenya’s wild beauty, cultural richness, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

This safari is designed to cover three of Kenya’s most iconic destinations. First, Samburu National Reserve, a rugged and less-crowded wilderness in northern Kenya, where you’ll meet the “Samburu Special Five” — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk. With its dramatic landscapes, riverine forests, and strong Samburu cultural presence, this reserve offers a unique twist on the classic safari.

From there, the journey takes you to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its birdlife and rhino sanctuary. It is one of the best places in East Africa to see both black and white rhinos, alongside giraffes, buffalo, lions, and a variety of antelope. The park’s lake and alkaline waters once hosted millions of flamingos, and while their numbers vary with water levels, the park remains one of the most rewarding birdwatching destinations in Kenya.

Finally, you’ll head south to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, often described as Africa’s greatest safari destination. Here, the density of wildlife is unmatched. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, and over 450 species of birds all thrive in this spectacular landscape. Between July and October, the Mara becomes the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most extraordinary natural events on Earth, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains in search of greener pastures.

Throughout this journey, you’ll be guided by expert driver-guides who know the parks intimately and can bring the wilderness to life with stories, facts, and local insights. You’ll stay in carefully chosen lodges and camps such as Samburu Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, and Mara Sopa Lodge — each offering comfort, warm hospitality, and proximity to wildlife action.

An Africa Safari Kenya is not just about spotting animals. It’s about experiencing Africa’s raw beauty, connecting with local cultures, and creating stories you’ll carry for a lifetime. This 7-day safari balances adventure and relaxation, making it suitable for couples, families, and small groups who want the very best of Kenya in a single trip.

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu – Into Northern Kenya’s Wilderness

Your adventure begins at 7:00 am with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Leaving the bustling city behind, you’ll drive north for about 6–7 hours, passing through Kenya’s fertile central highlands and crossing the equator. Along the way, admire breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain.

By midday, you’ll arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge, where a warm lunch awaits. After settling in, head out at 4:00 pm for your first afternoon game drive in Samburu. The reserve is famous for its dry landscapes, acacia woodlands, and the meandering Ewaso Nyiro River — the lifeblood of this ecosystem.

On this drive, you’ll encounter not just elephants, lions, and leopards, but also the Samburu Special Five — species unique to northern Kenya. As the sun sets, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Samburu – The Samburu Special Five

After an early breakfast, depart at 6:30 am for a morning game drive, the best time to catch predators in action or witness a hunt. Leopards are often seen resting in trees, lions may still be on the move after a night’s hunt, and elephants gather at the river to drink.

Return to your lodge around 10:30 am for relaxation before lunch. In the afternoon, set out again at 3:00 pm for another game drive. Samburu is also home to a strong cultural heritage, with the Samburu people — close cousins of the Maasai — living nearby. Your guide may share insights into their traditions and pastoral lifestyle.

By 6:00 pm, return to the lodge for dinner, with the option to relax by the pool or enjoy a quiet evening under the stars.

Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru – Birdlife & Rhino Haven

After breakfast, check out and begin the 5-hour drive south to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving in time for lunch at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive around the park. Lake Nakuru is renowned for its populations of black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and lions. Birdwatchers will be delighted by over 400 species, including pelicans, cormorants, and sometimes flamingos along the alkaline lake.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara – Journey to the Iconic Savannah

After breakfast, depart around 7:30 am for the drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, which takes 5–6 hours. En route, enjoy changing scenery — from the Rift Valley escarpments to open plains dotted with Maasai villages.

Arrive at Mara Sopa Lodge shortly after noon, where lunch will be served. Later in the afternoon, head out on your first Mara game drive, where lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs roam freely.

Return to the lodge by 6:00 pm, freshen up, and enjoy dinner with the sounds of the savannah in the background.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 5 & 6: Full-Day Safaris in Masai Mara – The Great Migration & Big Five

These two days are fully dedicated to exploring the wonders of the Masai Mara. You can choose to begin with an early morning game drive at 6:00 am, when predators are most active, or opt for a full-day safari with picnic lunch in the reserve.

Highlights include visiting the Mara River, where crocodiles and hippos thrive, and where the wildebeest migration crossings take place between July and October. Even outside migration season, the Mara offers some of the best predator sightings in Africa.

Optional: For an unforgettable experience, take a hot air balloon safari at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush (extra cost).

Each evening, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight, often accompanied by Maasai cultural performances.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi – Farewell to the Wild

After breakfast, check out and depart for Nairobi, a 5.5-hour drive. Arrive by around 4:00 pm, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport for your onward journey.

This marks the end of your Africa Safari Kenya, a journey that covered the rugged wilderness of Samburu, the birdlife of Lake Nakuru, and the unmatched wildlife spectacle of the Masai Mara.