7-Day Wildlife Samburu, Masai Mara & Great Rift Valley

Highlights

A Kenya Safari Package is more than just a holiday; it is a journey into the wild heart of Africa, where every sunrise brings new adventures and every sunset closes the day with golden memories. This 7-Day Explore Wildlife Samburu, Masai Mara & Great Rift Valley Lakes Safari is crafted for travelers who want to experience the very best of Kenya in one seamless itinerary. Over the course of a week, you will journey from the semi-arid landscapes of Samburu, home to rare species and dramatic scenery, to the fertile lands of the Great Rift Valley with its lakes and birdlife, and finally to the world-famous Masai Mara, the crown jewel of all Kenya tours.

Unlike shorter safaris that focus on one or two destinations, this Kenya Safari Package allows you to experience the incredible diversity that Kenya offers. You begin in Samburu National Reserve, a northern frontier that is unlike any other park in the country. Here, species unique to the north such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevyโ€™s zebra, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich roam alongside elephants, lions, and leopards. Samburu is also known for its connection to conservation; it was here that researchers studied Elsa the lioness, whose story inspired the book and film Born Free. From Samburu, the safari transitions south toward the Great Rift Valley, a dramatic geological formation that runs across Kenya. This is where lakes like Nakuru and Naivasha host flamingoes, pelicans, and a wealth of wildlife against a backdrop of escarpments and waterfalls. It is here that birdlife thrives in staggering numbers, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

The journey culminates in the Masai Mara, the very symbol of a classic Kenya Safari Package. Rolling grasslands stretch endlessly, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife. The Big Fiveโ€”lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoโ€”are all found here, alongside vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes. The Mara is also the stage for the world-renowned wildebeest migration, when millions of animals cross rivers and plains in search of fresh pastures, creating one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Even outside migration season, the Masai Mara is alive with predators, grazers, and endless photographic opportunities, making it the highlight of any safari.

This Kenya Safari Package is designed for a balance between adventure and relaxation. Mornings bring early game drives when wildlife is most active, afternoons allow more exploration or leisure at the lodges, and evenings are spent sharing stories under the starlit skies. Accommodation ranges from comfortable lodges in Samburu and the Rift Valley to tented camps in the Mara, combining comfort with proximity to nature. Meals are hearty and varied, featuring both local and international flavors, and your professional driver-guides ensure that each day is educational and enriching.

Over the seven days, you will cover contrasting landscapes and ecosystems that define Kenyaโ€™s uniqueness. From the dry, rugged beauty of Samburu to the lush greenery of the Rift Valley and the wide-open savannahs of the Masai Mara, every destination adds a new layer to the safari experience. By the end of the journey, you will have witnessed rare wildlife, seen breathtaking sceneries, and experienced moments that embody the spirit of Africa. This is not just a holiday; it is a Kenya Safari Package that captures the very essence of why travelers from all over the world dream of visiting Kenya.

Details Itinerary

Your Kenya Safari Package begins in Nairobi, where the excitement of adventure is in the air from the very first morning. After breakfast, your professional driver-guide meets you and gives a short briefing before you head north. The drive takes you out of the bustling capital, past coffee plantations, small markets, and rural homesteads as you cross the equator on your way to the northern frontier. This stretch of the journey already hints at the contrasts you will experience over the next seven days. The land slowly becomes drier, the vegetation sparser, and the horizon stretches out endlessly under the African sky.

By midday, you arrive at Samburu National Reserve, a semi-arid wilderness that feels different from the lush parks of southern Kenya. Here, dramatic rocky hills rise above thorny scrublands and the lifeblood of the parkโ€”the Ewaso Nyiro Riverโ€”cuts through the landscape, lined by green belts of doum palms and acacias. After checking into your lodge and enjoying a hearty lunch, there is time to relax before the adventure continues. In the late afternoon, you set out on your first game drive. The golden light of evening casts a warm glow across the land as you drive through Samburuโ€™s rugged terrain.

Samburu is special because it is home to wildlife found only in this northern region. This includes the Samburu Special Five: Grevyโ€™s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope often seen standing on its hind legs to feed on leaves. Alongside these unique species, you also find elephants moving in family herds, lions resting in the shade, and perhaps even a leopard draped lazily across a tree branch. The reserve is less crowded than other parks, giving the game drives an intimate feel where every sighting feels like a personal discovery. As the sun dips below the horizon, you return to your lodge for dinner, already immersed in the magic of your Kenya Safari Package. The night sky glitters above, and the sounds of the wild lull you into restful sleep, preparing you for another thrilling day.

The day begins before sunrise with a wake-up call and a steaming cup of tea or coffee. Early morning is the most exciting time for game drives in Samburu, as predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards are most active during the cool hours of dawn. The crisp air and the quiet atmosphere create a sense of anticipation. You may find a cheetah scanning the plains for prey, or perhaps witness a pride of lions on the move after a nightโ€™s hunt. The spectacle of nature unfolding at this hour is always unforgettable, and it is during these moments that the Kenya Safari Package becomes more than just a tripโ€”it transforms into a connection with the rhythm of the wild.

After returning to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast, the rest of the morning offers time at leisure. You may choose to relax by the riverside where crocodiles bask in the sun or enjoy the serenity of the lodge surroundings while elephants move gracefully along the riverbanks. Lunch is served at midday, after which you prepare for another game drive in the afternoon. Each excursion into Samburu reveals something new. Perhaps today you will see the rare Grevyโ€™s zebra with its narrow stripes, or the striking reticulated giraffe browsing high in the trees. The Ewaso Nyiro River itself becomes a stage for wildlife drama as herds of elephants come to drink, monkeys chatter noisily in the branches, and kingfishers dive into the water.

The variety of Samburu ensures that no two drives are the same, and your guideโ€™s deep knowledge enriches every sighting with fascinating details about animal behavior and conservation. By evening, you return to the lodge for dinner, sharing stories of the day with fellow travelers. The reserve at night feels mysterious, the sounds of crickets blending with distant calls of hyenas. These experiences highlight the raw beauty of the north and reinforce why Samburu is such a vital stop in any Kenya Safari Package.

After breakfast, you enjoy a short morning game drive in Samburu, savoring final encounters with its rare wildlife before leaving the reserve. The journey south takes you once again across the equator, where locals demonstrate the water-swirl phenomenon and proudly offer equator certificates as souvenirs. Along the way, you stop at Thomsonโ€™s Falls, a stunning waterfall where white torrents plunge into a deep gorge surrounded by lush greenery. This photo stop is a refreshing break on the long drive and adds another dimension to your Kenya Safari Package.

Continuing the journey, you descend into the Great Rift Valley, a spectacular geological formation that stretches thousands of kilometers across Africa. The view from the escarpment is breathtaking, with patchwork farmlands, rolling hills, and shimmering lakes visible in the distance. As you approach Lake Nakuru National Park, the scenery shifts again, becoming greener and more vibrant. By midday, you check into your lodge and settle in for lunch before resting briefly.

In the evening, you set out for a short game drive in Lake Nakuru, one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in Kenya. The alkaline lake attracts large flocks of flamingoes, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands, painting the shoreline in shades of pink. Alongside flamingoes, pelicans, storks, and numerous other bird species make Nakuru a paradise for birdwatchers. The park is also home to rhinos, both black and white, making it one of the best places to see these endangered giants. Driving through the acacia woodlands and open grasslands, you may also encounter lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and troops of baboons. By sunset, the lake glows in hues of orange and pink, and you return to your lodge for dinner.

The third day of your Kenya Safari Package captures the diversity of Kenyaโ€™s landscapes, from the dry and rugged north of Samburu to the green valleys and lakes of the Rift. Each transition feels like entering a new world, and by now, you have experienced rare wildlife, unique ecosystems, and the thrill of exploration across different regions. The journey is only halfway, but already it has delivered unforgettable memories that make this safari stand apart as a complete and enriching adventure.

The fourth day of your Kenya Safari Package begins with the promise of something differentโ€”an experience not centered on the roar of lions or the march of elephants, but on the quiet beauty of one of Kenyaโ€™s most enchanting sanctuaries: Crescent Island. After breakfast, you head toward Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley surrounded by dramatic escarpments and lush vegetation. Upon arrival, you take a short boat ride across the calm waters, where hippos bob their heads just above the surface and African fish eagles swoop dramatically to snatch fish from the water with their talons. The approach to Crescent Island feels magical, with the peninsula surrounded by glistening waters and alive with bird calls.

Stepping ashore, you are greeted by a place often described as Naivashaโ€™s best-kept secret. Crescent Island is unique because it offers guided walking safaris in an unfenced environment where animals roam freely and peacefully. Unlike traditional game drives where you are inside a vehicle, here you are on foot, walking quietly among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and countless birds. This sense of freedom makes the sanctuary feel intimate and personal, and it is one of the few places where you can truly immerse yourself in the wilderness without barriers. With guides accompanying you, every step becomes a chance to observe animal behavior up close, whether it is a giraffe nibbling leaves high above or antelopes darting gracefully across the grass.

Birdlife thrives here too, with cormorants, pelicans, and kingfishers dotting the shoreline while fish eagles let out their iconic calls. Crescent Island has one of the highest densities of animals per acre in Kenya, which explains why it has been chosen as a filming location for documentaries and even Hollywood movies. Walking quietly with wildlife on every side is unlike any other safari experienceโ€”it connects you deeply with the land and its creatures in a way that a vehicle safari cannot.

After exploring the island, you return to the mainland for lunch at your lodge near Lake Naivasha. The afternoon is free to relax, perhaps enjoying the cool breeze from the lake, watching colobus monkeys leaping from tree to tree, or taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Dinner is served in the evening, and as the sun sets over Naivasha, you reflect on how this Kenya Safari Package continues to offer not just diversity in wildlife but also variety in experiences. From the rugged north of Samburu to the tranquil waters of Naivasha, the safari is building a rhythm where each day feels fresh and memorable.

Day five marks the beginning of the most anticipated part of your Kenya Safari Packageโ€”the journey to the world-famous Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, you check out and begin the drive via Narok, a bustling Maasai town that offers glimpses into the traditions of the Maasai people. Warriors clad in red shukas, adorned with beads and spears, are often seen guiding cattle or walking across the plains, and their presence adds a cultural richness to the trip. The road continues to roll out across the landscape until the plains widen, and the beauty of the Mara begins to unfold.

By midday, you arrive at your lodge or tented camp within the Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of all Kenya Safari Packages. After lunch and a short rest, the afternoon adventure begins with your first game drive in this legendary reserve. From the moment you enter, the abundance of wildlife takes your breath away. The Mara is home to the Big Fiveโ€”lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoโ€”but it also hosts countless other species, from cheetahs sprinting across the plains to hyenas scavenging in the shadows. Herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles stretch across the horizon, painting a picture of Africaโ€™s wilderness at its most alive.

The Masai Mara is also deeply tied to the Great Migration, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Depending on the season of your Kenya Safari Package, you may witness the dramatic scenes of wildebeest and zebras crossing rivers in the face of crocodiles or see massive herds moving in unison across the grasslands. Yet even outside the migration, the Mara offers incredible game viewing year-round. The wide-open plains create perfect opportunities for spotting predators and prey, while the acacia-dotted landscapes make for stunning photography.

As the afternoon turns to evening, the savannah glows in the warm light of sunset. Elephants appear as silhouettes against the orange sky, lions begin to stir for the night hunt, and giraffes walk gracefully across the horizon. Returning to your lodge, the campfire flickers as stories of the day are shared under a blanket of stars. The sounds of the Mara at nightโ€”lions roaring in the distance, hyenas laughing, and insects hummingโ€”remind you that you are in the true wild. These first hours in the Mara set the stage for the unforgettable experiences that await in the coming days, and they confirm why this destination is considered the pinnacle of every Kenya Safari Package.

Your sixth day in Kenya is fully dedicated to the wonders of the Masai Mara, the crown jewel of any Kenya Safari Package. The day begins early with tea, coffee, and biscuits served at the lodge before you set out for an extended morning game drive. At dawn, the plains are alive with movement. The cool air brings predators to life as lions return from their nocturnal hunts and cheetahs prepare for their high-speed chases across the savannah. This is the time when the Mara feels most raw, most untamed, and every sighting is magnified by the golden light of sunrise.

You may encounter elephants striding confidently across the plains, buffalo grazing in herds, or giraffes feeding peacefully from tall acacia trees. The diversity of wildlife is astonishing, and with every mile, the Kenya Safari Package reveals new stories of survival, strength, and beauty. Depending on the season, you could witness the Great Migration in actionโ€”millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving together in one of the most dramatic natural events in the world. The river crossings are especially thrilling as crocodiles wait in the waters and predators stalk from the riverbanks. Even if you visit outside migration months, the Masai Mara never disappoints; its resident wildlife ensures that every game drive is unforgettable.

For those who want an extraordinary perspective, there is an optional hot air balloon safari available at dawn. Floating silently over the Mara as the sun rises offers a view unlike any other. From high above, you watch herds moving across the plains, see elephants gathering in remote valleys, and marvel at the vastness of this iconic landscape. After the flight, a champagne breakfast in the bush adds a luxurious touch to your Kenya Safari Package, making the experience even more memorable.

After a picnic-style lunch in the wilderness or a return to camp for dining, the afternoon continues with another drive. As the day cools, predators become active again, stalking prey while vultures circle high above. By sunset, the savannah glows with hues of orange and gold, and you return to your lodge for dinner. The night is filled with the sounds of lions roaring in the distance and hyenas calling across the plains. This full day in the Mara showcases why it is the ultimate highlight of every Kenya Safari Package.

The final day of your Kenya Safari Package begins with breakfast at the lodge before you bid farewell to the Masai Mara. One last early morning game drive offers a chance to capture final memoriesโ€”perhaps lions stretching awake in the dawn light, elephants moving through the mist, or antelopes grazing quietly as the sun rises. Each moment feels precious, a reminder of the incredible experiences the past week has given you. After the game drive, you check out of the lodge and begin the drive back to Nairobi. The route takes you once more through Narok, a Maasai town where beadwork, red cloaks, and pastoral life reflect the proud traditions of the Maasai people. The road climbs the escarpments of the Great Rift Valley, offering panoramic views of the landscapes below before returning to the bustle of Kenyaโ€™s capital. You arrive in Nairobi by late afternoon, where you are transferred either to your hotel or directly to the airport for your onward flight. The safari officially ends here, but the memories of Samburuโ€™s rare wildlife, the Rift Valleyโ€™s flamingo-filled lakes, and the Masai Maraโ€™s vast savannahs will remain with you forever. This journey was not simply a tripโ€”it was a complete Kenya Safari Package, designed to capture the soul of Africa and leave you with experiences that last a lifetime.

Inclusions :

  • Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
  • AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover within East Africa
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) each day, with local and international dishes
  • Transport in a custom safari vehicle with pop-up roof for photography and viewing
  • Guaranteed window seat for every passenger
  • Unlimited game drives as per itinerary
  • All park entry fees and government taxes
  • Services of a professional English-speaking driver/guide with expert knowledge
  • Bottled mineral water during game drives
  • Pick-up and drop-off transfers in Nairobi

Exclusions:

  • International airfares and departure taxes
  • Entry visas for Kenya
  • Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides, and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks (only mineral water provided in safari vehicle)
  • Laundry services, telephone calls, and personal expenses
  • Optional activities such as hot air balloon safari or Maasai village visit
  • Travel insurance beyond medical evacuation cover

Prices

ValidityGroup SizePrice per Person (USD)
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-311 guest$2,498
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-312 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-313 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-314 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-315 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-316 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-317 guests$1,698
2024-09-18 to 2026-07-318 guests$1,698

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