At around 7:00 am, meet your safari representative and private driver-guide at your Nairobi hotel or the airport. After a short introduction and safari briefing, begin your journey toward the Masai Mara. The drive takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, with a stop at a suitable viewpoint where you can stretch your legs, admire the dramatic escarpment, and take photographs.
Continue toward the Masai Mara National Reserve and arrive at your camp in the early afternoon. After checking in, enjoy lunch before having some free time to relax. You may choose to unwind at the camp or take a refreshing swim while enjoying views across the surrounding savannah.
The Masai Mara is renowned for its impressive concentration of wildlife. During your safari, you may encounter large herds of elephants and buffaloes as well as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and, with some luck, rhinos. The reserve is also an excellent destination for Big Five viewing.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Best Time To Visit: June to October for general wildlife viewing; August to October for the wildebeest migration
High Season: June to October and December to March
Best Weather: June to October, when the weather is generally sunny and comfortable
Wildlife: Elephant, giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, and other species
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp
Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. The reserve features expansive open grasslands, the winding Mara River and its tributaries, woodland areas, and seasonal marshes, creating an ideal environment for a remarkable variety of wildlife.
During your game drives, keep watch for lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, leopards, and other species. The Mara is also an important part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem and becomes especially spectacular during the seasonal wildebeest and zebra migration.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day before continuing your wildlife exploration. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp
After an early breakfast, check out and leave the Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru National Park. Continue through the scenic countryside toward the Great Rift Valley, arriving around midday or early afternoon.
After checking in and enjoying lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive around Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is famous for its beautiful landscapes, diverse birdlife, and important rhino population. The lake and surrounding habitats provide excellent opportunities to spot giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and both black and white rhinos.
Enjoy the afternoon exploring the park before returning to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Best Time To Visit: June to February for favorable wildlife-viewing conditions
High Season: July to February
Best Weather: June to February, with generally lower rainfall
Wildlife: Giraffe, white rhino, buffalo, zebra, hippo, black rhino, and other species
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel toward the Aberdare region. The journey takes you through scenic highland landscapes, with a stop at Nyahururu to view the impressive Thomson’s Falls. Take time to photograph the waterfall and surrounding scenery before continuing through the beautiful central highlands.
Proceed to Aberdare Country Club for check-in and lunch. Later, transfer to The Ark Lodge for your overnight stay inside the Aberdare ecosystem.
Designed in the style of Noah’s Ark, The Ark overlooks a natural waterhole where wildlife frequently gathers. From the lodge’s viewing areas, you may observe elephants, buffaloes, and other animals coming to drink. After dark, floodlights illuminate the waterhole, allowing you to continue watching wildlife from the comfort of the lodge.
Main Destination: Aberdare National Park
Best Time To Visit: June to September and December to February
High Season: June to October and December to March
Best Weather: June to September and December to February
Wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, zebra, hyena, black rhino, leopard, and other species
Accommodation: The Ark Lodge
Enjoy breakfast before transferring back to the base hotel to meet your safari driver-guide. From there, continue north toward the spectacular Samburu National Reserve.
Arrive in time for lunch and check in at your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for your first game drive in Samburu. The reserve is characterized by dry landscapes, rugged hills, riverine vegetation, and the permanent Ewaso Nyiro River.
Samburu is home to several distinctive northern Kenyan species, including the reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Large elephant herds are also commonly encountered throughout the reserve. Enjoy the evening drive before returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Best Time To Visit: June to September and January to February
High Season: December to March and July to October
Best Weather: June and December
Wildlife: Elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, buffalo, and other species
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Enjoy a full day of wildlife exploration in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. The Ewaso Nyiro River provides a vital water source for wildlife and supports lush vegetation along its banks, making the area especially attractive for both animals and birds.
During your game drives, look for elephants gathering near the river, as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, impalas, elands, hippos, and crocodiles. Samburu also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, with a wide variety of colorful and distinctive bird species found throughout the reserve.
Return to the lodge between the game drives for relaxation and meals before heading out again later in the day.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
After an early breakfast, begin your return journey to Nairobi. Travel through the scenic foothills of Mount Kenya and stop near the Equator at a designated viewpoint. Here, you can experience a simple equator demonstration and, if desired, receive an equator certificate.
Continue through Kenya’s fertile Central Highlands, passing through towns and agricultural areas before proceeding toward Nairobi. Arrive in the city in time for a farewell lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, known for its traditional meat-focused dining experience and lively atmosphere.
After lunch, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your Romantic Kenya Safari to an end.
Main Destination: Nairobi City
