Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu
Your Kenya Safari Trip begins with a morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or directly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by your professional safari driver-guide. Leaving the city behind, the journey north takes you past bustling towns, rolling farmlands, and eventually into Kenyaโs northern frontier. The drive is long but rewarding, with landscapes changing from fertile central highlands to arid scrubland dotted with acacias and rugged hills.
By midday, you arrive in Samburu Game Reserve, a wild and dramatic destination unlike any other in Kenya. After checking into Samburu Sopa Lodge and enjoying a hearty lunch, you set out for your first game drive in the afternoon. The excitement builds as you enter the reserve, with the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River winding its way through the dry landscape. This river is the lifeblood of Samburu, sustaining wildlife and vegetation even in the hottest months.
The scenery here is striking โ volcanic red soils contrast with lush riverine forests, rocky outcrops rise against the horizon, and the golden savannah stretches endlessly. You spot elephants heading to the river to cool themselves, while crocodiles bask lazily on the banks. Lions may be seen lounging in the shade, and leopards often prowl the thick vegetation. The atmosphere in Samburu feels more remote than in southern parks, offering a sense of exclusivity that defines the start of your Africa Safari Tour.
As the sun sets in a blaze of orange and crimson, you return to your lodge for dinner. The night sounds of the bush โ distant hyenas, crickets, and the whispering wind โ remind you that you are far from the ordinary world.
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 2: Full-day Samburu Game Reserve
Waking up in Samburu feels like entering another world. After a filling breakfast, you head out for a full day of game drives in the reserve. The day is long and rewarding, with a break for lunch back at your lodge before returning to the bush in the afternoon.
Samburu is world-renowned for the Samburu Special Five, species found almost exclusively north of the equator. Youโll search for the elegant Grevyโs zebra, with its thin stripes and horse-like build; the reticulated giraffe, whose liver-colored geometric patches are strikingly beautiful; the long-necked gerenuk, which stands on its hind legs to browse; the Beisa oryx with its graceful horns; and the Somali ostrich, whose males display striking blue-grey legs. Spotting all five becomes a safari challenge that adds an extra thrill to your Kenya Safari Package.
In addition to these rare species, Samburu offers excellent opportunities to see elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards, and prides of lions. Bird lovers are equally spoiled, with more than 450 species recorded here. From the colorful vulturine guinea fowl to soaring eagles and falcons, the skies are alive with activity.
Beyond the wildlife, the Samburu people add cultural depth to your visit. Known for their colorful attire and pastoral traditions, they are closely related to the Maasai but with distinct customs and rituals. You may choose an optional visit to a Samburu village to learn about their dances, herding lifestyle, and deep connection to the land.
As evening approaches, the sun dips behind the rugged hills, bathing the reserve in golden light. You return to Samburu Sopa Lodge, where dinner is served and stories of the day are shared. The memories of Samburu โ its raw beauty, rare animals, and cultural encounters โ will stay with you forever.
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, you leave the dry wilderness of Samburu and journey south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located on the Laikipia Plateau near the foothills of Mount Kenya. The drive takes you through fertile farmland and rolling countryside, with the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya occasionally visible in the distance.
By late morning, you arrive at Ol Pejeta, one of the most important conservation areas in Africa. After checking in at Comfort Gardens Sweetwaters, Nanyuki, you enjoy lunch and a short rest before heading out for an afternoon game drive.
Ol Pejeta is famous for being home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, both living under round-the-clock protection. It is also East Africaโs largest black rhino sanctuary, with over 165 individuals thriving here. Seeing these prehistoric giants up close is a moving and unforgettable part of any Africa Safari Tour.
The conservancy is also home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be observed. Rescued from the illegal pet trade and bushmeat industry, the chimpanzees live in a protected natural habitat, and watching them interact is both fascinating and educational.
In addition to rhinos and chimps, Ol Pejeta boasts all of the Big Five as well as numerous other species such as giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, and over 300 bird species. Optional activities include night drives to see nocturnal animals, lion-tracking excursions, and guided bush walks, each adding another dimension to your Kenya Safari Trip.
Dinner and overnight are at your lodge, where the clear mountain air and sounds of the bush lull you into peaceful sleep.
Accommodation: Comfort Gardens Sweetwaters, Nanyuki
Day 4: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
The morning begins with a hearty breakfast at Ol Pejeta, the cool mountain air refreshing your spirit as you prepare to continue your Kenya Safari Trip. After bidding farewell to the conservancy, you set out on the road toward the Rift Valley, home to one of Kenyaโs most iconic destinations โ Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive is scenic, passing through the rolling highlands of Nyahururu and descending into the valley floor. Along the way, your guide points out the changing landscapes, from lush farmland to rocky escarpments, until the shimmering waters of Lake Nakuru finally come into view.
Upon arrival, you check in at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, strategically located to give you sweeping views of the park. After lunch and a short rest, you set out for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is one of the jewels of the Rift Valley and one of the most diverse stops on your Africa Safari Tour. It is world-renowned for its flamingos, which at times gather in vast numbers along the shoreline, painting the water pink. Though their population has shifted in recent years, the lake remains a birdwatcherโs paradise, with over 450 species including pelicans, cormorants, and fish eagles.
The park is equally famous for its rhino sanctuary, making it one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos grazing peacefully. These prehistoric giants, protected within the park, are a reminder of the urgent importance of conservation. As you continue your drive, you encounter herds of buffalo wallowing in the mud, Rothschildโs giraffes feeding among the acacias, and impalas grazing in the grasslands. Lions are also common here, sometimes seen resting in the shade or even lounging in the branches of trees, an unusual but fascinating behavior. If you are lucky, a leopard might reveal itself in the dense woodlands, completing the thrill of spotting one of Africaโs most elusive predators.
Your guide may take you to Baboon Cliff, a high vantage point offering panoramic views of the lake and its surrounding landscapes. From here, the vistas stretch endlessly, and as the sun begins to set, the colors of the sky reflect beautifully across the water, creating a perfect setting for photography. Returning to your lodge in the evening, you are welcomed with a warm dinner and the comfort of your room. The sounds of the wilderness outside โ the calls of nightjars, the distant roar of lions โ remind you that you are deep in the heart of Kenyaโs wild beauty.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, you leave Lake Nakuru and begin the journey to the highlight of your Kenya Safari Trip โ the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes you once again across the Rift Valley, through bustling towns and rolling hills, before arriving in Narok, the gateway to the Mara. From here, the road leads you into endless golden plains, dotted with acacia trees and filled with wildlife that signals your arrival into one of the greatest safari destinations on earth.
By midday, you check in at Enchoro Wildlife Camp, where a warm welcome and delicious lunch await. After a short rest, you head out for your first game drive in the Mara. Immediately, you understand why this reserve is celebrated as the crown jewel of Africa Safari Tours. The density of wildlife is unmatched โ vast herds of wildebeest and zebras graze in harmony, elephants move majestically across the savannah, and giraffes tower gracefully above the trees. The sheer abundance of life here makes every moment feel like a scene from a wildlife documentary.
Predators are especially plentiful in the Masai Mara. Lions, often seen in prides lounging under the shade, are a common sight. Cheetahs perch on termite mounds, scanning the plains for prey, while leopards hide in the trees, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The reserve is home to all of the Big Five, and it is not unusual to spot several in a single drive. From July to October, the Mara hosts the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains and risk their lives crossing the Mara River, where crocodiles and predators lie in wait. Witnessing this natural spectacle is considered one of the most unforgettable experiences on any Kenya Safari Package.
As the sun sets, casting golden light across the savannah, you return to camp for dinner. The evening is filled with the sounds of the bush โ lions roaring in the distance, hyenas laughing, and the gentle chorus of insects. Around the campfire, you reflect on the dayโs adventures, realizing that the Masai Mara offers not just sightings but raw, unfiltered moments of natureโs greatest dramas.
Accommodation: Enchoro Wildlife Camp
Day 6: Full-day Masai Mara
Today is a full day dedicated entirely to exploring the Masai Mara. After breakfast, you collect your picnic lunch boxes and head out for a day-long adventure. This is the ultimate highlight of your Kenya Safari Trip, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in one of the most famous ecosystems in the world.
Driving across the rolling savannahs, you are constantly surrounded by wildlife. Herds of wildebeest and zebras stretch to the horizon, while elephants graze peacefully nearby. Buffaloes cluster in groups, their powerful forms moving through the grass, while giraffes stand tall and elegant against the backdrop of acacia trees. Antelopes of every kind โ impalas, topis, gazelles โ move gracefully across the plains, each always alert to the presence of predators.
And the predators here are everywhere. Lions are perhaps the most iconic sight in the Mara. You might come across a pride with cubs playing under the watchful eyes of their mothers, or males roaring to mark their territory. Cheetahs, with their speed and elegance, often hunt in the open plains, providing one of the most thrilling spectacles in the wild. Leopards, more secretive, may be found resting in trees or dragging their prey into the branches to keep it safe from scavengers. Hyenas and jackals add to the predator cast, making the Mara a stage where the drama of life and death plays out daily.
Birdlife is equally impressive, with over 450 species recorded. From vultures circling overhead to the kori bustard โ the worldโs heaviest flying bird โ the skies are alive with movement. The Mara River adds another dimension to the dayโs experience. Even outside the migration season, the river is home to hippos wallowing in the water and crocodiles lying in wait on the banks. Stopping here for your picnic lunch, you enjoy your meal against a backdrop of wild sounds and unforgettable scenery.
Optional experiences enhance the day further. At dawn, you can take a hot air balloon safari, floating silently over the plains as the sun rises and animals move below. Later, you might visit a Maasai village to learn about the culture of one of Africaโs most iconic tribes, whose traditions and dances remain deeply tied to the land.
As evening falls, you return to Enchoro Wildlife Camp, your heart full of memories of one of the greatest days of your life. Dinner is served under the starlit sky, and as you drift to sleep, you know your Africa Safari Tour is nearing its end but has left you with experiences that will last forever.
Accommodation: Enchoro Wildlife Camp
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi
The final morning of your Kenya Safari Trip begins with a leisurely breakfast at camp, followed by one last game drive in the Mara. This farewell drive is your chance to capture a few more memories โ perhaps a family of elephants moving across the plains, a pride of lions resting in the early sun, or a herd of giraffes silhouetted against the morning light.
By mid-morning, you begin the journey back to Nairobi, passing once more through Narok and across the Rift Valley. The drive offers time to reflect on the extraordinary experiences of the past week. From the rugged beauty of Samburu to the conservation legacy of Ol Pejeta, from the flamingos and rhinos of Nakuru to the predator-rich savannahs of the Mara, this safari has revealed the soul of Kenya.
Arriving in Nairobi by early afternoon, you are treated to a special lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, where an array of meats is served in traditional style. After this final indulgence, your driver-guide drops you at your city hotel or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, depending on your flight schedule. Saying farewell to your guide is bittersweet, for he has not only shown you the wonders of Kenya but has also shared stories, knowledge, and warmth that enriched your journey.
As your safari ends, you carry with you not just photographs but vivid memories โ the sight of elephants in Samburuโs red dust, the encounter with rhinos in Ol Pejeta, the shimmering pink of Nakuruโs birds, and the thrilling drama of lions and cheetahs in the Mara. Your Africa Safari Tour may conclude here, but its magic will stay with you for a lifetime.