8 Day Best of Kenya National Park

Your Africa Safari Packages adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital and gateway to East Africa’s wilderness. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’re warmly welcomed by our airport representative and introduced to your professional driver-guide. After a short safari briefing, you set off north, leaving the city’s busy streets behind and heading toward the wild landscapes of Samburu.

The journey to Samburu is a scenic drive through Kenya’s central highlands. You pass lush coffee and tea plantations before the road begins to climb, offering glimpses of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak. This striking landmark, often shrouded in mist or crowned with snow, sets the tone for the adventure ahead. The drive continues through rural towns and trading centers, giving you a taste of Kenya’s diverse culture.

By midday, you arrive at Samburu National Reserve, an uncrowded gem in northern Kenya that forms an important part of many Africa Safari Packages. Samburu is starkly beautiful—its semi-arid landscapes dotted with rugged hills, doum palms, and the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River. This river is the heartbeat of the reserve, sustaining wildlife throughout the year.

You check in at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, nestled along the riverbank, and enjoy a delicious lunch before preparing for your first game drive. At 4:00 p.m., your adventure truly begins as you venture into the reserve. Samburu is renowned for its “Special Five”—the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich—species found almost exclusively in northern Kenya. Spotting these unique animals adds a distinctive flavor to your Africa Safari Package.

But Samburu is not just about rare species. Elephants roam in large herds, splashing in the river’s shallows. Lions patrol the plains, cheetahs scan the horizon from termite mounds, and leopards occasionally reveal themselves in the acacia trees. The birdlife is equally impressive, with over 450 species recorded here.

As the sun sets in brilliant hues of orange and red, you return to your lodge for dinner. The evening is spent relaxing by the pool or listening to the sounds of the wilderness. This first day of your Africa Safari Packages has set the stage for an unforgettable journey into Kenya’s wild north.

The second day of your Africa Safari Packages is dedicated to a full exploration of Samburu. You rise early for a morning game drive, the best time to catch predators in action. Lions may be seen finishing their night’s hunt, while cheetahs use the cool dawn air to pursue gazelles. The elusive leopard, often shy during the day, might still linger in the trees before retreating into cover.

Returning to the lodge for a late breakfast, you relax for a few hours—perhaps lounging by the pool, enjoying the lodge’s views of the river, or simply soaking in the tranquility of Samburu. Unlike busier reserves, Samburu offers a more intimate safari experience, with fewer vehicles and a stronger sense of wilderness. This is why many travelers consider it a highlight of their Africa Safari Package.

After lunch, you can choose between another game drive or a cultural visit to a Samburu village. The Samburu people, closely related to the Maasai, are semi-nomadic pastoralists known for their colorful attire, beadwork, and rich traditions. Visiting their homesteads (manyattas) provides insight into their way of life and their deep connection with the land. It’s an authentic cultural experience that enriches your safari.

In the late afternoon, you set out for another game drive. The light is softer, the temperatures cooler, and the wildlife more active. Elephants head toward the river to drink, herds of impalas graze under the watchful eyes of predators, and giraffes silhouette against the setting sun.

Dinner is served back at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, and the evening is free for relaxation. With two game drives and perhaps a cultural interaction, this day of your Africa Safari Packages offers both adventure and insight into the lives of both animals and people in Samburu.

After breakfast, you depart Samburu and drive south toward the lush foothills of Mount Kenya, heading to one of Kenya’s most famous conservation areas: Ol Pejeta Conservancy, also known as Sweetwaters. This leg of your Africa Safari Packages contrasts sharply with Samburu, as the dry northern plains give way to fertile highlands and verdant landscapes.

Arriving at Sweetwaters Serena Camp by midday, you check in and enjoy lunch. This tented camp, set within the conservancy, offers comfort while keeping you close to nature. Afterward, you prepare for your first game drive in Ol Pejeta.

Ol Pejeta is globally recognized for its commitment to wildlife conservation. It is home to the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa and shelters the last two surviving northern white rhinos on earth. Seeing these rare animals is a sobering yet inspiring moment, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts supported by Africa Safari Packages like this one.

The conservancy is also unique as the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides a safe haven for rescued chimpanzees, many of whom were victims of the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. Visiting the sanctuary offers a rare chance to observe these intelligent primates up close, watching their social interactions and playful behavior.

During your afternoon game drive, you encounter a wide range of wildlife. Six prides of lions roam the conservancy, alongside cheetahs and elusive leopards. Large herds of elephants and buffalo graze the grasslands, while giraffes, zebras, and antelopes add variety to the sightings. Ol Pejeta’s mix of savannah, bushland, and riverine habitats makes every drive diverse and rewarding.

As the sun sets, you return to Sweetwaters Serena Camp for dinner. The camp’s watering hole attracts nocturnal wildlife, meaning your safari continues even as you relax at camp. This third day of your Africa Safari Packages delivers a powerful conservation message alongside classic game-viewing, creating a balance of education, adventure, and inspiration.

After an early breakfast at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, you bid farewell to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and begin the scenic journey to the Great Rift Valley. This leg of your Africa Safari Packages adventure takes you past fertile highlands, where tea and coffee plantations blanket the hillsides. Along the way, you stop at Thomson’s Falls in Nyahururu, a spectacular waterfall plunging 237 feet into a gorge. The falls are named after Joseph Thomson, the Scottish explorer who was among the first Europeans to traverse this part of Kenya.

By midday, you arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most famous Rift Valley lakes. After checking in at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, perched on the cliffs with sweeping views of the park, you enjoy a hot lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru is often described as an ornithologist’s paradise. Although the number of flamingos fluctuates due to water levels, the lake still hosts hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, cormorants, and storks. Watching pelicans glide across the water or listening to the calls of plovers and avocets adds a special charm to this stop on your Africa Safari Package.

But Nakuru is not just about birds. The park is a stronghold for rhinos, both black and white, which graze in the open grasslands or retreat to acacia thickets. Lions are also frequently spotted, sometimes lounging in the branches of fever trees—a behavior unique to this park. Waterbucks graze near the shoreline, buffaloes wallow in the marshes, and Rothschild’s giraffes—translocated here for protection—stroll gracefully across the plains.

As the sun sets, you return to your lodge. Dinner is served with panoramic views over the Rift Valley, and the evening is spent relaxing in comfort. This fourth day of your Africa Safari Packages combines breathtaking landscapes, abundant birdlife, and the thrill of spotting endangered rhinos in their natural habitat.

The fifth day of your Africa Safari Packages takes you deeper into the Rift Valley. After an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, where you may catch lions on the move or rhinos grazing in the cool dawn light, you return for breakfast and check out.

A short drive brings you to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake surrounded by acacia woodlands and lush gardens. Upon arrival, you check in at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, a peaceful lodge located on the shores of the lake. Hippos often graze the lawns at night, providing a reminder that even here, wildlife is never far away.

In the afternoon, you embark on a boat safari across Lake Naivasha. The waters are alive with birdlife—kingfishers darting above the surface, fish eagles swooping down for their catch, and flocks of cormorants drying their wings on branches. On the lake itself, pods of hippos surface with grunts, while giraffes and zebras graze along the shoreline. This combination of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife makes Naivasha an essential inclusion in many Africa Safari Packages.

The boat ride takes you to Crescent Island, a private sanctuary accessible only by boat. Here, you enjoy a guided walking safari, one of the few places in Kenya where you can walk safely among wildlife. Zebras graze in open clearings, giraffes stretch their necks toward the treetops, and antelopes watch cautiously from the distance. Walking on Crescent Island offers a sense of intimacy and freedom, a break from the confines of the vehicle.

Returning to your lodge by evening, dinner is served overlooking the lake, as the sounds of crickets and distant hippos accompany your meal. This day of your Africa Safari Packages brings a refreshing contrast, combining lake life, birds, and the rare thrill of walking alongside wild animals.

On the sixth morning of your Africa Safari Packages, you set out for Hell’s Gate National Park, located just a short distance from Naivasha. Unlike most parks in Kenya, Hell’s Gate is unique because it allows cycling, hiking, and climbing amidst spectacular scenery.

After breakfast, you enter the park and begin a cycling safari along a 14-kilometer route. Towering cliffs rise on either side, dotted with nesting birds such as vultures and swifts. Herds of zebras graze calmly beside the track, while giraffes stride gracefully across the landscape. Gazelles, warthogs, and even buffaloes are frequently seen here, offering a different kind of safari experience.

The park’s geothermal activity adds to its uniqueness. Hot springs bubble along the gorge, and fumaroles release steam into the air. You may also walk through the Hell’s Gate Gorge, where narrow pathways lead between towering cliffs, famously used as a backdrop for the Disney film The Lion King. This hands-on adventure, where you cycle and walk among wildlife, gives Hell’s Gate a special place in many Africa Safari Packages.

By late morning, you return to the lodge for an early lunch before setting out on the journey to Amboseli National Park. The drive takes you across open plains and rural communities, eventually leading you south to Kenya’s border with Tanzania.

Arriving at Amboseli Sopa Lodge in the late afternoon, you check in and enjoy the serene views of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. If the weather is clear, its snowcapped peak emerges dramatically above the savannah, creating one of the most iconic safari vistas in the world. After dinner, you settle in for the night, ready to explore Amboseli in depth.

This sixth day of your Africa Safari Packages perfectly bridges the Rift Valley with southern Kenya, combining adventure, culture, and the anticipation of seeing elephants under Kilimanjaro’s towering peak.

The seventh day of your Africa Safari Packages is reserved for a full immersion in the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations. Known worldwide as the “Land of the Giants,” Amboseli is celebrated for its large herds of elephants and its unrivaled backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

You begin the day early, setting out on a morning game drive when wildlife is most active. As the sun rises, the snowcapped peak of Kilimanjaro glows pink and gold in the morning light. Against this backdrop, elephants march gracefully across the plains, their tusks gleaming in the dawn. This is one of the most photographed safari scenes in Africa, and it’s a highlight of many Africa Safari Packages.

The park’s habitats are varied, including swamps, savannahs, and acacia woodlands. Herds of zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes graze peacefully, while lions prowl nearby. Cheetahs, with their slender frames, are often seen scanning the horizon for prey, while hyenas and jackals provide constant reminders of the park’s predator-prey dynamics. For bird lovers, Amboseli does not disappoint—over 400 species have been recorded here, including pelicans, crowned cranes, and the striking lilac-breasted roller.

By mid-morning, you return to Amboseli Sopa Lodge for a hearty breakfast, then relax during the warm hours of the day. You may choose to swim in the pool, enjoy the views from your room, or simply unwind as you prepare for another round of adventure.

After lunch, you embark on an afternoon game drive. The cooler temperatures bring animals back into the open. Observation Hill offers panoramic views of the park, where you can see elephants wading through swamps, hippos partially submerged in the water, and buffalo grazing nearby. The sight of Kilimanjaro looming in the distance, its peak sometimes shrouded in clouds, adds to the magic of this Africa Safari Package.

As the sun sets, you return to the lodge for dinner and one final night in the wilderness. The evening is filled with the sounds of Amboseli—the deep rumbles of elephants, the distant roar of lions, and the melodic calls of night birds. This seventh day of your Africa Safari Packages showcases the very best of Amboseli, combining stunning scenery with unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Your final day of the Africa Safari Packages begins with an optional early morning game drive. This is your last chance to spot predators on the move or to photograph elephants silhouetted against the glowing Kilimanjaro sunrise. It’s a fitting farewell to one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

After breakfast, you check out of Amboseli Sopa Lodge and begin the drive back to Nairobi. The journey takes you past Maasai villages and rural landscapes, with opportunities for cultural stops or photo breaks along the way.

By midday, you arrive in Nairobi, where lunch is served at a city restaurant. Depending on your travel plans, you are either transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight or dropped off at your Nairobi hotel.

As your Africa Safari Package comes to a close, you reflect on the incredible journey you’ve completed. In just eight days, you have traversed Kenya’s diverse landscapes—semi-arid Samburu with its unique wildlife, conservation-driven Sweetwaters, the flamingo-filled shores of Lake Nakuru, the adventurous trails of Hell’s Gate, and finally Amboseli’s elephants beneath Kilimanjaro. Each destination offered something unique, and together they created a safari experience rich in variety, culture, and adventure.

Though the safari ends here, the memories stay forever: lions resting under acacias, flamingos painting the lake pink, rhinos grazing in the grasslands, and elephants moving across the savannah with the world’s tallest mountain as their backdrop. This is the essence of Africa Safari Packages—to give you not just a holiday, but a lifetime of stories.