Samburu, Lakes Naivasha & Nakuru, Hell's Gate & Masai Mara
An immersive North-to-South safari over eight action-filled days - wide-open Samburu plains, Rift Valley lakes, and three full nights in the Masai Mara.
An immersive North-to-South exploration
On this immersive African safari, you'll explore Kenya's parks and wildlife from North to South over eight action-filled days - wide-open plains alive with big game, prides of lion stalking rolling savannahs, and Rift Valley lakes and canyons filled with giraffe, antelope, buffalo and birdlife.
Samburu's lightly touristed wilderness opens the trip, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha add rhino, flamingo and a sailing safari, with an optional Hell's Gate cycling safari, before three full nights in the Masai Mara - the richest ecosystem in the region.
How this page works: as you pick a package tier, choose your accommodation, and add optional experiences, your selections build a live Trip Summary near the bottom of the page - ready to send with your inquiry. Tap any hotel's photo or the eye icon for a closer look before you choose.
Your day-by-day itinerary
Tap a day below for the full schedule, your accommodation for the night, and any optional add-ons.
Nairobi → Samburu
7:30am pickup, tracking north for Samburu National Reserve. Look for the snow-capped summit of Mt. Kenya as we traverse the central highlands, with a stop at local markets and to mark our crossing of the equator.
Arriving at Samburu, the immense sweep of plains and big sky opens before us for our safari's first game drive - elephant, lion, cheetah and buffalo. Toward evening, we retire at our accommodation for dinner.
Choose Your Samburu Accommodation
📍 Samburu National Reserve & neighboring Shaba/Buffalo Springs reserves, Kenya Sarova Shaba Game Lodge [dummy]
📍 Shaba National Reserve
Full-Day at Samburu
Up with the sun and the birds for a day of unlimited game drives - or relaxation, your choice. Samburu is known for the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa oryx.
The park is bisected by the Ewaso Nyiro River, which provides life-sustaining water. For more greenery, we hop over to neighboring Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves. Optional visit to the local Samburu people available today.
Same accommodation as last night - see Day 1 for the full range of upgrade and downgrade options at this location.
Samburu → Lake Nakuru
A final game drive before we leave Samburu, then on to Lake Nakuru, stopping at Nyahururu to view the cascading waters of Thompson's Falls.
Lake Nakuru brings more waterfalls, pretty acacia forests and the blue alkaline lake, with pelican, kingfisher, ostrich, heron, eagle and sometimes bright pink flamingo on the shores. The rhino sanctuary here is a haven for endangered black rhino.
Choose Your Lake Nakuru Accommodation
📍 Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge [dummy]
📍 Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha
A quick game and bird-viewing drive in the early light, then on to Hell's Gate Park, known for its steaming vents, mineral pools and dramatic canyons - a walking or bicycle safari past grazing gazelle, antelope and zebra.
At Lake Naivasha, a peaceful sailing safari glides by hippos, with a guided walking tour at neighboring Crescent Island Sanctuary among impala, gazelle and waterbuck. Four parks explored in a single busy day!
Choose Your Lake Naivasha Accommodation
📍 Lake Naivasha area, Kenya Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort [dummy]
📍 Lake Naivasha area
Lake Naivasha → Masai Mara
One more turn around the lake in the early morning light before heading out to the great Masai Mara Reserve - golden savannahs and rolling hills greet us.
We have time for our first of many game drives here over the next four days - numerous prides of lion, plus cheetah, leopard, hyena and other large game. We spend the first of three evenings at our Mara accommodation.
Choose Your Masai Mara Accommodation
📍 Masai Mara National Reserve & adjacent private wildlife sanctuaries, Kenya
Mara Sopa Lodge [dummy]
📍 Masai Mara ecosystem
Also available: Olorien Mara Camp, Mara Duma Camp.
Also available: Mara Leisure Camp, Sentrim Mara Camp, Prideinn Mara Camp, Osero Camp, Enkorok Mara Camp, AA Mara Lodge, La Maison Royale Mara Camp, Mara River Lodge, Sekenani Camp, Olengoti Eco Safari Camp, Julia's River Camp, Mara Big Five Camp, Mara Sweet Acacia Lodge, Ol Kinyei Mara Tented Camp, Mara Kimana Camp.
Also available: Zebra Plains Mara Camp, Kandili Camp, Naserian Mara Camp, Emayian Camp, Mara Simba – Tent Rooms, Mara River Camp, Mara Siria Camp, Mara Maisha Camp, Matira Bush Camp, Loyk Mara Camp, Enchipai Mara Camp, Kilima Camp Mara.
Also available: Karen Blixen Camp, Mara Intrepids Camp, Neptune Mara Rianta Luxury Camp, Mara Eden Safari Camp, Ashnil Mara Camp, Mara Crossings Camp, Saruni Mara Camp, Porini Mara Camp, Entumoto Safari Camp, Kicheche Mara Camp, Mara Bushtop Luxury Camp, Entim Mara Camp, Mara Explorer Camp, Sroi Mara Bush Camp, Basecamp Eagle View Camp, Saruni Leopard Hill Camp, Governors Camp Mara. Accommodations marked with a * attract a supplement - your tour consultant will advise on the value.
Full Day at the Masai Mara
This longer safari gives plenty of time to get to know the Mara, its wildlife and its land. Over 95 mammal species inhabit this great fertile tract.
During the Great Migration season (July-October) uncountable wildebeest and zebra flood into the park. We head down to the Mara River, crossing site, where crocodiles and big cats wait for the incoming grazers.
Same accommodation as last night - see Day 5 for the full range of upgrade and downgrade options at this location.
Full Day at the Masai Mara
Very few safaris offer two full days exploring this immense park - discover new areas, revisit favorite spots or add relaxation time, it's all up to you.
Optional pre-dawn hot air balloon safari and Maasai village visit available today. Enjoy a brilliant Mara sunset as we head back for our final night on safari.
Same accommodation as the previous two nights - see Day 5 for the full range of upgrade and downgrade options at this location.
Masai Mara → Nairobi
Breakfast at your accommodation, then it's time to head back to Nairobi.
Arriving at about 4:30pm - over a week on the safari trail, six parks, and more types and numbers of wildlife than you probably imagined.
Everything handled, nothing hidden
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser transport, Nairobi airport/hotel pickup and drop-off, your choice of economy/comfort/luxury lodges or tented camps, an experienced English-speaking driver-guide, bottled water, park entrance fees, all game drives, all meals on safari, government taxes, and Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover.
Not included: bottled/soft drinks beyond water, items of a personal nature, and tips. Optional Hell's Gate National Park visit ($65pp), Maasai village visit ($25pp) and hot air balloon safari ($460pp) are add-ons.
Request a Tailored QuotePer person, sharing a double/twin en-suite room
All safari prices are listed by season, number of persons and comfort tier. Pick a package tier below to add its price to your Trip Summary.
| Group Size | Economy | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | $3,950 | $4,195 | $4,695 |
| 2 persons | $2,630 | $2,785 | $3,050 |
| 3 persons | $2,285 | $2,440 | $2,705 |
| 4 persons | $2,115 | $2,270 | $2,530 |
| 5 persons | $2,010 | $2,165 | $2,430 |
| 6-7 persons | $1,940 | $2,100 | $2,360 |
| Single Room Supplement | $305 | $380 | $620 |
Shoulder A season: 3 Jan – 31 Mar, and 1 – 15 June.
| Group Size | Economy | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | $4,000 | $4,540 | $5,040 |
| 2 persons | $2,975 | $3,130 | $3,390 |
| 3 persons | $2,630 | $2,785 | $3,050 |
| 4 persons | $2,460 | $2,610 | $2,880 |
| 5 persons | $2,355 | $2,510 | $2,775 |
| 6-7 persons | $2,290 | $2,440 | $2,705 |
| Single Room Supplement | $300 | $380 | $620 |
Shoulder B season: 1 Nov – 22 Dec.
| Group Size | Economy | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | $4,890 | $5,410 | $6,595 |
| 2 persons | $3,335 | $3,675 | $4,400 |
| 3 persons | $2,945 | $3,285 | $4,010 |
| 4 persons | $2,750 | $3,090 | $3,815 |
| 5 persons | $2,635 | $2,975 | $3,700 |
| 6-7 persons | $2,555 | $2,895 | $3,620 |
| Single Room Supplement | $390 | $570 | $1,030 |
Peak season: 16 June – 31 Oct, and 23 Dec – 2 Jan. Christmas and festive supplements apply on selected hotels.
| Group Size | Economy | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | $3,495 | $3,675 | $3,795 |
| 2 persons | $2,305 | $2,535 | $2,640 |
| 3 persons | $1,995 | $2,225 | $2,325 |
| 4 persons | $1,840 | $2,065 | $2,170 |
| 5 persons | $1,745 | $1,975 | $2,075 |
| 6-7 persons | $1,680 | $1,910 | $2,010 |
| Single Room Supplement | $250 | $190 | $220 |
Low season: 1 Apr – 31 May. Easter supplements apply on selected hotels over the Easter weekend.
Easter Supplement: $35/$45/$80 for Economy/Comfort/Luxury (per person per night). Christmas/New Year Supplement (Dec 25, 26, 31, Jan 1): $35/$45/$80 for Economy/Comfort/Luxury (per person per night). Children under 3: free. Children 3-11: 75% of adult rate. Children 12 and above are treated as adults.
Your Trip Summary
Send Your Inquiry
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge [dummy]
[Dummy description] A game lodge on the Shaba/Samburu ecosystem's riverine plains, with elevated views over the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Use the tier tabs above to browse other tiers at this location. Final hotel assignment confirmed by your travel consultant at booking.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge [dummy]
[Dummy description] Set on a hillside among acacia forest with sweeping views over the lake, within easy reach of the park's rhino sanctuary and birdlife-rich shoreline.
Use the tier tabs above to browse other tiers at this location. Final hotel assignment confirmed by your travel consultant at booking.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort [dummy]
[Dummy description] A lakeside resort with gardens running down toward the shore, within easy reach of the Crescent Island boat launch.
Use the tier tabs above to browse other tiers at this location. Final hotel assignment confirmed by your travel consultant at booking.
Mara Sopa Lodge [dummy]
[Dummy description] A spacious lodge with traditional round-hut styled rooms and wide savannah views.
Use the tier tabs above to browse other tiers at this location. Final hotel assignment confirmed by your travel consultant at booking.
Final hotel details, photos and descriptions will be confirmed by your travel consultant at booking.