Overview
This is a 12 days, 11 nights tour visiting Aberdare, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Amboseli for wildlife game viewing drives. The safari will start from Nairobi and end in Nairobi. You shall be in a 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep with an open roof-top for better visual of the game drives.
Trip Highlights
- Samburu Game Reserve: Semi‑arid landscapes, Samburu “Special Five” (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich), game drives along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Rhino sanctuary, chimpanzee viewing, elephants, elands, bushbuck, and other Laikipia wildlife.
- Aberdare National Park: Highland forests, waterfalls, lodge‑based viewing from tree hotels, bird watching.
- Lake Nakuru National Park: Flamingos, rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, zebras, Makalia waterfalls, bird watching.
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: Big Five, wildebeest migration (July–October), Mara River hippos and crocodiles, full‑day game drives.
- Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate: Boat rides, Crescent Island walking safari, bicycle rides, hiking.
- Amboseli National Park: Large elephant herds, Kilimanjaro backdrop, diverse ecosystems, full‑day game drives.
- Tsavo West National Park: Scenic landscapes, Mzima Springs (hippos, crocodiles, exotic fish), game drives.
Itinerary
0730hrs: Pick up from your Nairobi hotel or Nairobi airport. Depart Nairobi and proceed to the Samburu game reserve. The scenic drive is via the Kenya highlands with views of tea, coffee and subsistence farmlands. You shall experience different climatic and vegetation zones on today’s drive including the highlands and semi arid desert conditions of northern Kenya. Afternoon game viewing drive at Samburu.
Overnight at your Samburu safari lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day shall be spent at the Samburu game reserve with game viewing drives. Options of combining the Samburu, Buffalo springs and Shaba reserves on game viewing drives. Game viewing concentrates along the Ewaso Nyiro River which is the lifeline of this semi desert environment.
Overnight at your Samburu lodge or tented camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Early game viewing drive at the Samburu game reserve. Later depart for the cooler Mount Kenya and Laikipia region at the shadows of Olpejeta game sanctuary. Afternoon game viewing drives including opportunities to see Rhino and Chimpanzee. Overnight at your Olpejeta tented camp / lodge. What you may see / do around Ol Pejeta…..
Elephants, Tree hyrax, white tailed mongoose, black fronted dicker, mole rat, bushbuck, water buck, Elands, rhino, chimpanzee.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Morning shall be spent with game viewing drives around the game sanctuary.
Later proceed to the Aberdares National park. Afternoon transfer to a tree hotel. Overnight at your tree lodge with game viewing from the balconies of your cabin.
What you may see/do at Aberdare National Park:
Game viewing drives through mist‑covered forests and moorlands, bird watching of endemic highland species, photography of dramatic waterfalls such as Karuru and Gura Falls, lodge‑based wildlife viewing at tree hotels like Treetops and The Ark, trekking on scenic trails such as Elephant Hill and Mount Satima, and visits to historic Mau Mau caves and cultural sites.
NB: Only small overnight bags are allowed at the tree hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Later proceed to the lake Nakuru National Park. There shall be a stop to view the scenic Thompson falls at Nyahururu. The drive via farming country and homesteads via the Great Rift Valley escarpment edge is scenic. Afternoon bird watching and game viewing drive. Overnight at your lake Nakuru lodge or tented camp. What you may see at Lake Nakuru national park.
Few Flamingoes, Zebra, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Waterbuck, Makalia waterfalls. The lake Nakuru national park is home to hundreds of bird species including a few flamingoes and other bird species.
The lake also hosts the black and white rhino population in its sanctuary
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Begin the day with morning bird watching and game drives before proceeding to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, with scenic stops along the way. In the afternoon, enjoy another exciting game drive across the vast plains. Overnight stay will be at your Masai Mara safari lodge or tented camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today shall be a game viewing extravaganza! Maasai Mara Game reserve remains the most exciting wildlife eco-system in the Natural world. It is host to the highest and most varied concentration of wild animals than any other wildlife park in the region. The scenic appeal of the tree studded savannah plains, the moderate climate and diversity of wild game species makes it a one stop shop for game viewing activities. We shall traverse the Masai Mara reserve on a full day of unlimited game viewing encountering the big five and more of the lesser game. We shall visit the Mara river as we watch hippos & crocodiles or maybe the great migration (July – October). Overnight shall be at our Masai Mara safari lodge/ Tented camp.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Game viewing drives at the Masai Mara. Later depart Masai Mara for lake Naivasha. Afternoon visit the Hell’s gate national park (Bicycle ride and hike). Overnight at your Lake Naivasha lodge / tented camp. What you may do at the Lake Naivasha….
Boat ride, bicyle riding, Hells gate tour.
Meal plan: breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Morning boat safari to explore Lake Naivasha while you view hippos,exotic birds and small game.
We shall also enjoy a guided walking safari at the Crescent Island. Later proceed to the Amboseli national park. Afternoon game viewing drive at the Amboseli.
Overnight at your Amboseli lodge or tented camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
This will be a full day of game viewing drives. Plenty of time to soak up the wildlife and the magnificent scenery. And we’ve allowed time for relaxation as well. There will be an early morning game drive. Then breakfast will be followed by a mid-morning drive. After a comfortable lunch we’ll set out on a later afternoon game drive.
Between the wildlife viewing sessions, relax at your Amboseli lodge or camp. They will provide meals and other activities.
As always, your safari vehicle and driver/ guide are at your disposal for even more game viewing drives. Overnight at your Amboseli safari lodge or tented camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
National Park (100 km – Approx. 2 hrs)
Morning game viewing drive at the Amboseli-weather permitting there shall be awesome views of the mountain peaks
Later proceed to the Tsavo West National Park. Scenery and game viewing drives at the Tsavo west.
Overnight at your Tsavo west safari lodge or tented camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Game viewing drives at the Tsavo west. Visit the Mzima springs to view hippos, crocodiles and exotic fish. Later depart for Nairobi.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Complimentary transfer to / from Airport on arrival and departure date
- Park entrance fee where applicable
- Service of an English/French/German speaking driver guide
- Transport based on a 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Guaranteed window seat for everyone
- Our Safari vehicles carry enough drinking water for all.
- Accommodation and all meals while on safari as per the itinerary
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Government taxes
Cost Excludes
- Gratitudes/Tips
- Passport Visa
- International Flights
- Things of personal nature: bottled drinks, telephone, laundry
- Anything not stated in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
- Accommodation in lodges, tented camps, and tree hotels (Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo West).
- Daily meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- Transport in a 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep with pop‑up roof.
- Professional English/French/German‑speaking driver/guide.
- Park entry fees and unlimited game drives.
- Bottled drinking water during safari.
- Complimentary airport transfers (arrival & departure).
- International flights and visas.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural village visits, bicycle rides at Hell’s Gate).
- Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, souvenirs).
- Samburu: Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich.
- Ol Pejeta: Rhinos, chimpanzees, elephants, elands, bushbuck.
- Aberdare: Elephants, buffalo, leopards, bird species, scenic waterfalls.
- Lake Nakuru: Flamingos, rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, zebras, lions.
- Maasai Mara: Big Five, wildebeest migration (July–October), cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles.
- Naivasha: Hippos, exotic birds, giraffes, antelopes.
- Amboseli: Large elephant herds, diverse birdlife, Kilimanjaro backdrop.
- Tsavo West: Hippos, crocodiles, exotic fish at Mzima Springs.
- Daily game drives in all major parks.
- Bird watching at Nakuru, Naivasha, and Amboseli.
- Boat safari at Lake Naivasha.
- Walking safari at Crescent Island.
- Bicycle rides and hiking at Hell’s Gate.
- Scenic stops at Thompson Falls and Rift Valley viewpoints.
- June–October: Dry season, excellent wildlife viewing.
- July–October: Wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara.
- November–March: Bird watching season, lush landscapes.
- Nairobi → Samburu: ~6 hrs
- Samburu → Ol Pejeta: ~3 hrs
- Ol Pejeta → Aberdare: ~2 hrs
- Aberdare → Nakuru: ~4 hrs
- Nakuru → Masai Mara: ~5 hrs
- Mara → Naivasha: ~5 hrs
- Naivasha → Amboseli: ~6 hrs
- Amboseli → Tsavo West: ~2 hrs
- Tsavo West → Nairobi: ~5 hrs
- Comfortable safari clothing (neutral colors).
- Warm jacket for Aberdare’s cool nights.
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
- Sturdy walking shoes.
- Camera/binoculars.
- Personal medication.
Yes. Lodges offer family rooms, and the itinerary balances game drives with lodge relaxation. Children enjoy bird watching at Nakuru, boat rides at Naivasha, and cultural experiences.
