Private road · northern wildlife

Samburu, Nakuru & Mara Safari

Samburu’s distinctive northern wildlife, Nakuru habitats and Mara game drives. Compare the daily route, accommodation and included arrangements, then request a tailored seasonal quote.

7 days / 6 nights

Nairobi → Samburu → Lake Nakuru → Maasai Mara → Nairobi

From USD3,350per person sharing

Prices vary by season. From amounts are per adult sharing; dates, accommodation and party size determine your written quote.
A gerenuk in Samburu National Reserve

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Start & finish

Nairobi

Travel style

Private road safari

Stay options

Four Mara comfort levels; route-specific accommodation

Why choose this Samburu safari?

Samburu’s distinctive northern wildlife, Nakuru habitats and Mara game drives. This private itinerary is designed around contrasting wildlife settings and useful time in the Mara, with travel days shown as part of the holiday.

The route uses private road transport throughout. Samburu has a full wildlife day after the arrival night, then the journey to Nakuru takes priority over extra Samburu morning viewing. Nakuru wildlife viewing is fitted to the actual arrival, gate and accommodation plan.
If useful Nakuru viewing cannot fit the arrival afternoon, the scheduled park outing moves to the following morning before travelling to the Mara. The quote confirms the sequence and necessary entry. That can shorten or remove the Mara arrival drive; the following full Mara wildlife days remain the main viewing time.

A gerenuk in Samburu National Reserve

A distinct route

Samburu’s distinctive northern wildlife, Nakuru habitats and Mara game drives.

Private ground experience

Your party has its own scheduled transfers, vehicle and professional guiding. Flights may be shared.

Clear daily arrangements

Activities, wildlife interests, meals and overnight stops are listed separately, with optional additions identified.

Your 7 days Samburu safari itinerary

Samburu, Nakuru & Mara Safari follows the route below. Transfer days and flight connections are shown honestly; arrival viewing fits the actual travel and entry arrangements. Full wildlife days can use separate drives with camp breaks or the agreed longer outing with a picnic.

Wildlife is free-ranging. The animals and bird groups listed are relevant interests for the destination, not guaranteed sightings. Your private guide adapts permitted routes to your camp location, conditions and what is encountered.

  1. Nairobi
  2. Samburu
  3. Lake Nakuru
  4. Maasai Mara
  5. Nairobi
A gerenuk in Samburu National Reserve

Day 1

Nairobi to Samburu and an introduction to dry-country wildlife

Activities: Travel north with your private driver-guide from the agreed Nairobi pickup. Take the planned lunch and rest breaks, then check in at the selected Samburu accommodation. An introductory reserve drive runs only when the road journey, camp location and entry arrangements allow. Return for dinner; arrival day is kept realistic rather than sold as a full day in the reserve.

Wildlife to look for: Look for reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk or beisa oryx in suitable habitat. Elephants may also feature. These are species to search for, not a guaranteed collection on the first drive.

Meals: Lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Samburu accommodation

A gerenuk standing to browse in Samburu National Reserve

Day 2

Samburu: riverine habitats and northern species

Activities: Spend the day exploring permitted reserve routes with your private guide. Contrast semi-arid country with accessible riverine habitats around the Ewaso Ng’iro system, taking time to watch browsing, grazing and animal behaviour. Discuss a longer outing with a picnic or separate drives with lunch and rest at camp. Continue afternoon observation before returning for dinner.

Wildlife to look for: Watch for gerenuk browsing, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and beisa oryx, alongside elephants and birds. Predators may be encountered, but no specific species or behaviour is assured.

Meals: Breakfast · lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Samburu accommodation

Zebras grazing in Lake Nakuru National Park

Day 3

Samburu to Nakuru: travel and lake-country wildlife

Activities: Leave after breakfast for the private road journey to the Nakuru area, with lunch and rest breaks. Where arrival permits, explore Lake Nakuru National Park’s permitted routes, contrasting open grazing areas, woodland and lakeshore habitat. If the road journey leaves too little useful viewing time, the scheduled Nakuru outing moves to the next morning before continuing to the Mara; the written itinerary confirms this sequence and all necessary entry. Settle into the selected accommodation for dinner.

Wildlife to look for: Look for black and white rhinos, giraffe, zebra and buffalo on the park routes, with birds in the appropriate habitats. Flamingo numbers vary with lake conditions; a dense pink shoreline is not assumed.

Meals: Breakfast · lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Nakuru-area accommodation

A safari vehicle following a track through dry grassland

Day 4

Nakuru to the Mara and arrival wildlife viewing

Activities: If your scheduled Nakuru outing was deferred from yesterday, complete the confirmed morning park visit before continuing. Otherwise leave after breakfast for the private road journey to the Mara, with lunch and suitable breaks arranged around the transfer. Check in and settle into your room. Take an introductory Mara drive only if arrival and Reserve access permit; a transfer day is not a full wildlife day. Return to camp for dinner.

Wildlife to look for: Look for zebra, giraffe, gazelles and elephants if a Mara arrival drive is possible. Buffalo and predators may also be encountered; late arrival can mean Mara viewing begins the following morning. Any Nakuru morning visit follows that park’s habitat and wildlife interests.

Meals: Breakfast · lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Mara camp

Zebras grazing on open plains below wooded hills

Day 5

Mara plains: a full day of private game drives

Activities: Set out after breakfast for a private game drive across the open plains. Pause at grazing herds and spend time with any predators your guide locates. Break for lunch at camp or take a picnic when the agreed route suits a longer outing. Continue wildlife viewing in the afternoon, looking at different grassland areas before returning for dinner. Your guide chooses permitted routes around the day's sightings and your camp location.

Wildlife to look for: Look for zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, gazelles, elephants and buffalo. Lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas are possible encounters. Resident wildlife remains the focus even outside the main migration period.

Meals: Breakfast · lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Mara camp

Elephants walking through golden grass

Day 6

Mara river habitats and a second full wildlife day

Activities: Take a daytime drive towards an accessible river sector, with wildlife stops on the surrounding plains. Watch the water and banks from permitted viewing places, then explore nearby grassland and woodland routes with your guide. Use the planned picnic lunch or camp break to fit the route. In migration periods, spend time observing herds where they are present before continuing the afternoon drive and returning to camp.

Wildlife to look for: Look for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds around the river, plus elephants or buffalo nearby. Zebra and wildebeest may gather on the plains; migration crossings depend on herd movements and conditions.

Meals: Breakfast · lunch · dinner

Stay: Selected Mara camp

A safari vehicle following a track through dry grassland

Day 7

Breakfast, checkout and the return to Nairobi

Activities: Have breakfast, check out and begin the direct early road journey to Nairobi. Take suitable road breaks, then continue to the agreed drop-off; lunch is not included. This standard departure is a transfer day, with no game drive or departure-day Reserve entry. Inside camps follow the confirmed early-exit and sector conditions; outside camps return without entering. A final morning drive can be added only through a separate quote covering applicable entry and revised logistics, subject to the return itinerary.

Expected sights: Enjoy changing countryside along the road journey. No Reserve wildlife viewing is planned today; the focus is your Nairobi return and any agreed onward connection.

Meals: Breakfast; lunch not included

Stay: Safari ends in Nairobi

Your private safari, with four Mara accommodation choices

Choose the Mara accommodation level that suits your priorities. Other overnight stops use appropriate camps, lodges or hotels for the route; comfort and facilities can differ between destinations. The quote names every property, room and board plan. Photographs illustrate accommodation styles, rather than guaranteeing a particular room.

Prices vary by season. From amounts are for two non-resident adults sharing a double or twin room, with private ground services, the listed itinerary and compulsory charges. Dates, availability, party size and rooming determine the final written quote.

A timber walkway leading to tents beneath trees

Budget

Simple comfort, more time outside

Straightforward full-board safari accommodation with the essentials for the route.

From USD3,350per person sharing

Twin beds inside a canvas tent with a timber floor

Mid-range

A comfortable Mara base

Comfortable camps and lodges, selected for the daily journey and wildlife areas.

From USD4,600per person sharing

A tent bedroom opening onto a green landscape

Luxury

Classic safari hospitality

A characterful luxury Mara stay paired with suitable accommodation at the other stops.

From USD7,100per person sharing

A spacious tent suite with seating and a view over the plains

Ultra-luxury

Space, privacy and considered service

An exceptional Mara stay, paired with appropriate premium rooms elsewhere on the circuit.

From USD14,950per person sharing

Flights are included only where this itinerary lists them. The quoted total includes scheduled park or conservancy entry, applicable activity charges and compulsory selected-property charges. Optional extras, premium drinks, single occupancy and child arrangements are quoted separately.

What your land package covers

Included

Excluded

The written quote identifies the actual routing, properties, flights where listed, private ground arrangements and full compulsory charges. Any itinerary change is agreed before booking rather than added as an unexpected arrival charge.

Wildlife and landscapes along your route

A gerenuk in Samburu National Reserve
Elephants walking through golden grass
Zebras grazing on open plains below wooded hills

Choose dates for the whole route

Discuss the destinations and wildlife interests together when choosing dates. Rainfall, road and trail conditions, air services and camp availability can affect the practical plan. Accommodation seasons and park tariff calendars do not necessarily match.

Wildlife throughout the route

Resident wildlife remains a focus beyond the migration period. Different habitats create different opportunities; no animal or landscape photograph is guaranteed.

Migration interests in the Mara

Herd movements follow rainfall and grazing. A longer stay can provide more observation opportunities but cannot secure a crossing or a fixed herd location.

A complete seasonal quote

The offer uses the actual travel dates, operating flights where listed, selected properties and all compulsory charges. Child ages, rooming, equipment and mobility needs are considered before confirmation.

Details that make the trip work

The route uses private road transport throughout. Samburu has a full wildlife day after the arrival night, then the journey to Nakuru takes priority over extra Samburu morning viewing. Nakuru wildlife viewing is fitted to the actual arrival, gate and accommodation plan.

If useful Nakuru viewing cannot fit the arrival afternoon, the scheduled park outing moves to the following morning before travelling to the Mara. The quote confirms the sequence and necessary entry. That can shorten or remove the Mara arrival drive; the following full Mara wildlife days remain the main viewing time.

Samburu’s semi-arid and riverine habitats support distinctive wildlife interests such as reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and beisa oryx. Your guide searches suitable habitats without promising that every northern species will be found. Nakuru and the Mara provide different wildlife settings.

The quote names accommodation at every stop and includes compulsory charges. The four comfort options describe the Mara stay and an appropriate mix elsewhere; they do not promise an ultra-luxury property at every overnight. No extra private-conservancy activity is implied by the Samburu destination name.

The standard road departure includes breakfast, checkout and the direct early return to Nairobi. It includes no departure-morning game drive or departure-day Reserve entry. Outside camps return without entering; inside camps follow the confirmed early-exit and sector conditions without game viewing. A previous day’s ticket does not automatically cover the next day, and free departure is not assumed.

A final morning drive costs extra, including applicable entry and changed guiding or transfer costs. It must fit the return journey and appear in the written quote. Final-day road lunch and late checkout are excluded. Share your onward flight details so the return can be planned realistically.

Scheduled ground transfers, wildlife drives, vehicle and professional guiding are private to your party. Some properties use a separate private camp vehicle and guide after a handover. Dining rooms, pools and other communal areas may be shared with other guests; exclusive use of the camp is a separate arrangement.

The quote names the property, room and board plan. Camp location affects which wildlife areas are practical to reach. The comfort choice describes the Mara stay and appropriate accommodation elsewhere; not every regional overnight has the same facilities. Accommodation photographs illustrate the style of stay rather than a guaranteed room. A family room, single supplement, accessible room or adapted vehicle must be confirmed for the actual party; a comfort tier alone does not establish these facilities.

The meals listed for each itinerary day are included. A packed lunch can replace camp lunch on an agreed longer outing; it is taken at a permitted stopping place. Bottled drinking water is included. House drinks and laundry follow the selected camp’s quoted package; premium drinks and personal purchases are extra unless listed.

Tell us about allergies, dietary requirements and preferred rest breaks before booking. A specially hosted bush meal is included only when named in this itinerary; an ordinary picnic does not imply a separately hosted dining experience.

Mara drives explore grassland, woodland edges and accessible river habitats according to your camp location and interests. Grazing herds, elephants, birds and predators offer different subjects; named animals, hunts and repeat encounters cannot be guaranteed. River outings depend on a practical route and permitted access, rather than being an automatic visit to every crossing point.

Migratory herds respond to rainfall and grazing, and a river crossing has no fixed timetable. Outside the migration period, drives focus on resident wildlife. Your guide follows the applicable routes and viewing rules; private transport gives you a flexible pace, not unrestricted access. See the migration guide when choosing dates.

Bring layers, comfortable footwear, sun and insect protection, familiar binoculars or camera equipment, and protection from dust and rain. Keep essential medication and travel documents accessible. Discuss mobility needs before selecting the camp and vehicle. Check nationality-specific entry requirements and exemptions through Kenya’s eTA portal; document charges and comprehensive travel, medical and evacuation insurance are outside the package price.

Additional Nairobi accommodation and ground transfers outside the listed itinerary are separate unless expressly included. Share onward connections before booking so the return plan allows for the relevant roads, airport transfers and check-in arrangements.

Prices vary by season. The displayed From amounts are adult per-person sharing starting prices, not a child rate or a total for the whole family. Dates, accommodation availability, party size and rooming determine the final offer. Scheduled entry and compulsory selected-property charges belong in the quoted total; optional extras are identified separately.

An optional balloon flight normally uses a shared basket, even on a private ground safari. Eligibility, weather decisions and cancellation or rescheduling terms follow the selected operator. Community visits, spa treatments and other additions are included only when expressly listed.

MaasaiMara.ke quotes and books through authorised tour operator partners. You pay the operator named in the written offer, which plans and fulfils the trip. Review the named accommodation, meals, transport, access, payment and cancellation terms before confirming.

Use the form below to tell us your preferred dates, party size, rooming and interests. A written quote sets out the accommodation and the full price for your trip, so your safari is planned around the arrangements you choose.

Plan your Samburu, Nakuru & Mara Safari

Tell us your travel dates, party size, ages, rooming and wildlife interests. Include arrival and onward flight details, mobility needs and any activity preferences so the full itinerary and seasonal quote can be tailored to your party.

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