10 Day Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Mt Kenya Lake Nakuru Mara

Our 10-Day Safari: Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru, Mara takes you to Aberdare National Park/Mt. Kenya National Park (Tree Lodge Hotels), then to the road less traveled, journeying to the remote, dramatic Samburu region in Kenya’s old northern frontier.

It also includes Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary, the Mount Kenya Safari Club, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve in a neat 10-day package, without ever rushing or sacrificing experience quality.

On the contrary, in fact. All of Kenya’s legendary game parks are included, as well as a few hidden gems. Moreover, in some locations, you’ll stay in luxurious tented camps, and elsewhere in superb Serena lodges.

Day-by-Day Detailed Itinerary & Timing

Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park

0800 Hours – Departure: Leave Nairobi and head north through lush coffee and tea plantations
1230 Hours – Arrival & Lunch: Check into your base hotel (like the Aberdare Country Club) for lunch before transferring into the park
1500 Hours – Forest Wildlife Watch: Settle into a unique tree-lodge like The Ark Lodge or Treetops. Spend the afternoon and night watching elephants, leopards, and large buffalo herds visit the floodlit waterhole directly in front of the lodge

Day 2: Aberdare to Mount Kenya

0830 Hours – Morning Mountain Drive: Depart Aberdare and drive toward the foothills of Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount Kenya.
1130 Hours – Arrival & Equatorial Cross: Arrive at your lodge, such as the iconic Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Take a photo at the official equator crossing.
1430 Hours – Mountain Foothills Exploration: Enjoy a guided nature walk through the mountain forests, visit the local animal orphanage, or take in the dramatic, crisp mountain air and views of the jagged peaks.

Day 3: Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve

0730 Hours – Dropping into the Arid North: Leave the cool highlands behind and drive down into the hot, semi-arid desert landscapes of Northern Kenya.
1230 Hours – Arrival in Samburu: Check into your safari camp along the Ewaso Nyiro River
1600 Hours – Sunset Game Drive: Head out for your first drive to spot Samburu’s unique wildlife that you won’t see in the southern parks, including reticulated giraffes and Grevy’s zebras

Day 4: Samburu National Reserve (Full Day)

0630 Hours – Morning Game Drive: Set out at dawn when predators are most active. Keep an eye out for leopards resting in the acacia trees along the river.
1200 Hours – Midday Rest: Enjoy lunch and escape the fierce midday heat at your lodge pool.
1600 Hours – Evening Safari & Culture: Combine a late afternoon drive with an optional visit to a traditional Samburu village to learn about their vibrant culture and pastoral lifestyle.

0800 Hours – Drive to Laikipia Plateau: Head back south toward Nanyuki to enter the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
1200 Hours – Arrival & Camp Check-in: Check into a tented camp like Sweetwaters Tented Camp.
1530 Hours – Rhinos and Chimpanzees: Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (the only place in Kenya to see rescued chimpanzees) and the heavily guarded sanctuary hosting the world’s last two remaining Northern White Rhinos

0700 Hours – Great Rift Valley Descent: Drive west across the Aberdare range and drop down into the dramatic Great Rift Valley.
1230 Hours – Arrival at Nakuru: Check in and have lunch overlooking the lake.
1530 Hours – Lake Shore Exploration: Enjoy a game drive around the lake perimeter. This park is one of your best chances on the entire trip to see both black and white rhinos in the wild, alongside elusive leopards and thousands of waterbirds

Day 7: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

0700 Hours – The Long Journey to the Mara: Depart early for the longest drive of your trip. The road descends deeper into the Rift Valley floor before climbing up toward the vast savannahs of the Masai Mara
1330 Hours – Welcome to the Mara: Arrive at your camp in time for a late lunch.
0415 Hours – First Mara Safari: Take a short evening game drive to introduce yourself to Africa’s premier big cat country.

0615 Hours – Dawn Patrol: Start with an early breakfast or grab a picnic box. These two days are completely flexible. You can opt for full-day game drives stretching all the way to the Mara River (vital if traveling during the Great Migration from July to October) or split your days into morning and evening drives.

Optional Highlight: You can arrange a spectacular sunrise hot air balloon safari over the plains on one of these mornings.

0730 Hours – Final Morning Views: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at camp before packing up.
0830 Hours – Journey Back: Head out of the reserve boundaries and drive back toward the capital.
1430 Hours – Nairobi Arrival: Arrive back in Nairobi in the mid-afternoon. Drop off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your hotel, bringing a spectacular 10-day adventure to a close

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park or Mt. Kenya National Park
Day 2: Forest Tree Lodge – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve
Day 3: Samburu Game Reserve
Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters Game Reserve
Day 5: Sweetwaters – Drive to Mt Kenya Safari Club
Day 6: Mt Kenya Safari Club – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 7: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 8: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 9: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 10: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park or Mt. Kenya National Park

Depart Nairobi after breakfast. Our destination today is the Aberdare National Park. We travel overland through plantations of coffee and tea to The Aberdare Country Club, nestled on the slopes of Mweiga Hill.

After lunch and tea/Coffee or Hot chocolate, set off for Ark Tree Lodge, located in the forest on the slopes of the Aberdare Mountains at 7,000 feet. This outstanding lodge offers high-altitude game viewing, including animals that are rarely encountered elsewhere: giant forest hog, bush pig, tree hyrax, large spotted genet, and the elusive bongo.

Wildlife can be observed from different levels — and from outside, where you can see, hear, and smell everything, and inside, where you can sit with a cup of tea and stay warm and cozy.

You can put in a request to be awakened during the night if your favorite animals show up. A herd of Elephants might be just feet away and if you are lucky, a Leopard or large male Lion might put in an appearance.

Overnight at the Ark or Treetops Hotel or the Serena Mountain Lodge
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Forest Tree Lodge – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve

This morning, we drive to Kenya’s northern frontier. Wild and rugged, Samburu is fiercely beautiful with its arid savannahs watered by the lovely Uaso Nyiro River. It is also one of Kenya’s most protected areas and home to species only found north of the equator, from the reticulated giraffe to Grevy’s zebras and Beisa oryxes.

We also enjoy Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp, our luxurious lodge set beneath a canopy of acacia trees along the riverbanks.

Overnight at Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp or Samburu Sopa

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Samburu Game Reserve

Dawn breaks in golden bands as we start our day in the bush by scanning the river from our tent’s veranda with a cup of steaming coffee in hand. Before the dew is off the grass, we’re off in pursuit of the elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs that thrive in the reserve’s grasslands and acacia woodlands.

And so the day is spent in alternating pursuits of exploration in the bush and relaxation in our cozy camp.

Overnight at Larsens Tented Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp or Samburu Sopa

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters Game Reserve

This morning we depart Samburu and proceed south, driving through the quintessential town of Isiolo to Sweetwaters Tented Camp. Sweetwaters land, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and its sumptuous ranch were once the private domain of famed multimillionaire Adnan Kashoggi.

We visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a charming haven established by the Jane Goodall Institute to protect orphaned chimps, and the specially protected, fenced refuge for black rhinos, home to 40 stunning specimens!

In fact, Sweetwaters offers excellent game viewing, with the highest game-to-area ratio of any park or reserve in Kenya. Moreover, the camp has its own private waterhole and salt lick, so we’ll be guaranteed unprecedented close encounters. Whether it’s day or night game drives, camel trekking, lion tracking, al fresco dining or relaxing by the pool, Sweetwaters is bound to delight.

Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp or Porini Rhino Camp or Ol Pejeta Camp

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Sweetwaters – Drive to Mt Kenya Safari Club

Our destination today is the lovely Mount Kenya Safari Club. This exclusive club offers refined elegance and luxury, with a old Hollywood feel thanks to its glamorous past.

All of the amenities you would expect from a fine establishment are here, including horse stables, golf, trout streams, tennis and a sauna. Fine dining, gracious hospitality and superb accommodations are sure to be highlights of our stay.

Overnight at the Mount Kenya Safari Club
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6: Mt Kenya Safari Club – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

Today we travel to the exotic Lake Nakuru National Park located in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch, we’ll enjoy an exciting afternoon game drive.

The game in this park is plentiful, and the magnificent bird-watching will make a devotee out of even the most reluctant. The Park is home to stunning flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, which literally turn the lakeshores into a magnificent pink stretch.

The birdlife here is world-renowned, with over 400 bird species, including White Pelicans, Plovers, Egrets, and Marabou Storks. It is also one of the very few places in Africa to see the white Rhino and rare Rothschild Giraffe.

Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve

This morning we drive through the dramatic Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara National Reserve. This enormous reserve is part of the vast Serengeti plains, famous for its spectacular great wildebeest migration, and is home to the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhino.

Lunch at our Lodge and relax before departing for the afternoon game drive. The Mara Game Reserve is one of the world’s greatest wildernesses. Large mammals are varied and easy to see.

Residents of the Park are Masai Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland, and thousands of plains game, including Impala, Zebra, Topi, and both Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelles.

Overnight at Sarova Tented Camp or Siana Tented Camp or Mara Simba Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8 & Day 9: Discover Masai Mara

Continue the search for great predators, and perhaps even cubs, today and tomorrow on extensive game drives. The plains host enormous herds of grazing animals, plus elusive cheetahs and leopards hiding among acacia boughs.

During our stay, we also have an optional opportunity to visit a Masai village to witness the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience.

Overnight at Sarova Tented Camp or Siana Tented Camp or Mara Simba Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 10: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

After a sumptuous breakfast and the drive back to Nairobi this morning, we may wish to visit Nairobi’s shopping areas, revisit a favorite site, or simply relax before heading to the airport, already fondly recalling the trip of a lifetime.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}

10 Day Safari: Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Mt Kenya, Lake Nakuru, Mara Includes

✓ 14 extensive Game drives
✓ Pre-tour itinerary document
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Finest accommodations in all the Game Parks
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top for easy photography
✓ Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
✓ Multi-lingual Professional Safari Guide/ Driver. (Professional Safari Escort is available upon request)
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Aberdare, Samburu, Sweetwaters Game Reserve, Mt Kenya Safari Club, Nakuru & Masai Mara

Prices Exclude

✗International Airfare
✗ A visit to a Masai Village
✗Accommodations in Nairobi
✗ Cost of obtaining passport and visas
✗ Gratuity for your professional driver guide
✗ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✗ Christmas, New Year and Easter Supplement
✗ Optional Hot Air Ballooning, Nature walks, etc
✗ Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
✗ Personal expenses such as travel insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, and beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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