11 Day Kenya Safari Mara Nakuru Samburu Aberdare Amboseli & Tsavo

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 2: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 3: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 4: Masai Mara – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Day 6: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 7: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Day 8: Aberdare – Drive to Amboseli National Park
Day 9: Explore Amboseli National Park
Day 10: Amboseli – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
Day 11: Tsavo West – Drive to Mombasa or Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve

In the morning we leave Nairobi and travel southwest to the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. Our journey to Masai Mara takes us via the scenic Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Along the way, we stop to admire the breathtaking views, before climbing the western side of the Rift Valley.

We arrive at our camp/ lodge in time for lunch and venture into this beautiful Kenyan game park on an afternoon game drive. We explore Masai Mara searching for the abundant wildlife found here, including Africa’s Big Five animals – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino.

Return to the camp/ lodge for dinner and relax in nature.

Overnight Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp, Azure Mara Haven Hotel or Fig Tree Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2 & 3: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve

The next two days are spent game viewing in Kenya’s leading game park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. Our morning and afternoon game drives take us in search of Africa’s Big Five and the wide array of other wildlife inhabiting this vast Kenyan game reserve.

The Mara covers 1510 km² and wherever you go you will see plenty of wildlife, such as Masai Giraffes, Baboons, Warthogs, bat-eared Foxes, Grey Jackals, spotted Hyenas, Topis, Impala, Hartebeests, Wildebeest, Elephants, Buffalos, Zebras, Hippos, Cheetah and Leopard.

The ultimate action here is without a doubt the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August when millions of these grazers move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.

The Great Migration of hooved animals, in turn, attracts Africa’s predators, such as Lion, Hyena and Cheetahs, among others. Hot-air balloon trips are an outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains teeming with wildlife. These Masai Mara balloon trips can be arranged at extra cost.

Overnight Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp, Azure Mara Haven Hotel or Fig Tree Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Masai Mara – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, we continue our journey driving north to Lake Nakuru National Park, and arriving at our lodge/camp in time for lunch. After lunch, we head into the bush on an afternoon game-viewing drive in Lake Nakuru Park, in search of its diverse wildlife and numerous birds.

Lake Nakuru has retained its reputation as an ornithologist’s delight, with more than 400 species of bird found here. Bird species include the Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, and Long-crested Eagle.

The park is also known as an important wildlife sanctuary for some of Africa’s endangered species, especially black and white Rhinos, and Rothschild Giraffes.  Other animals to look for on our game drive include Lions, Waterbuck, Buffalo, leopards and Baboons.

We have dinner and overnight at our comfortable lodge/ camp in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Flamingo Hill Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Samburu National Reserve

Day five starts with breakfast in Lake Nakuru, before we depart for Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya. We either have lunch at our next camp located inside Samburu Game Reserve.

After settling in and relaxing for a bit, we set off into the wilds on our afternoon 4×4 game drive in Samburu National Reserve. The reserve consists of hot, dry plains and scrublands fringed by mountains, including the tall Ol Olokwe Mountain.

The game drive takes us into the early evening, with a scenic stop for sundowners in the bush as the day fades into the night in a show of colours. Then we head back to our exclusive safari camp/ lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp or Samburu Game Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6: Explore Samburu National Reserve

Get an early start on day six, embarking on a 4×4 game drive in Samburu National Reserve after breakfast. We may see large predators and some rare big mammals on our game drive, as well as some of the over 350 bird species found here.

Some of the most remarkable species of the park are the Somali Ostriches, long-necked Gerenuk Antelope, Grevy’s Zebra and Somali Giraffe, Cheetah, Elephant, Lion and Buffalo are frequently sighted, along with various antelopes, including striking-looking Gemsbok, Gazelle, Waterbuck and tiny Dikdik.

Return to the camp/ lodge for lunch and a break, before setting off on our afternoon 4×4 game drive in the arid Samburu Reserve. In Samburu, you get the chance to encounter the traditional Samburu tribe and gain insight into their customs and culture.

Overnight Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp or Samburu Game Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park

Rise and shine in the peaceful Samburu Game Reserve after a good night’s sleep surrounded by nature. After breakfast at the lodge, we travel to the cooler Aberdare Mountains, making our way to our next game-viewing destination in the 4×4 vehicle.

Arriving in the Aberdare Highlands we have lunch at the Aberdare Country Club or the Outspan Hotel which looks out over the surrounding wilderness. Once we have had lunch we move on to our nearby accommodation, The Ark Tree Lodge or the Treetops Hotel.

Watch the animals that frequently visit the lively waterhole beside the lodge, from a series of viewing decks and areas at different levels. Spotting animals at the floodlit salt lick and watering hole into the night, with common visitors including Elephants, Buffalos, Rhinos and even Leopards.

Wind down with dinner and drinks in the bar, overlooking the active waterhole.

Overnight Accommodation: Ark Lodge or the Treetops Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8: Aberdare – Drive to Amboseli National Park

Leave Aberdare National Park after breakfast and travel south to Amboseli National Park, located near the border with Tanzania. We arrive at our camp/ lodge inside Amboseli Park, in time for lunch.

 Amboseli National park is one of the most popular game parks in Kenya. Amboseli Park covers sprawling grasslands and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.  Standing at 5896m above sea level the snow-topped mountain forms the backdrop to game viewing in Amboseli.

After lunch at the camp, we take an afternoon game drive in the beautiful Amboseli National Park. Then we have dinner and overnight at a comfortable camp/ lodge in Amboseli National Park.

Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge or Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9:  Explore Amboseli National Park

Today is set aside for a full day of game viewing in Amboseli game park. We explore this scenic game reserve on morning and afternoon game drives and have the option of visiting a Maasai village (optional extra).

Amboseli National Park hosts some of Kenya’s largest elephant herds and is famous for its big elephant bulls with their impressive tusks. Amboseli is considered one of the top game parks in Africa to get up close to elephants in the wild, as well as offering some of the finest photographic opportunities of wildlife flanked by the scenic Mt Kilimanjaro.

The Game Park also contains huge populations of Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hippo and various antelope species, such as Impala. Amboseli National Park is also home to Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs and many other species of plains game. The park also boasts an abundance of birds, including Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, Pelicans, African Fish Eagles and Falcons.

We return to the same camp/ lodge in Amboseli, for a night under starry skies. Enjoy meals and another overnight stay at the private safari camp, with beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge or Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 10: Amboseli – Drive to Tsavo West National Park

From Amboseli, we travel southeast to Tsavo West National Park. Explore Chyulu Hills and Mzima Springs, home to numerous hippos and crocodiles. At Mzima Springs we can view the Hippos swimming beneath the surface of the water, from the underwater viewing chamber.

Tsavo West offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world and attractions include Elephant, Rhino, Hippos, Lions, Cheetah, Leopards, Buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.

We have lunch and dinner and stay overnight at a camp/ lodge.

Overnight Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge & Severin Safari Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 11: Tsavo West – Drive to Mombasa or Nairobi

Today we leave the wildlife behind and take a slow, scenic drive through the back roads of Kenya past rolling hills and small villages down to the coastal town of Diani Beach. With 13 kilometres of warm Indian Ocean coastline trimmed with white beaches and waving palm trees, this is a tropical paradise.

The past week has seen us become safari experts with the knowledge gleaned from our safari guide and our observations in the diverse landscapes, but now it’s time to relax. If you have planned a stay at the coast, you will be dropped at your hotel, otherwise the airport beckons.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}