8 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara

This 8-day Kenya road safari adventure features the ultimate safari destinations this iconic region has to offer. Your private African Spice Safaris driver-guide will accompany you throughout your journey from Nairobi to Samburu, Aberdare, and then later through to Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.

Starting in Nairobi, we hit the road in our 4×4 safari vehicle, driving north to the Samburu National Reserve, situated along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. On our game drive, we may come across lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hippos, buffalo, Grevy’s zebras, oryx, giraffes, gerenuks, and wild dogs.

Samburu is also rich in bird life, hosting over 350 species, and is one of the two areas where Elsa, the lioness of Born Free fame, was raised by George and Joy Adamson. Another highlight is encountering the traditional Samburu people, whose indigenous culture still follows ancient practices.

After 2 nights in Samburu, we travel up into the cooler mountains of the Aberdare National Park. You stay at the Treetops or the Ark lodge and 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 saltlick and watering hole into the night, with common visitors including elephants, buffalo, rhinos and even leopards.

Our next game-viewing destination is Lake Nakuru National Park, set around the shallow soda lake. Originally established as a bird sanctuary, Nakuru is a Ramsar Wetland Area, known for its spectacular birdlife. When water levels are high enough, massive flocks of flamingoes have been known to gather at Lake Nakuru.

Highlights of our 4×4 game drive may include sightings of tree-climbing lions and both black & white rhinos, for which the reserve is better known today. Commonly sighted animals include giraffes, baboons, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, and hippos, with rare sightings of leopards.

Then the time has come to explore the Masai Mara National Reserve – one of the most famous game parks on the planet, considered by many to be the finest wildlife safari destination in all of Africa.

On our game drive, we have excellent chances of seeing the Big Five, cheetah, serval, hyena, bat-eared foxes, black-backed and side-striped jackals, hippo, crocodile, baboons, warthog, topi, eland, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck, oribi, reed-buck, and zebra.

Besides regular day game drives, we enjoy extra activities (at an extra cost) such as night game drives, visits to Masai cultural villages, ballooning, bush dinners, lunches, and breakfasts. 

8 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara Itinerary Timeline

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve

Breakfast at the hotel, then we hit the road in our 4×4 safari vehicle, driving north to the Samburu National Reserve. Our long drive takes us through rural farmlands to the remote Samburu County. We arrive at our next full-board accommodation in time for lunch, with some free time to settle in and unwind by the pool.

Then we embark on our first 4×4 game drive in Samburu National Reserve, situated along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The river attracts and supports the wildlife of Samburu in this otherwise arid part of Kenya.

We drive through the park in our pop-up roof safari vehicle, taking in the grasslands, river forests, and acacia trees while searching for wildlife.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodation: Soroi Larsens Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp, Elephant Watch Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Simba Lodge, Samburu Ashnil Camp
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp Samburu

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve

Day two is for rewarding 4×4 game drives in Samburu National Reserve. We take an early-morning game drive, followed by lunch back at the lodge/camp, and relax before our afternoon game drive.

We may come across lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and are likely to see elephants, hippos, and buffalo. Grevy’s zebras, oryx, giraffes, gerenuks, other antelopes, and wild dogs are also found in Samburu.

The park is also rich in birdlife, hosting over 350 species. Samburu is one of the two areas where Elsa the lioness, of Born Free fame, was raised by George and Joy Adamson. Another highlight is encountering the traditional Samburu people, whose indigenous culture still follows ancient practices.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodation: Soroi Larsens Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp, Elephant Watch Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Simba Lodge, Samburu Ashnil Camp
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp Samburu

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: 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 up into 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/ 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 Lodge.

Watch the animals that frequently visit the lively waterhole beside the lodge from a series of viewing decks and areas at different levels. Spot animals at the floodlit saltlick and watering hole into the night, with common visitors including elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and even leopards.

Accommodation Options
Ark Forest Lodge, Treetop Lodge or the Serena Mountain Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Aberdare – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

Wake up with a refreshing tea or coffee at The Ark, then we head to the Aberdare Country Club for a tasty breakfast. After breakfast, we collect our belongings at the lodge and drive down to Lake Nakuru, one of the Great Lakes of East Africa’s Rift Valley.

Upon reaching Lake Nakuru National Park, we make our way to our next safari lodge, game-viewing en route. After lunch, we take a nap or go for a dip in the pool.

This afternoon we go game viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park, set around the shallow soda lake. Originally established as a bird sanctuary, Nakuru is a Ramsar Wetland Area, known for its spectacular bird life. When water levels are high enough, massive flocks of flamingoes have been known to gather at Lake Nakuru.

Highlights on our 4×4 game drive may include sightings of tree-climbing lions and both black and white rhinos, for which the reserve is better known today. Commonly sighted animals include giraffes, baboons, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, and hippos, with rare sightings of leopards.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Sarova Woodlands Hotel
Mid-range Accommodation: Egret Savannah Lodge Nakuru, Ziwa Bush Lodge Nakuru, Merica Hotel Nakuru
Budget Accommodation: Abbey Resort Nakuru, Chester Hotel Nakuru

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Maasai Mara Game Reserve

This morning we drive through the dramatic Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This enormous reserve is part of the vast Serengeti plains, famously known for its spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, and is home to the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhino.

Lunch at our lodge/camp, then relax before departing for the afternoon game run. The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is one of the greatest wildernesses in the world. Large mammals are varied and easy to see.

Residents of the Park are the Maasai giraffe, buffalo, Eland, and thousands of plains game including impala, zebra, Topi, and both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Camp, Cottars 1920’s
Mid-range Accommodation: Acacia House Mara Bush Houses, Elewana Sand River Masai Mara, Muthu Keekorok Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Ol Moran Tented Camp, Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Mara Springs Budget Camp

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6 & Day 7: Discover Maasai Mara Game Reserve

The search for great predators and perhaps even cubs continues today and tomorrow during extensive game runs. We may come across herds of wildebeest, elephants, zebras and antelopes, along with prides of lions, coalitions of cheetahs, a crash of rhinos and lone leopards.

During our stay, we also have the option to visit a Maasai 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.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Camp, Cottars 1920’s
Mid-range Accommodation: Acacia House Mara Bush Houses, Elewana Sand River Masai Mara, Muthu Keekorok Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Ol Moran Tented Camp, Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Mara Springs Budget Camp

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8: Maasai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

On the final day of this Kenya road safari, we get to have breakfast in the quintessential safari setting before leaving the Masai Mara. We journey back to the bustling city of Nairobi, arriving in the mid-afternoon, where you will be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or at your hotel.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast}

8 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Include

✓ Game drives
✓ High Altitude Game viewing
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with an open-top
✓ Multi-lingual Professional Safari Driver Guide
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water 
✓ Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
✓ Finest accommodations in Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Game Reserve 
✓Round trip transport from Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Game Reserve and back to Nairobi

8 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Excludes

✗ International Airfare
✗ Accommodation in Nairobi
✗ A visit to a Masai or Samburu Village
✗ 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 Night Game drives, Camel rides, Bird watching
✗ Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
✗ Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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