9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara from Nairobi
This affordable 9-Day Kenya road wildlife safari takes you on the journey of a lifetime to the most popular travel regions in Kenya.
This 9-day safari includes road transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional and friendly safari driver-guide, full-board accommodation of superb quality, a well-located lodge/camp, and shared game activities.
The safari begins and ends in Nairobi with a pick-up from a hotel or straight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. All park and reserve entrance fees are also included.
First, visit Aberdare National Park, a scenic, tropical park home to the Big 5 and rare forest-dwelling game such as the shy bongo antelope.
Continue with the journey north to Samburu National Reserve, famed for its abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali Ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and the Beisa Oryx.
Next, we travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya, home to the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa, and conversely, the last two northern white rhinos in the world.
Then descend into the Great Rift Valley to explore Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its spectacular birdlife, frequent rhino sightings, and tree-climbing lions.
End with game viewing in one of the best game parks in the world – Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara supports the highest density of game of any area of comparable size.
During the seasonal migrations, the reserve is home to up to a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebra that move into the area from the neighboring Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania.
The reserve is home to all the “Big Five,” and it is also possible to observe baboons, eland, ostrich, bat-eared foxes, and jackals; the rivers abound with hippos and crocodiles.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park
0730 Hours – 0800 Hours: Pick-up from your hotel or airport in Nairobi by your professional driver-guide
0800 Hours – 1130 Hours: Drive north through lush coffee and tea plantations toward the central highlands. (Approx. 3-hour drive)1130 Hours – 1300 Hours: Arrive and check in at your base hotel (such as Aberdare Country Club). Enjoy a relaxed lunch
1300 Hours – 1430 Hours: Transfer to your forest tree lodge inside the park (e.g., The Ark Lodge). Pack a small overnight bag; large luggage stays at the base hotel
1500 Hours – 1800 Hours: Afternoon game drive or deck viewing. Aberdare is famous for forest wildlife, including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, and colobus monkeys. 1830 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at the tree lodge. Spend the evening watching wildlife visit the lodge’s floodlit waterhole and salt lick
Day 2: Aberdare to Samburu National Reserve
0630 Hours – 0730 Hours: Breakfast at the tree lodge
0730 Hours – 0830 Hours: Transfer back to the base hotel to collect your main luggage
0830 Hours– 1230 Hours: Drive north past Mount Kenya and cross the equator line into the semi-arid Samburu landscape. (Approx. 3.5 to 4-hour drive)
1230 Hours – 1400 Hours: Check in at your safari lodge (such as Samburu Sopa Lodge) and enjoy a buffet lunch.
1400 Hours – 1600 Hours: Rest and unwind during the hottest part of the day.
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive. Look out for Samburu’s “Special Five”: the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk antelope.
0730 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at your lodge
Day 3: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
0600 Hours – 0630 Hours: Wake-up call with tea or coffee
0630 Hours– 0930 Hours: Early morning game drive when predators are most active. Watch for lions, leopards, and cheetahs
0930 Hours – 1030 Hours: Return to the lodge for a full breakfast
1100 Hours– 1300 Hours: Leisure time at the lodge (swim, relax, or enjoy a nature walk)
1300 Hours – 1430 Hours: Lunch at the lodge
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Late afternoon game drive along the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro River, a major gathering point for large elephant herds
1930 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 4: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
0700 Hours – 0800 Hours: Breakfast at the lodge.
0800 Hours – 1130 Hours: Depart Samburu and head south toward Nanyuki. (Approx. 3-hour drive)
1130 Hours – 1300 Hours: Arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and check in at your camp (such as Sweetwaters Serena Camp)
1300 Hours – 1430 Hours: Lunch at the camp
1500 Hours – 1630 Hours: Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (the only place in Kenya to see chimps) and meet Baraka, the blind black rhino
1630 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive across the plains. Ol Pejeta has the highest predator density in Kenya outside the Mara
0730 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at the camp
Day 5: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
0700 Hours– 0800 Hours: Breakfast at the camp
0800 Hours – 1230 Hours: Drive west across the Aberdare land and descend into the Great Rift Valley. Stop briefly at the scenic Nyahururu Thomson’s Falls. (Approx. 4-hour drive)
1230 Hours – 1400 Hours: Arrive at Lake Nakuru, check in at your lodge (e.g., Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge), and have lunch
1400 Hours – 1530 Hours: Rest or enjoy the lodge facilities
1530 Hours – 1630 Hours: Afternoon game drive around the lake shores. Look for thousands of pink flamingos, the highly endangered black and white rhinos, and Rothschild’s giraffes
0730 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at your lodge
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
0700 Hours– 0800 Hours: Breakfast at your lodge
0800 Hours– 1330 Hours: Travel south through Narok town to the world-renowned Masai Mara. (Approx. 5 to 5.5-hour drive)
1330 Hours – 1500 Hours: Check in at your safari camp or lodge and sit down for lunch.
1500 Hours – 1600 Hours: Relax after the long drive
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Your first introductory game drive in the Masai Mara, searching for the Big Five and immense herds of plains game.
0730 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at your Mara camp/lodge
Days 7 & 8: Full Days Exploring the Masai Mara
0600 Hours– 0630 Hours: Early coffee/tea. (Optional: A sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari can be arranged for Day 7 or 8 at an extra cost)
0630 Hours – 1530 Hours: Full-day game drive with a packed picnic lunch box. You will traverse deep into the reserve to track big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs) and visit the Mara River
1530 Hours – 1700 Hours: Return to the lodge to freshen up. Alternatively, spend this time visiting a traditional Maasai Village to experience their local culture.
0730 Hours Onward: Dinner and overnight at your camp/lodge
Day 9: Masai Mara to Nairobi
0630 Hours – 0730 Hours: Leisurely breakfast at the camp
0800 Hours – 1330 Hours: Check out and drive back to Nairobi. (Approx. 5.5-hour drive)
0130 Hours – 0300 Hours: Late lunch in Nairobi (such as at the famous Carnivore Restaurant)
0300 Hours Onward: Drop-off at your preferred hotel or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your departure flight
Route Overview & Drive Times
| Day | Destination | Key Highlights | Estimated Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi to Aberdare National Park | Forest wildlife, waterfalls, tree hotels | ~3 hours |
| Day 2 | Aberdare to Samburu National Reserve | Arid landscapes, Ewaso Ng’iro River | ~3.5 hours |
| Day 3 | Samburu National Reserve | Samburu Special Five (Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, etc.) | Game drives |
| Day 4 | Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Chimpanzee sanctuary, Northern White Rhinos | ~2.5 hours |
| Day 5 | Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park | Rhinos, flamingos, Thomson’s Falls stopover | ~3.5 hours |
| Day 6 | Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara | Great Rift Valley views, entry into the Mara | ~5.5 hours |
| Day 7 | Masai Mara National Reserve | Full-day game drives, Big Five tracking | Game drives |
| Day 8 | Masai Mara National Reserve | Wildebeest migration (seasonal), Maasai village visit | Game drives |
| Day 9 | Masai Mara back to Nairobi | Morning game drive, souvenir shopping, departure | ~5.5 hours (or 45-min flight) |
Safari Itinerary in Summary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Day 2: Aberdare – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Day 3: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 5: Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 9: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
Safari Itinerary in Detail
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Pick up our 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and start your safari with a drive to the Aberdare National Park, arriving at Aberdare Country Club or at the Outspan Hotel for lunch. Later in the afternoon, transfer to The Ark Tree Lodge, where you will spend your evening observing wildlife as the animals come to the nearby salt lick and waterhole.
Animals easily observed in the park include the black rhino, leopard, baboon, black-and-white colobus monkey, and Sykes monkey. Rare sightings include those of lions, the Golden cat, and the Bongo- an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest.
Animals like the eland are spotted, and melanistic Serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. Bird watching is rewarding, with over 250 bird species in the park, including Jackson’s Francolin, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, eagles, sunbirds, and plovers.
Overnight Accommodation: The Ark Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge or The Treetops Hotel
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Aberdare – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and board the 4×4 safari vehicle to drive north to Samburu National Reserve. Arrive for check-in, then lunch follows. After relaxation, proceed on an afternoon game drive in the reserve, returning later for dinner and overnight.
Samburu National Reserve offers a breathtaking sun-baked landscape surrounded by mountains – to the west, the sheer-sided slopes of majestic Ol Olokwe Mountain form a perfect backdrop to any photograph.
Animals commonly seen are elephants, lions, cheetahs, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks, buffalo, oryx, Grant’s gazelles, dik-diks, and waterbucks. There are over 350 varieties of birds.
These include the famous Somali ostriches (distinguished by their unique purple/blue legs during mating season), kingfishers, hummingbirds, eagles, guinea fowl, and vultures.
The reserve is also home to the Samburu tribe, cousins of the Maasai, who share a nomadic, cattle-herding existence and a strict adherence to their age-old rites and customs.
Overnight Accommodation: Soroi Samburu Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, or Samburu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Explore Samburu Game Reserve
Today is set aside for game viewing in Samburu National Reserve, exploring its open grasslands and diverse landscapes in search of the variety of wildlife found here.
Samburu hosts beautiful forests, springs and rivers, offering stunning scenery. The game park is part of a lava plain that includes varied habitats, from thorn scrub, red dirt and dried river beds, to broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcrops.
This region of Kenya is home to crocodiles, hippos and the reticulated giraffe. Leopard sightings are also a special feature here.
Overnight Accommodation: Soroi Samburu Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, or Samburu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Today we travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy – a 364sq km wildlife conservancy situated between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya has over 10000 large mammals, and it is the only park where the big 5 and chimpanzees can be seen.
Ol Pejeta is home to the fastest-growing population of rhinos in Africa. There are southern white rhinos, about 80 endangered black rhinos, and in a special sanctuary there are two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos.
The afternoon is spent visiting rescued chimpanzees at Sweetwaters Game Ranch and on a game drive. Safari by vehicle is not the only option at Ol Pejeta. Safari game walks, horse rides and even camel rides are available, as are safari night drives.
Overnight Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp, Porini Rhino Camp or Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Sweetwaters/ Ol Pejeta – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
This morning, we leave Sweetwaters/Ol Pejeta Conservancy after breakfast and head for Lake Nakuru National Park. We arrive at a camp in good time for lunch and after a refreshing stop, head out for an afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru, a soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, is rich in birdlife and home to over 400 different species. Its claim to fame, however, is its large flocks of flamingos. The sight of millions of flamingoes making the lake appear ringed in pink is spectacular.
In addition to its abundant birdlife, it is an important haven for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and both black and white rhinos. Lake Nakuru is rich in wildlife, giving you and your family the chance to spot lions, waterbuck, buffalo, baboons, and much more.
Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, we set off for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Traveling via the scenic Great Rift Valley, we arrive in time for lunch at our camp/ lodge where you will settle in and relax before the afternoon game drive.
The iconic Masai Mara National Reserve is the backdrop for an unbelievably full-afternoon game drive. Welcome to the great plains of Africa! The Masai Mara is an unfenced wilderness area that spans more than 1,500 square kilometers.
The reserve is home to the most famous East African tribe, the Masai, whom you will see along the roadside herding cattle in their red robes. The Mara is home to herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other antelope, as well as giraffes and buffalo.
There are plenty of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. We stay out until dusk when the animals are at their most active.
Overnight Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Mara Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 7 & Day 8: Discover Masai Mara Game Reserve
The next two days are set aside for game viewing in the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. After an early breakfast at the camp/lodge, we spend time in Kenya’s leading game park, the legendary Masai Mara Game Reserve, to see wildlife.
Wherever you go in the vast Masai Mara, you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffes, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyenas, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest, Elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and hippos, which are also found in great numbers.
It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is, without doubt, the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August, when millions of these grass-eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of greener grass before turning south again in October.
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: Sarova Mara Game Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Mara Simba Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 9: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
Start our day with an early morning game drive. After breakfast, depart for Nairobi by road, arriving in the early afternoon.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices
9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Include;
✓ 11 Extensive Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ Multi-lingual professional safari driver-guide
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees + Guaranteed window seating with an open-top
✓ Finest accommodations in Aberdare, Samburu, Sweetwaters, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Aberdare, Samburu, Sweetwaters, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 2 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Exclude;
✗ International Airfare
✗ Accommodation 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 fees, 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
Booking & Reservations 9 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Ol Pejeta Nakuru & Masai Mara Contact
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