7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara | Begins and ends in Nairobi and includes 2 nights in Samburu, 1 night in Aberdare, 1 night in Lake Nakuru, and 2 nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve
This is a wonderful 7-day once-in-a-lifetime 4×4 wildlife journey to 4 of Kenya’s most incredible game parks – Samburu National Reserve, Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Retire at night to elegant tented camps and lodges which provide exquisite personalized service, first-rate game viewing, and refined cuisine during your 7-day Kenya road safari.
The safari begins with a journey north to the remote, arid Samburu region, where you can see desert-adapted species such as the Gerenuk, Oryx, Grey Zebra, and Reticulated Giraffe. We enjoy a 4×4 game drive in Samburu National Reserve, situated along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Samburu is home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hippos, and buffalo. The park is also rich in bird life, 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.
Next, we drive to the Aberdare National Park for high-altitude game viewing. We stay at the Ark Lodge or the Treetops 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 salt-lick and watering hole into the night, with common visitors including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffaloes, warthogs, and bushbucks, among others.
Continue the journey by road to scenic 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 flamingos have been known to gather at Lake Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru highlights 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, buffaloes, antelopes, and hippos, with rare finds including leopards.
Then the time has come to explore the Masai Mara – one of the most famous game parks on the planet, considered by many to be the finest wildlife safari destination in all of Africa. We spend two nights enjoying morning and afternoon 4×4 adventures in this Big Five Mecca.
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.
We may also see the Great Wildebeest Migration – the unparalleled wildlife spectacle that sees over a million wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, and other herbivores stampeding across the plains and crocodile-infested rivers every year. The predators of the Masai Mara also come out in full force during the migration, when there is plenty of prey.
On the final day of this 7-day Kenya road safari, we journey back to the bustling city of Nairobi, arriving by mid-afternoon and getting dropped off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your accommodation.
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu, Aberdare, Nakuru & Masai Mara Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
0730 Hours – 1330 Hours: Drive from Nairobi to Samburu via the Central Highlands (Thika Road). Brief stop at the Equator crossing near Nanyuki
1330 Hours – 1500 Hours: Check in at your lodge/camp and eat lunch
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive. This is your first chance to spot the “Samburu Special Five” (Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk)
Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
0630 Hours – 0900 Hours: Early morning game drive. Temperatures are cool, and wildlife is highly active
0900 Hours – 0330 Hours: Return to the lodge for a late breakfast, followed by relaxation by the pool during the intense midday heat
0400 Hours– 0630 Hours: Late afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where elephants congregate
Day 3: Samburu to Aberdare National Park
0800 Hours– 1200 Hours: Drive from Samburu to your base hotel in Nyeri or Mweiga (e.g., Aberdare Country Club or Outspan Hotel)
1230 Hours – 1400 Hours: Lunch at the base hotel
1430 Hours: Transfer in the lodge’s vehicles to your tree hotel inside Aberdare National Park (The Ark or Treetops)
1530 Hours onward: Game viewing directly from the lodge decks. These unique lodges overlook floodlit waterholes and salt licks, meaning wildlife comes to you throughout the afternoon and night
Day 4: Aberdare to Lake Nakuru National Park
0800 Hours – 1130 Hours: Transfer back to the base hotel for your safari vehicle, then drive through the Great Rift Valley to Nakuru, stopping at Thomson’s Falls in Nyahururu.
1230 Hours – 14:00 Hours: Check-in and lunch at your Nakuru lodge.
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive around the lake. Excellent timing for rhino tracking (both Black and White Rhinos) and spotting leopards on the cliff sides
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
01:00 Hours – 03:00 Hours: Arrive at the Mara, check in, and have lunch.
04:00 Hours– 06:30 Hours: First evening game drive in the world’s most famous wildlife arena
Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve
1600 Hours – 1730 Hours: Optional cultural visit to a local Maasai Village (Manyatta)
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi
0630 Hours – 0800 Hours: Optional final sunrise game drive, followed by a full breakfast at camp
0830 Hours – 1430 Hours: Depart the Mara and head back to Nairobi
1500 Hours onward: Drop off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NJKIA) or your city hotel
Safari Route & Drive Timings
| Day | Route | Driving Distance | Approximate Drive Time | Recommended Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve | ~310 km | 5.5 to 6 hours | 0730 Hours (Avoid Nairobi traffic) |
| Day 2 | Full Day in Samburu | 0 km | N/A (Game drives only) | 0630 Hours (Best for predators) |
| Day 3 | Samburu to Aberdare National Park | ~160 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | 0800 Hours |
| Day 4 | Aberdare to Lake Nakuru National Park | ~140 km | 3 to 3.5 hours | 0800 Hours |
| Day 5 | Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve | ~240 km | 5.5 to 6 hours (Rough roads near Mara) | 0700 Hours (Crucial to arrive for lunch) |
| Day 6 | Full Day in Masai Mara | 0 km | N/A (Game drives only) | 0600 Hours (With picnic breakfast) |
| Day 7 | Masai Mara back to Nairobi | ~260 km | 5.5 to 6 hours | 0830 Hours (After early breakfast) |
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu, Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara Summary Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve
Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 3: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park (Ark Lodge/ Treetops Lodge)
Day 4: Aberdare – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 6: Discover Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu, Aberdare Nakuru & Masai Mara Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve
Depart Nairobi in the Morning by road to Samburu Game Reserve, located in the northern rugged semi-desert region. Samburu Game Reserve is a wild, little-visited region, well known for its spectacular scenery and wildlife not found in the south.
They include the Reticulated Giraffe, the rare Grevy’s Zebra with its large furry ears, the gerenuk antelope standing on its hind legs to feed, and Somali Ostriches with their distinctive blue legs.
Lunch upon arrival at your lodge, then proceed on a ‘Spice’ game drive.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu Riverside Camp, Sinteti Hotel, Umoja Camp Site
Mid-Range Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp, Soroi Larsens Camp | Soroi Samburu Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Saruni Samburu Lodge, Sasaab Lodge, Joys Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon ‘Spice’ game drives. You may see Elephants, Cheetahs, leopards, Eland, Oryx, Impala, Dikdik, Waterbuck, and a variety of birds. This lava plain includes a varied landscape of red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried riverbeds, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings.
Following the river’s curves, a forest of Doum Palms, Acacia, and tamarind is a magical contrast of cool green. Other areas of the Reserve include the Uaso Nyiro River, where crocodiles sunbathe on the banks.
It also provides an oasis for a variety of games. Birds are abundant, with 365 species recorded, one for every day of the year. Between game drives, there is an opportunity to visit a Samburu village at an additional cost.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu Riverside Camp, Sinteti Hotel, Umoja Camp Site
Mid-Range Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp, Soroi Larsens Camp | Soroi Samburu Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Saruni Samburu Lodge, Sasaab Lodge, Joys Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Depart Samburu after breakfast and drive to the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya/ Aberdare Ranges, arriving at Serena Mountain Lodge (Forest Tree Lodge), The Ark Limited, or Treetops Tree Lodge in time for lunch.
Relax the afternoon away by watching games from the balconies or taking an optional guided nature walk. Overnight floodlit game viewing – Mountain Lodge, the Ark Limited, or the Treetops Tree Hotel. All these lodges boast of having the highest record of animal visits and sightings in the area.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Fishing Lodge Guest House
Mid-Range Accommodation: The Ark Lodge, Serena Mountain Tree lodge, Treetop Tree Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Solio Lodge, Solio Game Reserve
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Tree Hotel – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Depart in the morning and drive to the floor of the Rift Valley – to Lake Nakuru National Park, making a brief stop at Nyahururu Thomson Falls. Arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill in time for lunch.
Afternoon, conduct a ‘Spice’ game drive. The Lake is famous for flamingos as well as over 400 other bird species. In addition, many species of game can be found in the Park, including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, black and White Rhino, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Baboon, and many species of plains game.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Chester Hotel, Royal Palm Hotel, Suites, Carnation Hotel, Sleepaway Cottages
Mid-Range Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Egret Savannah Camp
Luxury Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve
Breakfast at the lodge, then drive via the Great Rift Valley to arrive in the Masai Mara in time for lunch at your Lodge or Camp. The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe; over 450 animal species have been recorded here.
You will easily see Lions, Rhinos, Hippos, Crocodiles, giraffes, Wildebeests, Zebras, Buffalo, Warthogs, Hyenas, and Jackals, Wild dogs, leopard, and a variety of antelopes. It is in the Mara that the most spectacular natural wonder in the world unfolds.
This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Behind their heels are predators of the savanna – Lion, Cheetah, wild dog, Jackal, Hyena, and Vultures. Depart for an afternoon ‘Spice’ game drive until dusk.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Enchoro Wildlife Camp-Masai Mara, Rhino Tourist Tented Camp, Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Olumara Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Muthu Keekorok Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Mahali Mzuri Luxury Safari Camp, Rekero Camp, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Olare Mara Kempinski
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Discover Masai Mara National Reserve
We spend a full day in the Masai Mara in the morning and afternoon ‘Spice’ game drives. The trees in the distance might turn out to be a family of Giraffes. Those clumps of bushes are a pride of Lions, and the rock that moves is a Rhino lumbering out of your way.
With diligence and some luck, you may encounter a family of Cheetahs, or a herd of Elephants crossing the path in front of you. Large animals are not the only entertainment – a family of warthogs may amuse you, running as fast as their little legs will carry them until they forget why they are rushing and stop to regroup.
Overnight Accommodation
Budget Accommodation: Enchoro Wildlife Camp-Masai Mara, Rhino Tourist Tented Camp, Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Olumara Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Muthu Keekorok Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Mahali Mzuri Luxury Safari Camp, Rekero Camp, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Olare Mara Kempinski
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 7: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
Another early morning ‘Spice’ game drive in Mara, then depart after breakfast and drive back to Nairobi, arriving early afternoon.
Drop off at your hotel or transfer to the airport for an onward flight home.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Prices
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Prices Include
✓ Extensive Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
✓ Accommodation of your choice in Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara
✓ Professional Safari Guide/ Driver & Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Samburu, Aberdare National Park, 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 |
Notes
* All game activities included in the price
* All Park/ Reserve fees included in the price
* Flexible departures on any day of the week
* All road transport is in a private vehicle, just for your group
* Optional beach holiday add-ons available (supplements apply)
* Full Board Accommodation in superb quality, well-located lodges/ camps
* Fully escorted by friendly, professional safari driver guides (accredited by Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association)
* Optional extra nights can be added. Any level of accommodation can be chosen, from budget lodges and mid-range camps to luxury hotels
* Tour transport is in a private 6-seater safari minivan with a pop-up roof. At an extra cost, you can choose our 6-seater Toyota Land Cruisers (4×4)
7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Prices Exclude
✗ International Airfare
✗ A visit to a Masai Village
✗ Accommodations in Nairobi
✗ 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 porters/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Membership in the 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
Booking & Reservations 7 Days 6 Nights Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Contact
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Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com