7 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Nakuru Naivasha & Masai Mara from Nairobi
This action-packed 7-day road safari begins and ends in Nairobi, and includes a round trip by road through three of Kenya’s iconic and game-rich areas: Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve.
The tour also includes a visit to Lake Naivasha, a beautiful freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley.
Begin with a road trip to Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya. The reserve consists of hot, dry plains and scrublands fringed by mountains, including the tall Ol Olokwe Mountain.
Some of the most remarkable species of Samburu are the Somali ostriches, long-necked gerenuk antelopes, Grevy’s zebras, and Somali giraffes. Cheetahs, elephants, lions, and buffalo are frequently sighted, along with various antelopes, including striking-looking gemsbok, gazelles, waterbuck, and tiny dikdiks.
In Samburu, you get the chance to encounter the traditional Samburu tribe and gain insight into their customs and culture.
Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the Great Rift Valley’s most famous soda lakes and home to hippos, baboons, rhinos (black and white), and a variety of antelope species. Other wild inhabitants include leopards and lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo.
The shallow soda lake attracts a diverse array of bird species, numbering over 400, and, as such, is a birder’s paradise and a Ramsar Wetland Area. When conditions are right, Lake Nakuru is visited by large flamingo flocks – an incredible sight.
We then visit Lake Naivasha for a boat ride and the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, where we take a nature walk to see wild animals on foot. There are impalas, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and elands.
We end the safari off with 4×4 game drives in what is arguably the finest wildlife viewing destination in Africa – the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai Mara is known for excellent wildlife viewing year-round. This world-famous reserve is home to the Big Five of Africa: lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant.
However, for those looking to watch the great wildebeest migration unfold, the best time to visit the Mara is from July to October.
After 2 nights, we drive back to the city, where you are dropped off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or at your accommodation in Nairobi at about 13:00, bringing our wildlife adventure to a close.
7 Day Kenya Safari Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha, & Masai Mara Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
0730 Hours: Depart Nairobi and drive north via the Great Rift Valley into semi-arid Samburu country
1300 Hours: Arrive at your lodge/camp (e.g., Samburu Sopa or Ashnil Samburu) for lunch and relaxation
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive to spot the “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx
Day 2: Full Day in Samburu
0630 Hours– 0930 Hours: Early morning game drive when predators are active
1000 Hours – 1230 Hours: Relax by the lodge pool or take an optional guided cultural visit to a local Samburu village
1530 Hours – 1830Hours: Late afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, a lifeline for elephants and big cats
Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park
0800 Hours: Depart Samburu and drive south, passing Mount Kenya and the scenic Rift Valley escarpment
1300 Hours: Check into your Lake Nakuru lodge for lunch
1530 Hours – 1800 Hours: Afternoon game drive to explore the acacia woodlands, visit the rhino sanctuary, and see flamingos on the alkaline lake shore
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
0700 Hours – 0930 Hours: Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru
1030 Hours: Depart for Lake Naivasha (approx. a 1.5-hour scenic drive)
1300 Hours: Lunch at your Lake Naivasha accommodation
1530 Hours – 1730 Hours: Take a relaxing boat ride among hippos and water birds, followed by a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where you can walk safely among giraffes and zebras
Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve
0730 Hours: Depart Naivasha and drive across the Great Rift Valley floor to the world-famous Masai Mara
1300 Hours: Arrive at your Masai Mara lodge or camp for lunch
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive to scan the vast savannah for the Big Five
Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara
0630 Hours: Depart with a packed picnic lunch for a full-day expedition, venturing deep into the reserve and along the Mara River. An optional, early-morning hot air balloon safari can be booked in advance to elevate your wilderness experience
1600 Hours: Return to the lodge to unwind, or opt for an evening game drive
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi
0630 Hours – 0900 Hours: Final morning game drive in the Mara
1030 Hours: Check out and begin the 5- to 6-hour drive back to Nairobi, enjoying the scenic Rift Valley views en route
1630 Hours: Arrive in Nairobi for drop-off at your hotel or the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Destination & Accommodation Summary
| Destination | Primary Wildlife Highlights | Recommended Premium Lodges/ Tented Camps |
|---|---|---|
| Samburu | The “Special Five”, leopards, elephants, lions | Ashnil Samburu Camp, or Samburu Intrepids Luxury Camp |
| Lake Nakuru | Black & White rhinos, flamingos, Rothschild’s giraffes | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, or Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge |
| Lake Naivasha | Hippos, African fish eagles, and walking safari animals | Enashipai Resort & Spa, or Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort |
| Masai Mara | The “Big Five”, big cats, and the Great Migration | Ashnil Mara Camp, or Muthu Keekorok Lodge |
7 Day Kenya Safari Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha & Masai Mara Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve
Day 2: Samburu Game Reserve
Day 3: Samburu – Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 4: Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Day 5: Lake Naivasha – Drive Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 6: Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 7: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
7 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Nakuru Naivasha & Masai Mara Safari Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu Game Reserve
Depart Nairobi heading north past pineapple and banana plantations and the Tana River to the fertile Mt Kenya region. You will pass tea and coffee farms, citrus orchards, and many regional towns bustling with day-to-day activity.
Stop on route for photos at the Equator, and then lunch and refreshments before proceeding to Samburu National Reserve. After check-in, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park. Return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Samburu National Reserve is part of three small adjoining reserves that lie on either side of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro River. The semi-arid landscape is spectacular, and the vegetation consists of palms, woodland along the river, acacia woodland, and dusty scrubland.
Not only can you see some of the Big Five, but you can also see other species not found in Kenya’s southern parks, including the oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, and Grevy’s zebra.
Bird life is also abundant here with different species of eagles, pygmy falcons, sand grouse, and large flocks of crazy guinea fowl. Be prepared for hot temperatures, as they regularly reach 40 degrees Celsius in the day, even if it rains.
Overnight Accommodation: Soroi Larsend Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Samburu Game Reserve
Get an early start on day three, 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 antelopes, Grevy’s zebras, and Somali giraffes. Cheetahs, elephants, lions, and buffalo are frequently sighted, along with various antelopes, including striking-looking gemsbok, gazelles, waterbuck, and tiny dikdiks.
Return to the shaded camp for lunch and a break, before setting off on our afternoon 4×4 game drive in the arid Samburu Reserve. The afternoon game drive is followed by free time to nap or dip into your plunge pool, and enjoy dinner at the safari camp.
Overnight Accommodation: Soroi Larsend Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Samburu – Lake Nakuru National Park
Rise early for a game drive, then return for breakfast and check out. Depart for Nakuru, stopping for picnic lunch en route. On the way, you can stop for views of the beautiful Thomson Falls. Arrive in Nakuru late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Lake Nakuru is famous for the thousands of flamingos that seasonally inhabit its shores. The park has been a successful habitat for introducing endangered species, including black rhino, white rhino, Rothschild giraffe, and the elusive leopard – all of which are frequently seen on game drives.
You can spot these along with buffalo, lions, zebras, waterbucks, gazelles, impalas, hyraxes, and hippos.
Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, depart for a morning game drive exploring Lake Nakuru National Park, before departing for Lake Naivasha. Arrive at Elsamere in time for lunch, home to the late Joy and George Adamson, of ‘Born Free’ fame.
This is now a conservation center and a museum where you will enjoy a delicious lunch in their beautiful gardens. You may even have the pleasure of the company of a family of black and white colobus monkeys, as well as a variety of birds, who also have a sweet tooth!
After lunch, you will enjoy an hour-long boat ride on Lake Naivasha (or Lake Oloiden), where you can spot hippos as well as a variety of birds common to this area. Proceed to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or Naivasha Simba Lodge
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Lake Naivasha – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha for the Masai Mara. Initially, you will head around the lake and then turn west along the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
After a stop in the Maasai town of Narok for fuel, supplies, and lunch, proceed to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, where you will enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
And don’t forget the Masai Mara is not fenced, and that you can look out for animals not long after departing Narok.
Overnight Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Serena Safari Lodge, or Siana Springs Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 6: Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve
Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch on the Mara River, overlooking the Hippo Pools and the savannah. One of Kenya’s premier reserves, the Masai Mara is an extension of the Serengeti and is world-famous for the spectacular migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebras during July to October.
The Mara is also rich in resident game with over 95 species recorded, including the ‘Big Five’ – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino – as well as giraffe, cheetah, hyena, and numerous species of antelope.
The Reserve is also rich in birdlife with over 480 species. Return to accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Serena Safari Lodge, or Siana Springs Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 7: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Drive to Nairobi
On the final day of our Kenya Lodge Safari, we leave the magnificent Masai Mara behind after breakfast at the camp/lodge. We drive back to the city, where you are dropped off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or at your accommodation in Nairobi at about 1300 Hours, bringing our wildlife adventure to a close.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
7 Days Samburu Lake Nakuru Lake Naivasha Masai Mara Safari Prices
7 Day Kenya Safari: Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha, & Masai Mara Prices Include
✓ Extensive Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Finest accommodations in Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Game Reserve
✓ Professional Safari Driver Guide & Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & 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 |
7 Day Kenya Safari Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha, & Masai Mara Prices Exclude
✗ International Airfare
✗ Accommodation in Nairobi
✗ Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
✗ Gratuity for your professional driver-guide
✗ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✗ Christmas, New Year, and Easter Supplement
✗ Gratuity for porters/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Membership in the Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
✗ Optional Hot Air Ballooning (cost per person is 500 US Dollars), Nature walks, etc
✗ 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 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Nakuru Naivasha & Masai Mara Contact
Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com