7-Day Big Five Safari – From Northern Kenya to the Masai Mara
Overview
This 7-Day Kenya Safari Tour takes you on an exciting journey from the cool highlands of central Kenya to the dry landscapes of Samburu and the famous plains of the Masai Mara. The safari combines four outstanding wildlife destinations: Aberdare National Park, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve. It is a great choice for travelers who want to experience different landscapes and see a wide range of Kenya’s wildlife in one well-planned safari.
The adventure begins in Nairobi before heading into the Kenyan Highlands and Aberdare National Park. Known for its forests, deep valleys, waterfalls, and mountain scenery, Aberdare provides a beautiful introduction to Kenya’s wildlife. You may see elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, leopards, hyenas, baboons, warthogs, and several species of monkeys. Staying at a tree lodge also gives you the unusual opportunity to watch wildlife from elevated viewing areas.
From Aberdare, the safari continues north to Samburu National Reserve. The landscape changes dramatically as you enter Kenya’s dry northern frontier. The Ewaso Nyiro River provides an important water source for wildlife, while the surrounding acacia woodland and open plains support elephants, lions, leopards, and many antelope species. Samburu is especially famous for its rare northern wildlife, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
The journey then moves south to Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The park is known for its rich wildlife, beautiful lake scenery, and excellent rhino sightings. Depending on water levels and conditions, you may also see flamingos around the lake. Lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and other animals can also be spotted during game drives.
The final destination is the Masai Mara, one of Kenya’s most famous safari areas. Its open grasslands provide excellent opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many other animals. Between July and October, the area can also offer opportunities to witness parts of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
This Kenya Safari Tour is suitable for couples, families, friends, and first-time safari travelers. With game drives, comfortable accommodation, a professional driver-guide, park fees, meals, transport, and drinking water included, the itinerary provides a convenient way to explore Kenya’s most memorable wildlife regions.
Tour Plan
Your Kenya Safari Tour begins in Nairobi with a morning departure toward Aberdare National Park. The drive takes you through the green Kenyan Highlands, passing farms, coffee plantations, and pineapple-growing areas.
As you travel higher, the weather becomes cooler and the landscape changes from busy city surroundings to green countryside. You will continue toward Aberdare National Park, arriving in time for lunch.
After lunch, you will travel through the park toward your tree lodge. The journey offers your first opportunity to see wildlife in its natural environment.
Aberdare is known for its forests, valleys, waterfalls, and rich wildlife. Elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, warthogs, bushbucks, olive baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys are among the animals that may be seen.
After checking in, you can relax and enjoy wildlife viewing from the lodge's balconies and observation areas. The elevated position provides a different type of safari experience, allowing you to watch animals as they approach water or move through the forest.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at The Ark Lodge.
Main Destination: Aberdare National Park
Accommodation: The Ark Lodge
After an early breakfast, you will check out and begin your journey north toward Samburu National Reserve.
The drive takes you through changing landscapes as the green highlands gradually give way to the drier environment of northern Kenya. Along the way, you will see local villages, farms, open plains, and changing vegetation.
You will arrive in Samburu in time for lunch before settling into your camp.
In the afternoon, your first game drive in Samburu begins. The reserve is famous for its beautiful scenery, the Ewaso Nyiro River, and its unusual wildlife.
Keep your eyes open for reticulated giraffes, Grevy's zebras, gerenuks, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostriches. You may also encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, warthogs, and several types of antelope.
The dry landscape and dramatic hills create excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
Return to camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp
Day 3 is dedicated to exploring Samburu National Reserve.
After breakfast, you will leave with your guide for a full day of wildlife viewing, with morning and afternoon game drives separated by a picnic lunch or a return to camp, depending on the day's plan.
Samburu's landscape is very different from the Masai Mara. The Ewaso Nyiro River runs through the reserve, supporting doum palms, acacia trees, and other vegetation in an otherwise dry environment.
The reserve is one of the best places in Kenya to search for the famous Samburu Special Five. These include the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
You will also have opportunities to see elephants drinking at the river, lions resting beneath trees, and other wildlife moving across the open plains.
The dramatic Ololokwe Mountain provides an impressive backdrop to many wildlife encounters.
During the afternoon game drive, the softer light can create excellent conditions for photography. Your guide will help you look for animals and explain their behavior, habitats, and role in the ecosystem.
Return to Ashnil Samburu Camp for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Samburu and travel south toward the Great Rift Valley.
The journey takes you through changing landscapes before reaching Lake Nakuru National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch and then have time to relax before your afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's well-known wildlife parks and offers a mixture of lake, woodland, grassland, and rocky scenery.
The park is particularly known for its rhinos. Both black and white rhinos can be found here, making Lake Nakuru an important destination for travelers interested in seeing these endangered animals.
Other wildlife may include lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, and several species of antelope.
The lake has also become famous for flamingos. Their numbers can change depending on water levels and food conditions, so sightings should not be guaranteed.
Later in the afternoon, continue exploring the park. You may also visit Baboon Cliff for wide views over the lake and surrounding landscape.
Return to Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
After breakfast, you will leave Lake Nakuru and begin your journey toward the Masai Mara.
The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley before continuing toward Narok and the western side of Kenya.
As you approach the Masai Mara, the landscape opens into wide grasslands where large herds of wildlife can often be seen.
You will arrive at the Mara in time for lunch and check in at Amani Mara Camp.
After some time to relax, head out for your first afternoon game drive.
The Masai Mara is famous for its high concentration of wildlife. You may see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards.
The open grasslands make it easier to observe animals, while the riverine areas provide important habitats for many species.
Return to camp around sunset for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Amani Mara Camp
Today is dedicated to a full-day safari in the Masai Mara.
After breakfast, you will leave camp with a picnic lunch and spend the day exploring different areas of the reserve.
The Masai Mara is one of the best places in Kenya to search for the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino.
Lions are commonly seen on the open plains, while elephants often travel in family groups. Cheetahs can sometimes be found scanning the grasslands for prey, while leopards are more secretive and may be spotted near trees and riverine vegetation.
From July to October, the wider Mara ecosystem can become part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, when huge numbers of wildebeest and other grazing animals move through the region.
The Mara is also home to many bird species, including colorful bee-eaters and other savannah birds.
An optional hot-air balloon safari can be arranged at an additional cost, quoted at approximately USD 450 per person, subject to availability and current rates.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch during the day's game drive before continuing your wildlife search.
Return to Amani Mara Camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Amani Mara Camp
Your final day begins with an early morning game drive in the Masai Mara.
The early hours are often a rewarding time for wildlife viewing. You may see predators returning from nighttime activity, while herbivores begin feeding across the plains.
After the game drive, return to camp for breakfast before checking out.
You will then begin the journey back to Nairobi.
A stop in Narok Town provides an opportunity to browse local markets and purchase souvenirs, crafts, beadwork, and other Kenyan products.
Continue to Nairobi, where you will be transferred to the airport or another agreed drop-off point.
Your 7-Day Kenya Safari Tour ends with memories of Kenya's forests, dry northern landscapes, Rift Valley scenery, and the famous Masai Mara plains.
Main Destination: Nairobi
