7-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha Safari
Overview
This 7-day Luxury Kenyan Package is a wonderful way to discover Kenya’s wildlife, landscapes and culture in comfort. The safari takes you from the dry northern plains of Samburu to the beautiful Great Rift Valley, the famous Masai Mara and the peaceful shores of Lake Naivasha. It combines exciting game drives with carefully selected luxury lodges, good food, personal service and time to enjoy each destination.
Your safari starts in Nairobi and continues north to Samburu National Reserve. This dry and beautiful region is home to the famous Samburu Special Five. You may see Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx. Samburu is also home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and many bird species. The Ewaso Nyiro River brings life to the area and attracts wildlife, especially during the dry season. A stay in a luxury safari camp allows you to enjoy the wild setting while still having modern comfort.
From Samburu, the Luxury Kenyan Package continues to Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The park is known for its rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, lions and rich birdlife. The lake and surrounding hills create beautiful views during game drives, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
The journey then moves to the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s best-known wildlife destinations. The Mara has large numbers of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras. From July to October, the area can also be part of the Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the Mara ecosystem. You will have a full day to explore the reserve and enjoy the freedom of a classic Kenyan safari.
Your final destination is Lake Naivasha, a peaceful freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. Here, you can enjoy a boat ride, see hippos and waterbirds, and explore the area around Crescent Island if this activity is included or arranged separately.
Throughout this Luxury Kenyan Package, you travel with a professional safari guide in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle. Your luxury accommodation gives you a relaxing place to rest after each day of adventure. The result is a balanced safari filled with wildlife, scenery, culture and memorable African sunsets.
Tour Plan
Your Luxury Kenyan Package begins in Nairobi with a morning departure for Samburu National Reserve. Your professional driver-guide meets you at your hotel, residence or another agreed location before you begin the journey north.
The drive takes you through the changing landscapes of central Kenya. As you leave Nairobi, the busy city gradually gives way to farmland, small towns and green countryside. You pass through areas known for farming before continuing toward the northern part of the country. Your guide can share information about local communities, landscapes and wildlife along the way.
As you travel farther north, the scenery becomes drier and more rugged. The mountains and green highlands slowly give way to rocky hills, open plains and acacia vegetation. Eventually, you reach the Samburu region, where the Ewaso Nyiro River provides an important water source for wildlife and local communities.
You arrive at your luxury camp or lodge around lunchtime. After check-in, enjoy lunch and take some time to relax before your first safari drive.
In the afternoon, you enter Samburu National Reserve for your first game drive. The reserve offers a very different experience from Kenya's southern parks. The dry landscape, rocky hills and riverine forests create a beautiful setting for wildlife photography.
Keep your eyes open for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras and antelopes. Samburu is especially famous for its unique northern wildlife, including the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx.
As evening approaches, you return to your luxury accommodation. Depending on the lodge arrangements, you may enjoy a sundowner or simply relax while watching the landscape change colour.
Dinner is served at the lodge or camp, followed by a peaceful evening under the African sky.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation: Luxury Lodge/Camp in Samburu
Wake early to enjoy the cool morning air of Samburu. After breakfast, you set out for a full day of wildlife exploration.
Morning is one of the best times for a game drive because the weather is cooler and many animals are active. Your guide searches the riverbanks, open plains and woodland areas for wildlife.
Samburu is an excellent destination for seeing the Samburu Special Five. The Grevy's zebra can be identified by its narrow stripes, while the reticulated giraffe has a striking pattern of large, clearly defined patches. The gerenuk is famous for standing on its hind legs to reach leaves high on bushes.
You may also encounter large elephant families near the Ewaso Nyiro River. Lions can sometimes be found resting in the shade, while leopards are more difficult to spot because of their secretive nature.
Your guide will also introduce you to smaller animals and bird species along the way. Samburu has a rich birdlife, making the reserve enjoyable for photographers and birdwatchers.
You can enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area or return to your accommodation for lunch, depending on the safari plan.
The afternoon provides another opportunity for game viewing. The softer afternoon light is excellent for photography, and wildlife often becomes more active as temperatures fall.
As the sun sets, you return to your luxury camp. Enjoy dinner and relax around the fire while listening to the sounds of the African bush.
Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation: Luxury Lodge/Camp in Samburu
After breakfast, you leave Samburu and travel south toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
The journey takes you through the changing landscapes of Kenya. You leave the dry northern region behind and gradually enter greener parts of the Great Rift Valley.
Along the way, you may see farms, villages and spectacular views of the Rift Valley. Your driver-guide will make suitable stops where possible for photographs and short breaks.
By around lunchtime, you arrive in the Lake Nakuru area and check into your luxury lodge.
After lunch and a short rest, you head into Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru is famous for its rhinos and birdlife. The park is home to both black and white rhinos, making it an important conservation area. Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks and warthogs are also commonly seen.
Depending on conditions, you may see flamingos around parts of the lake. Their numbers can change as water levels and food conditions change, but the lake remains an important bird habitat.
The park's woodland and open grasslands also provide opportunities to see lions and, with luck, leopards.
Continue your game drive into the late afternoon when the light becomes softer. This is an excellent time for photographs of wildlife against the lake and surrounding hills.
Return to your luxury lodge for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Luxury Lodge
Your fourth day begins with breakfast before you leave Lake Nakuru for the famous Masai Mara.
The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley and toward Narok. The scenery changes as you move from the lake region into the open grasslands associated with the Mara ecosystem.
Along the way, you may see Maasai communities, cattle, small villages and traditional homesteads. Your guide can explain the importance of livestock and land to the local communities.
You arrive at the Masai Mara around lunchtime and check into your luxury safari camp.
After lunch and a short rest, begin your first afternoon game drive in the reserve.
The Masai Mara is famous for its large wildlife population. You may see lions resting in the grass, elephants moving across the plains, giraffes feeding on acacia trees and large groups of zebra and antelope.
The Mara is also one of Kenya's best destinations for seeing cheetahs and leopards. Your guide will use knowledge of the area and recent sightings to help find wildlife.
As the afternoon progresses, the golden light creates excellent conditions for photography. You may stop at a suitable location to enjoy the sunset before returning to camp.
Dinner is served at your luxury accommodation, followed by a relaxing evening around the campfire.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Luxury Safari Camp
Today is one of the major highlights of your Luxury Kenyan Package.
After an early breakfast, you leave for a full-day game drive in the Masai Mara. You can carry a picnic lunch and spend most of the day exploring different areas of the reserve.
The Mara is famous for its large populations of big cats. Lions are often seen resting after an early morning hunt, while cheetahs may be found in open grassland looking for prey. Leopards are more difficult to find but can sometimes be spotted near trees and riverine areas.
Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles are also common sights.
If you travel during the Great Migration period, usually around July to October, you may have an opportunity to witness large herds moving through the Mara. The exact timing and location of the migration depend on rainfall and natural conditions, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
For travelers looking for something different, optional experiences can be arranged, such as a hot-air balloon safari or a visit to a Maasai community.
A balloon safari provides an early-morning view of the Mara from above, followed by breakfast after landing. A cultural visit provides an opportunity to learn about Maasai traditions, homes, beadwork, music and daily life.
After your full day, return to camp for dinner and rest.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Luxury Safari Camp
Enjoy an early morning game drive before leaving the Masai Mara.
The morning drive gives you one final opportunity to see wildlife. You may encounter predators returning from a night hunt, grazing herbivores and birds becoming active in the cool morning air.
Return to camp for breakfast before checking out.
You then travel toward Lake Naivasha through the beautiful landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. The journey provides another opportunity to see rural Kenya and local communities.
Arrive at Lake Naivasha around lunchtime and check into your luxury lodge or resort.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxing afternoon beside the freshwater lake.
Depending on your selected package, you can take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The lake is known for its hippos and large number of waterbirds. Fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants and kingfishers are among the species that may be seen.
Another optional experience is a visit to Crescent Island. The sanctuary is known for walking among wildlife such as giraffes, zebras and antelopes in a setting without large predators.
Return to your lodge later in the afternoon and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Dinner and overnight at your luxury accommodation.
Main Destination: Lake Naivasha
Accommodation: Luxury Lodge/Resort
Your final morning begins beside the peaceful waters of Lake Naivasha.
After breakfast, enjoy some free time at the lodge. You can take a short walk around the property, relax in the gardens or enjoy the views of the lake.
For travelers with extra time, an optional visit to Hell's Gate National Park can be arranged. The park is famous for its cliffs, gorges, volcanic landscapes and opportunities for walking and cycling in selected areas.
After your morning activities, depart Naivasha and begin the drive back to Nairobi.
The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley before climbing toward the Nairobi area. Along the way, you may stop at a suitable viewpoint to enjoy one final look at the spectacular Rift Valley landscape.
On arrival in Nairobi, you are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight or to your Nairobi hotel if you are extending your stay.
Your 7-day Luxury Kenyan Package comes to an end with memories of Samburu's rare wildlife, Lake Nakuru's rhinos, the incredible Masai Mara and the peaceful beauty of Lake Naivasha.
Main Destination: Nairobi
