Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Your driver will meet you at your hotel or the airport. After a quick talk about the safari, you will head north. The drive goes past the equator and Mount Kenya. You will arrive at Samburu in time for lunch. Check in and rest. Later in the afternoon, head out for a game drive. Return to the camp or lodge for dinner and the night.
Day 2: A Full Day in Samburu
You have two choices today. You can take a packed lunch and stay out in the park the whole day. Or you can do a game drive in the morning and another one later in the evening. Samburu is known for its dry, open landscapes and the Ewaso Nyiro River. Wildlife here is different from other parks. Look for the long-necked gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, and the reticulated giraffe. Lions, leopards, and elephants are also common. Crocodiles and hippos live in the river. Bird watchers will find over 400 species. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.
Day 3: Samburu – Lake Nakuru National Park
Wake up early for a morning game drive. After that, you will leave for Lake Nakuru. The drive takes you past the Thomson Falls, a good spot for a short stop and photos. You will get to Lake Nakuru in the late afternoon or early evening. Check in to your camp or lodge for dinner and the night.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru – Maasai Mara Reserve
Start with an early breakfast. Then go for a game drive in Lake Nakuru Park. The lake is often called the “pink lake” because of the thousands of flamingos that gather along the shores. Rhinos, both black and white, are a main attraction here. Later in the morning, you will leave Nakuru and head to the Masai Mara. You will stop somewhere for lunch along the way. Arrive in the Mara in the evening. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
Day 5: A Full Day in the Maasai Mara
Today is a full day in the Mara. You will take a picnic lunch with you. A good spot to stop is near the Mara River to watch for crocodiles and hippos. If you are here during the migration season, you might see thousands of wildebeest crossing the river. The park has plenty of resident animals year-round. Look out for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. There is also an optional hot air balloon ride available for an extra cost, but you need to book it early. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
Day 6: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, you will leave the Mara and drive to Lake Naivasha. You will arrive in the afternoon. After lunch, you can go for a boat ride on the lake. The boat takes you close to the hippos. You will also see many fish eagles. If you want, you can get off the boat for a walking safari on Crescent Island. The grounds of your camp or lodge often have zebras and waterbucks wandering around. Dinner and overnight here.
Day 7: Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park
Leave after breakfast and drive to Amboseli. You will arrive in time for an afternoon game drive. Amboseli sits right next to the Tanzanian border. The main attraction here is the view of Mount Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, the mountain towers over the park. Amboseli is famous for its huge herds of elephants. You will also see zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
Day 8: A Full Day in Amboseli
Get up early. Early morning is the best time to see Mount Kilimanjaro clearly before the clouds cover the peak. After breakfast, you will go into the park for the day with a picnic lunch. You will have time to look for lions, cheetahs, and other wildlife. There is an optional visit to a local Maasai village. You can see their homes and watch traditional dancing. If you prefer not to stay out all day, you can do a morning and an evening game drive instead. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.
Day 9: Amboseli – Nairobi
Enjoy one last game drive in the morning. Then return to your lodge for checkout. You will drive back to Nairobi, stopping for lunch along the way. You will be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport in the late afternoon or early evening.
