8-Day Safari-Northern Trails & Big Five Encounters

You’ll be picked up from the airport or your hotel in Nairobi, ideally at 8:00 am, and head north through scenic highlands and dramatic landscapes to Samburu National Reserve. Upon arrival, you'll check in, have lunch, and relax before heading out for your first afternoon game drive. Samburu is home to unique wildlife only found in Kenya’s arid north, including the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx—collectively known as the Samburu Special Five. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.

On this day, you'll enjoy a full day of exploration through Samburu National Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. You'll leave your lodge after having a hearty breakfast, with a packed lunch and set for game drives all day. The Ewaso Nyiro River attracts a wealth of wildlife—look out for elephants bathing, leopards lounging, and lions on the prowl. Birdwatchers will love spotting over 450 species, including kingfishers, vultures, and eagles. As the sun sets, you'll return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful night.

After breakfast, you'll depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located on the equator between the Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya. You'll arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Ol Pejeta is a pioneering conservation hub and home to the Big Five, as well as the world’s last two northern white rhinos. Later, you will visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary to track chimps, the only place in Kenya where you can see chimps—rescued from the illegal pet trade and poaching, now thriving in a protected setting. Your overnight stay and dinner will be at Maisha Sweetwaters Camp.

You'll start your day with an early morning game drive to spot black and white rhinos, lions, hyenas, giraffes, and more. You'll visit the Endangered Species Enclosure, home to the last northern white rhinos, and learn about global conservation efforts. You'll return to your camp for breakfast and relaxation as you enjoy the camp's amenities. You'll enjoy lunch at your camp and later head for an afternoon game drive. You may have an option to enjoy a Walking safari with an armed ranger, or visit the Morani Information Centre for interactive learning(Both optional, at an extra cost). Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the camp.

After breakfast, you'll depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake surrounded by forests and volcanic escarpments. After check-in and lunch, and a relaxation, you'll enjoy a scenic boat ride(Optional, at an extra cost)on the lake to spot hippos, fish eagles, and more. If you wish, you can take a guided walk on Crescent Island(Optional, at an extra cost)to see giraffes, zebras, and antelope on foot in a predator-free environment. Your peaceful night and dinner will be at Sentrim Elementaita.

After breakfast, you'll drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destination. You'll arrive in time at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge for check-in and lunch, and have some rest before heading out for an afternoon game drive to spot lions, elephants, cheetahs, and more. You'll have an option to visit the Maasai village(Optional, at an extra cost) for cultural immersion in one of Kenya's most iconic communities. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.

You'll spend the day immersed in the wonders of the Masai Mara. Morning and afternoon game drives give you the best chance to spot the Big Five and, depending on the season, witness the Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River. You'll have an early breakfast at your lodge and leave for a full-day exploration of the Masai Mara, with lunch served picnic style. You can opt for and enjoy a balloon safari to explore the vast plains of Mara. As the sun sets, you will return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

After a morning game drive and breakfast, you will check out and begin your journey back to Nairobi, with lunch en route. You'll be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey, bringing your epic Kenyan adventure to a close.