Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and briefed on your Samburu Maasai Mara safari. You will then drive to Samburu National Reserve, a journey of approximately 5 to 6 hours through the beautiful landscape of northern Kenya. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive to see the unique wildlife of Samburu, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Samburu.
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Samburu National Reserve
After an early breakfast, you will depart for a full day game drive in Samburu National Reserve. Your Samburu Maasai Mara safari includes searching for the “Samburu Special Five” – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. You will also see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 350 bird species. The semi-arid landscape offers stunning photography opportunities with the Ewaso Nyiro River providing a lifeline for the wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush while surrounded by the wilderness. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Samburu to Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning game drive in Samburu before driving to Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, passing through the Great Rift Valley with stunning panoramic views of the escarpment and the valley floor. You will arrive at your lodge in time for dinner. Your Samburu Maasai Mara safari continues with the promise of incredible wildlife experiences in Kenya’s most famous reserve. Overnight at your lodge in Maasai Mara.
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara – The Big Five
After an early breakfast, you will depart for a full day game drive in the Maasai Mara. Your Samburu Maasai Mara safari includes searching for the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. The Mara is also famous for its cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and over 470 bird species. The rolling savannah plains offer exceptional wildlife viewing. You will have a picnic lunch in the bush while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Mara’s open plains. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara
Today you will have another full day game drive in the Maasai Mara. Your Samburu Maasai Mara safari continues with more wildlife viewing and exploration of different areas of the reserve. The Mara River is a popular spot for wildlife viewing, with hippos and crocodiles often seen. During the migration season from July to October, you may witness dramatic river crossings of wildebeest and zebras. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Maasai Mara – Optional Balloon Safari
After breakfast, you will depart for a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara. For those interested, an optional hot air balloon safari offers a unique perspective of the Mara’s wildlife and landscapes at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush at extra cost. The afternoon is at leisure for relaxation or optional Maasai cultural village visits where you can learn about the traditional way of life of the Maasai people. Your Samburu Maasai Mara safari includes the flexibility to customize your activities. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7: Maasai Mara to Nairobi – Departure
After an early breakfast, you will enjoy a final morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, capturing any wildlife sightings you may have missed. Return to your lodge for a late breakfast, then drive back to Nairobi with en-route game viewing. You will be dropped off at your hotel or airport for your departure. This marks the end of your Samburu Maasai Mara safari, leaving you with incredible memories of two of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
What to See and Do
Wildlife Viewing in Samburu
Samburu National Reserve is home to the “Samburu Special Five” – the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. These unique species are found nowhere else in Kenya, making Samburu a special destination. You will also see large herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. The Ewaso Nyiro River attracts a variety of wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles.
Wildlife Viewing in Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous wildlife destination, home to the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. The Mara is also famous for its cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and over 470 bird species. The Great Migration, where over two million wildebeest and zebras cross the plains, is one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles, best viewed from July to October.
Birdwatching
Samburu National Reserve has over 350 bird species, including kingfishers, bee-eaters, tawny eagles, and vultures. The Maasai Mara has over 470 bird species, including ostriches, secretary birds, kori bustards, and various eagles.
Scenic Drives and Photography
The journey through the Great Rift Valley offers stunning panoramic views of the escarpment and the valley floor. The semi-arid landscape of Samburu with its doum palms and acacia trees offers unique photography opportunities. The rolling savannah plains of the Maasai Mara offer exceptional wildlife photography.
Cultural Experiences
Optional Samburu cultural village visits allow you to learn about the traditional way of life of the Samburu people, who are pastoral relatives of the Maasai. In the Maasai Mara, optional Maasai village visits provide insight into the culture, traditions, and the challenges they face in modern Kenya.
Activities
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Morning and afternoon game drives
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Full day game drives with picnic lunch
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Wildlife photography
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Birdwatching
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Hot air balloon safari (optional, extra cost)
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Maasai village visits (optional, direct payment)
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Samburu cultural visits (optional, direct payment)
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Scenic drives through the Great Rift Valley
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Cultural experiences
Accommodation
Explorer
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Samburu Sopa Lodge
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Sentrim Mara Camp
Signature
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Samburu Simba Lodge
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Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Premium Luxury
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Elephant Bedroom Camp
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Porini Mara Camp
