8-day itinerary
Samburu game reserve – Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara game reserve – 8 Days Kenya Explorer
From Nairobi to Nairobi, in a pop up top safari minivan (a pop up top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep is available as an upgrade at extra cost)
From Nairobi / to Nairobi
Explore the breath of Kenya on an 8 day safari tour visitingSamburu game reserve, rift valley lakes Naivasha & Nakuru and culminating with a visit to Masai Mara.
Safari is with easy paced park connecting drives and well staggered safari overnights making it a friendly adventure safari for all.
Safari leaves from Nairobi and spends 2 days at the Samburu game reserve in the Northern arid frontier district.
Tour progresses to Lake Naivasha where we spend a night and enjoy a boat ride to view hippos, exotic birds and small game.
We also enjoy a guided walking safari at the Crescent Island.
Tour visits the Hell’s gate national park on a short hike and bicycle ride that brings you closer to Nature.
Lake Nakuru national park and world famous bird haven is the next stop of the tour.
Here you view different bird species including few flamingoes and pelicans.
There shall be a guaranteed spotting of the endangered black and white Rhino.
The World famous Masai Mara game reserve is the last tour stop with 3 nights and days of wildlife viewing on rewarding game viewing drives in search of Big five.
Tour accommodation is in a choice of economy, standard or luxury safari lodges & tented camps depending on your budget & safari style.
Safari transport is in a private pop up top safari minivan (a pop up top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep is available as an upgrade at extra cost)
Good to know
- safari is flexible – you can extend safari tour by suggesting extra nights/days
- safari is flexible – you can suggest to include local domestic flights to reduce on road drives (extra price)
- safari is flexible – you can customize tour by suggesting adjustments suitable to you
- safari is also suitable for children
- safari can visit Lake Bogoria to view flamingoes instead of Lake Nakuru or Naivasha – if you prefer
- Driving times on safari are an estimate and may vary depending on state of the road and traffic.
- If you choose to stay at The Pelican Lodge, Sarova Woodlands or Sentrim Elementaita, note that there shall be no re-entry at Lake Nakuru National Park on the following day.
Tour highlights
- Samburu game reserve - 2 days with game viewing drives
- Mount Kenya and the equator view stops (highest mountain in Kenya).
- Lake Naivasha (fresh water rift valley lake)
- Bird spotting and hippo viewing on boat ride & Hell's gate visit with bicycle ride / walking safari (at the lake Naivasha)
- Guided walking safari at the Crescent Island
- Lake Nakuru National Park - birdlife and Rhino sightings
- The Great Rift Valley escarpment
- Thousands of bird species including few flamingoes and pelicans.
- Rhino sanctuary visit at the lake Nakuru.
- Masai - Mara game reserve
- Game and scenery viewing drives at the Masai Mara
- Optional Masai or Samburu village visits (arrange with your driver guide) = $ 25 per person
- Optional hot air balloon excursion at the Masai Mara =$ 450 per person (enquire with us)
Day by day
The Itinerary
- Day1
Nairobi – Samburu
0730hrs:You shall be collected from your Nairobi hotel or Nairobi airport
Proceed to the Samburu game reserve.
The scenic drive to Samburu is via the central highlands of Kenya with stops at a large local market and the Equator crossing
Enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive in this semi-arid wildlife reserve.
Overnight at your Samburu safari lodge or tented camp.
What you may see at Samburu game reserveElephants, Zebra, Buffalo, Warthogs, Antelopes, Oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali ostrich etc
- Day2
Samburu Game Reserve – full day
Spend entire day at the Samburu game reserve with extended game viewing drives to Shaba and buffalo springs reserves
Much game viewing in this scenic and arid reserve is concentrated along the banks of the Ewaso ngiro river.
Elephants, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo, Oryx and other animal species may be seen.
Overnight at your Samburu luxury lodge or camp.
- Day3
Samburu – Lake Naivasha
Early morning game and scenery viewing drive as you exit the Samburu.
Proceed to Lake Naivasha at the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
Later visit Crescent Island for a guided walking safari.
There shall be a stop to view the Thompson falls at Nyahururu.
Afternoon boat ride at the Lake Naivasha where you view exotic birdlife and hippos amid the serenity of this freshwater rift valley lake.
Overnight at a Lake Naivasha resort / tented camp.
What you may do at Lake NaivashaBoat ride, bird watching, nature walks, visit to hell’s gate
- Day4
Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru
This morning we visit the Hell’s Gate national park.
Take a bike and cycle to the nearby Hell’s Gate national park where you explore on foot this canyon as you spot small game.
Later a short 1 hour drive takes us to the lake Nakuru national park.
Birdlife abounds with flamingoes seen in their thousands together with pelicans and other bird species.
The lake is host to the black and white rhino species, warthogs, lions, zebras, giraffe and many more.
Overnight at a lake Nakuru safari lodge / tented camp.
What you may see at Lake Nakuru National ParkFlamingo, Makalia water falls, Unique vegetation, Lion, White rhino, Black Rhino, Giraffe, about 450 species of terrestrial birds, waterbuck.
- Day5
Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara
An early bird and game viewing drive as you exit the lake Nakuru national Park.
Proceed to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Arrive Masai Mara and proceed on an afternoon game viewing drive.
Overnight at a Masai Mara safari lodge or tented camp.
- Day6
Full day – Masai Mara
Today shall be a game viewing extravaganza!
Masai Mara Game reserve remains the most exciting wildlife eco-system in the Natural world.
It is host to the highest and most varied concentration of wild animals than any other wildlife park in the region.
The scenic appeal of the tree studded savannah plains, the moderate climate and diversity of wild game species makes it a one stop shop for game viewing activities.
We shall traverse the Masai Mara reserve on a full day of unlimited game viewing encountering the big five and more of the lesser game.
Picnic lunch shall be by the Mara river as we watch hippos & crocodiles or maybe the great migration (July – October)
Overnight shall be at our Masai Mara safari lodge/ Tented camp
- Day7
Masai Mara game reserve
Extra day shall be spent at the Masai Mara with game viewing drives.
Overnight at your Masai Mara safari lodge / tented camp.
Optional Masai Mara excursions
–Masai village visit =$ 25 per person (consult your safari driver / guide while on safari)
- Day8
Masai Mara – Nairobi
Early pre-breakfast game viewing drive
Depart Masai Mara with an exit game viewing drive.
Proceed to Nairobi to arrive in the late afternoon.
Drop off at a Nairobi hotel / Nairobi airport
What you could see and do on an 8 Day Explorer Safari
- Elephants
- Zebra
- Buffalo
- Warthogs
- Antelopes
- Oryx
- Reticulated Giraffe
- Grevy’s Zebra
- Somali Ostrich
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Flamingos
- Pelicans
- White Rhino
- Black Rhino
- Baboon Cliff
- Up to 56 mammal species
- Unique Vegetation
- Bird Watching
- Photography
- Trekking
- Game Viewing
Where you stay
Accommodation
Safari accommodation options for each location
Lake Nakuru National Park
- Economy
- Lake Nakuru Lodge
Lake Naivasha
- Standard
- Elsamere Lodge, Naivasha Crescent Camp.
- Economy
- Naivasha kongoni Camp.
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Samburu National Reserve
- Standard
- Samburu Sopa Lodge.
- Economy
- Sentrim Samburu Lodge
Tour price includes
- Nairobi airport-hotel pick up / drop off transfers
- Transport in a customized pop up top safari minivan.
- Services of an experienced English/other language speaking driver/ guide.
- Stay in economy, standard or luxury safari lodge / tented camps.
- Game viewing drives
- Park entrance fees.
- All meals on safari.
- Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle.
- Boat ride at Lake Naivasha
- Guided walking safari at Crescent Island
- Government taxes and local levies
Not included in the tour price
- All bottled drinks, items and services of a personal nature and tips & gratuities.
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