This is our longest single-country road safari in Kenya, and the one we suggest to travellers who want more than the standard southern circuit. After the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru, the route heads north past Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve.
Samburu feels different from the moment you arrive. It is hotter, drier and more rugged, with doum palms along the Ewaso Nyiro River and red-earth hills on the horizon. Several animals you see here are northern dry-country species that you will not find in the Mara - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, often called the Samburu Special Five.
Because the distances are real, we break the journey north with an overnight in Nairobi on day four rather than doing it in one push. Transport is a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, and accommodation is mid-range throughout, with luxury upgrades available. It suits repeat visitors, keen wildlife watchers and anyone who wants depth rather than a quick tour of the best-known names.
Journey at-a-glance:Customize This Journey. Request More Information »
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Three distinct ecosystems: savannah, Rift Valley lake and northern dry country
Samburu's northern species, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk
Full days of game drives in both the Mara and Samburu
Lake Nakuru's rhino sanctuary
Morning drive from Nairobi through the Rift Valley to the Mara, arriving for lunch. Afternoon game drive.
Two game drives, morning and afternoon, with a midday break at camp. Your guide covers different parts of the reserve on each.
Drive across the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving for an afternoon game drive around the rhino sanctuary and the lakeshore.
A final morning drive at Nakuru, then the road back to Nairobi. Spending this night in the city splits the long journey north into two manageable days, so you reach Samburu with energy left for an afternoon drive.
Head north through the farmland and foothills on the western side of Mount Kenya, crossing the equator on the way. As you descend towards Samburu, the landscape becomes noticeably drier. Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Morning and afternoon drives looking for Samburu's northern species - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and beisa oryx - as well as elephant, which often come down to the river in the heat of the day. Leopard and lion are also found here.
Drive back south via Nanyuki, where you stop for lunch, arriving in Nairobi in the evening.
Planning tip: see our guide on Best Time to Visit the Masai Mara: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Accommodation: Mid-range lodges and tented camps in the Mara, Nakuru and Samburu on a full-board basis, plus a comfortable hotel in Nairobi for the transit night. Luxury properties can be substituted at any stop.
Vehicle: 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
The Mara has wildlife all year, so the best month depends on what you want.
Full Masai Mara National Reserve destination guide »
Yes. The Mara and Samburu both have airstrips with scheduled light-aircraft flights from Nairobi. A fly-in version costs more but saves a lot of road time - ask us to price it.
Adding Amboseli means a lot of back-tracking through Nairobi. If you want both Amboseli and Samburu, we can build a custom route of around 9-10 days.
A fair amount, because the parks are far apart. That is why we include a transit night in Nairobi and a lunch stop in Nanyuki on the way back.
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and pricing.
