Maasai Village Visit
A Maasai village visit may be requested during the Masai Mara portion of the safari at an additional cost if timing allows. The village entry fee is not included in the safari price.
6-Day Kenya Safari to Samburu
6 Days Magical Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Samburu
Travel from the open grasslands of the Masai Mara through the Rift Valley to the drier landscapes of northern Kenya on a six-day safari combining Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Samburu. The route finishes with two nights near Samburu National Reserve, where the Ewaso Nyiro River and distinctive northern wildlife create a very different safari setting.
Safari Overview
This six-day Kenya safari combines three distinct wildlife regions: the open savannah of the Masai Mara, the Rift Valley setting of Lake Nakuru and the drier northern landscapes of Samburu National Reserve.
The journey begins in Nairobi and travels through the Great Rift Valley toward the Masai Mara. An evening game drive on Day 1 is followed by a full day of wildlife viewing on Day 2. Day 3 begins with another early game drive before the road journey continues toward Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru National Park provides a change of scenery around its lake, grassland and woodland habitats. The park is particularly important for the conservation of black and white rhinos and supports varied birdlife and other wildlife.
After a game drive in Lake Nakuru on Day 4, travel north through central Kenya toward Samburu. The landscape becomes noticeably drier as the route approaches Samburu National Reserve and the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Samburu is known for its northern dryland wildlife and distinctive mix of open savannah, rocky terrain and riverine vegetation. Species associated with this region include Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, collectively known as the Samburu Five.
A full day in Samburu on Day 5 provides time to explore the reserve before an early game drive on the final morning and the road journey back to Nairobi.
The itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience both southern and northern Kenya safari landscapes within six days. All wildlife encounters remain natural, and no species or particular sighting can ever be guaranteed.
Safari Highlights
- Combine the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Samburu in one six-day Kenya safari.
- Travel from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley toward the Masai Mara.
- Enjoy an evening game drive after arriving in the Mara.
- Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with a picnic lunch.
- Begin Day 3 with an early game drive before travelling toward Nakuru.
- Explore Lake Nakuru National Park before continuing north to Samburu.
- Experience the transition from Rift Valley scenery to the drier landscapes of northern Kenya.
- Spend a full day exploring Samburu National Reserve.
- Travel through wildlife habitats associated with the Ewaso Nyiro River.
- Learn about northern wildlife including the species collectively known as the Samburu Five.
- Begin the final morning with another Samburu game drive.
- Travel with a professional safari driver-guide.
- Return to Nairobi at the end of Day 6.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Nairobi → Great Rift Valley → Narok → Masai Mara
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Meet your driver-guide at your agreed Nairobi pickup point and begin the road journey toward the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Stop along the way for views across the Great Rift Valley escarpment before continuing toward Narok, where lunch is planned.
After lunch, continue to the Masai Mara and check in at your tented camp.
Later in the afternoon, enter the reserve for an evening game drive across the Mara's open grasslands and other wildlife habitats.
Return to camp after the game drive for dinner and your first overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Miti Mingi Eco Camp or similar in the Masai Mara area
- Day 2
Masai Mara National Reserve
Full-Day Masai Mara Game Drive
After breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch for a full day of game viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Explore different parts of the reserve with your driver-guide, allowing time to travel through open grasslands, river systems and other wildlife habitats.
Your exact route will depend on wildlife movements, road conditions and your guide's judgement on the day.
A picnic lunch is planned during the game drive before wildlife viewing continues through the afternoon.
A Maasai village visit may be requested at an additional cost if timing allows.
Return to camp later in the day for dinner and your second overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Miti Mingi Eco Camp or similar in the Masai Mara area
The Masai Mara portion of this safari provides several opportunities for wildlife viewing before the journey continues through the Rift Valley and north toward Samburu. - Day 3
Masai Mara → Nakuru
Masai Mara to Nakuru
Begin the morning with tea or coffee followed by an early game drive in the Masai Mara.
Return to camp for breakfast, check out and begin the road journey toward Nakuru.
Lunch is planned along the way.
Arrive in Nakuru later in the day and check in at your budget hotel.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- City Max Hotel or similar in Nakuru
- Day 4
Lake Nakuru National Park → Nanyuki Route → Samburu
Lake Nakuru National Park to Samburu
After breakfast, depart for a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.
Explore the park's lake, grassland and woodland habitats with your driver-guide. Lake Nakuru is an important sanctuary for black and white rhinos and also supports varied birdlife and other wildlife.
Individual wildlife sightings remain dependent on natural animal movements and conditions during your visit.
After the game drive, begin the road journey north toward Samburu, travelling through central Kenya and following the route toward the Samburu region.
Lunch is planned during the journey.
Arrive in the Samburu area later in the day and check in at your lodge.
Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Samburu Sentrim Lodge or similar in the Samburu area
Birdlife at Lake Nakuru varies with lake and environmental conditions, so flamingo numbers and distribution can change between visits. - Day 5
Samburu National Reserve
Full-Day Samburu National Reserve Game Drive
After breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch for a full day of wildlife viewing in Samburu National Reserve.
Explore the reserve's dry savannah, rocky terrain and riverine areas with your driver-guide. The Ewaso Nyiro River is an important feature of the Samburu landscape and helps support wildlife in this otherwise dry region.
Samburu is associated with northern wildlife including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. These species are often grouped under the name Samburu Five, but individual sightings can never be guaranteed.
A picnic lunch is planned during the day's game viewing.
A Samburu cultural visit may also be requested. Its timing, operating arrangements and any applicable additional cost should be confirmed in your quotation before travel.
Continue wildlife viewing during the afternoon before returning to the lodge.
Dinner and your second Samburu overnight are at the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Samburu Sentrim Lodge or similar in the Samburu area
Grevy's zebra is one of the northern dryland species associated with the Samburu ecosystem, although individual sightings can never be guaranteed. 
Samburu's dry savannah and riverine habitats support elephants and other wildlife, although the location and behaviour of animals vary naturally from day to day. - Day 6
Samburu → Nairobi
Samburu National Reserve to Nairobi
Begin the final morning with an early game drive in Samburu National Reserve.
Return to the lodge after the game drive for breakfast and prepare for departure.
Begin the road journey back to Nairobi, with lunch planned along the way.
Arrival in Nairobi is expected later in the day, followed by drop-off at your agreed hotel or airport transfer point.
- Meals
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Overnight
- None
Accommodation
The Camp / Budget version of this safari includes five nights' accommodation.
The first two nights are planned at Miti Mingi Eco Camp or a similar self-contained budget tented camp in the Masai Mara area.
The third night is planned at City Max Hotel or a similar budget hotel in Nakuru.
The fourth and fifth nights are planned at Samburu Sentrim Lodge or a similar property in the Samburu area.
All accommodation remains subject to availability and final confirmation when your booking is made.
A Lodge / Mid-range rate is not currently published in the approved package catalogue and is available on request.
Pricing
The approved published price range for the Camp / Budget version of this safari is shown below. Your final quotation will be confirmed against your travel dates, party size and accommodation availability.
- Camp / Budget
- USD 1,229–1,429
- Published low-season to high-season package range.
- Lodge / Mid-range
- On Request
- Ask us for a current Lodge / Mid-range quotation for your travel dates.
The current approved catalogue does not state the charging basis, occupancy basis or exact seasonal date bands for this published range. These details must be confirmed in your personalised quotation before booking.
What's Included
- Road transport throughout the itinerary in a safari van with a hatch roof.
- Nairobi pickup and transfer arrangements as confirmed for your booking.
- Five nights' accommodation as described in the itinerary.
- Meals specified in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Park entrance fees for the parks and reserve included in the itinerary.
- Game drives described in the itinerary.
- Services of a professional safari driver-guide.
- Applicable statutory taxes included in the package.
What's Not Included
- Personal travel or medical insurance.
- Hot-air balloon safari.
- Maasai village entry fee.
- Samburu cultural visit or local community fee unless specifically included in your confirmed quotation.
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal purchases and other items of a personal nature.
- Any service or activity not specifically listed under What's Included.
Optional Experiences
Hot-Air Balloon Safari
A hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara is not included in the package price. Ask us about current availability, timing and how the activity would fit into your itinerary.
Samburu Cultural Visit
A Samburu cultural visit may be requested during your stay in northern Kenya. Confirm the current timing, operating arrangements and any applicable local fee when your quotation is prepared.
Important Notes
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed because all game viewing takes place in natural environments.
- This itinerary includes substantial road transfers between the Masai Mara, Nakuru, Samburu and Nairobi.
- Day 2 and Day 5 are planned as full wildlife-viewing days and may involve several hours in the safari vehicle.
- Lake Nakuru is an important rhino sanctuary, but individual rhino sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Flamingo numbers and other bird populations at Lake Nakuru vary according to lake and environmental conditions.
- Samburu is associated with distinctive northern wildlife, but sightings of the Samburu Five or any individual species cannot be guaranteed.
- The Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounding habitats vary with seasonal and weather conditions.
- Accommodation is subject to availability and is reconfirmed when your booking is made.
- The final quotation should confirm travel dates, accommodation, party size, charging basis and any cultural activities requested.
- Lodge / Mid-range accommodation is available on request rather than at a published catalogue rate.
- Optional experiences remain subject to timing, availability and additional charges.
- Game-drive routes may vary according to wildlife movements, road conditions and your guide's judgement.
Who This Safari Is Best For
This safari suits travellers who want to combine classic southern Kenya wildlife viewing with the distinctive scenery and wildlife of the country's north.
It is particularly suitable for first-time safari travellers, couples, friends, families and wildlife enthusiasts who want substantial Masai Mara game-viewing time, a Rift Valley stop at Lake Nakuru and two nights in the Samburu area.
The itinerary includes long road transfers, especially between Nakuru and Samburu and on the final return to Nairobi, so travellers should be comfortable with extended driving time.
Why Choose This 6-Day Samburu Safari?
The defining feature of this itinerary is the contrast between the Masai Mara and Samburu.
The Masai Mara provides two nights and several game drives across open savannah before the route moves through Lake Nakuru and continues north.
Samburu then introduces a drier environment shaped by the Ewaso Nyiro River, riverine vegetation, rocky ground and wildlife associated with northern Kenya.
Two nights in the Samburu area allow for a complete wildlife-viewing day as well as an early game drive on the final morning.
For travellers comparing this itinerary with the six-day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli safari, Samburu is the key difference and creates a distinctly northern Kenya conclusion to the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which destinations are included in this 6-day safari?
The itinerary combines the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Samburu National Reserve, starting and ending in Nairobi.
How many nights are included?
The Camp / Budget itinerary includes five nights: two nights in the Masai Mara area, one night in Nakuru and two nights in the Samburu area.
How much time is spent in the Masai Mara?
The itinerary includes an evening game drive on Day 1, a full day of game viewing on Day 2 and an early game drive on Day 3 before travelling to Nakuru.
What makes Samburu different from the Masai Mara?
Samburu has a drier northern Kenya landscape with rocky terrain, open savannah and riverine vegetation around the Ewaso Nyiro River. It is also associated with several dryland wildlife species that are less typical of the Masai Mara.
What are the Samburu Five?
The term Samburu Five commonly refers to Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. These species are associated with the northern Kenya ecosystem, but no individual sighting can be guaranteed during a safari.
Will I definitely see Grevy's zebra or reticulated giraffe?
No. Samburu is well known for northern wildlife including Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe, but all wildlife sightings depend on natural animal movements and conditions during your visit.
Will I definitely see rhinos at Lake Nakuru?
No. Lake Nakuru National Park is an important sanctuary for black and white rhinos, but wildlife encounters are natural and no individual species can be guaranteed.
Can I visit a Maasai or Samburu community during this safari?
A Maasai village visit may be requested during the Masai Mara portion of the safari, and a Samburu cultural visit may be requested during the northern Kenya portion. Timing, availability and any applicable additional fees should be confirmed in your quotation.
Which meals are included?
The itinerary specifies lunch and dinner on Day 1; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 2, 3, 4 and 5; and breakfast and lunch on Day 6.
Can I choose Lodge / Mid-range accommodation?
Yes. A Lodge / Mid-range option may be requested. The approved catalogue does not currently publish a numeric Lodge / Mid-range rate for this package, so a current quotation is required.
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