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Mara cheetah and cubs by Chad Rosenthal

Northern Kenya National Parks & Masai Mara Safari

Tour Length8 days
Priced from pps $3068 R58495 £2433 2845 A$4728 C$4172 NZ$5146 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Safari

  • Max. Group Size 9 Travellers
  • Starts & ends in Nairobi, Kenya
  • Accommodation Hotel / Lodge / Safari Lodge
  • Transport Game Viewing Vehicle / Microbus
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Exceptional Birding, Leopards, Lions, Migration Safari (Seasonal), Wildlife Conservation Experience & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

Take eight days to experience this once-in-a-lifetime 4x4 wildlife journey to four of the most incredible Kenya national parks.

Enjoy full board accommodation, that's all meals included, at well-selected safari lodges offering top-notch accommodation inside the scenic national parks and reserves. Start by exploring the dynamic city of Nairobi, before traveling north to the Big Five haven of Samburu National Park. Drive into the highlands of central Kenya to watch the wildlife of Aberdare National Park from a lodge overlooking an active, floodlit watering hole. Head down to scenic Lake Nakuru National Park, a birding paradise and home to black and white rhinos, tree-climbing lions, leopards, and many other wild animals.

The grand finale - Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the finest and most famous wildlife destinations in the world!

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Itinerary for this Tour

  • One night at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi
  • Two nights at Samburu Sopa Lodge in Samburu National Reserve
  • One night at The Ark in Aberdare National Park
  • One night at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Two nights at Keekorok Lodge in Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 1: Nairobi – Kenya

Hello Africa! Landing at the international airport in Nairobi, we are there to welcome you to Kenya. We drive you from the airport to your first hotel in Kenya, for an overnight bed and breakfast stay at The Tribe Hotel.

After settling in at the hotel and freshening up, we set off for the Giraffe Centre, a wildlife sanctuary and educational centre. Endangered Rothschild giraffes are bred at the non-profit, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. After viewing the giraffes and other animals, birds and insects at the Giraffe Centre it is time for lunch.

We eat at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, an open-air restaurant specializing in meaty meals. Then we return to The Tribe Hotel, a friendly boutique hotel in a leafy suburb, next to The Village Market mall. Dinner is not included, giving you the option of eating out and enjoying the nightlife of Nairobi.

  • Lunch: Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi
  • Accommodation: The Tribe Hotel in Nairobi

Day 2: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve – Kenya

Breakfast at the hotel, then we hit the road in our 4x4 safari vehicle, driving north to the Samburu National Reserve. Our long drive takes us through rural farmlands to the remote Samburu County.

We arrive at our next full board accommodation, Samburu Sopa Lodge, in time for lunch and some free time to settle in and unwind at the pool.

Then we embark on our first 4x4 game drive in Samburu National Reserve, situated along the Ewaso Ng'iro River. The river attracts and supports the wildlife of Samburu in this otherwise arid part of Kenya. We drive through the park in our pop-up roof safari vehicle taking in the grasslands, river forests and acacia trees while searching for wildlife.

  • Breakfast: The Tribe Hotel in Nairobi
  • Full Board: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Samburu National Reserve – Kenya

Day three is for rewarding 4x4 game drives in Samburu National Park. We take early and mid morning game drives, have lunch at Samburu Sopa Lodge and relax before our afternoon game drive.

We may come across lions, cheetahs and leopards, and are likely to see elephants, hippos and buffalos. Grevy’s zebras, oryx, giraffes, gerenuks, other antelopes and wild dogs are also found in Samburu. The park is also rich in birdlife, hosting over 350 species. Samburu is one of the two areas where Elsa the lioness, of Born Free fame, was raised by George and Joy Adamson. Another highlight is encountering the traditional Samburu people, with their indigenous culture that still follows ancient practices.

We have dinner and overnight at the Samburu Sopa Lodge overlooking the expansive national reserve.

  • Full Board: Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 4: Samburu National Reserve to Aberdare National Park – Kenya

Rise and shine in the peaceful Samburu Game Reserve after a good night's sleep surrounded by nature.

After breakfast at the lodge we travel up into the cooler Aberdare Mountains, making our way to our next game viewing destination in the 4x4 vehicle. Arriving in the Aberdare Highlands we have lunch at the Aberdare Country Club which looks out over the surrounding wilderness.

Once we have had lunch we move on to our nearby accommodation, The Ark Tree Lodge. Watch the animals that frequently visit the lively waterhole beside the lodge, from a series of viewing decks and areas at different levels. Spotting animals at the floodlit saltlick and watering hole into the night, with common visitors including elephants, buffalos, rhinos and even leopards.

Wind down with dinner and drinks in the bar, overlooking the active waterhole.

  • Breakfast: Samburu Sopa Lodge
  • Lunch: Aberdare Country Club
  • Full Board: The Ark Tree Lodge

Day 5: Aberdare National Park to Lake Nakuru National Park – Kenya

Wake up with a refreshing tea or coffee at The Ark, then we head to the Aberdare Country Club for a tasty breakfast. After breakfast we collect our belongings at the lodge and drive down to Lake Nakuru, one of the Great Lakes of East Africa's Rift Valley.

Reaching the Lake Nakuru National Park we make our way to our next safari lodge, game viewing en route. Tuck into lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, inside the national park, and take a nap or dip in the pool.

This afternoon we go game viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park, set around the shallow soda lake. Originally established as a bird sanctuary Nakuru is a Ramsar Wetland Area, known for its spectacular birdlife. When water levels are high enough massive flocks of flamingoes have been known to gather at Lake Nakuru.

Highlights on our 4x4 game drive may include sightings of tree-climbing lions and both black and white rhinos, for which the reserve is better known today. Commonly sighted animals include giraffes, baboons, zebras, buffalos, antelopes and hippos, with rare finds including leopards.

Return to the safari lodge after our wildlife viewing adventure in Lake Nakuru Park to have dinner and watch a traditional dancing show.

  • Breakfast: Aberdare Country Club
  • Full board: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

Day 6: Lake Nakuru National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

On day six we have breakfast at the lodge overlooking scenic Lake Nakuru from its vantage point on Lion Hill.

Then the time has come to explore Masai Mara - one of the most famous game parks on the planet, considered by many to be the finest wildlife safari destination in all of Africa.

We drive southwest in our 4x4 safari vehicle, passing through the Rift Valley Province of Kenya, en route to Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders on Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. This is traditional Maasai land, so we should spot some of these proud, red-robed people in the area. Arriving at Keekorok Lodge we enjoy lunch and take it easy or swim in the pool.

Next up, our first game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve. In this dream safari landscape of undulating plains scattered with acacias, we look out for the diverse and abundant wildlife of Mara. We may come across herds of wildebeest, elephants, zebras and antelopes, along with prides of lions, coalitions of cheetahs, a crash of rhinos and lone leopards.

After an incredible afternoon of game viewing we return to the oldest establishment in Masai Mara, Keekorok Lodge, for dinner and drinks in the bar.

  • Breakfast: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
  • Full Board: Keekorok Lodge

Day 7: Masai Mara National Game Reserve

Look forward to a full day of wildlife viewing in the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. We embark on three game drives in one day - early morning, mid-morning and afternoon 4x4 adventures in this Big Five Mecca. Our lunch break is back at the lodge, surrounded by the vast fertile plains of Mara.

The lodge is located along the route of the Great Migration - the unparalleled wildlife spectacle that sees over a million wildebeest, gazelles, zebras and other herbivores stampeding across the plains and crocodile-infested rivers every year. The predators of Masai Mara also come out in full force for the migration, which provides plenty of fair game.

  • All Meals & Accommodation: Keekorok Lodge

Day 8: Masai Mara National Game Reserve to Nairobi – Kenya

On the final day of this Kenya Lodge Safari, we get to have breakfast in the quintessential safari setting before leaving Masai Mara. We journey back to the bustling city of Nairobi city in the 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. By mid-afternoon, we arrive in Nairobi where you can get dropped off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your post-safari accommodation.

You can also have lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden (optional extra cost) on request.

  • Breakfast: Keekorok Safari Lodge

Wildebeest Great Migration Explained

Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.

The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.

Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

Child rates provided above are applicable for children aged 3 – 11 years old, if sharing with 2 adults.
Chidren aged 2 years and below, sharing with adults, stay free of charge.

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+Where does the tour go to?
+Included in the Tour Price
  • Transfers from and to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in shared minivan
  • Shared road transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle from and to Nairobi
  • Shared game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a qualified KPSGA silver guide
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
  • Daily park and reserve entry fees
  • Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Kenyan Government taxes and levies
  • Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation cover
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Local and international flights
  • Taxes and visa fees 
  • Laundry, tips, gratuities and porterage
  • Personal items
+Departure Dates

Minimum of two travellers required to guarantee departures.

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