You will arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, where a warm welcome will await you. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, you will be transferred to Crowne Plaza Nairobi, a contemporary hotel located in the city’s bustling Upper Hill district. Once you have checked in and settled into your room, you will have time to relax and recover from your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to enjoy the hotel’s facilities, such as the rooftop pool, fitness center, or spa. You can also savor a delicious dinner at one of the
hotel’s restaurants or unwind with a cocktail at the bar. This night in Nairobi will provide a comfortable start to your Kenyan adventure.

Dinner and overnight at: Crowne Plaza or similar
Meal Plan: Bed Only

After an early breakfast at Crowne Plaza, you will check out and transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where you will board your scheduled light aircraft flight to Samburu National Reserve. The flight, which lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, offers spectacular views of central Kenya’s patchwork farmlands and rugged mountains. As you approach Samburu, the landscape will change dramatically to reveal the arid beauty of Kenya’s northern frontier. Upon landing at the Samburu airstrip, your driver-guide will greet you and transfer you to Ashnil Samburu Camp, a luxury tented camp situated along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Once you have checked into your spacious, well-appointed tent, you will enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking the river, where wildlife such as elephants, crocodiles, and an abundance of birdlife are frequently seen. In the afternoon, you will set out on your first game drive in Samburu. This unique reserve is famous for its “Special Five” Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx which are rarely found in Kenya’s southern parks. The landscape of acacia-dotted plains and dramatic rocky outcrops offers stunning photo opportunities. After a rewarding afternoon of wildlife viewing, you will return to camp for dinner and an evening of relaxation beneath the starlit sky.

Dinner and overnight at: Ashnil Samburu camp or similar Meal Plan: Full board

You will rise early this morning for a sunrise game drive, when the cool temperatures bring the animals out to feed and move about. Samburu is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including large herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. With luck, you may witness predators on the hunt or interactions between different species around the river. After returning to camp, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast and have some time at leisure. You may choose to relax by the camp’s swimming pool or observe the river’s activity from your private veranda. Samburu’s birdlife is particularly rich, with species such as kingfishers, bee-eaters, and storks easily spotted from the camp. Later in the day, after lunch and some rest, you will embark on another game drive through different areas of the reserve. Your guide will share fascinating insights about the unique flora and fauna of this arid ecosystem. The late afternoon light offers ideal conditions for photography as animals come down to the river to drink. After returning to camp, you will enjoy a sumptuous dinner and a peaceful evening listening to the nocturnal sounds of the African bush.

Dinner and overnight at: Ashnil Samburu camp or similar Meal Plan: Full board

Today will be dedicated to further exploration of Samburu’s striking landscapes and wildlife. After an early breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive, focusing on areas you have not yet explored. You may have another chance to spot the “Special Five” as well as predators such as lions and leopards, which are well adapted to the rugged terrain. Returning to Ashnil Samburu for a relaxed lunch, you will then have the opportunity to participate in a cultural visit to a nearby Samburu village. Here, you will learn about the Samburu people’s traditional way of life, including their beadwork, livestock herding practices, and rich oral history. This authentic encounter offers a deeper appreciation of the human connection to this wild landscape. In the afternoon, you will enjoy another game drive, seeking out any wildlife you may have missed. As the sun sets over the dramatic hills and riverine forests, you will return to camp for a final evening in Samburu, complete with a special farewell dinner and perhaps some storytelling around the campfire.

Dinner and overnight at: Ashnil Samburu camp or similar Meal Plan: Full board

After breakfast, you will check out of Ashnil Samburu and transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to the Masai Mara. The flight, approximately 1 hour long, offers breathtaking aerial views as you transition from the arid north to the lush, rolling savannahs of the Mara ecosystem. Upon arrival at the Mara airstrip, your guide will greet you and drive you to Mara Serena Safari Lodge, located on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Masai Mara. After check-in, you will enjoy lunch at the lodge, which offers panoramic vistas of the plains below. In the afternoon, you will embark on your first game drive in the Masai Mara, Kenya’s premier wildlife destination. The Mara is renowned for its abundant game and frequent predator sightings. You will likely encounter elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and a variety of antelope species. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are also commonly seen. After an exhilarating afternoon, you will return to Mara Serena for dinner and an evening of relaxation overlooking the vast, game-filled landscape.

Dinner and overnight at: Mara Serena Lodge or similar Meal Plan: Breakfast only

Your day will begin with an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn (at an additional cost), offering an unforgettable perspective of the Masai Mara as the sun rises over the plains. After landing, you will enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush. Alternatively, you will depart on an early morning game drive by vehicle. The early hours are ideal for observing wildlife, as predators are still active and the light is perfect for photography. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, you will have time to relax and take in the spectacular views from the lodge. Later, after lunch and a brief rest, you will head out again for an afternoon game drive. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration (July to October), when millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River in dramatic fashion. Even outside migration season, the Mara teems with life year-round. As the day ends, you will return to the lodge for dinner and another peaceful evening.

Dinner and overnight at: Mara Serena Lodge or similar Meal Plan: Full board

Today will be another full day of exploration in the Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, you will venture out on an extended game drive, allowing you to reach more remote parts of the reserve. Your guide will tailor the day’s safari to your interests, whether focusing on big cats, birdlife, or the dynamics of the Great Migration. In between game drives, you will return to Mara Serena for lunch and some time at leisure. You may also choose to visit a nearby Maasai village (optional activity) to learn about the traditions and daily life of the Maasai people, who continue to live in harmony with the wildlife of the region. In the afternoon, you will head out once more for a game drive, seeking out wildlife in the golden afternoon light. The Mara’s varied landscapes from riverine forests to open plains ensure that every game drive offers new and exciting discoveries. Your final evening at Mara Serena will be celebrated with a delightful dinner and time to reflect on your safari experiences.

Dinner and overnight at: Mara Serena Lodge or similar Meal Plan: Full board

After breakfast at Mara Serena, you will check out and transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. During your flight, you will have a last chance to admire Kenya’s beautiful landscapes from above. Upon arrival at Wilson Airport, you will be met by a representative who will assist you with your transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward international flight. As you leave Kenya, you will take with you treasured memories of an incredible safari from the rugged beauty of Samburu to the world-famous wildlife of the Masai Mara.

Dinner and overnight at: End of safari Meal Plan: Breakfast Only