9-Day Kenya Safari: Samburu · Nakuru · Baringo-Bogoria · Maasai Mara & Amboseli

Day by day

9 days in East Africa.

1. Day 1

   Samburu

   Depart Nairobi at 7:30am after breakfast and drive north, crossing the equator, as the landscape changes from farmland to the rugged semi-arid country of Samburu National Reserve. The reserve is known for species rarely found elsewhere, including reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, and its birdlife is especially notable. Arrive in time for lunch, then take an afternoon game drive in the 4x4 Land Cruiser. Dinner and overnight at the Samburu campsite.

   Overnight

   Umoja Camp, SamburuAshnil Samburu Camp

   Meals

   Lunch and dinner

2. Day 2

   Samburu

   A full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives in the 4x4 Land Cruiser. The Ewaso Nyiro River is the focus: elephant come down to drink and bathe, leopard and lion use the riverine woodland, and the dry hills beyond hold the northern specialities such as gerenuk standing on their hind legs to browse. An optional visit to a Samburu village can be arranged to learn about the pastoral culture of the area. All meals are included, and there is time to settle in before the night.

   Overnight

   Umoja Camp, SamburuAshnil Samburu Camp

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

3. Day 3

   Samburu – Lake Nakuru

   Depart Samburu after breakfast and drive south and west through the central highlands, crossing back over the equator and skirting the Aberdare range, to Lake Nakuru, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park runs until late afternoon, taking in the alkaline lake and its flamingos, the rhino sanctuary and the wooded slopes above the shore where leopard and Rothschild's giraffe are found. Dinner and overnight at the guest house in Nakuru.

   Overnight

   Buraha Zenoni, Lake NakuruLake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

4. Day 4

   Lake Nakuru – Lake Baringo / Bogoria

   Leaving Lake Nakuru after breakfast, make the scenic drive north across the Laikipia plateau to Lake Baringo in time for lunch. In the afternoon take a day trip to neighbouring Lake Bogoria to see its geysers and hot springs steaming along the shore; on a good day greater kudu, other antelope and giraffe are seen along the way. Return to Baringo, where an optional boat ride on the freshwater lake is available to look for hippo, crocodile and fish eagle. The night is spent by the lake.

   Overnight

   Soi Safari Lodge, BaringoSoi Safari Lodge, Baringo

   Meals

   Breakfast and lunch

   

5. Day 5

   Lake Baringo – Maasai Mara

   Depart Lake Baringo after breakfast and head south through Nakuru and Narok to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, famous for its great herds of game. Every member of the Big Five found in Kenya lives here. Arrive in time for lunch at the camp, then take an afternoon game drive in the 4x4 Land Cruiser across the plains as the day cools and the animals move out from the shade to graze. Return after the afternoon game drive for dinner and the night.

   Overnight

   Miti Mingi Camp, Maasai MaraZebra Plains Mara Camp

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

6. Day 6

   Maasai Mara

   From camp, explore the Mara region, which holds elephant, zebra, rhino and every kind of plains game throughout the year, with the wildebeest migration arriving from the Serengeti mainly in July and August. It has been called the New York of the natural world for its sheer density of animals, and it offers the best chance on this itinerary of seeing all of the Big Five. Game drives morning and afternoon. Return for dinner and settle in for the evening.

   Overnight

   Miti Mingi Camp, Maasai MaraZebra Plains Mara Camp

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

7. Day 7

   Maasai Mara – Amboseli

   Depart the Mara after breakfast and drive to Amboseli, with lunch en route. The journey crosses the Rift Valley and passes Nairobi before turning south across the Maasai plains. On arrival a game drive en route to the camp introduces the park, which lies at the foot of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, just across the Tanzanian border. Dinner and overnight in Amboseli.

   Overnight

   Nyati Safari Camp, AmboseliKibo Safari Camp, Amboseli

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

8. Day 8

   Amboseli

   A full day in Amboseli with two game drives, morning and afternoon, and a rest at camp in between during the hottest hours. The park's swamps draw large elephant herds, buffalo and hippo, while the dry plains around them hold zebra, wildebeest and gazelle, and cheetah are sometimes found on the open ground. Observation Hill gives a view over the whole system and, in clear weather, of Kilimanjaro. All meals are provided, and the day ends quietly.

   Overnight

   Nyati Safari Camp, AmboseliKibo Safari Camp, Amboseli

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

9. Day 9

   Amboseli – Nairobi – Departure

   Depart for Nairobi after breakfast with a game drive on the way out of the park, arriving in the city in the late afternoon. An optional dinner at Nairobi's well-known Carnivore restaurant can be arranged at extra cost for about 7pm, after which you are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home. Confirm your flight time when booking so the day's schedule is set correctly.

   Meals

   Breakfast

Your questions, answered.