5 days Samburu, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara

Your adventure begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi or Mombasa. The Samburu Safari from Mombasa option includes a scenic domestic flight, saving precious time while offering breathtaking aerial views of Kenya’s varied landscapes.

Samburu National Reserve, located in Kenya’s northern frontier, presents a stark contrast to the country’s southern parks. The reserve is characterized by arid landscapes, doum palms, and the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro River that cuts through this semi-desert terrain.

After settling into your lodge, the afternoon game drive introduces you to Samburu’s “Special Five” – unique species found only in northern Kenya: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx. The reserve also hosts elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, creating excellent predator-watching opportunities.

As the sun sets over the rugged hills, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and an evening of relaxation under the star-filled African sky.

A full day of Activities in Samburu awaits, starting with an early morning game drive when wildlife is most active. The cool morning light creates perfect photography conditions as you track predators returning from their nightly hunts.

Samburu’s diverse habitats support over 450 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Along the riverbanks, watch for crocodiles and various water birds while herds of elephants and buffaloes come to drink.

Midday brings an opportunity to return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation by the pool before the afternoon safari activity. Many lodges offer cultural visits to nearby Samburu villages, where you can learn about traditional customs and the special relationship between these semi-nomadic people and their environment.

The afternoon game drive explores different sections of the reserve, perhaps venturing to Buffalo Springs or Shaba Reserve if time permits. These interconnected reserves form a larger ecosystem with slightly varied wildlife populations.

After a final morning game drive in Samburu, you’ll begin your journey southward to Lake Naivasha, arriving by late afternoon. This freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley sits at approximately 1,884 meters above sea level, creating a cooler microclimate with lush surroundings.

The 5 Days Lake Naivasha safari component offers a welcome change of scenery from Samburu’s arid landscape. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake, getting close to hippos, watching fish eagles dive for prey, and identifying some of the 350+ bird species that inhabit the area. The lake is ringed by papyrus and acacia forests where giraffes, zebras, and waterbucks roam freely.

You’ll spend the night at one of the charming lodges or camps along the lakeshore, falling asleep to the sounds of hippos grunting and birds calling.

Your morning begins with more Lake Naivasha tours. Popular options include a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes without predators present. Alternatively, a visit to Hell’s Gate National Park offers the opportunity to cycle or walk among wildlife while admiring dramatic gorges and geothermal features.

By mid-morning, you’ll depart for the final and perhaps most anticipated destination of your 5 days Masai Mara Safari experience. The drive takes you through scenic Rift Valley landscapes and rural Kenya before reaching the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve by late afternoon.

Time permitting, your first game drive in the Mara introduces you to this iconic ecosystem, part of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The rolling grasslands dotted with acacia trees create postcard-perfect safari scenes, while the sheer concentration of wildlife is often overwhelming.

The evening ends with dinner at your camp or lodge, perhaps accompanied by traditional Maasai dance performances if you’re staying at a cultural-oriented property.

The grand finale of your 5 Days Samburu Mara Safari deserves a full day in the Masai Mara. For the ultimate experience, consider a dawn hot air balloon safari (additional cost) that provides unparalleled views of the landscape and wildlife from above, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.

The remainder of the day is devoted to extensive game drives across the reserve’s diverse habitats. The Mara is famous for its big cat population – lions lounging on kopjes (rock outcroppings), cheetahs scanning the plains from termite mounds, and elusive leopards draped over acacia branches.

During the Great Migration (typically July to October), over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into the Mara, creating nature’s greatest wildlife spectacle. Even outside migration season, the resident wildlife is abundant and diverse.

Your experienced guide will navigate to wildlife hotspots, including the Mara River where dramatic crossing scenes unfold during migration. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about this proud warrior culture that has co-existed with wildlife for centuries.

As the day concludes, you’ll enjoy a final sunset in the Mara before heading back to your accommodation for dinner and reflections on an unforgettable safari adventure.