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9-Day Classic Kenya Luxury Safari

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

Parks

Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara

Travel style

Private, luxury

Vehicle

4×4 Land Cruiser

Best time

Jun to Oct, Jan to Feb

Overview Route Itinerary Lodges Prices What’s included Reviews FAQ

Trip overview

This 9-day safari covers four of Kenya’s best wildlife areas by road. From Nairobi you head north to Samburu National Reserve, home to northern species like Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Next comes Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary for endangered rhinos, then Lake Nakuru National Park with its flamingos and rhinos. The trip ends with three nights in the Masai Mara, where the open savanna holds the Big Five and, in season, the Great Migration.

Along the way you stay in comfortable lodges and camps, travel with an expert guide and meet local communities. Driving between parks lets you see how Kenya’s scenery changes from the dry north to the green highlands and the Rift Valley.

Accommodation:

Samburu Sopa Lodge (Samburu)
Sweetwaters Serena Camp (Ol Pejeta)
Flamingo Hill Camp (Lake Nakuru)
Mara Base Camp (Masai Mara)

Your route

Samburu 2 nights · Ol Pejeta 2 nights · Lake Nakuru 1 night · Masai Mara 3 nights. Starts and ends in Nairobi.

Long drive days? Ask about flying between parks instead. It can save most of a day.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Travel Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Your safari begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve. Along the way, the green highlands around the capital give way to the rugged, semi-arid country of Samburu. Your guide will point out sights and wildlife, and you may stop briefly in a local town.

On arrival at Samburu Sopa Lodge, settle into your room and enjoy lunch with views over the Samburu hills and valleys.

In the late afternoon, set out on your first game drive in Samburu National Reserve. Look for the “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich, while your guide explains how they cope with the harsh environment. As the sun sets, return to the lodge for dinner.

Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

Day 2: Full Day Exploring Samburu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake early to make the most of the cool morning hours. After coffee or tea, head out for a morning game drive. Look for lions and leopards, and watch elephants making their way to the Ewaso Nyiro River. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and time to relax during the heat of the day.

In the afternoon, set out on another game drive, looking for the reserve’s smaller residents: antelope, primates, and some of the hundreds of bird species found here. As the day cools, you might see a gerenuk standing on its hind legs to browse.

Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Travel Time: 3-4 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, leave Samburu for Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The dry scrubland gives way to the green central highlands, with Mount Kenya often visible on the horizon.

Arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp in time for lunch overlooking the camp’s waterhole. After settling into your tent, visit Ol Pejeta’s rhino sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos, including the world’s last two northern white rhinos. Your guide will explain the work being done to protect them.

Later, head out on a game drive through the 90,000-acre conservancy, looking for the Big Five and other wildlife. Dinner is served with a view of the waterhole, where animals often come to drink after dark.

Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

Day 4: Full Day Exploring Ol Pejeta

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your day with a morning game drive, when predators are most active. Ol Pejeta’s varied habitat supports lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and your guide will help you find and identify the wildlife.

After a late breakfast, visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, a refuge for chimps rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, and learn about their stories.

In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive and see how Ol Pejeta combines wildlife conservation with cattle ranching, an approach that has made it a model for responsible land use.

Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

Day 5: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park

Travel Time: 3-4 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, leave Ol Pejeta for Lake Nakuru National Park. On arrival, check into Flamingo Hill Camp, inside the park.

After settling in, head out on a game drive along the lakeshore, known for its flamingos. Look for the park’s black and white rhinos, as well as leopards, lions, and endangered Rothschild’s giraffes.

Dinner and overnight stay at Flamingo Hill Camp.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve

Travel Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The trip takes about 5-6 hours, depending on road conditions and wildlife stops along the way.

On arrival at Mara Base Camp, enjoy lunch and settle into your tent. In the afternoon, head out on your first game drive in the Mara, looking for the Big Five and the many other animals on the grasslands.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Base Camp.

Days 7-8: Exploring the Masai Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend two full days in the Masai Mara. Start each day with an early morning game drive, when the light is soft and animals are most active. In the midday heat, return to camp to relax, have lunch, and perhaps enjoy a massage.

In the afternoon, head out again to explore different areas of the reserve. If you’re visiting during the Great Migration (typically July to October), you may see wildebeest and zebra crossing the river. Outside migration season, the Mara still holds plenty of elephants, hippos and antelope.

One evening, visit a local Maasai village to learn about their traditions, way of life and close connection to the land.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Base Camp.

Day 9: Masai Mara to Nairobi

Travel Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin with an early morning game drive in the cool of the day, then return to camp for breakfast. Afterwards, drive back to Nairobi, with stops to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. On arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, depending on your onward plans.

Where you'll stay

Swimming pool at Samburu Sopa Lodge — Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu

Wildlife at Sweetwaters Serena Camp — Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta

Flamingo Hill Tented Camp at Lake Nakuru — Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Lake Nakuru

Mara Base Camp in Masai Mara — Mara Base Camp, Masai Mara

“Or similar” means we may swap a lodge of the same standard if one is full on your dates. We always tell you before you book.

Prices for 2026 and 2027

Season	2 people	3	4	5	6
Jan to Jun	$3,850	$3,520	$3,190	$2,860	$2,640
Jul to Dec	$4,070	$3,740	$3,410	$3,080	$2,860

Prices are per person sharing, in US dollars. Single supplements and child rates on request.

What's included

Included

Park entry fees
All accommodation as listed
All meals as indicated
Game drives with a professional guide
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport
Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser
All government levies and taxes

Not included

International flights
Spirits and premium wines (house wine and beer are included at most lodges)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement
Tips and personal expenses
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation)

Deposit: 30% to confirm your lodges
Balance: due 60 days before travel
Cancellation: full refund if you cancel more than 60 days before travel. Full cancellation policy

Reviews from our guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cameron M 
 
 
 
 Verified A Couple in December 2025 - 5 Stars
We booked with Stanley and Majestic Safari for the 6-day luxury tour through Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. The trip completely exceeded our expectations, even despite it not being ‘peak season’ we were able to tick off Africa’s Big 5 on the very first game drive. This was in no small part down to our guide, Bonnie, who was an essential part of tracking these animals - you have to request him if booking through Majestic. Each accommodation also exceeded our expectations in terms of location, comfort, quality and service of the staff. Being a first time safari for us, we weren’t sure what to expect - but selecting the luxury option was well worth it. All aspects of travel and organisation was seamless. Once booked, there was next to nothing for us to think about as we were in experienced hands - and we were glad to have partnered with Majestic as there was significantly more organisation required in the background than we originally realised. Stanley also went above and beyond the itinerary, picking us up from the airport late at night despite the tour not starting until a few days later and ensuring we had some food to take into the hotel. This was after providing us with in-depth packing lists and general guidance on exploring Nairobi. I couldn’t recommend Majestic enough and hope to arrange another trip with Stanley in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal66646927528 
 
 
 
 Verified A Beautiful Safari with an Excellent Guide – Just Check the Route First
Majestic Kenyan Safaris gave us a wonderful Kenya experience, and our guide was genuinely lovely. He was calm, kind, and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, parks, and local environment, which made the safari both engaging and meaningful. One thing worth noting for future travellers is the itinerary structure. Over the six-day safari, the route involved long drives in a zig-zag pattern rather than a simple circular loop. This meant more transit time on some days. This was not the fault of the company or the guide, as the itinerary was clearly outlined, but something we wish we had paid closer attention to when booking. Overall, Majestic Kenyan Safaris were professional, warm, and well organised. With careful attention to route planning beforehand, they offer a truly memorable safari experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Anouchka905 
 
 
 
 Verified The most Unforgettable Safari
Stanley Gichuki crafted the journey of dreams Thanks to our incredible guide, Bonie whose fearless spirit turned every mile into magic. He welcomed us in Samburu National Park and led us off the beaten path with a deep, soulful knowledge of the land, its stories, its rhythms, its wild heart. Samburu was our favorite in terms of landscape. We stood in awe in Samburu as reticulated giraffes swept across the horizon, watched Grevy’s zebras stride with quiet elegance, and felt the earth tremble beneath African elephants. We held our breath as a cheetah emerged from the tall grass, and we followed Kamau Boniethrough wet, treacherous tracks to where lions rule their hidden kingdom. Our journey continued into Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary of hope, where we encountered the gentle wisdom of chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall, Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and witnessed the immense beauty of both white and black rhinos, alongside more elephants, more lions… and countless unforgettable moments. Our journey ended in the Maasai Mara . Our last drive was unforgettabel as we watched a cheetah devouring a thompson gazelle, leaving the rest of the kill to a fight between two jackals and a flock of vultures. We had a brief encounter with a leopard walking down a river and watched more lions enjoying their buffalo lunch. Truly memorable experiences. Kenya, you are once in a lifetime. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   goort g 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari with Majestick Kenya
We just returned from a 9 days safari, and we enjoyed it very much. Everything was arranged very well, our driver/guide Bonnie was outstanding. The tour company did everything to be helpfull in picking up from the airport, taking us with their jeep to all the place we visited, and we had very nice game drives. We went to Samburu, Oj Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. The lodges were great, good value for money and we were upgraded in 2 places. Thank you Majestick, and al your staff. We highly recommend you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sam G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Safari Experience!
Just got back from an amazing 7-day safari with Majestic Kenya Safaris! Our guide Samuel was fantastic - incredible wildlife knowledge and spotted animals from miles away. We saw the Big Five, including a pride of lions with cubs in the Maasai Mara. Everything was perfectly organized from airport transfers to accommodations. The mix of lodges and tented camps was great, and falling asleep to African bush sounds was magical. Vehicle was comfortable for the longer drives between parks. One activity got cancelled due to weather, but they quickly arranged something even better. Would definitely recommend to anyone planning a Kenya safari - unforgettable experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tejl Kercova 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Safari experience!
Majestic Kenya Safaris in Nairobi exceeded all my expectations! From the moment we booked, their team was incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring every detail was taken care of. The safari itself was breathtaking—our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the best spots for wildlife viewing. We saw the Big Five up close, along with stunning landscapes that felt like something out of a dream. The accommodations were luxurious yet blended seamlessly with nature. What stood out most was their genuine passion for conservation and community support. I highly recommend Majestic Kenya Safaris for an unforgettable, world-class experience in Kenya!