Majestic Kenya Safaris

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8-Day Luxury Kenya Safari from Australia

  • Visit: Samburu NR, L. Nakuru NP, L. Naivasha, Masai Mara NR
  • 8 Days
  • Private
  • Luxury
Wildebeasts and zebras in Masai Mara National Reserve
Flock of Pelicans in Lake Nakuru National Park
Tall giraffes in Samburu National Reserve
3 Zebras in Masai Mara
Starts from

$2,200 pp (USD)

Overview

4.6 (88) Reviews
Rated 4.6 out of 5

This eight-day safari covers Kenya from north to south in one continuous loop, taking in four distinct ecosystems along the way. Starting in Samburu National Reserve in the north, you’ll work your way through the Rift Valley lakes before finishing in the Masai Mara.

Samburu is often overlooked by first-time visitors but it’s one of Kenya’s best parks. The reserve sits in semi-arid terrain along the Ewaso Ng’iro River and is home to several species you won’t find in the southern parks, including reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk, an unusual antelope that feeds standing on its hind legs. Predator numbers are good, with lions, leopards, and cheetahs all present.

From Samburu the route heads southwest to Lake Nakuru, skirting Nairobi entirely via Nyahururu. Lake Nakuru is compact and fenced, which has helped both black and white rhino populations recover well. From Nakuru it’s a short drive to Lake Naivasha, then west to the Masai Mara for three nights of Big Five game viewing.

The accommodations step up on this itinerary. Mara Serena is the only lodge inside the Mara Triangle, one of the best-managed sections of the reserve, and Sarova Lion Hill is one of Nakuru’s most established properties with excellent lake views.

Accommodations:

  • Samburu: Samburu Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
  • Lake Nakuru: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (1 night)
  • Lake Naivasha: Great Rift Valley Lodge (1 night)
  • Masai Mara: Mara Serena Safari Lodge (3 nights)

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

    Drive Time: Approximately 5-6 hours

    Meals: Lunch & Dinner

    Morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around 7:00 AM. Drive north through Nanyuki town with views of Mount Kenya before descending into the semi-arid landscape of Samburu. The change in terrain is noticeable as you head north, the vegetation becoming drier and more rugged.

    Arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River with good views of the surrounding reserve. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive along the river and surrounding bush.

    Samburu's dry terrain concentrates wildlife around the river year-round. Elephants, buffalo, and various predators use the water, and the riverine forest holds different species from the open bush. Keep an eye out for the Samburu special five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. You won't see these in the Mara.

    Dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. Early start around 6:30 AM when animals are most active along the river. Lions are present in good numbers and leopard sightings happen regularly, often in the riverine trees. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains away from the river.

    Samburu gets fewer visitors than the Mara, which means you'll often have sightings to yourself. The guiding tends to be unhurried, with more time spent watching animal behavior rather than moving between locations. Crocodiles are common along the riverbanks, and hippos occupy the deeper pools.

    Birdlife is excellent, particularly for dry-country species not found further south. Vulturine guineafowl, martial eagle, and various hornbills are common. The Samburu people have lived alongside this wildlife for generations and your guide can explain the relationship between the community and the reserve.

    Dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park

    Drive Time: Approximately 5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early morning game drive before breakfast, last chance for Samburu's northern species. Check out and drive southwest toward Lake Nakuru via Nyahururu, passing Thomson's Falls en route. This road avoids Nairobi entirely and takes you through highland farming country before descending into the Rift Valley.

    Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits on an elevated ridge inside the park with sweeping views over Lake Nakuru below. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive around the lake.

    Lake Nakuru is compact at 188 square kilometers and fully fenced, which has helped both black and white rhino populations recover significantly. Sightings of both species are reliable. Flamingo numbers fluctuate with the lake's alkalinity but can be impressive when conditions are right. Leopards are frequently seen here, often resting in trees around the lodge area.

    Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.

  • Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

    Drive Time: Approximately 1.5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, best time for predators and rhino activity. Return to lodge for breakfast, check out, then short drive south to Lake Naivasha arriving late morning.

    Great Rift Valley Lodge sits on a hillside above the lake with good views across the water and the Rift Valley escarpment. After check-in and lunch, afternoon at leisure or optional activities around the lake. The lodge grounds have wildlife moving through regularly.

    Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, different from the alkaline soda lakes you've already visited. Large hippo populations use the lake, along with fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and various other water birds. The papyrus edges are productive for birds. Buffalos, zebra, and giraffe graze the shores in the evenings.

    Dinner and overnight at Great Rift Valley Lodge.

  • Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

    Drive Time: Approximately 5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early breakfast then drive west to the Masai Mara through Narok town. Roads improve as you approach the reserve, with the landscape opening into Maasai grazing land before the reserve boundary.

    Arrive at Mara Serena Safari Lodge for lunch. The lodge is the only property inside the Mara Triangle, a well-managed section of the reserve on the western side of the Mara River. It sits on a hill with panoramic views over the savannah and river below. After settling in, late afternoon game drive into the Mara Triangle.

    The Mara Triangle tends to have fewer vehicles than the main reserve, and wildlife density is high. Within the first couple of hours you'll likely encounter lions, elephants, buffalo, and various plains game. The Mara River runs through this section, attracting hippos, crocodiles, and predators year-round.

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

  • Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Full day exploring the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. The Mara Triangle's Big Five populations are all healthy. Lions in large prides are almost guaranteed. Leopards are regularly seen in the riverine vegetation. Buffalo herds can number several hundred. Rhinos are present, particularly in the Triangle where conservation efforts have been strong. Elephants are everywhere.

    Between July and October the wildebeest migration dominates. Over a million animals from the Serengeti cross into the Mara, and the Triangle's section of the Mara River sees some of the most dramatic crossings. Timing is unpredictable but your guide maintains radio contact and will position you when activity is building.

    Optional hot air balloon safari in the morning (USD $450 per person, booked in advance) or optional Maasai village visit.

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

  • Day 7: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Second full day in the Mara. Good opportunity for a full-day drive with picnic lunch if you want to cover more ground or follow wildlife activity without the constraint of returning to camp at midday. By now your guide knows your interests and will focus accordingly.

    The Mara Triangle borders the Serengeti ecosystem to the south, and the transition zone between the two sees high predator activity year-round. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains in the early morning, wild dogs occasionally pass through, and the river forest holds a different range of species from the grassland.

    Spend time at the Mara River even if nothing is crossing. Hippo pods, large crocodiles on the banks, and the riverine forest birds make it worthwhile on its own. The light along the river in the late afternoon is excellent for photography.

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

  • Day 8: Masai Mara to Nairobi - Departure

    Drive Time: Approximately 5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

    Final early morning game drive before breakfast. Last chance to make the most of the Mara Triangle at dawn. Return to camp for breakfast and check out, then drive back to Nairobi arriving mid to late afternoon.

    Drop off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport depending on your onward plans. Most Australian travelers use Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha, or Kenya Airways via Bangkok. Evening departures work well with morning drives from the Mara. If time allows before your flight, the Maasai Market near the city center is worth a quick stop for souvenirs.

Accommodation

Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Sarova Lionhill
The Great Riftvalley Lodge
Mara Serena
Mara Serena

Rates

Season2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
Jan - Jun$3,100$2,800$2,550$2,350$2,200
Jul - Dec$3,650$3,300$3,000$2,800$2,650

Includes & Excludes

  • Park entry fees for all parks and reserves
  • Accommodation (7 nights)
  • All meals from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 8
  • Game drives per itinerary
  • Pick up and drop off from your hotel/Airport
  • Professional driver-guide
  • Road transfers in 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Bottled water during game drives
  • Government taxes and levies
  • International airfares and flights
  • Kenya eVisa (USD $50, Australians require visas)
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Single room supplement
  • Tips for guides and camp staff (USD $15-20 per person per day)
  • Optional activities: Hot air balloon safari (USD $450 per person), Maasai village visit

A Family Safari to Remember

Our Kenya safari exceeded expectations! Expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and unforgettable wildlife sightings. Highly recommend!

Kenya safari testimonial - The smiths

The Smiths

USA

An Unforgettable Solo Adventure

Solo traveler, felt safe and well-cared for. Guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Mark Davis testimonial of our Kenya safaris

Mark Davis

Australia

Honeymoon Paradise in Kenya

Honeymoon was a dream come true! Luxurious accommodations, personalized service, and romantic atmosphere. Perfect!

The Harris Testimonial

David & Emily Harris

UK

Budget-Friendly Safari Adventure

Budget-friendly safari with incredible wildlife sightings. Knowledgeable guides and comfortable accommodations. Highly satisfied!

Family-Safari-Review (1)

Théo Martin

France

A Luxury Safari Experience

Best safari experience ever! Saw the Big Five, learned about Maasai culture, and enjoyed delicious food. Amazing!

Jennifer Lee Testimonial

Jennifer Lee

Canada

Luxury Honeymoon in the Wild

Our Kenya safari was unforgettable! Expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and incredible wildlife sightings. Highly recommend!

Testimonial by David and Emily Johnson

David and Emily Johnson

United States

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