10-Day Luxury Samburu, Ol Pejeta, & Mara Safari

Starts from

$3,400 pp (USD)

Overview

4.8 (102) Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5

This ten-day safari covers three very different areas of Kenya in a single trip. You start in Samburu in the dry north for three days, move south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy for two nights focused on rhinos, then finish with four days in the Masai Mara. Each stop has its own character and the combination gives you a broad picture of what Kenya has to offer.

Samburu holds species you won’t find further south including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Ol Pejeta is one of the best places in East Africa to see both black and white rhinos. The Mara is the classic open grassland safari experience. Four nights there at the end gives you time to explore properly.

Accommodations:

Ashnil Samburu Camp (Samburu)
Sweetwaters Serena Camp (Ol Pejeta)
Mara Maisha Camp (Masai Mara)

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Driving Time: 5-6 hours

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Leave Nairobi early heading north through the central highlands. You cross the equator near Nanyuki then drop into the dry northern lowlands where the vegetation thins and the landscape takes on a different feel. Arrive at Ashnil Samburu Camp in time for lunch on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

The late afternoon game drive introduces you to the reserve. Samburu's special northern species are the main draw and you'll likely spot several on the first outing. Elephants are common along the river and lions patrol the woodland edges. A solid first drive to get oriented.

Dinner and overnight stay at Ashnil Samburu Camp.
Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning and afternoon drives covering different areas. The Ewaso Nyiro River is the focal point, drawing wildlife through otherwise dry country. Early morning is the most productive time with predators active and temperatures cooler. Look out for Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk browsing on their hind legs, and Beisa oryx on the open plains.

The birdlife is excellent with several northern specials not found further south. Afternoon drives often produce leopard sightings along the riverbanks. The reserve has a quieter, more remote feel than the southern parks and the camps are generally less busy.

Dinner and overnight stay at Ashnil Samburu Camp.
Day 3: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Second full day in Samburu. Your guide focuses on what you haven't seen yet or revisits productive spots from yesterday. Samburu's predators include lions, leopards, and cheetahs though sightings vary and the bush can be thick in places. Patience helps here more than in open savanna parks.

The river is always worth time in the late afternoon as animals come to drink before dark. Buffalo, waterbuck, and various antelope gather alongside the resident hippos and crocodiles. A good last evening in Samburu before heading south tomorrow.

Dinner and overnight stay at Ashnil Samburu Camp.
Day 4: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Driving Time: 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Head south to Ol Pejeta through Nanyuki with Mount Kenya visible to the east on clear days. A manageable drive compared to yesterday and you arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp before lunch. Ol Pejeta is a private conservancy combining rhino conservation with cattle ranching, one of the more successful models of wildlife and land use in Kenya.

The afternoon drive focuses on rhinos. Ol Pejeta holds East Africa's largest black rhino population alongside a healthy white rhino population. There's also a sanctuary for the last two northern white rhinos on earth, worth visiting. Lions, elephants, and plains game fill the rest of the conservancy.

Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.
Day 5: Full Day in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day with morning and afternoon drives. Black rhinos are solitary and stay in thicker bush while white rhinos tend to be more social and visible in open grassland. Your guide knows the conservancy well and positions you for decent viewing of both. Early morning is the best time before the heat builds.

Optional visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary in the afternoon, the only place in Kenya to see chimps. It's an interesting addition to what has mostly been savanna wildlife. General game viewing continues across the conservancy's mixed habitat of grassland, riverine forest, and bush.

Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.
Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Masai Mara National Reserve

Driving Time: 6-7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Long drive west from Ol Pejeta across the Rift Valley and into Maasai country. Plan for a full day in the vehicle with an early start and a lunch stop along the way. The landscape changes significantly during the journey from highland farmland to open savanna. Arrive at Mara Maisha Camp in the afternoon.

Even arriving late there's time for a short evening drive. After Ol Pejeta's enclosed conservancy the Mara's scale and wildlife density are immediately obvious. Lions, elephants, buffalo, and giraffe spread across the open plains. Your guide works the radio to find out what's happening across the reserve.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Maisha Camp.
Day 7: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

First full day with morning and afternoon drives. Leave at dawn when predators are active. Lions are generally easy to find in the Mara. Cheetahs favour the open areas and leopards appear along the rivers and in woodland patches. Your guide stays in radio contact across the reserve to track what's happening.

The Mara River holds hippos and large crocodiles year-round. Between July and October the wildebeest migration crossings happen along the river, though timing is never predictable. Outside migration the resident populations of zebra, wildebeest, topi, and gazelle remain substantial.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Maisha Camp.
Day 8: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Second full day. Your guide adjusts the plan based on your interests. You can opt for a full-day drive with a picnic lunch for maximum time out in the reserve. The Mara is large enough that you can cover new ground each day without repeating yourself.

Optional dawn hot air balloon flight if booked in advance. It costs extra but gives a perspective on the landscape and wildlife that you can't get from a vehicle. The afternoon continues with normal game viewing as the day cools.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Maisha Camp.
Day 9: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Third full day in the Mara. Four nights in one camp lets you slow down and build on what you've seen over the previous days. Your guide will have a good sense of where specific animals are ranging and can track individuals across multiple outings. Morning drives remain consistently good throughout the stay.

Optional Maasai village visit in the afternoon, which gives useful context to the communities living alongside the wildlife. The last evening drive is a good chance to take it all in before heading back to Nairobi tomorrow.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Maisha Camp.
Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi

Driving Time: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Final morning game drive before breakfast, then pack up and head back to Nairobi. The drive east takes most of the day and you arrive by mid to late afternoon depending on traffic.

Drop off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Evening departures work fine.

Accommodation

Rates

Season	2 Pax	3 Pax	4 Pax	5 Pax	6 Pax
Jan - Jun	$4,400	$3,900	$3,650	$3,500	$3,400
Jul - Dec	$5,760	$5,260	$5,010	$4,860	$4,760

Includes & Excludes

Park entry fees and conservancy fees
All accommodation as specified (full board)
All meals as indicated in the itinerary
Comprehensive game drives
The services of a professional tour guide
Pick up and drop off from your hotel/Airport
Transportation in a customized 4x4 safari Land Cruiser
Bottled water during game drives
All government levies and taxes

International and domestic flights
Single room supplement
Travel and medical insurance
Optional hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
Maasai village visits
eTA fees
Tips, gratuities, and other personal expenses

A Family Safari to Remember

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

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

Australia

Honeymoon Paradise in Kenya

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

David & Emily Harris

Budget-Friendly Safari Adventure

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

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

Canada

Luxury Honeymoon in the Wild

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

David and Emily Johnson

United States

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10-Day Luxury Samburu, Ol Pejeta, & Mara Safari

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Day 3: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Day 4: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Day 5: Full Day in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 7: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 8: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 9: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi

Accommodation

Ashnil Samburu Camp

Sweetwaters Serena

Mara Maisha Camp

Mara Maisha Camp

Rates

Includes & Excludes

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