9-Day Kenya Contrast Safari
Samburu to the Masai Mara

Customizable Masai Mara & Samburu Safari Itinerary

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9-Day Samburu to the Masai Mara: At a Glance

  • Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Perfect for: Travelers who want to experience the dramatic contrast of Kenya, moving from the arid, unique north to the iconic, big-game-rich south, all while prioritizing the sighting of the endangered Rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.
  • Key Destinations:Nairobi (Arrival/Departure), Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park (Rhino Sanctuary), and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
  • Ekuseni Difference: We offer ultimate flexibility with customized mid-range to high-end lodging options for every budget. Your primary mode of travel is a comfortable ROAD trip for maximum flexibility, with an essential domestic flight for the final transfer to ensure a relaxed end to your Safari journey.

Trip Highlights

  • The Northern Special Five: Track the unique wildlife of Samburu, including the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, and Gerenuk, in the stark, beautiful landscape.

  • The Rhino Sanctuary: Enjoy dedicated Safari drives in Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most successful sanctuaries, offering the best chance to see both the endangered Black and White Rhinos.

  • Masai Mara Big Cat Action: Spend two full days immersed in the world’s most famous Safari destination, focusing on spectacular sightings of Lions, Cheetahs, and Leopards.

  • Dramatic Landscapes: Travel from the dry bush of the north, across the equator, to the freshwater ecosystem of the Rift Valley, before reaching the rolling plains of the Mara.

  • Comfortable Logistics: Enjoy the flexibility of a guided ROAD trip between the parks, followed by a time-saving domestic flight from the Mara back to Nairobi for a relaxed departure day.

Samburu and Mara Safari Gallery

Why We Love this Kenya Contrast Safari

We love this itinerary because it gives you a complete picture of Kenya, not just a snapshot. The journey offers dramatic changes in scenery and wildlife. You start with the unusual species of Samburu and the important cultural connection with the Samburu people.

Then, by adding the stop at Lake Nakuru’s Rhino Sanctuary, you get a vital opportunity to see one of the Big Five that is often missed elsewhere.

Finally, you get the pure, iconic, high-drama Big Cat experience of the Masai Mara. This is a journey that feels like three trips rolled into one, all paced for you to relax and enjoy the ride.

Your 9-Day Kenya Contrast Safari, Day by Day

Day 1: Welcome to Kenya and Relaxation

Your journey starts with your arrival in Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya.
An Ekuseni representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you directly to your hotel in the city or nearby area.

We keep this first day free of activities so you can settle in, relax after your flight, and prepare for the exciting road trip that begins tomorrow. This acts as your essential buffer day, ensuring maximum flexibility and comfort.

After an early breakfast, you will begin your road trip journey north toward the vast, arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve. This drive takes you past Mount Kenya and across the equator, providing fantastic scenery changes. You will arrive in time for lunch at your chosen camp or lodge.

In the late afternoon, you’ll head out for your first Safari drive in Samburu, focusing on spotting the unique “Samburu Special Five”: the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, and Beisa Oryx.

Today is dedicated to exploring the striking Samburu region. You will spend a full day on Safari, either with morning and afternoon game drives or a full day out in the bush with a picnic lunch.

The Ewaso Ng’iro River runs through the reserve, creating a lifeline for wildlife, making its banks the perfect place to spot Elephants, Lions, and Leopards. The Samburu area offers a truly authentic and less-crowded Safari experience, giving you the feeling of an exclusive adventure.

We break the long journey south today with a vital stop. After an early breakfast and a final morning drive as you exit Samburu, you will drive for approximately 6 hours to the Great Rift Valley.

You will arrive in time for a late lunch near Lake Nakuru National Park. In the afternoon, you will head out for a dedicated Safari drive into Nakuru. This park is famous as a secure sanctuary for the endangered Black and White Rhinos, making your chances of seeing the Big Five much higher. It’s a fantastic contrast, moving from the dry north to the green, bird-rich environment of the Rift Valley lake.

After an early start, you will enjoy a final short morning drive in Lake Nakuru, seeking out any wildlife you missed, particularly the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe. You will then depart and drive south toward the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.

The drive, approximately 5 to 6 hours, takes you through stunning scenery. Upon reaching the reserve’s boundary, your transfer smoothly transforms into your first game drive en-route. Your expert guide will begin tracking and spotting wildlife immediately, ensuring your arrival at your tented camp is marked by exciting sightings and a beautiful sunset.

This is the day for the ultimate East African Safari. You will spend a full day exploring the vast, rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara.

You can choose to take a sunrise game drive followed by an afternoon drive, or spend the entire day in the plains with a packed picnic lunch, which offers maximum flexibility for tracking the great herds and the big cats.

The Mara is known for its high density of Lions, Cheetahs, and Leopards, guaranteeing unparalleled wildlife photography and viewing opportunities.

Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast followed by a rewarding morning game drive.

This last Safari opportunity is often the best for intimate predator sightings as they return from their night hunts. After the drive, you will be transferred to a local airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight back to Nairobi.

Flying saves you a full day of driving and ensures you arrive relaxed. Upon arrival in Nairobi, an Ekuseni guide will transfer you to your hotel for your final evening in Kenya.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can spend the morning relaxing or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping (unaccompanied).

An Ekuseni representative will then transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your international departure flight. This final day is kept free to manage all travel logistics smoothly.

Common Questions, Expert Answers

Is the road trip from Samburu to the Masai Mara too long for a single day?

The direct drive from Samburu to the Masai Mara is indeed very long and tiring, which is why we break the journey into two relaxed parts. We incorporate a comfortable overnight stop at Lake Nakuru National Park.

This strategic split not only manages the driving time but also turns a transfer day into an incredible wildlife viewing opportunity, allowing you to enjoy three major destinations without long, rushed days on the road.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is typically in the Masai Mara from July to October. During these months, the massive herds cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into the Mara’s greener pastures, offering spectacular viewing opportunities, including the famous river crossings.

However, the Mara offers fantastic wildlife viewing all year round, even outside of the peak migration season.

The Samburu Special Five is a collection of unique animals perfectly adapted to the dry, semi-arid environment of northern Kenya, which includes Samburu National Reserve.

They are endemic to this region and include the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk (also known as the ‘giraffe-necked antelope’), and the Somali Ostrich.

Seeing all five is a major highlight of a safari in Samburu.

Ekuseni prides itself on offering a high level of flexibility. This itinerary is a starting point, designed by experts, but it can be fully customized to your preferences.

If you wish to stay an extra night in the Mara, remove a destination, or make any other changes, we will gladly adjust the dates, activities, and logistics to ensure your trip is perfectly suited to your needs. We want you to feel like you are visiting a friend.

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most reliable and successful rhino sanctuaries in Kenya, making it an excellent place to see these magnificent animals.

It hosts healthy populations of both the endangered Black Rhino and the more numerous White Rhino. Other notable conservancies like Ol Pejeta also offer incredible rhino viewing, but Nakuru’s compact size and high concentration of rhinos make sightings very common, which is why we included it in this journey.

What is the difference between mid-range and high-end accommodation?

Mid-range typically includes comfortable, permanent tented camps or lodges that offer excellent service, private facilities, delicious food, and a great location, representing fantastic value.

High-end options include luxury tented camps or lodges with larger, more opulent tents, private plunge pools, gourmet dining, and often more secluded locations within private conservancies, offering an elevated, exclusive experience. We will help you select the best fit for your budget.

Yes, all your road transfers between parks and for game drives will be conducted in a comfortable, customized 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser or Van.

These vehicles feature a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography, large windows, and are designed to handle the varied terrain of Kenya’s national parks, ensuring a comfortable and authentic safari experience throughout your road trip.

Absolutely. While this itinerary is primarily designed as a scenic and cost-effective road trip, flying from the Masai Mara back to Nairobi is a very popular option, especially for guests looking to save time on their departure day.

We can easily arrange a scheduled flight from one of the Mara’s airstrips to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi.

As of January 2024, Kenya is a visa-free country. However, you are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you travel.

This must be applied for online, well in advance of your flight, and is mandatory for most foreign visitors entering Kenya. 

The official currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). While major lodges and camps will accept US Dollars (USD) for tips and extras, it is best to use shillings for local purchases, small restaurants, and markets outside of the major tourist centers.

We recommend carrying a mix of the two, with US Dollars being the preferred foreign currency for park entry fees, accommodation payments (if not prepaid), and local currency for smaller expenditures.

What's Included and Excluded?

Understanding your total trip cost is important, and as your friends, we want to be transparent about what your trip will cover:

Price Includes

  • Accommodation: Comfortable lodging tailored to your budget (mid-range lodges, high-end tented camps, boutique hotels).

  • Meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) while on your Safari/Tour. Note that meals in buffer stop towns like the arrival day/night or departure day may be on a bed & breakfast basis for flexibility.

  • Water: Bottled drinking water will be provided in the safari vehicle and during activities.

  • Ground Transport: Private, customised, 4×4 safari vehicles for all ground transport on safari, with an open-top for the best wildlife viewing and photography. We primarily use the road for transfers.

  • Driver-Guide: The service of a highly experienced, English-speaking professional driver-guide for the duration of your trip.

  • Transfers: All airport transfers (arrival and departure) are included.

  • Internal Flights: For certain transfers, such as between Cape Town and Kruger/Johannesburg, internal flights are included as the primary mode of transport (road trip option offered as an optional extra).

  • Park Fees: All required national park entrance fees, reserve fees, and conservation fees for the parks listed in your itinerary.

  • Game Drives: All scheduled Safari game drives and activities as detailed in your specific itinerary.

Price Excludes

  • nternational Flights: Your international flights to and from our operating countries (Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, South Africa) are not included.

  • Visa & Passport Fees: Costs associated with obtaining necessary visas, as well as passport fees.

  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory but is not included in the tour price.

  • Alcoholic Drinks: All alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits), and in most cases, premium soft drinks and specialty coffees, are generally excluded unless your chosen accommodation is noted as ‘all-inclusive.’

  • Gratuities: Tips for your safari guide/driver, lodge staff, restaurant service, and porters are a personal expense and are not included.

  • Optional Excursions: Activities not specifically listed in your core itinerary, such as:

    • Hot Air Balloon Safaris (e.g., in Maasai Mara or Serengeti).

    • Cultural Village Visits (e.g., Maasai or Samburu).

    • Specific boat safaris or walking safaris (unless noted as included).

  • Personal Items: Souvenirs, laundry services, phone calls, and other items of a personal nature.

  • Medical Costs: Medication, doctor’s visits, or any personal medical requirements.

Ready to Turn This Dream into Your Safari?

Our published itineraries are a starting point, like the map, not the destination. At Ekuseni, we believe your adventure should feel like visiting a friend, which means it must be perfectly tailored to your pace, specific interests, and unique budget (whether you seek mid-range comfort or high-end luxury).