Overview

This 9-days mid-range Kenya safari offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and discovery a classic journey through Kenya’s most captivating landscapes. Designed for travelers seeking an immersive experience with comfortable lodges and personalized service, this itinerary blends wildlife, culture, and breathtaking scenery into one unforgettable adventure. From the rugged beauty of Samburu National Reserve to the conservation haven of Ol Pejeta, the misty forests of Aberdare, the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha, and finally the legendary Masai Mara, every day brings new wonders. Expect close-up wildlife encounters, guided nature walks, a scenic boat ride, and magical bush experiences under African skies.

Day 1: Drive Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve

You’ll be picked up early from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by our professional safari guide in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser. Begin your journey north through the central highlands, passing coffee, tea, and pineapple farms with views of Mount Kenya along the way. Arrive at Samburu National Reserve in time for lunch at your lodge or camp.

After  lunch and a short rest, head out for an afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve. Explore this dramatic landscape of acacia woodland and riverine forests, home to elephants, lions, and the unique Samburu Special Five Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Samburu – Full Day Game Drives

Start your morning with a peaceful sunrise game drive as the wilderness slowly awakens. Witness elephants gathering near the Ewaso Nyiro River, giraffes browsing acacias and predators returning to their dens after the night’s hunt. Return back to the lodge for breakfast, followed by a relaxed mid-morning break where you can unwind by the pool or terrace while watching the river life continue below.

After lunch, head back out into the reserve for an extended afternoon game drive through the sweeping savannah, rocky outcrops and riverine zones where wildlife becomes more active as the day cools. Golden afternoon light creates brilliant photography moments and excellent animal spotting conditions. Later in the evening, return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Drive Samburu – Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After breakfast, depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge or camp In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through this renowned conservancy, famous for its rhino sanctuary and home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos.

Continue to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kenya’s only one of its kind, where rescued and orphaned chimpanzees live safely in their protected environment. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquil African bush.

Day 4: Full Day in Ol Pejeta

Spend the full day exploring Ol Pejeta Conservancy with both morning and afternoon game drives, offering exceptional chances to see black and white rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, and a wide variety of plains game. This is one of East Africa’s leading conservation hubs, giving you an opportunity to learn deeply about wildlife protection initiatives, anti-poaching operations and the unique projects that make Ol Pejeta globally recognized.

Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy the quiet natural surroundings with time to relax and refresh. In the afternoon, you may opt for an additional activity such as a guided nature walk led by a professional ranger, offering a closer perspective to tracks, plant species and animal behavior. Dinner and overnight at your selected lodge or camp.

Day 5: Drive Ol Pejeta – Aberdare National Park

After breakfast, drive to Aberdare National Park, arriving in time for lunch at Aberdare Country Club. Later, transfer to The Ark Lodge, uniquely positioned deep within the forest overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick—a favorite gathering spot for elephants, buffalo, and forest antelopes.

Spend the afternoon and evening observing wildlife from the lodge’s elevated decks, watching animals interact naturally in their habitat as the sun begins to set. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest.

Day 6: Drive Aberdare – Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, descend into the Great Rift Valley and arrive at Lake Naivasha in time for lunch at your lodge or camp.

In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, gliding past hippos and a variety of bird species. Continue with a guided nature walk at sanctuary, where you can stroll safely among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Visit Hell’s Gate – Drive to Masai Mara

After an early breakfast, depart for Hell’s Gate National Park, renowned for its dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and geothermal features. Explore the park on foot or by bicycle, taking in the striking landscapes and spotting wildlife along the way.

Later, continue your scenic drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. Check in at your lodge or camp for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle introductory game drive near the lodge, where wildlife often gathers around rivers and open plains. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay as the Mara skies turn golden with the evening light.

Day 8: Masai Mara – Full Day Safari, Bush Breakfast & Sundowner

Start your day with an early morning game drive in the iconic Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most renowned reserves and home to the Big Five. As the savannah comes alive with the sounds of wildlife, enjoy a scenic bush breakfast set in the wilderness, surrounded by endless golden plains and acacia-studded landscapes.

Spend the day exploring various areas of the reserve, encountering lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and a rich variety of birdlife. In the late afternoon, pause for a magical sundowner  a refreshing drink as the sun dips below the horizon, bathing the Mara in warm golden light. After this memorable experience, return to your lodge or camp for a hearty dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Drive Back to Nairobi

After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your onward journey. This marks the end of a memorable 9-day mid-range Kenya safari, filled with incredible wildlife, culture, and scenic landscapes — the perfect balance of comfort and adventure.

Included Items:

• Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
• Safari transport in a 4×4 Land Cruiser  with free WIFI and  pop-up roof for game viewing
  (Private safari for 2–8 guests, Solo travelers group joining)
• Full-board meals during the safari (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• 8 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected lodges/ safari camps
• All parks and conservancy entrance fees
• Professional, experienced English-speaking driver-guide
• Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi (hotel or JKIA)
• Visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Ol Pejeta)
• Bush breakfast & sundowner (Masai Mara)
• Boat ride & nature walk (Lake Naivasha)
• Visit to Hell’s Gate National Park
• Visit to a Maasai  cultural village
• Drinking mineral water during safari
• Cross wild safaris GIFT PACK

Excluded Items:

• International flights to/from Kenya
• Visa fees to Kenya
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional hot air balloon safari