7-Day Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha & Mara Lodge Safari

Day 1 is built around Samburu Special Five and Riverside lodge. Travel north through the Mount Kenya region to Samburu. Settle into your riverside lodge overlooking the Ewaso Ng'iro River. The afternoon is reserved for a game drive for the Samburu Special Five — reticulated giraffe with its geometric coat pattern, Grevy's zebra with narrow stripes, the long-necked gerenuk standing on hind legs to browse, Beisa oryx with rapier horns, and Somali ostrich with blue legs. Watch elephants bathing in the river as the sun sets behind the rugged Samburu hills. Dinner at the lodge.

• Samburu Special Five
• Riverside lodge
• Elephant bathing

The focus today is Leopard tracking and Vulturine guineafowl. Morning and afternoon drives exploring riverine forests, open plains, and rocky outcrops. Track leopards in the riverside trees — Samburu is one of Kenya's finest leopard habitats. Look for vulturine guineafowl — one of Africa's most spectacular birds — golden-breasted starling, and over 450 bird species. Watch elephants wading in the Ewaso Ng'iro River and search for the elusive wild dog packs that occasionally pass through the reserve.

• Leopard tracking
• Vulturine guineafowl
• River wildlife

Today's route brings together Flamingos and Rhino sanctuary. Travel south to Lake Nakuru National Park. The afternoon is reserved for a game drive in the rhino sanctuary — one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. The alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos painting the shoreline pink. Look for Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo herds, waterbuck, and with luck the park's resident leopards draped in fever trees.

• Flamingos
• Rhino sanctuary
• Rothschild's giraffe

Expect the day to center on Boat ride with hippos and Crescent Island walking safari. Start with a morning game drive in Nakuru. Following breakfast, drive to the freshwater Lake Naivasha. Afternoon boat ride gliding past hippo pods and fish eagles. Walk among wildlife on Crescent Island — zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and gazelle in an unfenced sanctuary. Head back to your lakeside lodge for dinner.

• Boat ride with hippos
• Crescent Island walking safari
• Fish eagles

Day 5 is built around First Mara game drive and Premium lodge arrival. Travel to the iconic Masai Mara. Reach by lunchtime and settle into your premium lodge with savannah views stretching to the horizon. The afternoon is reserved for a game drive on the vast golden plains — the Mara's wildlife density is immediately apparent with herds of wildebeest, zebra, and topi visible everywhere you look.

• First Mara game drive
• Premium lodge arrival

The focus today is Big Five and Mara River. Spend the day focused on game drives across the Masai Mara. Track the Big Five, visit the Mara River for hippo and crocodile encounters, and during migration season witness the dramatic river crossings. Bush picnic lunch. Optional balloon safari at sunrise ($450). Sundowner cocktails watching the spectacular Mara sunset — a fitting climax to an extraordinary Kenya safari.

• Big Five
• Mara River
• Optional balloon safari
• Sundowner

Today's route brings together Final sunrise game drive. Final morning game drive at sunrise. Head back to the lodge for breakfast, drive to Nairobi arriving by late afternoon.

• Final sunrise game drive