8 Days Ultimate Kenya Lodge Safari

Drive north to Samburu National Reserve. Check into your riverside lodge overlooking the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Afternoon game drive for rare northern species — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Watch elephants come to drink at the river as the sun sets behind the Samburu hills.

Complete exploration of Samburu's unique habitats, wildlife, and birdlife. Morning and afternoon drives along the river and through the open plains. Track leopards in riverside trees, spot vulturine guineafowl and golden-breasted starling among over 450 bird species. The semi-arid landscape creates a dramatic and photogenic safari environment unlike southern Kenya.

Drive south to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon game drive through the rhino sanctuary and along flamingo-lined shores. Spot Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo herds, and leopards in fever trees.

Morning drive in Nakuru. Transfer to Lake Naivasha. Afternoon boat ride among hippos and fish eagles. Crescent Island walking safari among free-roaming wildlife.

Drive south to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Afternoon game drive among giant elephant herds with Africa's highest peak as the backdrop — the most photographed view in all of African safari. Visit Observation Hill for a breathtaking sunset panorama.

Morning game drive in Amboseli for sunrise Kilimanjaro photography. Drive to the Masai Mara (full day drive). Arrive by late afternoon and check into your Mara lodge. Evening game drive introduction.

Full day Big Five game drives across the vast Masai Mara. Visit the Mara River, track predators, enjoy a bush picnic lunch. Optional balloon safari at sunrise ($450). Sundowner cocktails watching the Mara sunset. Farewell dinner at the lodge.

Final morning game drive at sunrise. Breakfast, check out, and return to Nairobi by late afternoon.