8 Days Samburu to Mara Safari
Embark on a luxurious 8-day safari through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes while staying in the elegant Sarova Hotels Collection. From the colonial charm of Nairobi to the untamed beauty of Samburu, the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Nakuru, and the magical plains of the Masai Mara, each destination offers an unforgettable blend of comfort, wildlife, and cultural encounters.
Begin your journey in Nairobi at the historic Sarova Stanley, then venture north to the wilds of Shaba National Reserve, where Sarova Shaba Game Lodge offers a serene oasis along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Continue to Lake Nakuru, a sanctuary for rhinos and flamingos, with accommodation at the tranquil Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. A relaxing lakeside retreat awaits at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, before culminating your safari in the world-renowned Masai Mara, where you’ll enjoy unmatched game viewing and a memorable sundowner experience. Conclude your journey with a farewell lunch at Tamambo Karen Blixen, a charming restaurant nestled in Nairobi’s leafy suburbs.
Highlights
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Stay at Nairobi’s Iconic Sarova Stanley Hotel – A landmark of elegance and history in the heart of the city.
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Explore the Remote Wilderness of Shaba National Reserve – Home to rare species like Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
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Relax at Sarova Shaba’s Oasis by the River – Unique architecture blended into the natural surroundings.
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Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drives – Spot endangered white and black rhinos, flamingos, and elusive leopards.
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Scenic Retreat at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge – Surrounded by acacia trees and hippo-dotted waters.
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Thrilling Big Five Safaris in Masai Mara – Two nights at Sarova Mara Game Camp, with daily game drives across the open plains.
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Sundowner Experience in the Mara – Toast to the African sunset in an unforgettable setting.
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Gourmet Farewell Lunch at Tamambo Karen Blixen – Enjoy fine Kenyan cuisine in a historic colonial-style setting.
Seasonal Pricing – 2025
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USD 3,016 per person | 01 Oct – 31 Oct, 2025
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USD 2,875 per person | 01 Nov – 15 Dec, 2025
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USD 3,379 per person | 16 Dec, 2025 – 03 Jan, 2026
Rates are calculated per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement available upon request. Prices are subject to standard terms and may vary depending on the final number of travelers.
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in NairobiÂ
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to the iconic Sarova Stanley, Nairobi’s oldest luxury hotel known for its heritage charm.
Enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel or explore the lively city.
Optional Activities in Nairobi:
Visit The Giraffe Centre – Get up close with endangered Rothschild giraffes.
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage –Â See baby elephants being fed.
Karen Blixen Museum – Learn about the author of Out of Africa.
Overnight: Sarova Stanley
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Day 2: Nairobi – Shaba National Reserve
After an early breakfast at the hotel, depart Nairobi and begin your scenic drive north towards Samburu National Reserve. The journey takes you through the lush, green highlands surrounding Mount Kenya before the landscape gradually transforms into the rugged, semi-arid beauty of northern Kenya.
Arrive at Samburu Intrepids Camp in time for lunch. Nestled along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, the camp offers a perfect blend of comfort and wildernes, spacious tents with private verandas overlooking the river and attentive service that makes you feel right at home in the wild.
After a short rest, set out for your first game drive in Samburu. The reserve is famous for its unique wildlife found only in this region, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk, often called the “Samburu Special Five.”
As the sun sets, return to camp and unwind by the fire with a drink before enjoying a delicious dinner under the stars surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the African night.
Overnight: Samburu Intrepids Camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board( Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3
Day 3: Full Day in Shaba National Reserve
Rise early for a morning game drive as the sun lights up the Samburu landscape, casting golden hues over the rugged hills and acacia woodlands. This is the best time to spot predators returning from their night hunts, as well as herds of elephants, graceful giraffes, and the rare Samburu Special Five , species found only in northern Kenya.
Return to camp for a hearty breakfast, then spend the late morning relaxing by the pool, reading on your veranda, or simply enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the wilderness. You may even spot elephants and other wildlife coming down to the Ewaso Nyiro River to drink.
After lunch and a short rest, set out again for an afternoon game drive, exploring different parts of the reserve. The light softens as evening approaches, perfect for photography and quiet appreciation of the landscape.
Optional Activity: Visit a Samburu village to experience the rich culture and traditions of the local community — a warm and insightful encounter with the people who call this region home.
Return to camp as the stars begin to appear, and enjoy dinner in the open-air dining area before settling in for another peaceful night in the wild.
Overnight at Samburu Intrepids Camp.
Meal Plan:Full Board( Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4
Day 4: Shaba – Lake Nakuru National Park
After an early breakfast, bid farewell to the northern frontier and set out on a scenic drive southwards toward the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through changing landscapes of highland farms, dramatic escarpments, and expansive savannahs before descending into the lush basin of Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive in time to check in at the Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, an elegant property set on a hillside with panoramic views of the lake and its surrounding woodlands. After a refreshing lunch and some time to relax, embark on an evening game drive in the park.
Lake Nakuru is world-renowned for its birdlife, particularly the large flocks of flamingos that seasonally fringe its shores. The park also shelters endangered white and black rhinos.
Return to the lodge in the evening to enjoy a hearty dinner and overnight stay, with sweeping views of the lake illuminated by the fading Rift Valley sunset.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa
Meal Plan: Full Board( Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
After a relaxed breakfast overlooking the lake, depart for the short and scenic drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake nestled in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, offering stunning views of the valley floor and escarpments along the way.
On arrival, check in at the serene Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, set within lush gardens where resident giraffes, waterbuck, and monkeys are often seen wandering freely. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before setting out for an afternoon of adventure.
Embark on a scenic boat ride across the shimmering waters of Lake Naivasha, home to hippos, fish eagles, and an abundance of birdlife. Continue with a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, a unique experience where giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other herbivores roam in a predator-free environment, allowing for up-close encounters with wildlife against the backdrop of the lake.
Return to the lodge in the evening to relax, followed by dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the tranquil atmosphere of Lake Naivasha.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board ( Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6
Day 6: Lake Naivasha – Masai MaraÂ
After breakfast at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, depart for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through the dramatic landscapes of the Rift Valley and the rolling hills of Narok County, home to the proud Maasai people.
Arrive at the Sarova Mara Game Camp, an elegant tented camp set amidst the sweeping plains of the Mara, perfectly blending comfort with the raw beauty of the wilderness. Check in and enjoy a delicious lunch before setting out on your first game drive in the reserve.
The Masai Mara is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino , as well as large populations of cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and antelopes. Depending on the season (July to October), you may also witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures – one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.
As the sun sets over the golden savannah, return to camp for dinner and an overnight stay under the starry African sky.
Overnight: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7
Day 7: Full Day in Masai Mara + Sundowner
Wake up early to the sounds of the African bush and set out on a morning game drive across the vast plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This is prime wildlife viewing time, with predators returning from their nocturnal hunts and grazers beginning their day. Visit the Mara River, where hippos wallow in the shallows and large crocodiles lie in wait, especially during the dramatic wildebeest migration crossings (seasonal, July–October).
Return to the camp for a hearty lunch and a chance to relax before heading out again in the afternoon for another game drive, exploring new areas of the reserve. The Mara’s rich ecosystem supports an incredible density of wildlife, offering excellent chances to spot prides of lions, elusive leopards, herds of elephants, and cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey.
As the sun begins to set, enjoy a magical bush sundowner experience. Sip refreshing drinks and savor light snacks while overlooking the golden savannah bathed in the warm glow of dusk,a truly unforgettable way to close the day in the Mara.
Return to Sarova Mara Game Camp for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the wilderness.
Overnight: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board ( Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)
Day 8
Day 8: Masai Mara – NairobiÂ
After an early breakfast at Sarova Mara Game Camp, bid farewell to the rolling plains of the Mara and begin your journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, with scenic views of the Great Rift Valley escarpments along the way — a perfect opportunity for photo stops.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, enjoy a farewell lunch at the Tamambo Karen Blixen Restaurant, set within the lush grounds of the former estate of Danish author Karen Blixen, famed for Out of Africa. Here, you will savor a delightful menu blending international flavors with a Kenyan touch, all in a serene garden setting.
After lunch, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward international departure, marking the end of your unforgettable Kenyan safari adventure.
- Accommodation as listed
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Meals as per itinerary:
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All transport in a luxury safari land cruiser with a professional English-speaking driver-guide
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All park entry fees
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Bottled drinking water during game drives
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Sundowner experience in Masai Mara
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Lunch at Tamambo Karen Blixen on the final day
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Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
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All government taxes and levies
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International and domestic flights
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Visa fees for Kenya
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Travel and medical insurance
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Personal expenses such as beverages, tips, laundry, and souvenirs
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Optional activities not mentioned in the inclusions (e.g., hot air balloon safari, Maasai Village visit)
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Early check-in or late check-out at hotels/lodges
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Any items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
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