9-Day Kenya Safari: North, Lakes & Maasai Mara

9-Day Kenya Safari: Aberdares, Samburu, Naivasha, Nakuru & Maasai Mara FROM USD $3,395 PP

9 Days Tour To Kenya Overview

Looking for a classic Kenya safari with strong variety, iconic wildlife, and beautiful landscapes? This 9-day journey is designed to give you a deeper look at some of Kenya’s most rewarding safari regions. Travel from Nairobi to the Aberdares, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the world-famous Maasai Mara, enjoying a mix of tree-lodge atmosphere, rare northern wildlife, Rift Valley scenery, lake excursions, and classic big game viewing. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want a fuller Kenya safari experience at a comfortable pace while staying in well-known lodges and camps.

Kenya Guided Tour Itinerary

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and begin your Kenya safari with a scenic drive north through the fertile Central Highlands. Along the way, stop at a coffee processing cooperative before continuing to Aberdare Country Club in time for lunch. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in this peaceful setting before dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, depart and drive north, crossing the equator from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere on your way to Samburu Game Reserve. Arrive at the camp in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive before sunset. Samburu is known for its wide open landscapes, seasonal riverbeds, red volcanic soil, and the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River. Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Samburu Camp.

Spend the day searching for the famous Samburu Five and taking in the reserve’s vast and unspoiled scenery during morning and afternoon game drives. Samburu is especially known for rare northern species such as the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Depart after breakfast and drive back to the Aberdares Country Club, arriving in time for lunch. Afterwards, transfer to the Ark Lodge, built to resemble Noah’s Ark and set in the forests of Aberdare National Park. The lodge overlooks a waterhole where animals gather to drink and lick the mineral-rich soil. Dinner and breakfast at the lodge.

After breakfast, depart and drive to the floor of the Great Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Naivasha Sopa in time for lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, enjoying the calm lakeside setting before dinner and overnight at the resort.

Enjoy breakfast, then depart with a picnic lunch for a full-day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, the park is known for its ecological diversity and varied habitats, from the lake itself to the surrounding escarpment. It is excellent for bird watching, picnics, and game drives, and is home to waterbucks, warthogs, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes, elands, black rhinos, white rhinos, and occasionally leopards. Later, return to Lake Naivasha Sopa for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart and return to Lake Naivasha for a 1-hour boat ride, coming close to large groups of hippos. Afterwards, continue driving south to Maasai Mara with your lunch box on the way. After crossing the gate, enjoy a short game drive en route to Mara Simba Lodge for late afternoon check-in. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Spend the day in the reserve, Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary, with game drives arranged to suit your wishes. You may also choose an optional hot air balloon safari followed by a champagne breakfast on the open savannah. During your safari, look out for the Big Five and the many bird species that make this reserve so famous. An optional visit to a Maasai village offers a closer look at traditional daily life, singing, dancing, and social structure. All meals and overnight at the lodge.

Depart after breakfast and drive back to Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. Later, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to your chosen destination

Price subject to change due to currency variations and availability. The price is valid January to June, 2027. Upgrades are available.

Highlights

Getting there: Arrival and departure in Nairobi via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Start and finish: Nairobi.
Meals: Full board as stated in the itinerary.
Transportation: Safari transport with driver-guide throughout.
Accommodation: Aberdare Country Club / The Ark, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Lake Naivasha Sopa, and Mara Simba Lodge.
Difficulty level: Easy, mostly driving and game viewing.
Why you will love it: the unique tree-lodge experience in the Aberdares, the rare Samburu Five, scenic Lake Naivasha, wildlife-rich Lake Nakuru, and classic big game safaris in Maasai Mara.
Flexibility: Optional activities and itinerary adjustments can be arranged at extra cost.

Explore Kenya With One Big Planet

There is so much to experience on this Kenya safari, from the unique atmosphere of the Aberdares and the rare wildlife of Samburu to the peaceful setting of Lake Naivasha, the rich game viewing in Lake Nakuru, and the famous plains of Maasai Mara. This tour combines northern Kenya scenery, Rift Valley landscapes, freshwater lake experiences, and classic safari days in one of Africa’s most celebrated reserves. It is a great option for travelers who want a varied Kenya safari with wildlife, landscapes, and iconic East African experiences in one trip.

Why This Kenya Tour Stands Out

This Kenya safari is designed to combine some of the country’s most rewarding experiences in one balanced journey. From the tree-hotel atmosphere of the Aberdares and the rare Samburu Five to the calm beauty of Lake Naivasha, the ecological richness of Lake Nakuru, and classic game drives in Maasai Mara, this itinerary gives you a varied and rewarding look at Kenya’s wildlife and scenery. It is a great choice for travelers who want more than just one safari stop, while still keeping the trip comfortable and easy to enjoy. With northern wildlife, lake excursions, Rift Valley landscapes, and time in Kenya’s most famous reserve, this tour offers a well-rounded safari experience with strong variety from start to finish.

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