Discover the very best of Kenya on this seven-night safari — our most popular wildlife itinerary. Covering a sweeping arc through the country's finest reserves, the journey moves from Samburu's arid wilderness and its exclusive Special Five to the Big Five terrain of Ol Pejeta, the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Nakuru, and finally the endless grasslands of the Maasai Mara.
The continent's densest concentration of big cats, rhino sanctuaries, chimpanzees, and a sunrise balloon flight — all woven into a single, seamless journey.
Plan my SafariWhat makes this safari our most popular itinerary year after year.
The arid northern frontier is home to five species found nowhere else in Kenya's southern parks — the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx. A safari highlight few travellers forget.
East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary and Kenya's only chimpanzee sanctuary — both within a single conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, with Big Five game drives woven between the visits.
Lake Nakuru's alkaline shores draw vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans and over four hundred bird species — a cloud of pink rising from the water is one of Africa's most iconic natural spectacles.
The Maasai Mara holds the continent's densest concentration of lion, leopard and cheetah. Two full days in the reserve allow time for deep exploration, night storytelling around the campfire, and the magic of the African bush.
An optional hot-air balloon flight at dawn — drifting silently above the savannah as the first light paints the grasslands amber, followed by a champagne bush breakfast where you touch down.
With a maximum of twelve guests per departure, you share the bush with a handful of fellow travellers — more space in the vehicle, more time at sightings, and a more personal connection with your guide.
Eight days across four of Kenya's finest wildlife reserves — every detail considered.
Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free to relax and prepare for the safari adventure ahead.
After breakfast, begin the drive north towards the Samburu National Reserve. En route, stop for lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant — a unique dining venue set inside and around a giant fig tree. Continue through increasingly dramatic scenery as the highlands give way to Samburu's sun-scorched lowlands.
Arrive at Samburu Intrepids Camp and settle in before an introductory afternoon game drive through Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
Today the African wilderness unfolds in earnest, with morning and afternoon game drives into the heart of Samburu. Lesser visited than its southern counterparts, this compact reserve's arid landscape harbours dry-country species rarely found elsewhere in Kenya — the celebrated Special Five: the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx.
Spotting one of these unusual creatures against the ochre backdrop of the northern frontier is a safari highlight few travellers forget. Between drives, the heat of midday is best spent beside the river, watching elephants wade through the shallows.
Leaving Samburu this morning, head south towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia Plateau, arriving in time for lunch at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.
In the afternoon, set out on a game drive in search of the Big Five across this privately managed conservancy. You will also visit the Rhino Sanctuary — home to over one hundred of this endangered species — as well as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can observe these intelligent primates at close range. Night game drives can be arranged at an additional cost, subject to availability.
After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru, one of the vast Great Rift Valley lakes. Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in time for lunch, then head out on an afternoon game drive into the park.
Lake Nakuru National Park is a haven for birdlife, with over four hundred species recorded — from vibrant flamingos and pelicans to majestic African fish eagles. The park's diverse habitat also offers excellent chances of spotting lion, leopard, Rothschild giraffe, and herds of the rare white rhinoceros.
Depart early today and drive south towards the Maasai Mara — Kenya's most celebrated wildlife reserve. The rolling plains and open savannah that define this landscape are quintessential Africa. Arrive in time for lunch at Sarova Mara Game Camp, a comfortable safari retreat with uninterrupted views across the Mara plains.
In the afternoon, head out on your first game drive in search of the Big Five, big cats, and the vast herds of herbivores that make this reserve one of the richest wildlife destinations on earth. As evening falls, gather around the campfire and share stories from the day under a canopy of stars.
Today presents the opportunity to take a thrilling optional hot-air balloon safari — our most highly recommended experience in Kenya. Rise before dawn, watch the balloon inflate against the first light, then drift silently above the savannah as the sunrise paints the Mara in shades of amber and rose. Wildlife roams far below, and the flight concludes with a champagne bush breakfast set up as you touch down.
The remainder of the day is devoted to morning and afternoon game drives deeper into this wildlife-rich reserve — a fitting crescendo to an extraordinary safari.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mara and transfer back to Nairobi. Alternatively, fly directly from the Mara to the Kenyan coast for a beach extension.
The cheetah sprinting across the open plains, flamingos rising from the lake in a cloud of pink, and the sunrise balloon flight above the Mara — these are the moments that linger long after the journey ends.
Standing on the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street in the heart of Nairobi since 1902, the Sarova Stanley is the city's oldest and most storied hotel. Named after the explorer Henry Morton Stanley, it has hosted generations of travellers, diplomats and adventurers — and its legendary Thorn Tree Café remains a favourite meeting point for safari-goers to this day. A five-star property blending colonial-era charm with contemporary comfort.
The hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites finished in warm, elegant tones. Each room features air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television, minibar, electronic safe, tea and coffee facilities, and an ensuite bathroom with bathtub and separate shower. Suites and club rooms add extra living space and access to the Executive Lounge.
The Thorn Tree Café — Nairobi's most famous restaurant — serves international and Kenyan cuisine throughout the day in an open-air courtyard beneath a mature acacia thorn tree. The Thai Chi restaurant offers Asian fusion, while the Pool Deck Café serves light meals and cocktails. The Exchange Bar is a refined spot for evening drinks.
Nestled along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the heart of the Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Intrepids is a luxury tented camp offering front-row views of one of Kenya's wildest and least-visited ecosystems. Elephants wade through the shallows below camp, crocodiles bask on the riverbanks, and the arid northern landscape stretches to the horizon in every direction. The camp is managed by Heritage Hotels and combines classic safari comfort with an immersive bush setting.
Twenty-seven spacious tents are raised on wooden platforms along the riverbank, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, comfortable beds with mosquito netting, writing desks, and a private balcony overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro. Tents are finished in warm safari tones with hand-crafted furnishings, offering an authentic bush atmosphere without sacrificing comfort.
Meals are served in the open-sided restaurant overlooking the river, with a mix of buffet and à la carte options drawing on Kenyan and international cuisine. Bush breakfasts and picnic hampers can be arranged for full-day game drives. The camp bar serves cold drinks and sundowner cocktails on the deck as the sun drops behind the Samburu hills.
Set within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, Sweetwaters Serena Camp occupies a prime position overlooking a natural waterhole that draws a constant procession of wildlife — from elephants and buffalo to the conservancy's renowned black rhinos. With the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya on the horizon, the camp is managed by Serena Hotels and combines well-appointed tented accommodation with direct access to one of Kenya's most important conservation areas.
Thirty-nine spacious tents are set along a gentle ridge, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, comfortable beds with mosquito netting, a writing desk, and a private verandah facing the waterhole. A floodlit viewing platform allows guests to watch wildlife visiting the waterhole after dark — rhinos, elephants and hyenas are regular visitors under the spotlight.
The main restaurant serves a generous buffet of Kenyan and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An outdoor terrace allows guests to dine with Mount Kenya in view. The camp bar serves drinks, cocktails and light snacks throughout the day, and bush dinners can be arranged under the stars on request.
Perched on a hillside within Lake Nakuru National Park, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge commands sweeping views across the lake and the surrounding Rift Valley escarpment. The lodge sits inside the park itself, making it one of very few properties where wildlife — from buffalo and waterbuck to baboons — wanders freely through the grounds. Managed by Sarova Hotels, it combines comfortable mid-range accommodation with an unbeatable location for birdlife and rhino sightings.
Sixty-seven cottage-style rooms are set among landscaped gardens on the hillside, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, comfortable beds, ceiling fans, tea and coffee facilities, and a private balcony or terrace with views towards the lake or the surrounding bush. Rooms are finished in warm earth tones with African-inspired décor.
The main restaurant serves a generous buffet of Kenyan and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The poolside bar serves cold drinks, cocktails and light snacks throughout the day. Bush dinners and barbecues can be arranged under the stars on request.
Set within the Maasai Mara National Reserve along the banks of the Mara River, Sarova Mara Game Camp is one of the reserve's longest-established and most comfortable safari camps. The camp's location offers prime access to the Mara's legendary game-viewing areas — the open plains where big cats hunt, the river crossings where wildebeest brave crocodile-lined waters, and the vast grasslands that have made this reserve the gold standard of the African safari.
Seventy-three spacious tents are arranged along the riverbank, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, comfortable beds with mosquito netting, a writing desk, and a private verandah with views over the bush. Tents are finished in warm safari colours and furnished for comfort after long days on game drives. Family tents and superior options are available.
The main restaurant serves a generous buffet of Kenyan and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bush breakfasts and picnic lunches can be arranged for full-day game drives. The camp bar serves cold drinks, wines and cocktails on the terrace, and the campfire boma hosts evening drinks and storytelling under the stars.
Get in touch and your personal travel specialist will tailor every detail of this journey to your dates, pace and interests.
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