7 Days Luxury Christmas Safari from Samburu to Maasai Mara

Your guide will collect you from Nairobi early in the morning. Christmas-season traffic may affect driving time, so a timely departure is important. Meal, refreshment and comfort stops will be arranged as you travel through the highlands into northern Kenya. After check-in and lunch, a short wildlife drive may be included when timing permits. You will return for dinner and any seasonal welcome provided by the lodge.

Distance: Approximately 310–340 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5½–7 hours, potentially longer during festive traffic
Safari Time: Approximately 1½–2½ hours when arrival permits
Main Attractions: Northern landscapes, elephants and rare wildlife
Festive Experience: Seasonal lodge welcome and Christmas atmosphere

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

After breakfast, you will explore Samburu for elephants, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, gerenuks, predators and birds. Lunch may be enjoyed as a picnic or at the lodge according to the programme. You will return for a Christmas meal or seasonal lodge activity when provided.

Distance: Approximately 40–80 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the programme
Safari Time: Approximately 6–8 hours
Main Attractions: Rare northern wildlife, elephants, predators and river scenery
Festive Experience: Christmas meal, decorations or lodge entertainment according to the property

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

After breakfast, you will explore Samburu for elephants, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, gerenuks, predators and birds. Lunch may be enjoyed as a picnic or at the lodge according to the programme. You will return for a Christmas meal or seasonal lodge activity when provided.

Distance: Approximately 40–80 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the programme
Safari Time: Approximately 6–8 hours
Main Attractions: Rare northern wildlife, elephants, predators and river scenery
Festive Experience: Christmas meal, decorations or lodge entertainment according to the property

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

The morning may include a short Ol Pejeta activity before departure. You will travel through highland farms and Rift Valley scenery to Lake Naivasha. On arrival, you will check in and enjoy a relaxed festive afternoon. A sunset boat safari or seasonal lakeside dinner may be available according to the package and lodge programme.

Distance: Ol Pejeta activity approximately 20–40 km; transfer approximately 180–220 km
Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 hours
Safari Time: Approximately 2–3 hours
Main Attractions: Rhinos, highland landscapes and Lake Naivasha scenery
Festive Experience: Lakeside Christmas hospitality or dinner

Destination:

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Overnight:

Sawela Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

An optional boat safari may provide hippos, fish eagles, pelicans and other waterbirds before departure. You will then travel to the Maasai Mara through farms, rolling hills and pastoral country. Arrival will normally be in the late afternoon, followed by check-in and a festive lodge evening.

Distance: Approximately 230–260 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Activity Time: Boat safari approximately 1–1½ hours when included
Main Attractions: Hippos, fish eagles and Maasai landscapes
Festive Experience: Seasonal lodge dinner or family gathering

Destination:

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Fig Tree Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

After breakfast, you will leave with a picnic lunch for a complete wildlife day. Possible sightings include lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and hyenas. You will return to the lodge for a festive evening, private dinner or seasonal programme according to the property.

Distance: Approximately 60–100 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the day
Safari Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
Main Attractions: Lions, cheetahs, elephants, grazing herds and river wildlife
Festive Experience: Christmas dinner, sundowner or lodge celebration when confirmed

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Fig Tree Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

After breakfast, you will check out and travel to Nairobi. Meal and comfort stops will be arranged along the way. Drop-off may be arranged at your hotel, residence or airport according to your onward schedule.

Distance: Approximately 260–280 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Activity Time: Scenic road transfer
Main Attractions: Maasai landscapes and Rift Valley scenery
Festive Experience: Final holiday journey through Kenya’s countryside