8 Days Premium New Year Kenya Safari from Nairobi

Premium Departure from Nairobi

For the suggested 28 December schedule, our guide will collect you from JKIA, Wilson Airport or a confirmed Nairobi hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. Travel 310–350 km through Thika, Karatina, Nanyuki and Isiolo in 5½–7 hours excluding lunch, holiday traffic and comfort stops. Keep cameras and important documents accessible during the journey.

First Northern Wildlife Drive

After lunch and check-in, depart at approximately 3:30 p.m. for a 2–2½-hour Samburu game drive. Explore dry bush and riverine habitat while searching for elephants, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks and Beisa oryx. Return around sunset for dinner at your premium lodge or tented camp. The guide will explain the following day’s wildlife schedule before you retire.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Elephant Bedroom Camp

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Northern Kenya Wildlife Search

Breakfast begins around 6:00 a.m. before departure between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. Follow the Ewaso Nyiro River through doum palms, dry woodland and open scrub. Elephants, northern herbivores, birds and predators may be observed, although no sighting can be guaranteed. Quiet, patient viewing provides better opportunities for natural behaviour.

Afternoon Light and Landscapes

Return for lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., followed by rest during the warmer part of the day. Leave again at approximately 3:30 p.m. to explore a different area as temperatures cool. The afternoon may offer attractive photographic light over Samburu’s hills and river corridor. Return between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for dinner and an organized overnight stay.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Elephant Bedroom Camp

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Departure from Samburu

A short wildlife drive may begin at approximately 6:30 a.m. when the transfer schedule permits. Return for breakfast and check out between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Ensure cameras, celebration clothing, chargers and travel documents are packed securely before leaving the northern reserve.

From Semi-Arid Plains to the Rift Valley
Travel 330–360 km through Isiolo, Nanyuki and the Nyahururu region, requiring 6–8 hours excluding lunch and holiday delays. The changing terrain introduces Kenya’s central highlands before descending towards the Rift Valley. Arrive at your premium Lake Nakuru accommodation during the late afternoon or evening. Check in, enjoy dinner and prepare for an early wildlife drive on the final day of the year.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Final Wildlife Drive of the Year

Enter Lake Nakuru National Park at approximately 6:30 a.m. for a 3–4-hour game drive. Search woodland, grassland and lakeshore areas for rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, baboons and waterbirds. Flamingo numbers vary naturally. This becomes the final national-park drive of the year, offering a meaningful wildlife conclusion before the evening celebration.

New Year’s Eve at Lake Naivasha

After breakfast or brunch, travel 75–100 km to Lake Naivasha in 1½–2½ hours. Check into your premium lodge and enjoy time to prepare for the evening. A boat excursion may operate before sunset when conditions permit. Later, join the lodge’s confirmed New Year’s Eve dinner, music or countdown. Fireworks, champagne and private tables are included only when stated in your booking.

Destination:

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

New Year Lakeside Morning

Begin the year with breakfast from approximately 7:00 a.m. after the previous evening’s celebration. A confirmed 60–90-minute boat trip may operate when weather and departure timing allow. Properly fitted life jackets are compulsory. Check out between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. after ensuring no celebration clothing or personal belongings have been left behind.

Entering Maasai Mara

Travel 220–260 km through Mai Mahiu and Narok, taking 4½–6½ hours excluding lunch and road conditions. After check-in, depart at approximately 3:30 p.m. when arrival time permits. Your first game drive of the year may reveal elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and predators. Return around sunset for dinner and a comfortable premium overnight.

Destination:

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Mara Leisure Camp

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Sunrise Savannah Exploration

Depart between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. after breakfast or with packed meals. Explore the Mara’s open plains, seasonal waterways and riverine woodland while searching for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and large herbivore herds. Wildlife cannot be scheduled, but the quiet early hours often create beautiful landscape and photographic conditions.

New Year Picnic Safari

Lunch is served around 1:00 p.m. at an authorized picnic site. Continue through another reserve sector, allowing sufficient time for observation instead of rushing between radio reports. The guide will position the vehicle responsibly and avoid disturbing resting or hunting animals. Return between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for dinner and an evening of relaxation.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Mara Leisure Camp

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Exploring a Different Mara Sector

Leave at approximately 6:30 a.m. and follow a route that was not explored extensively on Day 6. Possible encounters include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, predators and birds of prey. Our guide will make decisions according to wildlife movement, road conditions and the interests of the group.

Final Premium Safari Evening

Enjoy lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at the lodge or a designated picnic location. Continue the afternoon drive until approximately 5:30 p.m., leaving time for patient photography and broad savannah views. Return for your final Maasai Mara dinner and share favourite New Year safari moments. Pack luggage and confirm the following morning’s Nairobi drop-off point.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Mara Leisure Camp

  premium luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Farewell to Maasai Mara

When road conditions and transfer timing permit, enjoy a short game drive at approximately 6:30 a.m. Return for breakfast and check out between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Inspect rooms and charging points carefully for cameras, travel documents and personal belongings before departing.

Great Rift Valley Return

Travel 255–300 km through Narok and the Great Rift Valley, requiring 5–6½ hours excluding lunch, road conditions and Nairobi traffic. A safe scenic stop may be made when timing permits. Drop-off is available at a confirmed Nairobi hotel, Wilson Airport or JKIA. International flights should be scheduled for late evening. Your premium New Year safari concludes after eight varied days across Kenya.