9 Days Luxury Christmas and New Year Kenya Safari: Samburu to Amboseli

Your guide will collect you from Nairobi early in the morning. Because holiday traffic can increase around cities and major roads, a punctual departure is strongly recommended. During the journey north, stops will be arranged for refreshments, lunch, washrooms and festive family photographs where safe. After arriving at your luxury lodge or camp, you will check in and receive any seasonal welcome offered by the property. A short afternoon game drive may be included when arrival time permits, introducing elephants, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras and the northern landscape.

Distance: Approximately 310–340 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5½–7 hours, potentially longer during holiday traffic
Safari Time: Approximately 1½–2½ hours when arrival permits
Festive Highlights: Seasonal welcome, family arrival photographs and wilderness dinner
Wildlife Possibilities: Elephants, rare northern species and birds
Habitat: Highland farms, rocky hills, dry plains and riverine woodland

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will explore Samburu with a picnic lunch or divided game-drive programme. Possible sightings include the Samburu Special Five, elephants, lions, leopards and northern birds. If this date falls on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, the wildlife schedule may be adjusted around the lodge’s festive meal or celebration programme. The evening may include decorations, music, a special dinner, a cake or a quieter gathering depending on the selected property. Festive arrangements must be confirmed rather than assumed.

Distance: Approximately 40–80 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the selected programme
Safari Time: Approximately 6–8 hours
Festive Highlights: Christmas lunch, New Year meal or lodge celebration when scheduled
Wildlife Highlights: Rare northern species, elephants, predators and river wildlife
Habitat: Semi-arid plains, rocky country, acacia scrub and riverine vegetation

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and check-out, you may include a short exit safari when timing permits. You will then travel south through dry landscapes, ranches, towns and greener highlands. Holiday traffic may affect the expected arrival time, and the guide will communicate delays honestly. Stops will be arranged for meals, refreshments, family comfort and authorised photographs. On arrival at your luxury Lake Nakuru accommodation, you may find seasonal decorations or evening hospitality according to the lodge’s programme. A cake or private dinner can be requested in advance.

Distance: Samburu exit activity approximately 15–30 km; transfer approximately 275–300 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5½–6½ hours, excluding longer festive stops
Safari Time: Approximately 1–2 hours when permitted
Festive Highlights: Seasonal lodge hospitality, cake or family dinner when confirmed
Journey Highlights: Northern scenery, farms, towns and Rift Valley highlands
Habitat: Rangeland, cultivated highlands and woodland

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

lake Nakuru Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following an early breakfast, you will enjoy a Lake Nakuru game drive for rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, baboons and birds. The morning provides a meaningful conservation experience before the journey continues toward the Maasai Mara. Lunch and lodge check-out will be followed by a drive through highland farms, towns and pastoral landscapes. After the evening arrival, you will check in and enjoy dinner at your luxury lodge or camp. Seasonal room decorations or a special welcome may be arranged when requested and available.

Distance: Lake Nakuru activity approximately 25–50 km; transfer approximately 220–260 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours from Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
Safari Time: Approximately 3–4 hours in Lake Nakuru
Festive Highlights: Rhino-conservation morning and luxury Mara evening
Wildlife Highlights: Rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes and birds
Habitat: Woodland, lakeshore, farms and open savannah

Destination:

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will leave with a picnic lunch for a full day of wildlife viewing. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hyenas and grazing herds may be encountered. The guide will plan the day around wildlife conditions while also respecting any confirmed festive dinner or evening event at the lodge. Lunch will be enjoyed at an authorised picnic area. The evening may include a Christmas dinner, New Year gala, music, campfire gathering or private family meal according to the lodge’s official programme.

Distance: Approximately 60–100 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the day
Safari Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
Festive Highlights: Special dinner, gala or intimate lodge celebration when scheduled
Wildlife Highlights: Lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and grazing herds
Habitat: Open grasslands, river areas, woodland and seasonal marshes

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and check-out, you will travel from the Maasai Mara toward Lake Naivasha. Holiday road activity may increase around towns, and stops will be planned with this in mind. The route passes pastoral landscapes, rolling hills and farms before reaching the freshwater lake. After check-in, the afternoon may include festive lakeside tea, a quiet family gathering, a special dinner or simple relaxation. The lodge’s seasonal programme will depend on the exact date and property selected.

Distance: Approximately 230–260 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours, depending on holiday traffic
Activity Time: Scenic festive transfer
Festive Highlights: Lakeside relaxation, seasonal dinner or private family time
Journey Highlights: Maasai country, rolling hills and Rift Valley farms
Habitat: Savannah, farmland and freshwater shoreline

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Maasai Simba Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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A morning boat activity may be included for hippos, African fish eagles and other waterbirds when conditions are suitable. After returning for breakfast and check-out, you will begin the long journey to Amboseli. The guide will account for holiday traffic, meal stops and family comfort needs. On arrival at the luxury lodge, you will check in and enjoy dinner. When the date falls close to New Year, the property may organise entertainment, a countdown or special meal, while other lodges may maintain a quieter wilderness atmosphere.

Distance: Approximately 300–340 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5½–7 hours, potentially longer during holiday traffic
Activity Time: Lake Naivasha boat safari approximately 1–1½ hours when included
Festive Highlights: Lakeside activity and seasonal Amboseli lodge welcome
Wildlife Possibilities: Hippos, fish eagles and waterbirds
Habitat: Freshwater lake, farmland, towns and southern plains

Destination:

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will explore Amboseli’s open plains, wetlands and acacia habitats. Elephant families, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, predators and birds may be observed. Mount Kilimanjaro may appear in clear conditions but cannot be promised. The wildlife day may be planned around a festive lunch, farewell sundowner, celebration cake or special dinner when these arrangements have been confirmed. The final full day offers an opportunity to celebrate the season through shared experiences rather than relying only on decorations or entertainment.

Distance: Approximately 50–90 km inside the park
Driving Time: Wildlife viewing throughout the day
Safari Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
Festive Highlights: Elephant safari, farewell sundowner, cake or celebration meal
Wildlife Highlights: Elephant families, wetlands, birds and possible Kilimanjaro views
Habitat: Open plains, marshes, seasonal lake beds and acacia woodland

Destination:

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and check-out, you will travel to Nairobi. Holiday traffic may increase journey time, especially near the city, so international flights should not be scheduled too close to the expected arrival. The guide will arrange a meal or refreshment stop before drop-off at a hotel, residence, JKIA or Wilson Airport. Gifts, decorations and personal luggage should be checked carefully before leaving the final lodge.

Distance: Approximately 215–240 km
Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 hours, depending on holiday traffic
Activity Time: Scenic festive return transfer
Festive Highlights: Final family reflections and direct departure assistance
Journey Highlights: Southern plains and Nairobi approaches
Habitat: Open country, farms, towns and urban surroundings