9 Days Midrange Kenya Road Safari via Samburu, Mara and Amboseli

Your midrange Kenya road safari from Nairobi begins with collection from your hotel, residence, Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. After meeting our driver-guide and receiving a briefing about the route, expected road conditions and safari programme, you will begin the approximately 320-kilometre journey to Samburu National Reserve. The transfer normally takes 5½ to 6½ hours, excluding extended meal stops, and passes through Thika, the central highlands, Nanyuki, the Mount Kenya region and Isiolo. You will notice the landscape changing from fertile farmland to increasingly dry northern plains before arriving at your midrange lodge or tented camp for lunch and check-in. At around 3:30 p.m., you will begin an afternoon game drive lasting approximately 2½ to 3 hours, exploring the Ewaso Nyiro River and nearby bushland for elephants, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks and other northern wildlife.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will leave the lodge at approximately 7:00 a.m. and spend around 7 to 9 hours exploring Samburu National Reserve. Your safari vehicle may cover between 60 and 120 kilometres, depending on animal movements, wildlife reports and road conditions. Our guide will take you through riverine forest, dry bushland, rocky sections and open plains while searching for Samburu’s Special Five, together with lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and African wild dogs. A picnic lunch may be served at an authorised site, allowing you to remain inside the reserve, or you may return to your lodge for lunch and a short rest before continuing with an afternoon drive. The day provides enough time to explore the reserve without rushing between sightings, and you will return around sunset for dinner and overnight.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following breakfast and check-out, your Kenya road safari continues approximately 275 to 300 kilometres from Samburu to Lake Nakuru. The journey normally takes 5 to 6½ hours, passing through Isiolo, Nanyuki and the productive agricultural areas of central Kenya before descending into the Great Rift Valley. Our guide will arrange washroom, stretching and refreshment stops along the way. After arrival at your midrange lodge or hotel, you will have lunch, check into your room and relax briefly before entering Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive lasting approximately 3 hours. You may travel around 30 to 60 kilometres through lakeshore, woodland and grassland habitats while searching for black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, baboons and waterbirds.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Ziwa Bush Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Your morning begins with breakfast followed by a game drive inside Lake Nakuru National Park lasting approximately 2½ to 3 hours. Our guide may revisit the rhino-viewing areas, acacia woodland, lakeshore and selected viewpoints before you return to the lodge for check-out. You will then travel approximately 240 to 260 kilometres to Masai Mara, a transfer that normally takes 5 to 6½ hours depending on traffic, weather and the location of your camp. Our road journey passes through the Rift Valley countryside and Narok before entering the Maasai pastoral landscapes surrounding the reserve. After check-in and a late lunch at your midrange lodge or tented camp, you may enjoy a short evening game drive when arrival time permits.

Destination:

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will depart for a full-day game drive inside Masai Mara National Reserve. The wildlife programme normally lasts approximately 8 to 10 hours and may cover between 80 and 150 kilometres, depending on animal locations and the areas selected by our guide. You will explore wide grasslands, acacia woodland, seasonal streams and river corridors while searching for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeests and zebras. A picnic lunch will be served at an authorised location inside the reserve, allowing you to remain close to productive game-viewing areas throughout the day. During migration months, large herds may be present, although particular river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and lodge check-out, you will begin the approximately 250-kilometre drive from Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha. The transfer usually takes 5 to 6 hours, with planned comfort and refreshment stops near Narok or other suitable locations. You will leave the open Mara landscape and travel toward the Great Rift Valley, arriving at your midrange lakeside lodge or hotel for lunch and check-in. The afternoon may be used for relaxation or an optional boat ride lasting approximately 1 to 1½ hours. During the boat excursion, you may observe hippos from a safe distance, African fish eagles, pelicans, herons, kingfishers and cormorants. A guided Crescent Island walk can also be added when included in your confirmed programme.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following an early breakfast, you will check out and begin the approximately 320-kilometre road journey to Amboseli National Park. The transfer normally takes around 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic around Nairobi and road conditions toward southern Kenya. Our guide will arrange suitable washroom and meal stops, with lunch served en route or after arrival at your lodge. You will pass through the Rift Valley, Nairobi’s outskirts, the Athi Plains and Emali before approaching Amboseli. After checking into your midrange accommodation and resting, you may join a short late-afternoon game drive lasting around 2 hours, looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras and possible views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After breakfast, your Kenya road safari continues with approximately 7 to 9 hours of wildlife viewing inside Amboseli National Park. Your vehicle may cover between 60 and 120 kilometres, visiting permanent marshes, open plains, acacia woodland, seasonal lake areas and Observation Hill. Amboseli is especially famous for its large elephant families, but you may also see lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, hippos and numerous birds. When the morning sky is clear, Mount Kilimanjaro may rise above the park and create one of Kenya’s most recognisable safari views. Lunch may be enjoyed at a picnic site or at the lodge before continuing with the afternoon drive.

After breakfast and lodge check-out, you will begin the approximately 240-kilometre return journey from Amboseli to Nairobi. The road transfer normally takes 4 to 5 hours, although traffic near the city may increase the duration. Depending on your onward travel schedule, a short morning game drive may be included before leaving the park. You will travel through Emali and the Athi Plains with scheduled comfort stops before arriving in Nairobi. Our guide will drop you at your hotel, residence, Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.