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7-day Highlights of Kenya Safari

7-day Highlights of Kenya Safari

A 7-day Kenya safari from Samburu's rare northern wildlife to Ol Pejeta's rhino sanctuary, Lake Naivasha's Rift Valley shores, and the Maasai Mara's big cats.

7 daysDuration KenyaCountries PrivateGroup type
Overview Highlights Daily itinerary Accommodation Inclusions
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Overview

7 Days in Kenya: Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha & the Maasai Mara

This 7-day Kenya safari traces a route most itineraries skip — starting in Samburu National Reserve, home to species found almost nowhere else in Kenya: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and Beisa oryx. From there, the route heads south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a dedicated rhino sanctuary protecting both black and white rhino, and home to Sweetwaters, a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. A stop at Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley adds boating and birdlife among warthog, zebra and buffalo, before the safari closes with three nights in the Maasai Mara, tracking lion, leopard and cheetah across Kenya’s most celebrated reserve.

This itinerary suits travellers who want more than the standard Nairobi-to-Mara route, a genuine circuit through northern Kenya’s specialist wildlife before finishing on the Mara’s classic big-cat plains.

At a glance

  • Duration7 days
  • CountriesKenya
  • Group typePrivate

Activities

What fills the days between game drives

Game Drives
Bird Watching
Guided Nature Walks
Boat Rides
Photography
Moments to note

Why This Route

A northern circuit most Kenya safaris don't include

I

Samburu's Special Five

Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk — species found almost exclusively in Kenya's north.

II

A Rhino Sanctuary

Ol Pejeta Conservancy protects both black and white rhino, alongside a dedicated sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees.

III

Rift Valley Waters

Lake Naivasha offers boat rides and birdlife against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley

IV

The Maasai Mara

Kenya's most famous reserve for lion, leopard and cheetah, with some of Africa's richest big-cat density.

V

A Complete Northern Circuit

One continuous route from Samburu to the Mara, covering four distinct ecosystems in a single trip.

Day by day

How the days break down

A starting shape: pace, order and length of each stage are all adjustable.

Day
01
Samburu
Nairobi → Samburu

North to Kenya's specialist wildlife

Early pickup from your hotel for the drive north to Samburu National Reserve, in Kenya's Rift Valley region. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your lodge, with an optional afternoon game drive

Where you rest

Elephant Bedroom · A tented camp on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, Samburu

Day
02
Samburu
Samburu

The Samburu Special Five

n early morning game drive in search of Samburu's signature species — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, and Beisa oryx — alongside the chance of leopard sightings. After breakfast at the lodge, relax or add an optional guided nature walk or birdwatching excursion, watching for raptors and the striking Somali ostrich. Dinner and overnight.

Where you rest

Elephant Bedroom · Same as previous night

Day
03
Ol Pejeta
Samburu → Mt. Kenya region → Ol Pejeta

Into rhino country

Drive south across the highlands of Central Kenya toward the Mt. Kenya region, arriving at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the afternoon. Ol Pejeta is a dedicated sanctuary for both black and white rhino, and home to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which cares for chimpanzees rescued from captivity across Africa — Kenya's only place to see chimpanzees. From the lodge, watch elephant and buffalo at a nearby waterhole.

Where you rest

Serena Sweetwaters · a luxury tented camp

Day
04
Lake Naivasha
Ol Pejeta → Lake Naivasha

Boating on the Rift Valley floor

Depart for Lake Naivasha, on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and home to a rich variety of birdlife. Enjoy game viewing on the way — warthog, impala, buffalo and zebra — before an optional boat ride on the lake itself.

Where you rest

Naivasha Sopa Lodge · A lodge on the shores of Lake Naivasha

Day
05
Maasai Mara
Lake Naivasha → Maasai Mara

Arrival in Kenya's most visited reserve

Depart for the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most visited safari destination. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Where you rest

Enkakenya Camp · A tented camp by the river on the Mara plains

Day
06
Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara

A full day in the greater Mara

A full day exploring the greater Mara with a picnic lunch, tracking elephant, wildebeest, leopard, cheetah, buffalo and zebra. The Mara also hosts over 470 recorded bird species. Optional game walks available. Dinner and overnight.

Where you rest

Enkakenya Camp · Same as previous night

Day
07
Nairobi
Maasai Mara → Nairobi

Journey's end

After breakfast, depart for Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch in a well-known Nairobi restaurant known for its grill-style dining. Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight home.

What you'll likely see

Key species on this route

What you're likely to see across Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.

· · · · · · ·
Giraffe
Giraffe
95% chance
Zebra
Zebra
95% chance
Elephant
Elephant
90% chance
Buffalo
Buffalo
85% chance
Lion
Lion
74% chance
Leopard
Leopard
50% chance
Cheetah
Cheetah
55% chance
Black Rhino
Black Rhino
70% chance
White Rhino
White Rhino
84% chance
Hippo
Hippo
40% chance
Wildebeest
Wildebeest
70% chance
The details

What's included

What's included

  • All accommodation as per itinerary
  • Meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Professional driver-guide
  • 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • All park and conservancy entrance fees
  • Game drives as per itinerary

What's not included

  • International flights
  • Kenya visa / eTA fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional activities (boat rides, guided walks)
  • Alcoholic and premium beverages
  • Items of a personal nature

Notes about this trip

  • Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta is a rescue and rehabilitation facility, not a wild population — chimpanzees are not native to Kenya.
  • Grevy's zebra is an endangered species with the bulk of its wild population concentrated in northern Kenya, including Samburu.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for this region — consult your doctor before travel.
  • Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed; all species and chance percentages are estimates based on typical conditions

Make it mine

This northern circuit can be adjusted in pace, lodge category, or combined with a Mara migration season departure. Add extra nights in Samburu, extend the Mara stay, or add a Rift Valley lake extension — every detail can be tailored.

Tell us your dates, pace, and priorities — we'll adjust the route around them.

Start tailoring this safari
If this isn't quite right

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Common questions

Before you enquire

Samburu is home to species rarely seen further south in Kenya — reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and Beisa oryx among them — making it a strong complement to a classic Mara safari rather than a substitute for one.

No — they live at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a dedicated facility caring for chimpanzees rescued from captivity, since chimpanzees aren’t native to Kenya.

Most visitors need a Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorization), arranged online in advance. Requirements vary by nationality — check current rules for your passport before booking.

Yes, though the longer drive days (particularly Day 1 and Day 3) suit families with older children more comfortably. Let us know the ages, and we can adjust the pace.

Yes — the Maasai Mara leg connects naturally to a Serengeti/Ngorongoro extension or a Zanzibar beach add-on.

Ready when you are

Ask about 7-day Highlights of Kenya Safari

Tell us your dates and we'll confirm whether the timing works, then adjust the route from there.

Start planning this trip