Kenya: Mara to Samburu · 6 days · 5 nights · Year-round · best Jun – Oct & Jan – Mar
6-Day Mara, Nakuru & Samburu Safari
This trip links three very different corners of Kenya in six days. You start with a full day on the open grassland of the Maasai Mara, cross the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru for its birdlife and rhino sanctuary, then head north to Samburu, where the wildlife changes to species you won't find further south, such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk. The stays are simple, comfortable camps and a hotel, and you travel in your own 4x4 with a pop-up roof and a driver-guide. The last day loops home past Mount Kenya with lunch in Nanyuki.
From $1,853 per person
Specimen itinerary for planning purposes only — not a confirmed booking document.
Logistics & transport
- Pickup
- Confirmed 24 hours before departure on WhatsApp
- Guide language
- As selected at booking
- Group
- Private / small group · max 12 guests
Where you'll stay
Lodging varies by trip — tented camp, safari lodge, beach hotel, or city hotel as your package requires. The property for this package is confirmed in writing after you book — ask us on WhatsApp if you want options before paying.
Included in your package price — exact camp, lodge, or hotel confirmed after booking.
Indicative schedule — day by day
Planned rhythm for your trip — your guide may adjust on the day for conditions, light and wildlife.
Day 1: Nairobi → Maasai Mara
We collect you from the airport or your Nairobi hotel and drive west, stopping at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and in Narok on the way. After lunch at camp and a short rest, you head out on your first game drive in the Mara.
Day 2: Full day in the Maasai Mara
A long day out in the reserve, giving your guide time to cover the open plains and scattered woodland in search of lion, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe and the plains herds. It's a good day for photography, with plenty of time at each sighting.
Day 3: Maasai Mara → Lake Nakuru
After breakfast you leave the Mara and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive follows the lakeshore for flamingos and pelicans, and the park's rhino sanctuary gives you a good chance of seeing rhino, along with giraffe and warthog.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru → Samburu
A long but varied drive north through Kenya's farming heartland, with a picnic lunch at Thomson's Falls along the way. You reach Samburu, on the edge of the semi-arid north, in the late afternoon, watching for wildlife on the final stretch before checking in.
Day 5: Full day in Samburu
A day exploring Samburu along the Ewaso Nyiro river, the reserve's lifeline. Look out for the northern species, such as reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, as well as elephant, lion, cheetah, buffalo and crocodile.
Day 6: Samburu → Mount Kenya → Nairobi
An early game drive before breakfast, then the road south through the Mount Kenya region with a lunch stop in Nanyuki at the foot of the mountain. You arrive in Nairobi in the early evening and we drop you at your hotel or the airport.
Trip inclusions
- 5 nights in comfortable camps and a hotel, as listed in the itinerary
- All meals on safari: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All national park and reserve entry fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and driver-guide
- All game drives as per the itinerary
- Pickup from Nairobi airport or hotel, and drop-off at the end
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from the Bookara team
Trip exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Kenya eTA (government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Optional activities and excursions
- Drinks and personal expenses
Preparation & packing
Before you go
- This section is general Kenya travel guidance — not a substitute for official advice or your doctor.
- We confirm trip-specific details (property, pickup times, park rules) with you on WhatsApp before departure.
- Questions about 6-Day Mara, Nakuru & Samburu Safari? Message us anytime — we'd rather you ask than guess.
Visa & entry
- Most visitors need a Kenya eTA before travel — apply at etakenya.go.ke and check the current fee and rules.
- Passport usually needs 6+ months' validity and blank pages — verify with your airline and immigration.
- Keep a printed copy of this itinerary and your eTA approval for border control.
Health
- Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you are travelling from — check Kenya's latest entry rules.
- Malaria prevention is commonly recommended for safari areas — ask your doctor well before you fly.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
- Bring personal medication in original packaging.
Weather & clothing
- Safari mornings and evenings are often cooler than midday — layers work better than one heavy coat.
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) are standard for game drives.
- Rain can appear in any season — a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
- We send a short weather note for your dates once your trip is confirmed.
Packing list
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking + sandals for camp or lodge
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Binoculars if you have a pair (optional — ask us if you'd like a recommendation)
- Power bank + travel adaptor (Kenya commonly uses Type G plugs, 240V)
- Soft bag often works better than a hard suitcase if your trip includes light-aircraft legs — we'll confirm luggage limits for your routing
- Some cash in USD (clean, newer bills) or KES for tips and small purchases
- Insect repellent
Money & connectivity
- Cards work in Nairobi and at many properties; cash is still useful for tips and markets.
- M-Pesa is widely used in Kenya — we can walk you through it on arrival if helpful.
- Wi‑Fi varies by property (lodge, camp, or hotel) — signal on game drives is usually limited.
- Tipping customs vary by property and guide — we share current guidelines for your trip before you travel.