Samburu National Reserve and the famed Masai Mara
Kenya Private Safari
Overview
In two world-renowned game reserves in Kenya, the land where safaris were born, savor phenomenal Big Five game viewing with expert naturalists and enjoy the comforts of splendid game lodges that keep you close to the wildlife. In Samburu National Reserve, you'll look for Kenya's unique northern species, meet Samburu warriors, and watch elephants bathing in the river right from your camp. In the breathtaking beauty of the Masai Mara National Reserve, you'll revel in the super-abundance of wildlife in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, with its leopards, cheetahs, magnificent black-maned lions, and migratory herds. If you've been looking for the perfect experience of Kenya's magic, this is it! This trip is ideal for families, with significant discounts for children under 12. Our Zanzibar Extension and Gorilla Tracking Extension are wonderful additions to the adventure.
Arrive: Nairobi, Kenya
Depart: Nairobi, Kenya
Highlights
- Meet the orphaned baby elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Track rare northern species in the true wilderness of Samburu National Reserve
- Explore the legendary Masai Mara, home to the greatest collection of terrestrial wildlife on earth
- Unique activities: walking safaris, night game drives, stargazing, cultural visits with the Samburu and Maasai people
- Exclusive safari camps that keep you close to the wildlife
Itinerary
This Private Journey uses a combination of hotels, exclusive lodges, and private camps. These properties are often reserved well in advance. We urge you to make your reservation as early as possible to ensure availability on your preferred dates.
Arrive in Nairobi and head out for exciting explorations that include the Karen Blixen Museum, once the home of
Out of Africa author Karen Blixen, and the Giraffe Center, where you can see (and even feed!) the giraffes who are cared for here. One special activity will be your "Sponsor" visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, allowing you the privilege of visiting the nursery by appointment at the time these baby elephants return to their lodgings for the night. Watching these youngsters interacting with their keepers is a delightfully photogenic experience. The Trust is the most successful elephant-rescue and rehabilitation program in the world.
Explore by open-sided 4WD vehicle across Samburu's magnificent landscape of red earth, duom palms, and cocoa-brown rivers. There is a rich collection of wildlife here, from elephants to big cats, plus six special big game species rarely seen anywhere else: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, Geunther's dik-dik, and Beisa oryx. Samburu is home to the traditional Samburu people, semi-nomadic pastoralists related to but distinct from the Maasai, and you will have a wonderful opportunity to interact with them.
A scenic flight whisks you to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of the Earth's most phenomenal wildlife paradises. Here resident lion prides hold and defend territories, the open savannas provide ideal hunting terrain for cheetah, and large resident populations of antelope, including topi, Thomson's gazelle, and Grant's gazelle, graze the savanna. Huge pods of hippo are found in the Mara, the great river that snakes through tree-studded grasslands. In addition to game drives, interpretive game walks with highly skilled Maasai guides are one of the delights of the Mara.
Return to Nairobi by bush flight, with a day room held for you until your evening departure for the airport.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip rating system. It is in hotels and safari camps with game viewing by 4WD vehicle. It can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. On safari, there are long driving days over rugged dirt tracks. Please note: Activities listed in the itinerary are property-specific. Not all activities are offered at every property. Please see the lodge descriptions for full details.
Review Trip Level Details
December to March is East Africa's "summer" with daytime temperatures from 80°F-90°F and evenings from 50°F to 60°F. June, July, and August are the coolest months, with lows around 40°F and highs of 70°F-80°F. September, October, and November are warmer, with lows around 65°F and highs of 75°F-85°F. Scattered rains occur in November and early December, which help to lay the dust.
Client Testimonials
"An amazing itinerary. All the logistics were seamless. Spectacular camps, food, and overall experience!"
Jonathan B.
Belmont, CA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.