This magnificent eight-day journey sweeps you through the very best of Kenya, from the rugged semi-arid wilderness of Samburu to the sweeping savannah plains of the Maasai Mara. You will encounter rare northern species found nowhere else in Kenya, track the Big Five across a celebrated private conservancy, and marvel at the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Nakuru before arriving at Africa's most iconic wildlife destination. Africompass takes care of every detail, pairing you with expert multilingual driver-guides fluent in English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French so that every moment in the bush is richly understood and deeply felt. Flexible partial-payment options mean you can secure your adventure today and settle the balance with ease.
On Day 1 you will be welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by your Africompass driver-guide, who will transfer you smoothly to Sarova Panafric Hotel in the heart of Nairobi. The evening will be yours to relax, settle in, and build anticipation for the extraordinary wildlife experiences that lie ahead.
On Day 2 you will depart Nairobi after breakfast, heading north through Kenya's scenic central highlands past rolling farmlands of coffee, tea, and pineapples. A brief stop at the Equator monument in Nanyuki will offer a memorable photo opportunity before you continue into the striking semi-arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge followed by an afternoon game drive in search of the Special Five: Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Grevy's Zebra, and Gerenuk.
On Day 3 you will rise early for a dawn game drive across Samburu's rugged terrain, the golden morning light perfect for spotting predators on the move and the Ewaso Nyiro River teeming with crocodiles and elephants. After returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, the midday hours will offer time to swim, relax, or join an optional guided nature walk or village visit, before an evening game drive reveals lions, leopards, and a spectacular array of birdlife.
On Day 4 you will check out of Samburu after breakfast and travel southwest to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya's largest black rhino sanctuary and one of Africa's most celebrated private wildlife estates. After settling in and enjoying lunch at Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp, the afternoon will bring a game drive through the conservancy, where you will have the rare opportunity to visit the chimpanzee sanctuary and search for thriving populations of rhino, elephant, lion, and buffalo.
On Day 5 you will travel south after breakfast to Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site framed by yellow fever acacia forests and home to vast flocks of flamingos that paint the lakeshore in vivid pink. Arriving in time for lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, you will then head out for an evening game drive to search for white rhino, Rothschild giraffe, and an extraordinary diversity of bird species including rare migratory visitors.
On Day 6 you will depart Lake Nakuru after breakfast and travel southwest into the Great Rift Valley, descending onto the wide golden savannahs of the Maasai Mara, Kenya's most celebrated wildlife destination. After checking in and enjoying lunch at camp, an afternoon game drive will introduce you to the Mara's legendary big cat populations, vast elephant herds, and during the migration season, the thundering crossings of wildebeest and zebras.
On Day 7 you will spend an exhilarating full day deep in the heart of the Maasai Mara, embarking on an extended game drive with a picnic lunch served in the bush surrounded by wildlife. The reserve harbours all of the Big Five, and the day will offer exceptional opportunities for leopard sightings in the riverine forests, cheetah hunts on open plains, and vast buffalo herds moving across the grasslands. An optional evening visit to a local Maasai village will provide a fascinating window into the rich culture and time-honoured traditions of the Maasai people.
On Day 8 you will enjoy a final breakfast at camp before checking out and beginning the scenic drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon with a treasure trove of memories and photographs. Your driver-guide will transfer you directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in comfortable time for your outbound international flight.
All rates are per person and vary by travel season. Choose your season below to view the applicable pricing.
| Per adult | USD 1,607 |
Tell us your dates and dream, and a local specialist will craft your trip.
It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.
Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.
Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.
Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.
Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.
Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.
Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.
