6-Day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Private Safari

Meet your driver-guide in Nairobi and begin the drive north through the central highlands toward Samburu. The scenery changes steadily as you enter Kenya’s drier northern zone. Arrive at the selected lodge or camp and enjoy an afternoon private game drive if timing permits. The guide introduces the Ewaso Nyiro river environment and the distinctive wildlife of the region before returning for dinner and overnight.

Spend the full day exploring Samburu National Reserve and the wildlife corridors used by animals around the Ewaso Nyiro river. The area is particularly associated with reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, while elephants and predators are also important sightings. The private format allows extra time for photography and birding. Optional activities include a Samburu cultural visit, guided nature walk where permitted, photography session or sundowner arranged through the selected accommodation.

After breakfast, leave Samburu for the longer road journey south toward Nakuru. Travel through changing highland and Rift Valley scenery with comfort stops planned by your guide. Arrive at the selected Nakuru hotel or lodge and settle in. Depending on road progress, enjoy a short afternoon orientation or relax before the following morning’s national-park safari.

Enter Lake Nakuru National Park early for a private game drive, focusing on rhinos, birdlife, woodland species and scenic lake viewpoints according to current conditions. After the park experience, continue toward the Maasai Mara. Arrive at the selected camp or lodge and, when timing permits, take an introductory afternoon game drive before dinner. The landscape shift from fenced Rift Valley park to the broader Mara ecosystem is one of the key contrasts of the journey.

Use the entire day for private Maasai Mara game viewing. Your guide plans the route around current wildlife information rather than a rigid circuit, allowing time for predators, elephants, plains game, birds and landscape photography. Guests can add an early hot-air balloon safari, cultural visit, sundowner or dedicated photographic session. The optional activities remain separately priced so the confirmed safari reflects only the experiences the guest actually wants.

Optional experiences

Hot Air Balloon Safari Early morning / approximately 3–4 hours

A sunrise balloon flight over the greater Maasai Mara landscape, normally followed by a landing experience and breakfast arrangement depending on the operator. It is sold separately from normal game drives and must be pre-booked.

Available upon request

Maasai Cultural Village Visit 1–2 hours

A hosted cultural visit introducing Maasai homestead life, traditions and community stories. The visit should be arranged through an appropriate local host and presented as an optional cultural experience rather than part of the game-drive description.

Available upon request

Maasai Mara Sundowner 1–2 hours

A late-afternoon scenic stop arranged in an approved location with refreshments as the light softens over the Mara landscape. It can be used for couples, private groups or special-occasion itineraries.

Available upon request

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Nairobi. A short final game-viewing sector can be included where lodge location, gate timing and onward arrangements permit. Reach Nairobi for drop-off at the agreed hotel or airport. If the guest has a late international departure, Courtesywide can add a day room, meal or Nairobi activity separately during quotation.