7-Days Aberdares-Nakuru-Samburu-Masai Mara : The Aberdares Range is a 160 km long mountain range of upland, north of Kenya’s capital Nairobi with an average elevation of 3,500 meters. It straddles across the counties of Nyandarua, Nyeri, Muranga, Kiambu and Laikipia. Picturesque, steep forested ravines and open moorland characterise the Aberdares National Park.
The park provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks among others. Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat and the blue duiker.
Visitors can indulge in picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands. Bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s Francolin, Sparrow hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
| Day | Destination | Highlights | Activities |
|---|
| 1 | Nairobi → Aberdare National Park | Misty highland forests, wildlife at night | Drive to Aberdares, overnight at tree lodge with floodlit waterhole (e.g., The Ark or Treetops Lodge) |
| 2 | Aberdares → Lake Nakuru | Flamingos, rhinos, escarpment views | Game drive in Nakuru National Park |
| 3 | Nakuru → Samburu National Reserve | Arid beauty, unique wildlife | Drive north to Samburu, afternoon game drive |
| 4 | Samburu | Samburu Special Five | Full-day game drives, cultural visit (optional) |
| 5 | Samburu → Masai Mara | Scenic drive to savannah plains | Transfer to Mara via Great Rift Valley, evening game drive |
| 6 | Masai Mara | Big Five & big cats | Full-day game drive in Masai Mara |
| 7 | Masai Mara → Nairobi | Scenic return | Morning game drive (optional), return to Nairobi |
Unique accommodation style: tree lodges overlooking floodlit waterholes where animals come to drink at night.
| Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Luxury | The Ark Lodge – Tree-lodge experience, good wildlife views at night |
| Mid-range | Treetops Lodge – Historic lodge (visited by Queen Elizabeth) |
| Budget | Stay in nearby Nyeri town (e.g., Green Hills Hotel) and do a day trip to the park |
| Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Luxury | The Cliff Nakuru – Stylish tented suites with lake views |
| Mid-range | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge |
| Budget | Ziwa Bush Lodge, Sleepway Cottages in Nakuru town |
Samburu offers an exclusive safari feel with fewer crowds and scenic riverfront settings.
| Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Luxury | Saruni Samburu – Stunning cliff-top views & private conservancy Elephant Bedroom Camp – Riverside tents with frequent elephant visitors |
| Mid-range | Ashnil Samburu Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge |
| Budget | Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu Riverside Camp |
Offers a wide range of accommodations inside or near the reserve.
| Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Luxury | Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Angama Mara, Mara Explorer Camp |
| Mid-range | Fig Tree Camp, Ashnil Mara Camp, Basecamp Explorer |
| Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp, Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Miti Mingi Eco Camp |
(Optional overnight if you’re not flying out same day)
| Type | Options |
|---|---|
| Luxury | Villa Rosa Kempinski, Hemingways Nairobi |
| Mid-range | Four Points by Sheraton, Tamarind Tree Hotel |
| Budget | Wildebeest Eco Camp, Kenya Comfort Hotel |
Depart Nairobi early in the morning for your safari in Kenya and drive to Mount Kenya or the Aberdares the Ark lodge which overlooks floodlit waterholes frequented by wildlife.
As dusk ensues, enjoy a relaxing sun-downer whilst viewing game as they gradually approach the waterhole – a truly magical experience. A hearty dinner and pleasant overnight follows at the Ark Lodge
After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival will be in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
Return to the lodge for a sun downer, night wildlife viewing and sumptuous dinner and overnight. Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirty dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings. Diner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge
A full day spent exploring the park – unique both in scenery and wildlife. The region is home to the uncommon Gravy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx.
Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaver birds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here. Dinner and overnight at a lodge.
After breakfast we head for Lake Nakuru arriving by lunchtime. After lunch we proceed for a game drive in the National Park returning in time for sunset. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Nakuru National Park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard.
White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and the park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. Diner and Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. After lunch we then proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge for a relaxing sun downer, dinner and overnight at the lodge or luxury tented camp.
wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great numbers.
It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but are still reasonably common. Diner and overnight at Oldarpoi Mara Camp
The day is spent game viewing, in the early morning hours and in the evenings as this is when we have the best chances of seeing wildlife. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on a sun-downer back at the lodge.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus. Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the Savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast.
These trips can be arranged at our office upon booking. Diner and overnight at Oldarpoi Mara Camp
After breakfast we drive to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch. Drop off at your hotel or at the airport for your flight.
