1
Journey overview
About this safari
Experience four very different Kenyan wildlife regions on a private seven-day safari linking Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
The route begins by travelling north from Nairobi through Kenya’s central highlands, crossing the Equator and passing the Mount Kenya region. Mount Kenya’s Batian summit rises to 5,199 metres, making it Africa’s second-highest mountain. The journey then descends into the drier landscapes of northern Kenya and Samburu, where the Ewaso Nyiro River supports elephants, big cats and the famous Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
From Samburu the safari turns south toward Laikipia and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most important rhino-conservation areas. Ol Pejeta protects black and southern white rhinos and is home to the world’s last two surviving northern white rhinos. It also contains the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where visitors can see chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya; the sanctuary provides lifelong refuge to rescued individuals from elsewhere in Africa.
The journey then continues through the central highlands toward Lake Nakuru, with a planned scenic stop at Thomson’s Falls in Nyahururu when routing, timing and site conditions allow. Lake Nakuru National Park is a major rhino sanctuary and an outstanding birding destination, while its woodland, grassland and lake-edge habitats support buffalo, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, lion and leopard.
The final two nights are spent in the Masai Mara, one of East Africa’s most productive wildlife landscapes. The Mara offers exceptional opportunities to search for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo and large plains-game herds. During the appropriate season, migrating wildebeest and zebra may move through the ecosystem, although exact herd locations and river crossings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed.
The safari is operated privately in a pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser unless another vehicle arrangement is specifically confirmed. Accommodation is quoted according to your preferred Economy, Standard or Luxury level. Greatlink Safaris does not publish a fixed package price because the final quotation depends on travel dates, traveller category, number of guests, child ages, accommodation selection, conservation fees and any optional experiences requested.
For official information, see the County Government of Samburu tourism page, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy website, the Kenya Wildlife Service Lake Nakuru page and current Masai Mara management information from Narok County Government and Mara Conservancy.
Safari highlights
Why travellers choose this journey
- Mount Kenya region: travel north through Kenya’s central highlands with views toward Africa’s second-highest mountain when weather conditions are clear.
- Cross the Equator: pass the Equator near Nanyuki on the journey between Nairobi and northern Kenya.
- Samburu Special Five: search for Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
- Ewaso Nyiro wildlife: explore the river corridor for elephants, leopard, lion, buffalo and prolific dry-country birdlife.
- Ol Pejeta rhino conservation: visit a leading East African black-rhino stronghold and the home of the last two northern white rhinos.
- Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary: learn about rescued chimpanzees at the only place in Kenya where they can be seen.
- Thomson’s Falls: make a scenic stop in Nyahururu when timing and site access permit.
- Lake Nakuru: search for black and white rhinos, pelicans and seasonally varying flamingo numbers.
- Makalia Falls & Baboon Cliff: include Lake Nakuru’s scenic highlights when roads and park routing permit.
- Masai Mara Big Five: explore one of Kenya’s strongest wildlife areas for lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, with rhino possible but much harder to find.
- Mara River: visit the river during the full-day Mara safari when practical for opportunities to see hippos and Nile crocodiles.
- Migration potential: seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements may be encountered during the annual migration period.
Perfect forCouples, families, photographers, birders, first-time Kenya safari travellers, repeat safari guests and travellers who want a longer private itinerary combining northern Kenya wildlife, conservation experiences, Rift Valley scenery and the Masai Mara.
Journey flow
Where this safari takes you
See the route in travel order, from the first stop to the final destination. Each stage connects directly to the detailed destination guide where available.
2
3
4
5
6
Safari beginsNairobi
Safari endsNairobi
Safari Types
How this journey is designed
These categories describe the style of safari you are booking.
Road SafarisPrivate overland safari journeys using a dedicated safari vehicle between Kenya’s wildlife des…
Photography SafarisPhotographer-focused safaris built around light, wildlife behaviour, patient sightings and fle…
Birding SafarisSpecialist birdwatching journeys through Kenya’s wetlands, forests, savannahs, drylands and hi…
Family SafarisPrivate safari itineraries planned around family-friendly pacing, rooming, child policies and …
Experiences
Experiences included in this safari
These are activities, encounters or natural spectacles included in or available through this journey.
Day by day
Your safari itinerary
Open each day to view the route, activities, meals, transport and accommodation details.
Meet your Greatlink Safaris driver-guide at your Nairobi hotel, airport or agreed meeting point and begin the journey north through Kenya’s central highlands.
The route climbs toward the Mount Kenya region, passing productive agricultural country and the towns of central Kenya. When visibility is clear, there may be views toward Mount Kenya, whose Batian summit rises to 5,199 m. A brief stop can be made near Nanyuki at the Equator for photographs and a short break before continuing toward Isiolo and the drier landscapes of northern Kenya.
As you approach Samburu, the scenery changes from green highlands to semi-arid acacia and Commiphora bush. Arrive at your Samburu lodge or tented camp for lunch, subject to traffic and road conditions.
In the afternoon, enter Samburu National Reserve for your first game drive. Follow the Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounding plains in search of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and northern dry-country specialists such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and gerenuk.
Continue game viewing until late afternoon or sunset before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationSamburu-area lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast where applicable before departure; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser; full-day road transfer plus afternoon game-drive mileage ActivitiesCentral Kenya drive; Equator stop when practical; Mount Kenya region views; afternoon Samburu game drive; Special Five search
Spend a full day exploring Samburu with your private driver-guide. The day can be arranged as separate morning and afternoon game drives with a midday break at the lodge, or as a longer game-viewing programme depending on your preference and the location of your accommodation.
The Ewaso Nyiro River is the ecological heart of the reserve. During dry conditions, elephants and other wildlife are drawn toward the river and remaining water, while riverine vegetation creates important cover for leopard and smaller species.
Your driver-guide will concentrate on Samburu’s distinctive northern wildlife. The Samburu Special Five are Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Vulturine guineafowl, golden-breasted starling and other dry-country birds make the reserve equally rewarding for birders and photographers.
Samburu National Reserve should not be confused with neighbouring Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves. They form part of the broader northern Kenya safari landscape but have separate administration and entry arrangements. The base itinerary focuses on Samburu National Reserve unless another reserve is expressly added to your quotation.
Return to the lodge or camp after the final game drive for dinner and your second overnight stay in Samburu.
AccommodationSame Samburu-area lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesMorning and afternoon game drives or extended game drive; Special Five; elephant viewing; predator search; birding; photography
After breakfast, check out and enjoy a final wildlife-viewing drive as you leave Samburu. Continue south through Isiolo and the Mount Kenya–Laikipia region toward Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Arrive in the Ol Pejeta area for lunch and check-in according to the selected accommodation. In the afternoon, begin your game drive across the conservancy’s grassland, woodland and riverine habitats.
Ol Pejeta is one of East Africa’s most important rhino-conservation landscapes and supports black and southern white rhinos alongside lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, spotted hyena and other wildlife. The conservancy is also home to the last two surviving northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatu. A dedicated close northern-white-rhino encounter is treated as a specialist optional experience unless it is expressly included in your final quotation.
Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary during its scheduled public viewing hours when timing permits. The sanctuary provides lifelong refuge for rescued chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya, and Sweetwaters is the only place in the country where visitors can see them.
Continue game viewing until late afternoon before proceeding to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationOl Pejeta/Laikipia lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser; Samburu–Laikipia road transfer plus afternoon game drive ActivitiesFinal Samburu game viewing; Ol Pejeta game drive; rhino conservation; Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary when operating hours permit
After breakfast, check out and depart Ol Pejeta for the Great Rift Valley. Travel through Kenya’s central highlands toward Nyahururu, where a brief stop can be made at Thomson’s Falls if the route, weather, opening conditions and travel schedule allow.
Continue toward Nakuru, arriving for lunch and check-in at the selected lodge or tented camp. After lunch and a short rest, enter Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru is an important sanctuary for both black and white rhinos. Search the woodland and grassland for rhino, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and other mammals. Lion and leopard occur in the park but are less predictable.
The lake and surrounding wetlands support rich birdlife including pelicans, cormorants, herons and other waterbirds. Flamingos may be present in varying numbers, although their concentration changes naturally according to lake conditions.
Where road and timing conditions permit, include scenic points such as Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls before leaving the park for dinner and overnight in the Nakuru area.
AccommodationLake Nakuru/Nakuru-area lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser; Ol Pejeta–Nyahururu–Nakuru road transfer plus afternoon game drive ActivitiesThomson’s Falls stop when practical; Lake Nakuru game drive; black and white rhino search; birding; Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls when accessible
After breakfast, check out and begin the road journey toward the Masai Mara. Travel through Kenya’s Rift Valley and rural highlands before the landscape opens into the rolling grasslands associated with the greater Mara ecosystem.
Along the way you will pass farms, local settlements and livestock areas. Maasai pastoralists may be seen tending their herds near the road, but community visits are only part of the safari when specifically arranged in advance.
Arrive in the Masai Mara area around lunchtime, depending on road and traffic conditions. Check in, enjoy lunch and take time to relax before your first afternoon game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Mara is one of Kenya’s most productive wildlife regions. Search for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, topi, Thomson’s gazelle, impala and other plains wildlife as you explore until late afternoon or sunset.
Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationMasai Mara lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser; Lake Nakuru–Masai Mara road transfer plus afternoon game drive ActivitiesScenic Rift Valley transfer; afternoon Masai Mara game drive; Big Five and predator search; photography
Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with your private driver-guide. You may choose separate early-morning and afternoon game drives with a midday break at the lodge, or a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch.
Your guide will plan the route around current wildlife movements. Search for lion, cheetah and leopard together with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, topi, eland, Thomson’s gazelle, impala and spotted hyena. Jackals and mongoose species may also be encountered.
If you select the full-day option and road conditions allow, travel toward the Mara River. Hippos and Nile crocodiles inhabit the river system, while the surrounding plains and riverine woodland provide excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities.
During the annual migration season, large wildebeest and zebra herds may move through the Masai Mara. The exact timing, location of the herds and any river-crossing event depend on rainfall and natural movement and cannot be guaranteed.
Depending on the section of the reserve being explored, views toward the Oloololo Escarpment, Talek River or other Mara landmarks may form part of the day. Return to your lodge or tented camp around sunset for dinner and your second overnight stay in the Mara.
AccommodationSame Masai Mara lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch or picnic lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesMorning/afternoon or full-day game drive; Mara River when practical; Big Five search; migration wildlife in season; birding; photography
Begin the final morning with an early game drive, allowing one more opportunity to search for predators and plains wildlife in the cooler hours of the day.
Return to the lodge or camp for breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Nairobi. Depending on the confirmed accommodation and gate, the journey is approximately 260 km or more and normally takes around five to six hours before comfort and meal stops. Road conditions and traffic can extend the journey.
Lunch will be arranged en route or according to the confirmed return schedule. Continue to Nairobi for drop-off at your hotel, airport or other agreed location.
Your seven-day Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara safari ends after the Nairobi drop-off.
AccommodationNo accommodation included after the Nairobi drop-off unless separately requested. MealsBreakfast; Lunch en route or as confirmed TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser; Masai Mara–Nairobi road transfer ActivitiesEarly-morning Masai Mara game drive; scenic return journey; Nairobi drop-off
Shape your safari
Safari choices for your quotation
Select the options that interest you when requesting a quote. No fixed public price is shown because the final quotation depends on dates, traveller numbers, availability and your preferred travel style.
Accommodation
Good-value lodges or tented camps in Samburu, Ol Pejeta/Laikipia, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara, selected according to travel dates, location, rooming needs and availability.
Comfortable mid-range lodges or tented camps across all four safari regions with the confirmed meal plan and convenient access to the planned game-drive areas.
Premium safari lodges or tented camps selected for stronger location, room quality, service and overall experience, subject to availability.
Experience
Request Ol Pejeta’s dedicated northern white rhino experience. This is subject to conservancy availability, current operating times and separate confirmation.
Optional Lake Naivasha boat safari requiring an adjustment to the standard routing and travel time. It is not included in the base seven-day itinerary.
Service
English-speaking guiding is standard. Another available guide language may be requested when submitting the enquiry and is subject to confirmation.
Before you travel
Know before you go
Road travel: driving distances and times are estimates. Nairobi traffic, roadworks, weather, stops, the location of the selected lodge and the reserve gate used can all change the actual journey time.
Samburu ecosystem: Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve are distinct protected areas with separate management and entry arrangements. This base package includes Samburu National Reserve. Entry into Buffalo Springs or Shaba is only included when expressly shown in the final quotation.
Mount Kenya: the safari route passes through the Mount Kenya region rather than entering Mount Kenya National Park. Batian, the mountain’s highest summit, is 5,199 m. Official information is available from the Kenya Wildlife Service Mount Kenya page.
Ol Pejeta: standard conservancy entry provides access to the normal game-drive areas and scheduled public chimpanzee viewing subject to current operating hours. Specialist experiences, including dedicated northern white rhino encounters, guided walks, night drives and behind-the-scenes activities, require separate availability and may attract additional charges. See Ol Pejeta’s official experiences page.
Chimpanzees: chimpanzees are not indigenous to Kenya. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides refuge for rescued chimpanzees and is the only place in Kenya where visitors can see them.
Thomson’s Falls: the Day 4 stop is subject to route, opening conditions and the time available before the afternoon Lake Nakuru game drive.
Lake Nakuru flamingos: flamingo numbers fluctuate naturally according to water levels, food availability and conditions across the Rift Valley lake system. Large concentrations cannot be guaranteed on a particular visit.
Masai Mara migration: the Great Migration is seasonal and exact timing varies with rainfall and grazing. A stay during the migration months does not guarantee a Mara River crossing.
Wildlife: all wildlife is free-ranging. Greatlink Safaris plans game drives around local conditions and recent sightings, but no particular species or encounter can be guaranteed.
Emergency evacuation cover: where expressly shown in the confirmed quotation, temporary emergency medical evacuation cover may be included through AMREF Flying Doctors or another contracted provider. This is not a substitute for comprehensive personal travel and medical insurance.
Optional Lake Naivasha boat safari: a Lake Naivasha boat ride is not part of the standard seven-day routing shown here. It can be requested as an itinerary add-on where the travel schedule is adjusted to allow sufficient time.
Included
What is included
- Private pick-up from the agreed Nairobi hotel, airport or meeting point on Day 1.
- Private safari transport throughout the itinerary in a pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser unless another vehicle is specifically confirmed.
- Services of an experienced professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout the road safari. Other guide languages may be requested and are subject to availability.
- Two nights’ accommodation in the Samburu area in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- One night’s accommodation in or near Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- One night’s accommodation in the Lake Nakuru/Nakuru area in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- Two nights’ accommodation in the Masai Mara in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- Meals specifically shown in the final itinerary: lunch and dinner on Day 1; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 2–6; and breakfast plus the confirmed en-route lunch arrangement on Day 7.
- All game drives described in the itinerary in Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Samburu National Reserve entry/conservation fees applicable to the included game drives and traveller category stated at quotation stage.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy entry fees for the included visit and normal game-drive programme, based on the traveller category supplied at quotation stage.
- Scheduled public Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary viewing where operating conditions and timing permit.
- Lake Nakuru National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drive.
- Masai Mara conservation/entry fees applicable to the confirmed reserve sector, gates and safari days.
- Planned Equator stop near Nanyuki when road conditions and timing permit.
- Planned Thomson’s Falls sightseeing stop on Day 4 when the route and schedule allow; any locally levied entry charge is included only where expressly itemised in the confirmed quotation.
- Visits to Lake Nakuru scenic points such as Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls when open, accessible and compatible with the day’s game-drive route.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle during game drives and Greatlink Safaris road transfers.
- Emergency medical evacuation cover where expressly included in the final confirmation, subject to the provider’s terms, geographical limits and exclusions.
- Private drop-off at the agreed Nairobi hotel, airport or other confirmed Nairobi location on Day 7.
- Applicable Kenyan government taxes and local statutory levies relating to the services specifically included in the confirmed quotation.
Not included
What is excluded
- International or regional flights to and from Kenya unless specifically added to the quotation.
- Kenya entry authorization, visa, immigration or passport-related charges applicable to the traveller.
- Comprehensive travel insurance, medical insurance, trip-cancellation insurance, baggage insurance and personal-accident cover.
- Medical consultation, treatment, hospitalization, medication, search-and-rescue costs or any expense beyond the limits of an included emergency evacuation plan.
- Nairobi accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 7 unless specifically added to the quotation.
- Breakfast in Nairobi on Day 1 unless already included by the traveller’s hotel or specifically added to the safari arrangement.
- Alcoholic drinks, premium beverages, soft drinks and other lodge/camp beverages unless expressly included by the selected accommodation.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, lodge staff, porters and other service teams.
- Laundry, telephone calls, spa services, souvenirs and other items or services of a personal nature.
- Entry into Buffalo Springs National Reserve or Shaba National Reserve unless specifically included in the final itinerary and quotation.
- Specialist Ol Pejeta activities such as the dedicated northern white rhino encounter, behind-the-scenes chimpanzee experience, night drive, guided bush walk, lion tracking or other separately priced activities unless expressly included.
- Lake Naivasha boat rides or Crescent Island visits unless specifically added as an itinerary extension.
- Hot-air balloon safaris, cultural village visits, private sundowners, specialist photographic activities and other optional experiences not listed as included.
- Any accommodation, room-category, vehicle or guiding-language upgrade not shown in the confirmed quotation.
- Additional accommodation, meals, transport or activities resulting from voluntary itinerary changes requested after confirmation.
- Costs arising from circumstances beyond the operator’s reasonable control, including severe weather, government restrictions, road closures, major traffic disruption, reserve closure, force-majeure events or supplier changes, except where applicable supplier or booking conditions provide otherwise.
