The 7 Days Maasai Mara and Samburu Wildlife Safari is an exciting Kenya wildlife safari combining two of the country’s most distinctive wildlife destinations. Your journey begins in Nairobi before taking you to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you can enjoy extensive game drives across open savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs and other wildlife. You then travel north to the remarkable Samburu National Reserve, a semi-arid wilderness known for its unique landscapes and specialised wildlife, including the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. The safari combines Big Five game viewing, scenic landscapes, cultural encounters and professional safari guiding, giving you a varied and memorable Kenya safari holiday with Silverback Tour.
Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Your 7 Days Maasai Mara and Samburu Safari begins with collection from your hotel, residence or agreed arrival point in Nairobi. You depart the capital and travel towards the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and rural Kenyan countryside along the way. After arriving in the Mara region, you have lunch at your accommodation before preparing for your first afternoon game drive. The Maasai Mara is renowned for its rich wildlife, with opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. Your professional safari guide will take you through suitable wildlife areas while explaining the ecosystem and helping you identify different species. After the afternoon game drive, you return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Full-Day Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, you set out for a full-day game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, giving you extensive time to explore its open grasslands and diverse wildlife habitats. The morning drive provides opportunities to search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. Your experienced guide will select suitable routes based on wildlife activity, weather conditions and your interests. You can enjoy a packed lunch in a designated area or return to the lodge for lunch, depending on the day’s programme. In the afternoon, you continue exploring the Mara ecosystem, with opportunities to observe antelopes, hyenas, hippos and a variety of bird species. After a rewarding day in the wilderness, you return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Maasai Mara to Samburu National Reserve
You enjoy an early breakfast before beginning the long but scenic journey from the Maasai Mara towards Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya. The route takes you across changing landscapes, rural communities and agricultural areas before gradually entering the drier environments of northern Kenya. After arrival in the Samburu region, you have lunch at your lodge and settle in before an optional short afternoon game drive, depending on arrival time. Samburu offers a very different landscape from the Maasai Mara, with dry savannah, rocky hills, acacia vegetation and the Ewaso Ng’iro River supporting wildlife. The reserve is particularly interesting for its specialised northern species, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. You return to your accommodation for dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the unique atmosphere of northern Kenya.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Full-Day Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, you spend a full day exploring Samburu National Reserve through morning and afternoon game drives. The reserve’s varied terrain provides opportunities to observe elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos and numerous antelope species. One of the highlights of Samburu is the opportunity to search for the northern speciality species, sometimes referred to as the Samburu Special Five, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Your guide will explain the ecology of the region and help you understand how wildlife adapts to the semi-arid environment. After lunch, you continue with an afternoon game drive along the river and through other wildlife-rich areas. You return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation after a full day of northern Kenya wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Samburu Wildlife and Samburu Cultural Experience
Your day begins with an early morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve, providing another opportunity to observe wildlife while temperatures are cooler and animals may be active. You can search for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks and other wildlife. After returning to your accommodation for breakfast, you have time to relax before enjoying a cultural experience with the local Samburu community. Depending on the agreed programme, the visit can introduce you to traditional Samburu clothing, music, dance, crafts, livestock keeping and community life. The experience offers a chance to learn more about the cultural heritage of northern Kenya while interacting respectfully with local community members. After the cultural experience, you return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or enjoying an optional activity before dinner.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Samburu to Nairobi
After breakfast, you depart Samburu and begin your journey back towards Nairobi, enjoying views of the changing landscapes of northern and central Kenya. Depending on the confirmed safari programme, you may enjoy a short morning game drive before leaving the reserve, providing one final opportunity to observe Samburu’s wildlife. The journey towards Nairobi passes through rural communities, agricultural areas and changing vegetation, offering a different perspective of Kenya outside its national parks. You have lunch along the way or after reaching Nairobi, depending on the agreed travel schedule. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you check into your hotel and have time to relax after the long journey. The evening is free for you to enjoy dinner and prepare for your departure the following day.
Accommodation: Eka Hotel, Ole Sereni Hotel, Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Departure
Your final day is reserved for departure, bringing your 7 Days Maasai Mara and Samburu Wildlife Safari to an end. After breakfast, you can enjoy some free time at your hotel depending on your flight schedule and agreed departure arrangements. If your flight is later in the day, you may have time to relax, enjoy a final meal or purchase souvenirs before leaving Nairobi. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or another agreed departure point. Your representative will ensure that you arrive in good time for your onward journey. This marks the conclusion of your Kenya wildlife safari after experiencing the open savannah of the Maasai Mara and the distinctive wilderness of Samburu. You depart Kenya with memories of Big Five wildlife encounters, northern speciality species, spectacular landscapes and cultural experiences.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Private safari transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- National reserve entry fees as specified
- Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Samburu cultural experience where included in the confirmed programme
- Bottled drinking water during safari journeys and game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers where applicable
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- Driver-guide allowances
- Safari planning and assistance from Silverback Tour
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Kenya visa and applicable entry requirements
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not included in the confirmed itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Additional meals and drinks outside the stated meal plan
- Photography and video equipment
- Emergency medical expenses or evacuation
- Any increase in park or reserve fees, taxes or government charges introduced after confirmation, where applicable
- Any other service not specifically listed under inclusions.