Nairobi, Kenya
Two ecosystems that could not be less alike — the Mara grasslands and the arid north — linked by a single short flight.
The contrast is the point. Four nights on the green plains of the Mara, then a 90-minute flight north to red earth, doum palms and a completely different cast of species.
Samburu holds animals that simply do not occur in southern Kenya, so the second half of the trip never feels like more of the same.
| Day | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Nairobi to the Mara | Morning flight to the Mara and an afternoon drive into the reserve. |
| 02 | The reserve | A full day following the big cats, with a packed breakfast in the vehicle. |
| 03 | Conservancy | Transfer to a private conservancy for walking and a first night drive. |
| 04 | Mara at leisure | A flexible day — a long drive, a Maasai village visit, or simply time in camp. |
| 05 | North to Samburu | A direct flight across the Rift to Samburu. The landscape changes completely beneath you. Afternoon drive along the river. |
| 06 | The Ewaso Nyiro | Tracking the northern specialists, and searching the riverine forest for leopard. |
| 07 | Singing wells | A morning with Samburu herders at the singing wells, watering cattle by hand as they have for generations. Afternoon game drive. |
| 08 | Samburu to Nairobi | Final morning drive, then the flight south. Evening in a Nairobi garden hotel. |
| 09 | Departure | Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta for your onward flight. |
Mara reserve camp
Classic tented camp on the river.
2 nights
Mara conservancy camp
Walking and night drives.
2 nights
Samburu river camp
Tents facing the Ewaso Nyiro.
3 nights
Nairobi garden hotel
A real bed before the long flight home.
1 night
Included
Not included
June to October is strongest for both. December to March also works well.
Signature
Six nights split between the national reserve and a private conservancy, with a balloon flight and guiding of a standard that spoils you for anywhere else.
From
USD 6,850
pp
KES 245,000 residents
Signature
A short, concentrated trip built entirely around big tusker elephants and the mountain behind them.
From
USD 3,450
pp
KES 98,000 residents
Signature
Four nights of big cats followed by four on the Indian Ocean, joined by a direct flight that skips Nairobi entirely.
From
USD 6,200
pp
KES 210,000 residents
No obligation
Leave a number and a specialist will ring you back — usually the same day.