8-Day Kenya Safari

Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Masai Mara

Experience a breathtaking 8-day Kenya safari through Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, and the Masai Mara. Discover the “Special Five,” rhino sanctuaries, and the Big Five.

If you have been dreaming of witnessing the raw power of nature, this 8-Day Kenya Safari is the definitive way to do it. This isn’t just a vacation; it’s a soul-stirring journey through the heart of the Great Rift Valley, the arid north, and the legendary plains of the Mara.

PEAK SEASON

JULY – OCT

IDEAL TRIP LENGTH

8 DAYS

Trip Highlights

The Northern Special Five: Track the rare Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk found only in Samburu.
Ewaso Nyiro River: Watch massive elephant herds gather at the water’s edge in a dramatic desert landscape.
Rhino Sanctuary: Get a rare, up-close look at protected black and white rhinos in the Nakuru woodlands.
Crescent Island Walk: Experience a “walking safari” among giraffes and zebras on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
Boating Among Hippos: Glide past pods of snorting hippos on the freshwater expanse of Naivasha.

The Big Five: Spend three full nights in the Masai Mara, the undisputed king of wildlife sightings.
Great Migration Crossings: (Seasonal) Witness the thunderous drama of wildebeest braving the Mara River.
Maasai Cultural Exchange: Visit a traditional village to learn the ancient customs of the Maasai people.

8-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary

Days 1–2: The Rugged Allure of Samburu

Your 8-Day Kenya Safari begins with a drive north, crossing the equator into the semi-arid wilderness of Samburu. Unlike the lush greens of the south, Samburu is a landscape of ochre earth and doum palms.

Spending two nights here is crucial. It allows you to slow down and find the “Special Five”—animals unique to this latitude. You’ll see the reticulated giraffe, with its crisp, liver-colored geometric patterns, and the gerenuk, an antelope that stands on its hind legs to reach acacia leaves. The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeblood of this park; sitting by its banks at dusk as elephants cross the water is a memory that will stay with you forever.
Day 3: The Sanctuary of Lake Nakuru

Leaving the arid north, you’ll descend into the Great Rift Valley. Your next stop is Lake Nakuru, a park that feels like a lush, hidden emerald. While famous for its birdlife, Nakuru is one of the best places in East Africa to see the white rhino.

The park is compact, which means the wildlife density is staggering. In a single afternoon game drive, it is common to see prides of lions, climbing leopards, and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. As the sun sets, the lake’s edge often shimmers with a fringe of pink—the legendary flamingos returning to feed in the alkaline waters.
Day 4: Serenity at Lake Naivasha

Just a short drive away lies Lake Naivasha, a freshwater haven that offers a different pace. On this stage of your 8-Day Kenya Safari, we trade the 4×4 for a boat.

A boat safari here brings you startlingly close to pods of hippos and soaring African fish eagles. Afterward, a walk on Crescent Island is a must. Because there are no predators on the island, you can literally walk among giraffes, waterbucks, and zebras. It is one of the few places on earth where you can feel the grass crunch under your boots while a giraffe grazes just twenty feet away.
Days 5–7: The Grand Finale in Masai Mara

We save the best for last. While many tours only offer two nights in the Mara, this 8-Day Kenya Safari dedicates three full nights to this iconic reserve. Why? Because the Mara is too vast and too spectacular to rush.

The Masai Mara is the stage for the Great Migration, but even outside of the migration months, it is teeming with life. With three nights, you have the flexibility to explore different sectors of the park—from the Mara River, where crocodiles lie in wait, to the Musiara Marsh, famous for its big cat sightings.
Day 8: Farewell to the Savannah

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Trip Highlights

Each journey is tailored to your specific needs and desires, and so our prices vary depending on the number of people
traveling, level of accommodations desired, and activities included, among other factors.

Our travel designers will curate a journey specifically for you. If you have a budget you want us to work with, please let
us know, and we will do our best to achieve it.