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Majestic Kenya Safaris

10-Day Grand Kenya Mid-Range Circuit

Starts from

£1,900 pp

Overview

A proper loop. North to Samburu, back down to Ol Pejeta, west into the Rift Valley for Nakuru and Naivasha, then southwest to the Mara and east to Nairobi. You never drive the same road twice and nothing exceeds six hours.

Five areas and they are all different from each other. Semi-desert in the north, conservancy grassland at Ol Pejeta, a soda lake at Nakuru, a freshwater one at Naivasha, and open savanna in the Mara. That variety is what makes ten days worth doing over seven.

Accommodations:

  • Samburu Simba Lodge (Samburu)
  • Sweetwaters Serena Camp (Ol Pejeta)
  • Lake Nakuru Lodge (Lake Nakuru)
  • Kongoni Lodge (Lake Naivasha)
  • Zebra Plains Mara Camp (Masai Mara)

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

    Driving Time: 5-6 hours

    Meals: Lunch & Dinner

    North past Thika and Karatina with Mount Kenya off to the right. Cross the equator at Nanyuki, then the road drops through Isiolo and the country turns to red earth and thorn.

    Lodge by mid-afternoon, sitting right on the Ewaso Nyiro. First drive follows the river. Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and oryx are the ones to look for, none of which occur in the southern parks.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Simba Lodge.

  • Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    The river is the whole reason there is wildlife here. Everything comes to it, and the doum palms along the banks hold leopard through the day.

    Two drives with a break through the middle. Elephant are regular along the water in the afternoon. If nobody in the group is a birder they will be by the end of the day, because Samburu turns up species you get nowhere else in Kenya.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Simba Lodge.

  • Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

    Driving Time: 3 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Morning drive, then back down through Isiolo and Nanyuki to the conservancy. Short leg, so you have the whole afternoon.

    Ol Pejeta holds around 140 black rhino, the biggest population in East Africa. The two remaining northern white rhino live here under armed guard and can be visited. Lion, elephant and buffalo throughout the rest of the property.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

  • Day 4: Full Day in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Rhino first thing while they are still out in the open. White rhino graze in groups on short grass. Black rhino browse alone in thicker stuff and take more finding.

    Chimpanzee sanctuary in the afternoon if the group wants it. They are rescues from central Africa, since chimps have never occurred wild in Kenya. Otherwise a straightforward game drive across the conservancy.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

  • Day 5: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park

    Driving Time: 2-3 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Short drive southwest, dropping off the highlands into the valley. Lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge, which sits inside the park so you are game viewing from the gate onwards.

    Afternoon along the lake edge. Both rhino species here, plus the Rothschild's giraffe introduced in the 1970s and now doing well. Flamingo numbers vary year to year with the water level.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

  • Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

    Driving Time: 1.5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Drive in the park before breakfast, then the shortest leg of the trip down the valley to Naivasha. At Kongoni by lunch with the afternoon free.

    Boat on the lake among the hippo and fish eagles. Crescent Island next door can be walked on foot, no vehicle, with zebra and giraffe grazing a few metres away. There are no predators in this system, which is why it is allowed.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Kongoni Lodge.

  • Day 7: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

    Driving Time: 4-5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Southwest along the valley and over the Mau. Farmland gives way to grazing land over the last stretch and then the Mara opens up.

    Zebra Plains by mid-afternoon with time for a drive. After a week of smaller places the sheer number of animals here is what registers first.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Zebra Plains Mara Camp.

  • Day 8: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Dawn drive for the cats. Lion density in the Mara is among the highest anywhere and prides of fifteen or more are common. Cheetah want open short grass, so that is where you look for them.

    Back for lunch and out again late afternoon. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and the plains herds fill everything in between.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Zebra Plains Mara Camp.

  • Day 9: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Packed lunch and a full day out is the better use of today. It gets you across to the Mara Triangle on the western side, which is quieter and holds good cheetah numbers.

    Balloon flights go at first light and need booking ahead. Village visits run in the afternoon. Last evening drive is usually the guide's choice, back to wherever has been producing.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Zebra Plains Mara Camp.

  • Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi

    Driving Time: 5-6 hours

    Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

    Final drive at first light, breakfast, then east through Narok and up the escarpment.

    Nairobi mid to late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel or the airport.

Accommodation

Accomodation units at samburu simba lodge
Samburu Simba Lodge
Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Views of the national park from the Lake Nakuru Lodge
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Accommodation at Zebra plains
Zebra Plains Mara Camp

Rates

Season2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
Jan - Jun£2,600£2,250£2,050£1,950£1,900
Jul - Dec£3,500£3,100£2,950£2,800£2,750

Includes & Excludes

The most Unforgettable Safari

Stanley Gichuki crafted the journey of dreams. Thanks to our incredible guide, Bonie whose fearless spirit turned every mile into magic.
The Sanks

Tim & Anouchka Sank

Australia

An Unforgettable Solo Adventure

The tour company did everything to be helpfull in picking up from the airport, taking us with their jeep to all the place we visited, and we had very nice game drives.
Mark Davis testimonial of our Kenya safaris

Goort Gelten

Netherlands

Honeymoon Paradise in Kenya

The trip completely exceeded our expectations, even despite it not being ‘peak season’ we were able to tick off Africa’s Big 5 on the very first game drive.
The Harris Testimonial

Cameron Mcdonald

UK

Budget-Friendly Safari Adventure

Budget-friendly safari with incredible wildlife sightings. Knowledgeable guides and comfortable accommodations. Highly satisfied!

Family-Safari-Review (1)

Théo Martin

France

A Luxury Safari Experience

Best safari experience ever! Saw the Big Five, learned about Maasai culture, and enjoyed delicious food. Amazing!

Jennifer Lee Testimonial

Jennifer Lee

Canada

Luxury Honeymoon in the Wild

Our Kenya safari was unforgettable! Expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and incredible wildlife sightings. Highly recommend!

Testimonial by David and Emily Johnson

David and Emily Johnson

United States

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