Pick up from your Nairobi hotel and drive through the scenic Kikuyu farmlands to Aberdare National Park. Enjoy a hot lunch at Aberdare Country Club, then transfer to the iconic Ark Lodge, perched above a floodlit waterhole and salt lick. Modeled after Noah’s Ark, the lodge offers four viewing decks, balconies, and lounges for exceptional wildlife viewing as elephants, buffalo, and other animals come to the waterhole. Dinner and overnight stay at The Ark Lodge.

After breakfast at The Ark Lodge, depart the Aberdare region and head north toward Samburu National Reserve, Kenya’s rugged and scenic northern frontier. The journey takes you through dramatic landscapes and semi-arid savannahs watered by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Samburu is home to unique northern wildlife species found only in this region, including the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich.

Check in at Samburu Sopa Lodge, perched on the hills overlooking acacia woodlands and the river, offering stunning views and excellent wildlife photography opportunities. In the afternoon, enjoy a sunset game drive across the reserve, spotting elephants, lions, and other iconic African wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

Spend a full day exploring the wild and scenic Samburu National Reserve, with morning and afternoon game drives. This semi-arid reserve is home to unique northern species including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich, as well as elephants, lions, and leopards. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting over 350 species, from the lilac-breasted roller and secretary bird to vultures and sunbirds. Return to Samburu Sopa Lodge for lunch, relaxation, and sunset viewing from the lodge’s panoramic hills. Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

After breakfast and a final morning game drive in Samburu, depart south via Nyahururu, home to the stunning Thomson’s Falls, for a lunch stop. Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its flamingo-filled shores, black and white rhinos, and abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, check in at Lion Hill Lodge or similar accommodation. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the lake and across the park’s savannahs, spotting giraffes, zebras, baboons, and predators like lions and leopards. Dinner and overnight stay at Lion Hill Lodge.

After breakfast at Lion Hill Lodge, depart Lake Nakuru and drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley toward the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Arrive in time for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge, your base for the next two nights.

The Maasai Mara is renowned for its abundant wildlife and diverse habitats, with over 450 species of animals recorded. During afternoon game drives, encounter the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos—as well as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, and numerous antelope species. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Spend a full day exploring the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve, renowned for its open savannahs, rolling hills, and extraordinary wildlife. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos—as well as zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and rare African wild dogs. Optional hot air balloon safaris offer a breathtaking aerial perspective of the Mara plains. Return to Mara Sopa Lodge for lunch, dinner, and overnight stay, while soaking in the stunning views and sounds of the African wilderness.

After breakfast at Mara Sopa Lodge, depart the Maasai Mara and drive back to Nairobi, enjoying the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley along the way. Arrive in Nairobi by mid-afternoon and transfer to your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for onward travel.