6-Day Kenya Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari

Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.

6 day Kenya Samburu safari: quick answer

This 6 day Kenya Samburu safari links three very different wildlife areas: Samburu National Reserve in the dry north, Lake Nakuru National Park in the Rift Valley and the Masai Mara plains in the south-west. It suits travellers who want more than the Mara alone and are happy to spend some days on the road. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the route is customisable.

Day-by-day route of the 6 day Kenya Samburu safari

Day 1: drive from Nairobi to Samburu, about 5 to 6 hours, crossing the equator and passing Mount Kenya. Day 2: game drives along the Ewaso Nyiro River, looking for the Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. A Samburu community visit is optional. Day 3: travel south via Nyahururu, with a stop at Thomson’s Falls, to Lake Nakuru. Day 4: an early drive to the Masai Mara. Day 5: a full day on game drives across the reserve. Day 6: return to Nairobi by road.

What to expect on this safari

The landscape changes from semi-arid scrub and river forest at Samburu to lake shore and woodland at Nakuru, then open grassland in the Mara. Some drives are long, so we plan early starts and comfort stops. Your driver-guide follows the best sightings and shares radio updates with other guides.

What is included

Included are a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, accommodation for 5 nights, meals as specified, bottled drinking water, and park and reserve fees for Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. International flights, Kenya eTA or visa fees, insurance, tips, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities are not included.

How Afraeka plans your Samburu safari

We start with your dates and interests, then choose lodges and camps that match your pace and group. We tell you plainly which days are long drives so there are no surprises. Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a personal quote.

Who this safari suits

Repeat visitors to Kenya, photographers and couples who want northern species that the Mara does not offer, alongside the classic Masai Mara experience.

6 day Kenya Samburu safari FAQ

Which animals are unique to Samburu?

The Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk.

How long is the drive to Samburu?

About 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi, with the equator crossing on the way.

Are park fees included?

Yes, for Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.

Do I need a visa?

Most visitors need a Kenya eTA before travel. Check the official site before you book flights.

The 6 day Kenya Samburu safari in more detail

Days 1 and 2: Nairobi to Samburu

The safari begins with a drive north from Nairobi, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. On the way you cross the equator and pass Mount Kenya, so it is worth keeping your camera handy. You arrive at Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon game drive, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

The whole of day 2 is spent in Samburu. Game drives follow the Ewaso Nyiro River, the lifeline of this dry northern landscape, where animals come to drink. This is where you look for the Samburu Special Five: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. Elephants and big cats are also seen here. There is an optional visit to a Samburu community if you would like to add a cultural stop. As on every safari, sightings depend on luck and conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru

Day 3 is a travel day. You drive southwest via Nyahururu and stop at Thomson’s Falls before continuing to Lake Nakuru. There is an afternoon game drive in the park on arrival, and you spend the night near Nakuru. The change in scenery is part of the appeal of this 6 day Kenya Samburu safari: you leave the dry north behind and enter the green Rift Valley.

Days 4 and 5: Nakuru and the Masai Mara

On day 4 you start with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, which is known for rhinos and birdlife. After the drive you travel to the Masai Mara, arriving in time for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5 is a full day of game drives across the Mara plains, with a picnic lunch in the bush so you do not have to return to camp in the middle of the day. The Mara is the classic Kenyan big-cat destination. Many travellers choose it as the final highlight after seeing the less common northern species in Samburu.

Day 6: return to Nairobi

After breakfast you drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon. If you are catching an international flight the same evening, tell us when you enquire so we can plan the timing of the drive.

Pace and comfort

This route covers a lot of ground, so you spend a good part of days 1, 3, 4 and 6 on the road. Your driver-guide plans comfort stops, and you travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle that is also used for the game drives. Because the itinerary has three different parks, we recommend it for travellers who enjoy variety and do not mind travelling between regions. If you would rather spend longer in one place, we can shorten the route or add nights.

Wildlife and timing

Kenya has good wildlife viewing through the year, and the Great Migration is a feature of the Masai Mara in the second half of the year. Herd movements depend on the rains and cannot be guaranteed, so we plan your safari around the most likely herd position when you tell us your travel dates.

Making it your own

Every Afraeka safari is tailor-made. Tell us your dates, group size, interests and the kind of accommodation you prefer, and we will adjust the pace, lodges and activities, such as the community visit in Samburu, to suit you. You can also add this route to a wider trip with our East Africa multi-country safaris. Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a personal quote.

Related guides and sources

Check entry rules on the official Kenya eTA site and destination information on Magical Kenya. Read our East Africa Tourist Visa guide, browse our Kenya safaris or East Africa multi-country safaris, or request a free quote for this 6 day Kenya Samburu safari.

Before you book the 6 day Kenya Samburu safari

Choose your dates first, then your lodges and camps. Pack light layers for hot days in Samburu and warm clothing for cool Rift Valley and Mara mornings, plus sun protection, a hat, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria prevention well before you travel, and arrange travel and medical insurance that covers safari activities. If you have dietary needs, mobility questions or children travelling, tell us when you enquire.