15 days
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
6 regions
Parks, reserves, lakes, and highlands
3 guests
Per safari vehicle
$10,990
Per person, USD
October 3-17, 2026
Road map itinerary
Follow the journey chronologically from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, with each stop expanded into a richer field-note style blurb and paired with imagery from the region.
01
Saturday, Oct 3
Nairobi arrival
Arrive in Nairobi and meet the King Simba Kenya Tours team for a private transfer to the hotel. The day is intentionally relaxed: rest after the journey, settle into the pace of Kenya, or head out for a light taste of Nairobi and local cuisine if your arrival time allows.
The Boma Hotel Nairobi02
Sunday, Oct 4
Nairobi National Park
After breakfast, spend the morning on a half-day game drive in Nairobi National Park, a rare wildlife reserve set against the city skyline. Look for endangered black rhino, lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, gazelle, and abundant birdlife. Late morning brings a visit to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage to watch feeding and mud-bath time, followed by the Karen Blixen Museum and lunch at Tamambo Restaurant.
The Boma Hotel Nairobi03
Monday, Oct 5
Fly to Amboseli
Begin with an early breakfast, then transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport for the morning flight to Amboseli National Park. On arrival, meet the driver-guides and photograph through the morning game drive en route to the lodge. After lunch, return to the park for an afternoon drive in the open plains beneath Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge04
Tuesday, Oct 6
Amboseli
Head out early while the light is soft and the wildlife is active. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then visit a Maasai village for a cultural encounter and a closer look at local traditions. After lunch, the afternoon is devoted to another Amboseli game drive, with strong chances for elephants, plains wildlife, and mountain-backdrop compositions.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge05
Wednesday, Oct 7
Lake Naivasha
Fly back to Nairobi Wilson Airport and continue by road toward Lake Naivasha, stopping at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for wide landscape photographs. At the lake, take a boat ride across calm water known for hippos and birds such as fish eagles and cormorants. Later, enjoy a walking safari in a predator-free setting, where giraffe, zebra, antelope, and waterbuck can be approached at a gentler pace.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort06
Thursday, Oct 8
Aberdare
After breakfast, travel into the cooler highlands of Aberdare National Park and arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon is slower by design, centered on watching the lodge waterhole as animals drift in and out of view. It is a useful change of rhythm after the open savanna: quieter, greener, and full of patient observation.
Treetops Lodge Aberdare07
Friday, Oct 9
Aberdare to Samburu
Leave Aberdare after breakfast and drive north to Samburu National Reserve, arriving for lunch at the lodge. The afternoon game drive introduces the reserve's arid beauty and unique wildlife, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and the riverine habitats that draw elephant and predators.
Samburu Simba Lodge08
Saturday, Oct 10
Samburu and Buffalo Springs
Spend the morning searching for the Samburu Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, oryx, and Somali ostrich. The drive also offers chances for elephants, leopards, and dry-country birdlife. After lunch at the lodge, continue with an afternoon game drive in Buffalo Springs Reserve.
Samburu Simba Lodge09
Sunday, Oct 11
Samburu
Begin with an early morning game drive, timed for predators while they are most active. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed late morning, then gather again after lunch for an evening drive through Samburu's river corridors, open scrub, and golden light.
Samburu Simba Lodge10
Monday, Oct 12
Fly to Maasai Mara
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Samburu airstrip for the morning flight to the Maasai Mara. On arrival, meet the driver-guides and transfer to the lodge in time for lunch. The evening game drive begins the Mara portion of the safari, with its broad plains, big cats, and classic East African light.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge11
Tuesday, Oct 13
Maasai Mara
Start with an early game drive, or choose the optional hot air balloon safari for a sunrise view across the Mara and its wildlife corridors. Return for breakfast, enjoy a quieter mid-morning at the lodge, then head out again in the evening to look for wildlife at close range.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge12
Wednesday, Oct 14
Maasai Mara lodge transfer
Go out early for a morning game drive, then return for breakfast before transferring to Ashnil Mara Camp. Arrive in good time for lunch and a short reset before another evening game drive in the reserve.
Ashnil Mara Camp13
Thursday, Oct 15
Full-day Maasai Mara
Spend a full day in the reserve with a picnic lunch, using the morning light to search for predators and the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. Continue through rolling plains, riverine forests, seasonal rivers, and open country that may hold cheetah, hyena, jackal, antelope, and rich birdlife. This is also the strongest migration-focused day, with the possibility of wildebeest and zebra near the Mara River.
Ashnil Mara Camp14
Friday, Oct 16
Maasai Mara
Make one more early push into the reserve to catch predators while the air is cool and the light is low. Return for breakfast, then enjoy the rest of the morning and early afternoon at camp. The final evening drive gives the group one last chance for close wildlife encounters and golden-hour photographs.
Ashnil Mara Camp15
Saturday, Oct 17
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at camp before the road transfer back to Nairobi. Arrive in time for lunch at Carnivore Restaurant, then continue to the airport for evening departures and the end of the safari services.
Nairobi departureIncluded services
What's covered
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Game drives in 4WD Land Cruisers, with 3 clients per vehicle
- Park entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking driver guides
- Flying Doctors evacuation service insurance within Kenya
- Mineral water throughout the safari
- Professional tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Visas, where applicable
Pricing and booking
Cost and payment schedule
Domestic flights are booked separately by Charles for the group. Kenya domestic flights have a 15 kg luggage limit per person, including carry-ons, so packing light is strongly encouraged.
Per person
$10,990 USD
Single supplement
$2,200 USD
Nairobi / Amboseli / Nairobi flight
$385 USD
Samburu to Maasai Mara flight
$500 USD
20%
Deposit to reserve a spot. Deposits are non-refundable.
40%
Balance due July 1, 2026.
40%
Final balance due August 15, 2026.
Cancellation terms: 150-91 days before the tour, 50% of the tour fee received minus the deposit is refundable. Within 90 days of the tour, all payments are non-refundable. Comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation, is strongly recommended. No partial refunds are provided for unused trip portions.