Mount Kenya-Samburu-Masai Mara A Luxury Itinerary & Cost

Mount Kenya, Samburu, and Masai Mara are three unique and renowned sites in Kenya, each providing distinct wildlife and scenery experiences. Mount Kenya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, ranks as Africa’s second-highest mountain, renowned for its arduous ascents and breathtaking vistas. Samburu National Reserve, situated in northern Kenya, is renowned for its distinctive “Samburu Special Five” (reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and beisa oryx) as well as the vibrant culture of the Samburu people. The Masai Mara National Reserve, located in southwestern Kenya, is famous for its extensive grasslands, the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, and its rich biodiversity, which includes the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo.

This 10-day Mount Kenya, Samburu and Masai Mara program integrates exceptional animal observation in Kenya’s premier natural reserves with a variety of cultural experiences and other activities.

Your Kenyan expedition commences in Nairobi at Giraffe Manor, an exquisite English-style country home distinguished by its resident population of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Following a delightful night, you and your family will go on a scheduled flight to Solio Lodge, a secluded camp featuring only six thatched cabins. It is situated in one of the inaugural private rhino conservancies established in Kenya, which also hosts one of the most successful breeding initiatives for these critically endangered and vulnerable species. This is one of the most accessible game viewing experiences in Africa, with activities that include a day excursion to Aberdare National Park.

Following two nights, your charter plane will transport you to SaSaab Camp’s private airstrip for three days of exceptional wildlife observation, which includes the pursuit of the rare and endemic Samburu Special 5. The key attractions are camel trekking and fly-camping, each offering a unique perspective on the surrounding nature. Sala’s Camp, situated between Samburu and the Masai Mara, exemplifies an exceptional site. During the period from June to September, you will enjoy front-row seats to the most remarkable events of the Great Migration, complemented by the advantages of reduced visitor numbers and enhanced seclusion.

Each of these sites is replete with conservation and community initiatives that benefit the land and its inhabitants. Given the plethora of activities available at each lodge and camp, we recommend allocating a minimum of three nights to each site to optimise your experience.

A Complete 10 Days Mount Kenya, Samburu And Masai Mara

Day 1: Luxury and Giraffes | 1 Nights

One may find themselves in the English countryside, including a stone manor house, were it not for a giraffe or two extending their heads through the window to partake in your breakfast. Welcome to Giraffe Manor, located on the periphery of Nairobi, where a distinctive blend of 19th-century sophistication and rustic African charm coexists alongside an experience including endangered Rothschild’s giraffes.

Giraffe Manor serves as an excellent respite post-flight, facilitating a transition into the rhythms of Kenya. It appeals to both young and older travellers and is an ideal location to explore, time permitting, some of Nairobi’s intriguing attractions, such as the Karen Blixen Museum and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

Days 2-3: Into Rhino Territory | 2 Nights

Following a delightful night at Giraffe Manor, you embark on a scheduled flight to the Nanyuki Airstrip in Laikipia, where you will be transported by a 45-minute 4×4 journey to Solio Lodge. This is among the inaugural private rhino conservancies in Kenya and one of the most successful breeding initiatives for these critically endangered, gentle creatures that trace their lineage back to the era of the dinosaurs.

However, it is not solely the proximity of rhinos that renders Solio Lodge captivating; it also provides effortless game drives featuring a variety of species and breathtaking landscapes surrounding Mount Kenya. Engage in a safari walk, horseback riding, or mountain biking, or return to the 4×4 for a day excursion to Aberdare National Park within the Aberdare mountain range. The Kikuyu see Aberdare as one of the abodes of Ngai or God. The park’s mountains, waterfalls, and streams sustain a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including the black-and-white colobus monkey, golden cats, melanistic servals, and the bongo, an elusive antelope inhabiting the bamboo forest. To safeguard the bongo populations, Aberdare’s lions have been relocated to other national parks, while leopards and wild dogs persist in the area. More than 250 avian species have been observed, including the endangered Aberdare cisticola, Jackson’s francolin, and sparrow hawks.

Solio Lodge features six chalets designed in a sophisticated, contemporary style that harmonises with the surrounding nature. Following an exhilarating bush breakfast, deemed essential at Solio, remarkable wildlife observations, and a delightful dinner, relax by the fireplace in your private sitting room and contemplate the possibilities of the following day.

Days 4-6: Samburu Sunsets Beckon | 3 Nights

Today, you charter a flight to the acclaimed SaSaab Camp, situated on communal property owned by the Samburu tribe. The Samburu region of Kenya is distinctive, and one can also pursue the ‘Samburu Special 5.’ The following creatures are native to the region: Grevy’s zebra, the charming long-necked gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe, the besia oryx, and the Somali ostrich.

SaSaab draws inspiration from the Arabic traders who once engaged in barter along Kenya’s coastlines, embodying a particularly Moroccan ambiance. The Arabian influences in the decor might motivate you to explore an alternative kind of safari transportation: consider observing wildlife while mounted on a camel, accompanied by a knowledgeable Samburu guide. Camel trekking is an exhilarating method to experience Africa’s sights, sounds, and aromas — undoubtedly a must-do on the bucket list.

SaSaab offers various enticing activities: explore Samburu National Park by fly-camping, engage in market shopping, relax while stargazing, and refine your photographic abilities during safari walks.

Days 7-9: A Classic Masai Mara Safari | 3 Nights

The Masai Mara is emblematic of Kenya and the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Mara is an extraordinary habitat that sustains millions of ungulates grazing on its sun-kissed grasses following the rains, making it essential for any serious safari enthusiast. Sala’s Camp serves as an excellent base, situated beside the Sand River under a canopy of shaded trees.

The principle of ‘location, location, location’ applies universally to prime real estate, including at Sala’s. From June to September, this location is ideal for seeing the challenges and successes of the Great Migration. Despite its exceptional accommodation, featuring fully plumbed toilets and Internet connectivity, Sala retains the essence of ‘traditional safari’: anticipate Meru tents, safari showers, and nocturnal conversations over the campfire.

Additionally, do not disregard Sala’s external migration season; informed individuals also consider January, February, and October favourable due to moderate temperatures and rich fauna. After nine days, you may struggle to reintegrate into ‘civilisation’; but, when you bid farewell to Kenya, you will also leave a fragment of your heart in this magnificent region of Africa.

Day 10: Your Time in Kenya Comes to an End

Following a final morning in the Mara, you will be transported to the airstrip to board your charter flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for your subsequent travel.

End of the 10 Days Mount Kenya, Samburu and Masai Mara