9 Days Explore Kenya Safari

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Our 9 day Kenya safari is made for travellers who want superb game viewing and real cultural encounters. You explore the wild north of Samburu, meet rhinos at Ol Pejeta, cruise Lake Naivasha and spend three nights in the famous Maasai Mara. Along the way, you meet the semi-nomadic Samburu and the Maasai, and you drive through rolling landscapes and the Great Rift Valley.

In Samburu, you can look for rare northern species such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Moreover, if you travel between July and September, you may see the great wildebeest migration as the herds cross from the Serengeti into the Maasai Mara.

Trip overview

The safari starts and ends in Nairobi. First, you head north past Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve for two nights. Next, you visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy before driving to Lake Naivasha. Finally, you cross the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, then return to Nairobi for your flight home.

Highlights of this 9 day Kenya safari

The Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
A Samburu village visit to learn about local traditions.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, with its black rhinos, northern white rhinos and chimpanzee sanctuary.
A boat trip on Lake Naivasha and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Game drives in the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves.
A Maasai village visit with traditional performances.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Welcome to Nairobi, often called the safari capital of the world. Your 9 day Kenya safari begins when our guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Then the guide drives you to your hotel.

Nairobi offers a wide range of places to stay, from five-star hotels to simple guesthouses, all in the heart of the city. Once you arrive, you can relax and unwind for the rest of the evening, ready for the safari ahead.

Day 2: Travel to Samburu National Reserve

To begin with, Samburu is a wild, beautiful reserve that is home to many species of wildlife and birds. After an early breakfast, you leave Nairobi and head north to this less-visited corner of Kenya.

The scenic drive takes you along the lower slopes of Mount Kenya and across the equator, where you stop for photos.

You arrive at about lunchtime and rest on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. From here, you enjoy views of the river and wildlife such as elephants and crocodiles.

Later, an evening game drive rewards you with a sunset over Samburu’s rolling savannah, full of wildlife, birds and beautiful plants.

Day 3: Samburu game drives and the Special Five

Today, you enjoy a full day of game drives in search of the Big Five and the Samburu Special Five. These northern species are only found north of the equator. They include Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.

In addition, big cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards live in Samburu all year, along with spotted hyenas.

Also, look out for the reserve’s red elephants, which get their colour from dust-bathing in the red soil. As the sun sets, the clear Samburu skies are perfect for stargazing.

Of course, a visit to Samburu would not be complete without a cultural tour. So, you visit a Samburu village to learn about their history and traditions and enjoy a lively performance.

Day 4: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After breakfast, you leave Samburu and drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Notably, it is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It is also home to the last two northern white rhinos in the world.

Sadly, Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, died in March 2018. Today, only two females remain: Najin, his daughter, and Fatu, his granddaughter.

You arrive at Ol Pejeta around lunchtime and relax before the afternoon’s game viewing. First, you visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, where you learn its history and the rescue stories of the chimps. Then you meet Baraka, the black rhino.

Overall, Ol Pejeta is known for having one of the highest densities of wildlife of any protected area in Kenya.

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Naivasha and boat trip

After breakfast, you leave Ol Pejeta and drive to Lake Naivasha. Eventually, you arrive in the afternoon, check in at the lodge and have lunch.

The highlight of the day is a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, followed by a walking safari on nearby Crescent Island. Both are wonderful experiences. The lake also has an interesting history. In fact, it is linked to the naturalist Joy Adamson, whose book Born Free tells the story of Elsa, a lion cub she raised.

In the evening, look out for giraffes, vervet monkeys, waterbuck, colobus monkeys and, of course, the hippos that are regular visitors.

Day 6: Lake Naivasha to the Maasai Mara

After breakfast, you leave Naivasha for the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s greatest wildlife areas. The scenic drive crosses the Great Rift Valley, which stretches from the Middle East to Mozambique. Along the way, you stop for photos and enjoy views of its steep escarpments.

You arrive in the Mara in the afternoon and check in at the lodge. Then you spend the evening on a slow game drive along the banks of the Mara River.

Day 7: Game drives in the Maasai Mara

After breakfast, you enjoy two game drives in the reserve. First, you head out in the early morning under clear skies to look for some of the more than 80 mammal species found here. With luck, you will see the Big Five up close, along with cheetahs, warthogs and many others.

In the evening, you take another game drive on your way to a Maasai village. There, you meet one of the most welcoming communities in Africa. You can enjoy traditional performances, buy local souvenirs and taste local food.

Day 8: Second day in the Maasai Mara

Today is your second full day in the Mara. The reserve is famous for the Big Five and is widely seen as one of the best wildlife areas in Kenya and East Africa.

This time, you spend the morning and early afternoon at the lodge. You can relax by the pool, enjoy a barbecue or have a drink at the bar. Then, at 4:00 pm, you can join an optional game drive to see more of the Mara’s wildlife and scenery.

Day 9: Maasai Mara to Nairobi and departure

After breakfast, you transfer back to Nairobi. Depending on your flight time, you can have lunch or dinner at the popular Carnivore Restaurant. Finally, you transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home. This marks the end of your 9 day Kenya safari.

Who this safari suits

This trip is ideal if you want a classic Kenya safari with plenty of variety. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families and photographers. Since most activities are game drives, it does not require high fitness. However, the drives can be long, so it helps to be comfortable spending time in a vehicle.

Best time to go

You can enjoy this 9 day Kenya safari all year round. Even so, the dry months from June to October are the most popular. During this time, animals gather near water and the grass is shorter, so wildlife is easier to see. In addition, July to September often brings the wildebeest migration into the Mara. On the other hand, the wetter months offer green scenery, newborn animals and fewer visitors.

Tips for your Kenya safari

Pack light layers. Early mornings can be cool, while afternoons are warm.
Bring a hat and sunscreen. The sun is strong in Samburu and the Mara.
Carry binoculars. They help you spot distant animals and birds.
Use soft luggage. It fits more easily into safari vehicles.
Bring spare batteries. You will take more photos than you expect.
Ask before taking photos. Always ask permission when photographing people.

Learn more and extend your trip

Kenya’s national parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, while the Maasai Mara is run by local county authorities. Park fees change from time to time, so we will confirm the current rates when you enquire. You can also learn more in our guide to Kenya national parks. If you have less time, take a look at our short Maasai Mara wildlife safari.

Every trip with Roots Tours & Travel is tailor-made. Just tell us your dates, group size and interests. Then, we will send you a clear itinerary for free.

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