KENYA // NORTH AND RIFT VALLEY
11 Days Meru, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru, Naivasha and Masai Mara
Kenya’s quiet north and its classic Rift Valley circuit in one trip. Six parks, rhino in three of them, and two nights in the Masai Mara to finish.
11 Days / 10 Nights
DURATION
$1,990
FROM, PER PERSON
Meru, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru, Mara
DESTINATIONS
2 to 6
GROUP SIZE
ABOUT THIS SAFARI
About This 11 Day Kenya Safari
This 11 day Kenya safari covers far more ground than the standard route. It starts in Meru National Park, one of the least visited parks in the country and the place where Joy and George Adamson released Elsa the lioness. From there you head into the dry north to the Samburu National Reserve for the Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
The middle of the trip crosses the equator to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to East Africa’s largest black rhino population and a chimpanzee sanctuary, before two nights at Lake Nakuru. Lake Naivasha brings a boat trip, a walk on Crescent Island and an afternoon in Hell’s Gate, and the final two nights are spent in the Masai Mara.
Every night is in a comfortable mid-range lodge or tented camp, and the pace allows at least one full day in each of the main parks. It is an excellent choice if this is your one big Kenya trip and you want variety rather than a single park.
AT A GLANCE
Trip Summary
| Detail | This safari |
|---|---|
| Price from | USD 1,990 per person |
| Duration | 11 days / 10 nights |
| Safari style | Wildlife, Birding and Rhino |
| Countries | Kenya |
| Parks visited | Meru, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and the Masai Mara |
| Starts | Nairobi |
| Ends | Nairobi |
| Group size | Private departure. Typically 2 to 6 guests per vehicle |
| Best time to go | Jun to Oct and Jan to Feb |
| Difficulty | Easy |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Your Route, Day By Day
| Day | Route | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Meru National Park | Safari camp, Meru | L, D |
| 2 | Full Day in Meru | Safari camp, Meru | B, L, D |
| 3 | Meru to Samburu | Lodge, Samburu | B, L, D |
| 4 | Full Day in Samburu | Lodge, Samburu | B, L, D |
| 5 | Samburu to Ol Pejeta | Tented camp, Ol Pejeta | B, L, D |
| 6 | Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru | Lodge, Lake Nakuru | B, L, D |
| 7 | Full Day at Lake Nakuru | Lodge, Lake Nakuru | B, L, D |
| 8 | Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha | Lodge, Lake Naivasha | B, L, D |
| 9 | Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara | Lodge, Masai Mara | B, L, D |
| 10 | Full Day in the Masai Mara | Lodge, Masai Mara | B, L, D |
| 11 | Masai Mara to Nairobi | Departure | B |
B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner. Accommodation is shown by type and area. We confirm the exact camp or lodge in writing with your quote.
DAY BY DAY
The Full Itinerary
Drive north past Embu to Meru, arriving for lunch. The afternoon game drive looks for lion, buffalo and the hippo and crocodile of the park’s many rivers.
Meals: Lunch and dinner · Overnight: Safari camp, Meru
Morning and afternoon drives through Meru’s palms and riverine forest, including the rhino sanctuary. Birdlife is exceptional, with more than 400 species recorded.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Safari camp, Meru
A short drive to the Samburu National Reserve for lunch and an afternoon drive along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, where elephant come down to drink.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Samburu
An early drive before breakfast, then a full day with a packed lunch looking for the Special Five and the reserve’s lion, leopard and cheetah.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Samburu
Drive south past Mount Kenya to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The afternoon drive looks for black rhino and includes the chimpanzee sanctuary. Night drives can be booked here.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Tented camp, Ol Pejeta
Cross the equator at Nanyuki on the way to Lake Nakuru and an afternoon drive around the lake shore.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Nakuru
A full day in the park for flamingo, pelican, Rothschild’s giraffe and both species of rhino, with the viewpoints at Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Nakuru
Take a boat on Lake Naivasha among the hippo and walk among giraffe and zebra on Crescent Island. The afternoon is spent in Hell’s Gate, on foot or by bicycle.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Naivasha
Drive through Narok to the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch, with an evening game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Masai Mara
A full day on the plains with a picnic lunch, including the Mara River. Balloon flights and a Maasai village visit are optional.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Masai Mara
A final morning drive, then the journey back to Nairobi for a drop at your hotel or the airport.
Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Departure
THE ROUTE
Where This Safari Takes You
Nairobi → Meru → Samburu → Ol Pejeta → Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Masai Mara → Nairobi. Roughly 1,450 km of driving in total.
WHAT IS COVERED
Included and Not Included
Included
- All park, reserve and conservancy fees
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Full board accommodation as specified
- Lake Naivasha boat trip and Crescent Island walk
- Bottled drinking water throughout
- Airport or hotel transfers
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Ol Pejeta night drive
- Balloon flight and village visits
- Tips and gratuities
NO OBLIGATION
Enquire About This Safari
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability and a firm price within 24 hours.
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TAILOR MADE SAFARI
Want to Know More? Talk to Us
Create an unforgettable memory with a customised Kenya or Tanzania safari. Tell us how you like to travel and our safari experts will shape the route around you, with no obligation.
Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com
