Luxury Safari Packages in Kenya: Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary (Samburu, Naivasha & Masai Mara)

Luxury Safari Packages in Kenya: Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary (Samburu, Naivasha & Masai Mara)

11/17/2025

Explore Kenya’s most luxurious flying safaris with this in-depth, day-by-day breakdown covering Samburu National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, and the world-famous Masai Mara. Includes lodge details, flights, wildlife highlights, inclusions, exclusions, and expert recommendations.

Luxury Safari Packages in Kenya: Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary (Samburu, Naivasha & Masai Mara)

Kenya is home to some of the most iconic safari landscapes on earth. From the rugged, sun-baked wilderness of Samburu to the soothing blue waters of Lake Naivasha, and finally the sweeping golden plains of the Masai Mara, luxury flying safaris offer a seamless and unforgettable experience.

This guide provides a complete, in-depth, day-by-day itinerary of the luxury safari packages featured in the PDF, covering:

  • 5-Night Intrepid Safari
  • 7-Night Intrepid Safari
  • 5-Night Explorer Safari
  • Lodge descriptions
  • Inclusions, exclusions & optional upgrades

It is fully based on your PDF content.

Heritage Flying Safaris (1)

Internal helpful links:

Flight Timings & Journey Overview

The safari is designed around short, efficient flights between Kenya’s top reserves:

  • Nairobi → Samburu: 1 hour (or 1h15 via Nanyuki)
  • Nairobi → Great Rift Valley Lodge: 23 minutes
  • Rift Valley → Masai Mara: 38 minutes
  • Samburu → Masai Mara: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Masai Mara → Nairobi: 55 minutes

These short hops maximize wildlife time and reduce travel fatigue.

SECTION 1 — 5-NIGHT INTREPID LUXURY SAFARI

This safari is ideal for families and travelers looking for a perfect balance of wildlife, comfort, education, and culture.

DAY 1 — Arrival in Nairobi (Relaxation Day)

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you are met and transferred to the Norfolk Hotel for a relaxing first night.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast.

DAY 2 — Nairobi → Samburu Intrepids (Flight)

Transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Samburu.
Upon landing, check in at Samburu Intrepids, a pioneer in luxury tented accommodation.

Highlights of Samburu Intrepids:

  • Situated along the Uaso Nyiro River
  • Herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra
  • The rare Samburu “Unique Five”:
    • Reticulated giraffe
    • Beisa oryx
    • Gerenuk
    • Somali ostrich
    • Grevy’s zebra
  • Walking safaris
  • Camel rides
  • Cultural activities with Samburu guides

DAY 3 — Full Day in Samburu

Morning and afternoon game drives.
Expect dramatic landscapes of acacia woodland, volcanic outcrops, red rock escarpments, and desert plains stretching toward the Turkana region.

DAY 4 — Fly to Masai Mara • Mara Intrepids

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip and fly to the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Check-in at Mara Intrepids Camp, one of the most strategically located camps in the Mara ecosystem.
Read our full review of this camp → https://www.nadjamtravel.com/blog/mara-intrepids-camp

DAY 5 — Full Day in the Masai Mara

Enjoy a full safari day tracking lions, cheetahs, elephants, leopards, and crocodiles.
The Mara is home to over 1,672 sq km of unspoilt savannah — one of Africa’s richest wildlife regions.

DAY 6 — Sunrise Game Drive + Return Flight to Nairobi

0630 hrs game drive
0830 hrs breakfast
1030 hrs flight to Nairobi

Safari ends, with optional dinner in Nairobi before your international flight.

SECTION 2 — 7-NIGHT INTREPID LUXURY SAFARI .

This itinerary adds Naivasha & Lake Nakuru for travelers wanting variety in landscapes and wildlife.

DAY 1 — Nairobi

Relax at the Norfolk Hotel.

DAY 2 — Fly to Samburu (Buffalo Springs Airstrip)

Lunch at the lodge → afternoon game drive.
Wildlife includes lions, elephants, leopards, and Samburu’s desert antelopes.

DAY 3 — Samburu Full Day Safari

Morning and afternoon activities.
Learn Samburu culture, traditions, and wildlife from expert naturalists.

DAY 4 — Samburu → Nairobi → Lake Naivasha

Fly to Nairobi → connect to Naivasha.
Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha among hippos and birds.

DAY 5 — Lake Nakuru National Park Day Trip

Flamingos, rhinos, lions, and sweeping lakeside scenery.
Return to Great Rift Valley Lodge for lunch and a relaxing afternoon with optional activities:

  • Horseback riding
  • Golf
  • Birding
  • Hiking
  • Nature walks

DAY 6 — Naivasha → Masai Mara (Flight)

Visit Ebony Curio Emporium → lunch → fly to the Mara.
First game drive begins as soon as you land.

Heritage Flying Safaris (1)

DAY 7 — Full Day in the Masai Mara

Game drives across the Talek River region, home to lions from the Big Cat Diaries.

DAY 8 — Fly to Nairobi (End of Safari)

Lunch → flight back to Nairobi → connect to your onward international flight.

SECTION 3 — 5-NIGHT EXPLORER SAFARI (Premium Experience)

This is the most exclusive version, featuring Mara Explorer Camp, known for ultra-luxury tents and riverbank views.

DAY 1 — Nairobi

DAY 2 — Samburu Intrepids

Afternoon game drive along the Uaso Nyiro River.

DAY 3 — Samburu Full Day

Explore volcanic rock outcrops, desert plains, elephants, lions, leopards, and rare antelopes.

DAY 4 — Fly to Masai Mara Explorer Camp

This camp sits on a sweeping bend of the Talek River.
Guests enjoy:

  • Three daily game drives
  • Cultural Maasai village visits
  • River-view luxury tents
  • Private decks

DAY 5 — Full Day in Mara Explorer

Observe elephants, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and a wide array of birdlife.
Return flight to Nairobi in the afternoon.

LODGE PROFILES (DETAILED)

Samburu Intrepids Camp

  • 27 luxury tents
  • Four-poster beds
  • En-suite bathrooms with hot showers
  • Mahogany furnishings
  • Riverbank views
  • Palm-thatched open-air lounges
  • Wildlife: elephants, leopards, lions, Unique Five

Great Rift Valley Lodge (Naivasha)

  • Perched at 7,000 ft for spectacular Rift Valley views
  • Private balconies
  • Fine dining restaurant
  • Golf course
  • Birdwatching & horseback riding
  • Close to Lake Nakuru & Hell’s Gate National Park

Mara Intrepids Camp

  • 30 luxury tents
  • Riverfront dining
  • Swimming pool
  • Suspension bridge wildlife viewing
  • Prime position in Mara’s core game-viewing zone

Mara Explorer Camp

  • Ultra-luxury tents with river views
  • Classic safari styling
  • Large viewing decks
  • Exclusive location near the Great Migration crossings

Heritage Flying Safaris (1)

INCLUSIONS

  • All internal flights
  • All lodge transfers
  • Luxury full board (Samburu, Naivasha, Mara)
  • Game drives in open 4×4 vehicles
  • Professional English-speaking guides
  • Bush meals & sundowners
  • Swimming pools at all lodges
  • Children’s safari & cultural activities

EXCLUSIONS

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks & laundry
  • Travel insurance
  • Balloon safaris
  • Cultural village visits

OPTIONAL UPGRADES

  • Hot air balloon over Masai Mara
  • Samburu/ Maasai cultural village visits
  • Lamu extension (Kipungani Explorer)
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