6 Days 5 Nights Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Budget Safari

Samburu Nakuru Masai Mara Safari Overview

Explore three very different Kenyan wildlife destinations on this Samburu Nakuru Masai Mara safari from Nairobi. Begin with two nights in Samburu National Reserve, where northern Kenya’s semi-arid landscape supports rare species such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Afterward, continue to Lake Nakuru for rhino and birdlife viewing before finishing with two nights in the Masai Mara.

This is a group-joining budget safari for travelers who want a varied Kenya wildlife experience without the higher cost of a private tour. You travel in a shared customized safari van with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide. The standard package uses practical budget accommodation and includes scheduled game drives, meals listed in the itinerary, bottled drinking water and standard park and reserve fees.

Safari Highlights

• 6 days / 5 nights from Nairobi
• 2 nights in Samburu
• 1 night in Nakuru
• 2 nights in the Masai Mara
• Afternoon and full-day Samburu game drives
• Opportunities to see the Samburu Special Five
• Lake Nakuru rhino-viewing opportunities
• Afternoon Masai Mara game drive
• Full-day Masai Mara safari
• Shared customized pop-up-roof safari van
• Maximum 7 safari guests per vehicle
• Budget camps, lodges and hotel accommodation
• Standard park and reserve fees included
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Nairobi pickup and drop-off
• Kenyan Citizen, Resident and Non-Resident rates available
• Private safari and 4×4 Land Cruiser upgrades available

Safari at a Glance

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Destinations: Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
Start & End: Nairobi
Safari Style: Group-Joining Budget Safari
Transport: Shared customized pop-up-roof safari van
Maximum Group Size: 7 safari guests per vehicle
Samburu: 2 Nights
Lake Nakuru: 1 Night
Masai Mara: 2 Nights
Accommodation: Budget lodge/camp + hotel + permanent tented camp
Meals: As listed in the itinerary
Park & Reserve Fees: Included for the standard itinerary
Non-Resident Price: From USD 950 pp
Kenyan Citizen Price: From KES 62,500 pp
Private Safari: Available on request
4×4 Land Cruiser: Available as an upgrade

Safari Route

Nairobi → Samburu National Reserve → Lake Nakuru National Park → Masai Mara National Reserve → Nairobi

Starting in Samburu creates a natural progression from northern Kenya’s dry-country wildlife through the Great Rift Valley and finally into the open savannah of the Masai Mara. The route also makes the Mara the final major safari experience before returning to Nairobi.

Why Choose This 6 Day Safari?

This itinerary offers more ecological variety than a safari focused only on southern Kenya. Samburu introduces wildlife rarely seen in the Masai Mara, while Lake Nakuru adds one of Kenya’s strongest rhino-viewing environments. The final two nights then provide the classic Masai Mara experience of big cats, elephants and open savannah.

Because transport and guide costs are shared with other travelers, the package remains more affordable than a private safari. At the same time, the itinerary gives each major destination enough time to provide a meaningful wildlife experience.

Wildlife Experience

Samburu is particularly known for the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles and many bird species also occur in the wider ecosystem, especially around the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Lake Nakuru provides opportunities to see black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras and varied birdlife. Flamingos may also occur along the shoreline, although their numbers change with water and feeding conditions.

The Masai Mara offers opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and other plains wildlife. Migration herds may enter the reserve at certain times of year, although specific herd locations and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Accommodation

The standard package uses practical budget accommodation selected for value and convenient access to the safari route.

Samburu – Camel’s Gate Lodge or Similar

Spend two nights at Camel’s Gate Lodge or a comparable budget property serving the Samburu area. The accommodation provides a practical base for the arrival game drive and full-day safari while keeping the overall package affordable.

Lake Nakuru – Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort or Similar

Spend one night at Buraha Zenoni or a comparable value hotel in Nakuru. Staying outside the national park helps control accommodation costs while providing convenient access for the scheduled wildlife experience.

Masai Mara – Miti Mingi Eco Camp or Similar

Spend two nights at Miti Mingi Eco Camp or a comparable permanent budget tented camp near the Masai Mara. The tents provide proper beds and essential facilities, so guests don’t need to pitch their own ground tents.

Tunza Tours will confirm the exact accommodation before payment. If a preferred property isn’t available, we’ll propose a comparable budget alternative and explain any meaningful differences in standard or price.

Transportation

The standard package uses a shared customized safari van with a pop-up roof for road transfers and wildlife viewing. Tunza Tours should limit each vehicle to a maximum of seven safari guests so travelers have reasonable access to the viewing roof.

Because this is a group-joining safari, you share the vehicle, guide and daily schedule with other travelers. Therefore, departure times, comfort stops and game-drive arrangements offer less flexibility than on a private safari.

Travelers who prefer exclusive vehicle use can request a private safari or upgrade to a customized 4×4 Land Cruiser.

Samburu Nakuru Masai Mara Safari Price

From USD 950 Per Person Sharing

The lowest advertised price applies to selected low-season confirmed group departures using the shared safari van and standard budget accommodation described on this page.

Solo travelers and couples can join an existing confirmed departure, so you don’t need to bring a complete group. A single-room supplement may apply where private accommodation is required.

Non-Resident Group-Joining Rates

The higher July–December rates mainly reflect increased Masai Mara reserve fees together with seasonal accommodation demand.

Kenyan Citizen Rates

Eligible residents should request a separate quotation because resident conservation rates differ from Kenyan citizen rates. Valid identification or residency documentation is required for the applicable rate category.

What Your Quotation Will Confirm

Before payment, Tunza Tours will confirm the departure date, accommodation, room arrangement, safari vehicle, applicable conservation fees, meals and complete safari price. Child rates will depend on age, accommodation arrangements and the relevant park or reserve fee category.

Optional Activities and Upgrades

Masai Mara Hot-Air Balloon Safari

Add a sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara at additional cost. We recommend booking during high-demand travel periods.

Samburu Cultural Experience

We can arrange a community visit during the Samburu section at an additional cost, subject to the group schedule.

Maasai Cultural Experience

We can arrange a Maasai community visit during the Masai Mara section at an additional cost.

Private Safari or 4×4 Land Cruiser Upgrade

Travelers who want exclusive vehicle use and more flexibility can request a private 4×4 Land Cruiser. Pricing depends on the number of travelers and travel dates.

Accommodation Upgrade

Mid-range or higher-standard accommodation can be quoted separately while keeping the same six-day route.

Best Time to Travel

This safari operates throughout the year. January to March generally offers warm, relatively dry conditions across the three destinations, while April and May bring greener landscapes, fewer visitors, and the lowest starting rates.

July to October is the busiest period in the Masai Mara and overlaps with the broader Great Migration season. However, accommodation demand and Mara reserve fees also rise considerably during this period. November and early December can provide greener scenery and fewer peak-season visitors.

Samburu is rewarding throughout much of the year because its dry-country wildlife differs from the Mara. Meanwhile, flamingo numbers at Lake Nakuru and migration movements in the Mara depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

What to Carry

• Passport or valid identification
• Residency documents when using a resident rate
• Soft-sided travel bag
• Small day bag
• Lightweight safari clothing
• Warm jacket or fleece
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Camera or smartphone
• Binoculars if available
• Power bank
• Personal medication
• Reusable water bottle
• Travel insurance information
• Light rain jacket during wetter months

Good to Know Before Booking

This is a group-joining budget safari, so you’ll share the safari vehicle and daily schedule with other travelers. As a result, departure times, comfort stops and game-drive arrangements offer less flexibility than on a private safari.

The package also includes several long road transfers. Nairobi to Samburu and Samburu to Lake Nakuru are particularly long travel days, although the changing landscapes form part of the overland safari experience.

The accommodation is value-focused rather than luxurious. However, the standard package includes proper accommodation, so travelers don’t need to bring camping equipment.

Booking and Payment

To check availability, provide your preferred travel date, number of adults, children’s ages, nationality or residency category, and room requirements. Tunza Tours will confirm the available departure, accommodation, conservation fees and complete safari price before payment.

The USD 950 starting rate applies to selected low-season confirmed group departures. Solo travelers and couples can join when seats are available, while child rates depend on age, accommodation arrangements and the applicable conservation-fee category.

After receiving the required deposit, Tunza Tours will provide written confirmation showing the accommodation, meeting point, payment schedule and balance due date.

Cancellation and Changes

Cancellation and amendment conditions depend on the travel dates, confirmed group departure, accommodation and supplier policies. Peak and festive bookings may carry stricter payment and cancellation terms.

Tunza Tours will provide the applicable conditions before payment. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does the Samburu Nakuru Masai Mara safari cost?

Non-resident prices start from approximately USD 950 pp on selected low-season group departures. Peak July–October departures start from approximately USD 1,150 pp.

2. Is this a group or private safari?

The standard package is a group join. Tunza Tours can arrange a private version for an additional fee.

3. How many travelers share the safari van?

The standard vehicle should carry a maximum of seven safari guests.

4. What vehicle is included?

The package uses a shared customized safari van with a pop-up roof. A private 4×4 Land Cruiser is available as an upgrade.

5. Where will we stay?

Preferred budget accommodation includes Camel’s Gate Lodge, Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort and Miti Mingi Eco Camp or comparable alternatives.

6. Are park fees included?

Yes. Standard Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara fees required for the confirmed itinerary are included.

7. How many nights are spent in Samburu?

Two nights, providing an arrival-afternoon game drive and one complete safari day.

8. What is the Samburu Special Five?

The Samburu Special Five are Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.

9. When do we visit Lake Nakuru?

The Lake Nakuru game drive takes place on the afternoon of Day 3.

10. How many nights are spent in the Masai Mara?

Two nights, providing an arrival-afternoon game drive and one full wildlife day.

11. Why isn’t there a Mara game drive on Day 6?

The standard safari leaves after breakfast to avoid another reserve entry and ensure a more predictable arrival in Nairobi.

12. Are Kenyan citizen rates available?

Yes. Kenyan citizen prices start from approximately KES 62,500 pp on selected low-season departures.

13. Can solo travelers join?

Yes, subject to a confirmed group departure and available space. A single-room supplement may apply.

14. Can children join?

Yes. Child pricing depends on age, accommodation arrangements and the relevant conservation-fee category.

15. Can we see the Great Migration?

Migration herds may enter the Masai Mara during parts of the wider migration season, but exact timing, herd locations and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

16. Can the safari be upgraded?

Yes. Tunza Tours can arrange private transport, a 4×4 Land Cruiser, upgraded accommodation, cultural experiences or a Masai Mara balloon safari.

Why Book With Tunza Tours?

This six-day itinerary combines northern Kenya’s distinctive Samburu ecosystem with Lake Nakuru’s rhino habitat and the classic wildlife of the Masai Mara. The route therefore offers considerably more variety than a safari focused on one region.

The revised package also makes key booking information clear before payment: group size, accommodation standard, safari vehicle, seasonal prices, and standard conservation-fee inclusion.

Tunza Tours operates in Kenya under a Tourism Regulatory Authority License.

Check Group Availability

Send Tunza Tours your preferred travel dates, number of travelers, children’s ages, nationality or residency category and room requirements.

The team will confirm available group departures, accommodation, and the complete safari price before payment.

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