8 Days 7 Nights Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Private Safari

8 Day Kenya Private Safari Overview

Explore four contrasting Kenya safari destinations on this 8-day Kenya private safari from Nairobi. Begin with two nights in Samburu National Reserve, where northern Kenya’s dry landscapes support rare wildlife such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. From there, continue to Lake Nakuru for rhinos and Rift Valley scenery, enjoy a boat safari and guided nature walk at Lake Naivasha, then finish with three nights in the Masai Mara.

This is a private mid-range safari with a customized 4×4 Land Cruiser reserved exclusively for your traveling party. The standard package includes seven nights of selected lodge and tented-camp accommodation, scheduled private game drives, standard park fees, a Lake Naivasha boat safari, Crescent Island guided walk and meals listed in the itinerary.

The route is especially suitable for couples, families, photographers and first-time visitors who want both northern and southern Kenya wildlife experiences without adding internal flights or unnecessary destinations.

Safari Highlights

• 8 days / 7 nights from Nairobi
• 2 nights in Samburu
• 1 night at Lake Nakuru
• 1 night at Lake Naivasha
• 3 nights in the Masai Mara
• Private customized 4×4 Land Cruiser
• Samburu afternoon and full-day game drives
• Opportunities to see the Samburu Special Five
• Lake Nakuru rhino and birdlife viewing
• Lake Naivasha boat safari
• Crescent Island guided nature walk
• Masai Mara afternoon game drive
• Two full-day Masai Mara game drives
• Selected mid-range lodges and tented camps
• Standard park and reserve fees included
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Bottled drinking water
• Nairobi pickup and drop-off
• Kenyan Citizen, Resident and Non-Resident rates available
• Luxury and activity upgrades available

Safari at a Glance

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Destinations: Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara
Start & End: Nairobi
Safari Style: Private Mid-Range Safari
Vehicle: Private customized 4×4 Land Cruiser
Samburu: 2 Nights
Lake Nakuru: 1 Night
Lake Naivasha: 1 Night
Masai Mara: 3 Nights
Accommodation: Mid-range lodges and tented camps
Meals: As listed in the itinerary
Naivasha Activities: Boat safari + Crescent Island guided walk
Park Fees: Included for the standard itinerary
Starting Price: From USD 1,950 pp sharing
Price Basis: 6–7 guests on selected low-season departures
Kenyan Citizen Rate: From KES 169,500 pp sharing
Private Safari: Yes
Customization: Available before confirmation

Safari Route

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

The route starts in northern Kenya, then gradually moves south through the Great Rift Valley and into the Masai Mara. This creates a practical overland journey and avoids the long Naivasha-to-Samburu transfer used by some competing itineraries.

Each major wildlife area also has enough time to feel worthwhile: two nights in Samburu, an afternoon wildlife experience at Lake Nakuru, a dedicated Naivasha activity day and three nights in the Masai Mara.

Why Choose This 8 Day Safari?

This itinerary combines wildlife you can’t easily find on a standard southern Kenya circuit. Samburu introduces the Special Five and northern Kenya’s semi-arid landscapes, while Lake Nakuru adds important rhino habitat. Lake Naivasha then changes the pace with boat and walking experiences before the journey finishes with extended wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara.

Because the Land Cruiser remains exclusively with your party, you have more flexibility over photography stops, comfort breaks and game-drive pacing than travelers on a group-joining safari.

Wildlife Experience

Samburu is known for species adapted to northern Kenya, particularly Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and crocodiles may also be encountered around the reserve and Ewaso Nyiro River.

Lake Nakuru provides opportunities to see both black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks and varied birdlife. Flamingos may occur along the lakeshore, although their numbers vary with lake conditions.

The Masai Mara then provides classic savannah wildlife viewing, including opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and hyenas. During parts of the year, migration herds may enter the Mara ecosystem, although exact herd positions and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Accommodation

The standard package uses selected mid-range accommodation with en-suite rooms or safari tents.

Samburu – Samburu Sopa Lodge or Similar

Spend two nights at Samburu Sopa Lodge or a comparable mid-range property serving the Samburu ecosystem. The lodge provides comfortable en-suite accommodation and a convenient base for the afternoon and full-day wildlife experiences.

Lake Nakuru – Lake Nakuru Lodge or Similar

Spend one night at Lake Nakuru Lodge or a comparable mid-range safari property. The location provides convenient access to Lake Nakuru National Park and a comfortable overnight after the afternoon game drive.

Lake Naivasha – Naivasha Crescent Camp or Similar

Spend one night at Naivasha Crescent Camp or a comparable mid-range property near Lake Naivasha. The stay provides a practical base for the included boat safari and guided nature walk on Crescent Island.

Masai Mara – Mara Sopa Lodge or Similar

Spend three nights at Mara Sopa Lodge or a comparable mid-range lodge or tented camp in the Masai Mara area. The longer stay supports an afternoon arrival drive followed by two full private safari days.

Tunza Tours will confirm the exact properties before payment. If a preferred property is unavailable, the team will propose a comparable mid-range alternative and explain any material difference in standard or price before confirmation.

Transportation

The standard safari includes a private customized 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for the entire eight-day journey.

The vehicle remains exclusively with your traveling party, while your professional driver-guide handles both road transfers and game drives. The Land Cruiser provides good ground clearance and wildlife visibility across Samburu, the Rift Valley and Masai Mara road conditions.

Soft-sided luggage is recommended because storage space remains limited, especially when six or seven guests share one vehicle.

8 Day Kenya Private Safari Price

From USD 1,950 Per Person Sharing

The lowest advertised price applies when 6–7 guests travel together in one private 4×4 Land Cruiser on selected low-season dates.

Smaller private groups pay a higher per-person rate because fewer travelers share the vehicle, fuel and driver-guide costs.

Non-Resident Private Safari Rates

Low Season: April–May
Regular Season: January–March & June
Peak Season: July–October
Christmas & New Year: On Request

Rates are per person sharing accommodation. Final pricing depends on exact dates, confirmed properties, room arrangements and traveler category.

Kenyan Citizen Rates

Kenyan citizen rates start from:

From KES 169,500 per person sharing

for 6–7 travelers on selected low-season dates.

Eligible residents, please request a separate quotation, as park and accommodation rates may differ from Kenyan citizen pricing. Smaller private groups also receive higher per-person rates because fewer guests share the Land Cruiser costs.

What Your Quotation Will Confirm

Before payment, Tunza Tours will confirm the exact accommodation, room arrangements, private Land Cruiser, applicable park fees, Lake Naivasha activities, meals and complete safari price.

Optional Activities and Upgrades

Masai Mara Hot-Air Balloon Safari

Add a sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara at additional cost. Advance booking is recommended during peak and migration periods.

Maasai Cultural Experience

A community visit can be arranged during the Masai Mara section at additional cost and according to your preferred schedule.

Samburu Cultural Experience

A Samburu community visit can be arranged during the northern Kenya section for travelers who want to learn more about local culture and traditions.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate can be added during the Lake Naivasha stay. However, we recommend an additional night if you want cycling or a longer park visit without making Day 4 unnecessarily busy.

Accommodation Upgrade

Higher-end properties such as Ashnil Samburu, Samburu Intrepids, Sarova Lion Hill, Lake Naivasha Sopa and premium Masai Mara camps can be quoted separately.

Masai Mara Fly-Out

A scheduled flight from the Masai Mara to Nairobi can replace the final road transfer at additional cost.

Best Time to Travel

This safari operates throughout the year. January to March generally brings warm, relatively dry conditions, while April and May offer greener scenery, fewer visitors, and the lowest starting prices.

July to October attracts the strongest demand in the Masai Mara and overlaps with the broader Great Migration season. However, Mara reserve fees and accommodation rates are also considerably higher during this period. November and early December can provide greener landscapes and fewer peak-season crowds.

Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha remain rewarding throughout the year. Wildlife movements, flamingo numbers and migration river crossings 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 private safari, so the Land Cruiser remains exclusively with your traveling party. However, park regulations, weather, road conditions and wildlife movements still influence the final game-drive routes and timings.

The itinerary includes several road transfers because it combines northern Kenya with the Masai Mara. Samburu to Lake Nakuru is the longest transfer section after the initial Nairobi–Samburu journey, while Lake Nakuru to Naivasha is deliberately short and provides a more relaxed day.

The Lake Naivasha boat safari and Crescent Island walk form part of the standard package. Hell’s Gate remains optional so that the itinerary does not become unnecessarily crowded.

Booking and Payment

To receive an accurate quotation, provide your preferred travel dates, number of adults, children’s ages, nationality or residency category and room preference.

Because this is a private safari, the number of travelers directly affects the per-person rate. The USD 1,950 starting price applies to 6–7 guests traveling together on selected low-season dates and is not the normal two-person rate.

Before payment, Tunza Tours will confirm the accommodation, room arrangement, private Land Cruiser, applicable park fees, Naivasha activities and complete safari price in writing.

Cancellation and Changes

Cancellation and amendment conditions depend on your travel dates, confirmed accommodation and supplier policies. Peak, migration and festive bookings may have stricter deposit and cancellation requirements.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does the 8-day Kenya private safari cost?

Rates start from USD 1,950 per person sharing for 6–7 travelers on selected low-season dates. A two-person private safari starts from approximately USD 2,550 per person.

2. Is this safari private?

Yes. Your traveling party has exclusive use of a customized 4×4 Land Cruiser.

3. What accommodation is included?

The standard package uses selected mid-range properties such as Samburu Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Naivasha Crescent Camp and Mara Sopa Lodge or comparable alternatives.

4. Are park fees included?

Yes. Standard reserve and park fees required for the confirmed itinerary are included.

5. How many nights are spent in Samburu?

Two nights, allowing an arrival-afternoon game drive and one full safari day.

6. What is the Samburu Special Five?

They are Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, species strongly associated with northern Kenya.

7. Is there a Samburu game drive on Day 3?

The standard itinerary leaves after breakfast without a dedicated Day 3 game drive, keeping the transfer to Lake Nakuru practical.

8. When do we visit Lake Nakuru?

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

9. Is the Lake Naivasha boat safari included?

Yes. The standard package includes the boat safari and a guided nature walk on Crescent Island.

10. Is Hell’s Gate included?

No. Hell’s Gate is optional so the Lake Naivasha day remains comfortably paced.

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

Three nights, providing an arrival-afternoon drive and two complete private safari days.

12. Is there a Mara game drive on Day 8?

No. The standard package leaves after breakfast to avoid an additional reserve entry and ensure a more reliable arrival in Nairobi.

13. Are Kenyan citizen rates available?

Yes. Rates start from approximately KES 169,500 pp for 6–7 travelers on selected low-season dates.

14. Can children join?

Yes. Child rates depend on age, room arrangements and the relevant park or reserve fee category.

15. Can solo travelers book?

Yes. However, solo pricing is higher because one traveler carries the private vehicle and single-room costs.

16. Can we see the Great Migration?

Seasonal migration activity may occur in the Masai Mara, particularly from July to October, but we can’t guarantee exact herd locations or river crossings.

17. Can we add a balloon safari?

Yes. We can arrange a Masai Mara hot-air balloon safari at an additional cost.

18. Can we upgrade the safari?

Yes. Tunza Tours can arrange higher-end accommodation, cultural experiences, Hell’s Gate, balloon safaris, or a fly-out from the Masai Mara.

Why Book With Tunza Tours?

This itinerary combines northern Kenya’s Samburu ecosystem with the Rift Valley lakes and an extended Masai Mara stay in one practical private journey. Two nights in Samburu provide enough time to search for the Special Five, while three nights in the Mara give travelers considerably more wildlife time than shorter circuits.

The revised package also clarifies key booking details before payment: accommodation level, private Land Cruiser, Naivasha activities, park-fee inclusion, seasonal pricing, and the group-size basis of the advertised starting price.

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

Request Your Private Safari Quote

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

We’ll confirm your private Land Cruiser, accommodation, park fees, activities, and the correct group-size price before payment.

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