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The Great Kenya Safari Trail is an epic journey through Kenya’s most diverse and wildlife-rich regions, designed for travelers seeking a complete and immersive African safari experience. This carefully curated route connects Kenya’s iconic national parks and conservancies, delivering exceptional wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and authentic safari adventure from start to finish.
The trail begins in the misty highlands of Aberdare National Park, a unique mountain ecosystem known for its dense forests, waterfalls, and rare wildlife. This region offers a striking contrast to the open savannahs, providing sightings of forest elephants, buffalo, and unique highland species in a cool, scenic setting.
From the highlands, the journey continues north to Samburu National Reserve, a rugged and remote landscape famed for its distinctive wildlife species such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk. Set along the Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu offers dramatic scenery and wildlife experiences found nowhere else in Kenya.
The safari then moves to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of East Africa’s leading conservation success stories. Home to the Big Five and internationally renowned for its rhino conservation programs, Ol Pejeta blends outstanding wildlife viewing with meaningful conservation experiences in a private conservancy setting.
Next, the trail descends into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, celebrated for its flamingos, rich birdlife, and thriving rhino population. The compact park offers rewarding game drives with excellent opportunities to see predators, giraffes, and both black and white rhinos.
The journey reaches its grand finale in the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous safari destination. Vast open plains, abundant wildlife, and iconic big-cat sightings define the Masai Mara. During the migration season, the reserve hosts the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s most spectacular events.
Ending back in Nairobi, The Great Kenya Safari Trail delivers a complete cross-country safari experience—uniting forests, rivers, conservancies, lakes, and savannahs into one unforgettable adventure. It is the ideal choice for travelers who want to see the full breadth of Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes in a single, expertly guided journey.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya (Google Map)
The Great Kenya Safari Trail offers a comprehensive and immersive safari experience, combining Kenya’s most diverse ecosystems with outstanding wildlife viewing and carefully planned travel. This journey is designed for travelers who want depth, variety, and authenticity in a single safari itinerary.
You can expect expertly guided game drives across multiple regions, each with its own distinct character. In the Aberdare highlands, expect cool mountain climates, forested landscapes, waterfalls, and sightings of wildlife adapted to higher elevations. Samburu introduces a strikingly different environment, with arid scenery, dramatic riverbanks, and sightings of endemic northern Kenya species such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.
At Ol Pejeta Conservancy, expect close wildlife encounters in a well-managed private reserve, including strong chances of seeing rhinos and other members of the Big Five. This stop also provides insight into modern conservation efforts and responsible tourism practices.
In the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park delivers rewarding game drives within a compact setting, known for its rich birdlife, thriving rhino population, and scenic viewpoints. The transition from forest and semi-desert to lake and savannah highlights Kenya’s remarkable geographical diversity.
The safari concludes in the Masai Mara National Reserve, where expansive plains, high predator density, and iconic wildlife scenes define the experience. Expect extended game drives, excellent photography opportunities, and, depending on the season, the chance to witness large migratory herds.
Throughout the journey, travel is conducted in a safari vehicle with a professional, English-speaking guide who provides detailed knowledge of wildlife behavior, ecosystems, and local culture. Accommodation is selected for comfort, safety, and location, offering relaxed evenings after full days of exploration.
Overall, expect a well-paced safari that balances adventure, learning, and comfort, delivering a complete Kenyan wildlife experience from start to finish.
Your Kenyan safari adventure begins upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you are warmly welcomed by our professional team and smoothly assisted through immigration and customs. Outside the terminal, meet your dedicated safari driver-guide, who will provide breakfast boxes as you depart for the scenic Aberdares Highlands, a region known for misty forests and rich wildlife.
Arrive at Aberdares Country Club in time for a relaxed lunch before continuing on to the iconic Ark Forest Lodge, set deep within the forest and overlooking wildlife-rich waterholes. After check-in, take time to unwind and enjoy the unique lodge setting before heading out for an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy a guided game drive in Solio Game Reserve, one of East Africa’s most successful private rhino conservation sanctuaries. This exceptional reserve offers outstanding opportunities to see both black and white rhinos, along with giraffes, zebras, antelope, and other plains wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat.
As the day draws to a close, return to The Ark Forest Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, where you can continue observing wildlife from the lodge’s viewing decks as animals gather at the floodlit waterholes.
Accommodation: Ark Forest Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours from Nairobi
After a hearty breakfast at Ark Forest Lodge, set out on an exciting journey toward Samburu National Reserve, a rugged and remote wilderness famous for its unique wildlife and arid landscapes. Along the way, enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting grazing antelope, giraffes, and perhaps your first glimpses of elusive predators against the dramatic Kenyan backdrop.
Arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge, a serene retreat perched on the edge of the reserve, offering stunning views over the Ewaso Nyiro River. After check-in, enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive, exploring the riverine forests, savannah plains, and rocky outcrops of this iconic reserve. Keep an eye out for Samburu’s special wildlife species, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx.
Return to the lodge in the evening to refresh and enjoy dinner, reflecting on your first full day in northern Kenya’s untamed wilderness. Overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge offers the chance to fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush, with wildlife often visible from the lodge’s vantage points.
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: Approximately 4 hours from Aberdares
Wake up to the sights and sounds of the northern Kenya wilderness at Samburu Sopa Lodge. After a delicious breakfast, embark on a full day of game drives through the striking landscapes of Samburu National Reserve, where the rugged terrain meets the Ewaso Nyiro River, creating a rich habitat for unique wildlife.
Samburu is home to several rare and endemic species often not found in southern parks. Look for the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich, alongside elephants, lions, leopards, and abundant plains game. Bird enthusiasts will delight in the variety of riverine and savannah birdlife, making this a paradise for wildlife photography and birdwatching alike.
After a mid-morning rest and refreshments, continue your safari adventure with a lunch picnic in the reserve or back at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive, when the wildlife becomes most active in the cooler hours. Capture unforgettable encounters with predators stalking their prey or herds of elephants moving gracefully across the golden plains.
Return to Samburu Sopa Lodge in the evening to refresh and enjoy dinner, soaking in the serene atmosphere of the African bush. Overnight at the lodge provides another chance to experience the sights and sounds of wildlife under the starry northern Kenya sky.
Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with an early or leisurely breakfast at Samburu Sopa Lodge before setting off on a scenic drive through the lush Kenyan Highlands toward the world-renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Along the way, make a quick stop at the Equator, a fun photo opportunity marking the invisible line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres.
Arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp and check in before enjoying a relaxing lunch. Take a short siesta to recharge for your first safari adventure in this rich wildlife sanctuary.
In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in Ol Pejeta, spotting a spectacular variety of wildlife. See majestic lions, elusive leopards, towering elephants, and powerful buffalo, as well as endangered black and white rhinos. Watch Grevy’s and Burchell’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, and plains game roam freely across the conservancy’s vast landscapes. Capture unforgettable photos as the golden light of late afternoon illuminates the rolling savannah.
Return to Sweetwaters Serena Camp in the evening to refresh, enjoy dinner, and overnight in comfort, listening to the distant calls of wildlife.
Optional Experiences at Ol Pejeta:
Visit the Solio Rhino Sanctuary – USD 50 per person
See the Last Northern White Rhino – USD 100 per person
Explore Ngare Ndare Forest and Canopy Walk – USD 80 per person
Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours from Samburu
After a hearty breakfast at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, a jewel of the Great Rift Valley renowned for its extraordinary wildlife and spectacular scenery. En route, enjoy a game drive, spotting grazing zebras, giraffes, and maybe even elephants as you transition from the open plains of Ol Pejeta to the Rift Valley landscapes.
Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, perched on the edge of the park with breathtaking views over the lake. After check-in and lunch, set out on an afternoon game drive to explore the park’s incredible biodiversity. Lake Nakuru is famous for its endangered black rhinos, vast herds of antelope, and one of the world’s largest concentrations of pink flamingos, creating a striking natural spectacle along the lake’s shores.
Return to the lodge in the evening to refresh and enjoy dinner, reflecting on the stunning vistas and wildlife encounters of the day. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge ensures a restful night surrounded by the beauty of the Rift Valley.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: Approximately 4 hours from Ol Pejeta
After a hearty breakfast at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, set off on a scenic drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, a land of endless golden plains, dramatic landscapes, and extraordinary wildlife. Along the way, enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting zebras, giraffes, and antelopes grazing in the lush Rift Valley scenery.
Arrive at Mara Leisure Camp in time for check-in and lunch, followed by a short siesta to recharge for your first Masai Mara adventure. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Mara, exploring the vast savannahs where lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and buffalo roam freely. Capture unforgettable wildlife encounters as the warm glow of the late afternoon sun highlights the rolling plains.
Return to Mara Leisure Camp in the evening to refresh and enjoy dinner, reflecting on the spectacular sights and sounds of Kenya’s most iconic safari destination. Overnight at the camp immerses you in the sights and sounds of the African bush.
Accommodation: Mara Leisure Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: Approximately 4 hours from Lake Nakuru
After a hearty breakfast at Mara Leisure Camp, bid farewell to the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara and begin your scenic drive back to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital. Enjoy the changing landscapes as the Mara savannah gives way to the rolling hills and fertile valleys of the Great Rift Valley, capturing final glimpses of wildlife along the way.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to Trademark Enaki Suites for a comfortable overnight stay. The afternoon is free to relax or enjoy optional excursions, from cultural experiences to shopping in Nairobi’s bustling markets, giving you a taste of urban Kenya before your journey home. Dinner is on your own, offering the chance to explore the city’s diverse culinary offerings.
Accommodation: Trademark Enaki Suites
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Time: Approximately 5 hours from Masai Mara
After a hearty breakfast at Trademark Enaki Suites, your unforgettable Kenya safari adventure comes to a close. You will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in plenty of time for your flight home, taking with you memories of Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and vibrant culture.
For guests departing on early morning flights, a packed breakfast box is available to ensure you start your journey fully energized.
This marks the end of your Safari, a journey through Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations, from the misty Aberdares to the untamed Masai Mara, leaving memories that will last a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer: Airport drop-off
