10-Day Luxury Kenya Fly-In Safari: Meru, Samburu & Maasai Mara
A ten-day luxury Kenya fly-in safari through three wildlife regions — the 'Born Free' wilderness of Meru, the Samburu Special Five and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the north, and the Great Migration plains of the Maasai Mara.
About this safari
This ten-day fly-in safari traverses three of Kenya's most characterful wildlife regions with scenic bush flights linking each. It begins in Meru National Park, the untamed wilderness where Joy and George Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness of Born Free, teeming with Big Five and northern species. From there you fly to Samburu National Reserve — cliffside luxury camps, the rare Samburu Special Five, big elephant herds, and a visit to the pioneering community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
The journey closes with the Maasai Mara National Reserve and two full days of Big Five game drives, gourmet picnics along the Mara River, and — from July to October — the Great Wildebeest Migration. It is a rich, varied portrait of Kenya, from historic conservation country to the great southern plains, at a relaxed fly-in pace.
What makes this one special
- Scenic bush flights connecting Nairobi, Meru, Samburu and the Maasai Mara
- Meru's 'Born Free' legacy — the wilderness of Joy and George Adamson
- The Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich
- A visit to the community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
- Bush breakfast at Elephant Rock near Mount Ololokwe
- Two full days of Big Five game drives in the Maasai Mara
- The Great Wildebeest Migration and Mara River crossings (July–October)
The journey, morning by morning
Welcome to Nairobi — arrival & transfer
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a warm welcome and meet-and-assist transfer to your luxury Nairobi city hotel. Unwind before your safari begins the following morning.
Fly to Meru National Park — 'Born Free' country
After fresh Kenyan coffee, transfer to Wilson Airport for the scenic one-hour flight to Meru — the unspoiled paradise made famous by the Adamsons and Elsa the Lioness. Check into your luxury lodge and set out on an afternoon game drive for the Big Five and northern species across jungle and savannah.
Explore Meru's wildlife & conservation
A full day of morning and afternoon game drives tracking lion, leopard, rhino and elephant, and discovering the historic conservation sites of Joy and George Adamson in this tranquil, uncrowded wilderness.
Fly from Meru to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, a short scenic bush flight north to Samburu. Arrive at your cliffside luxury camp for lunch and a poolside siesta, then head out at 16:00 for an evening game drive in search of the Samburu Special Five, large elephant herds and big cats.
Samburu & the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Depart early with a packed breakfast to visit the inspiring community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, which rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves. Drive past dramatic Mount Ololokwe for a bush breakfast at Elephant Rock, then track Samburu's lion, leopard and cheetah in the afternoon.
A full day in Samburu
More time among Samburu's distinctive wildlife, with morning and afternoon game drives along the riverbeds and open country for the Special Five, elephant and predators against the northern landscapes.
Fly Samburu to the Maasai Mara
Say kwaheri to Samburu with a short flight south to the world-famous Maasai Mara. Touch down on the savannah plains and enjoy a game drive with your guide en route to your luxury camp. From July to October the plains may be filled with the Great Migration herds.
Big Five game drives in the Maasai Mara
A full day of unlimited game viewing across the tree-studded savannahs, tracking the Big Five, with a gourmet picnic lunch along the Mara River watching hippos, crocodiles and — in season — the dramatic migration crossings.
The Maasai Mara — at your own pace
A second full day in the Mara following the wildlife wherever it leads — big cats, elephant herds and the migration. An optional sunrise balloon safari with champagne bush breakfast is available on request.
Fly the Maasai Mara to Nairobi — departure
A final morning in the bush before flying back to Nairobi for a gourmet farewell lunch at the historic Karen Blixen Restaurant and a day-use room to refresh before your evening international flight home.
How this journey unfolds — 4 stops in 10 days
- 1Nairobi
- 2Meru
- 3Samburu
- 4Maasai Mara
The year on this safari, month by month
Available year-round. June to October offers the best combined game viewing, with the Mara's migration typically July to October. January and February are warm, clear and quieter; the long rains around March to May bring lush landscapes and lower rates.
Indicative pattern for Kenya's safari circuit. The long rains (around March–May) and short rains (around November) shift year to year.
Conditions along the route
Live readings where this safari spends its days.
The world this journey moves through
Representative photography of the landscapes and wildlife on this route — tap any photo to view it full screen. Client photography replaces these once our own library arrives.
Included and not included
Included
- All airport and airstrip transfers
- Accommodation in a double/twin room sharing at the lodges and camps named
- Full-board meal plan on safari
- Scheduled shared game drives in a 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
- Scheduled light-aircraft flights between Nairobi, Meru, Samburu and the Maasai Mara
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary visit
- Sundowners
- Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers and house spirits (at all-inclusive camps)
- All national park and conservation fees
- Laundry
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
- All government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights from your home country
- Kenya visa fees
- Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Champagne, private-cellar wines and premium spirits
- Tips and gratuities
- Telephone calls, room service and items of a personal nature
Travellers who want depth and variety across Kenya — historic Meru, the rugged north and the classic Mara — over a relaxed ten days. Suits couples, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and small groups.
A set luxury package: a luxury safari lodge in Meru, a cliffside luxury camp in Samburu, and a luxury lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara, with a luxury Nairobi city hotel on arrival. Room types and extensions are arranged by the Wildtouch team.
Questions travellers ask
- How is this different from the 8-day Samburu and Mara safari?
- This ten-day journey adds Meru National Park — the 'Born Free' wilderness — ahead of Samburu and the Mara, giving three regions instead of two and more time overall. If you want the fullest picture of Kenya's north and its conservation story, this is the richer option.
- What wildlife is unique to Samburu and Meru?
- Both hold the Northern / Samburu Special Five — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich — species you rarely see further south. Meru adds its Born Free history and over 400 bird species; Samburu adds the community-owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
- Is the pace comfortable across three regions?
- Yes. Short scenic flights replace long drives, and you spend two or three nights in each area rather than constantly moving, so the ten days feel unhurried despite covering a lot of ground.
This itinerary is a starting point
Dates, lodges and pace are shaped around you — by the Wildtouch team, who run the trips. Share your dates and party and we'll make it yours.