Wild and Magical Kenya — Ten Day Extended Safari
A ten-day extended Kenya safari adding the dramatic semi-arid landscapes and unique wildlife of Samburu in the north to the classic Big Five Mara–Amboseli circuit.
About this safari
This extended ten-day itinerary takes the classic Kenya circuit further north into Samburu — a semi-arid reserve home to wildlife you will see almost nowhere else in Kenya: the long-necked gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy's zebra, the Somali ostrich, and the beisa oryx. Together these are known as the Samburu Special Five. Combined with strong leopard and elephant viewing along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, Samburu gives the trip a wilder, more rugged character that complements the rolling plains of the Mara further south.
From Samburu, the itinerary descends through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru's flamingos and rhinos, then west to two full days in the Maasai Mara, and finally south to Amboseli's elephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. The result is a complete portrait of Kenya's wildlife regions — northern frontier, Rift Valley lakes, savannah plains, and southern marshes — at a pace that gives time at each location rather than rushing through. It suits travellers on a second Kenya safari, photographers seeking landscape variety, and serious wildlife enthusiasts who want to see beyond the classic Big Five.
What makes this one special
- Ten days, four wildlife regions, a complete Kenya safari portrait
- Samburu's unique Special Five — gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx
- Two full days in the Maasai Mara for in-depth predator viewing
- Lake Nakuru's flamingos and rhino sanctuary
- Amboseli's elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop
- Hot-air balloon safari over the Mara at sunrise (optional)
- Samburu cultural experience with the Samburu people
- Outstanding photographic opportunities across all four locations
The journey, morning by morning
Arrival, Nairobi
Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, met by Wildtouch and transferred to your Nairobi accommodation. Afternoon at leisure with optional visits to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage or Karen Blixen House. Evening safari briefing.
Nairobi to Samburu
A morning scheduled flight (or a scenic drive) takes you north across the equator to Samburu National Reserve. Arrive at camp in time for lunch, with an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro River — the lifeline of the reserve. Samburu's riverine forests and arid surrounds host the area's distinctive Special Five: the gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy's zebra, the Somali ostrich, and the beisa oryx.
Samburu — full day
A full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. The Ewaso Ng'iro River draws elephant herds, lion prides and frequent leopard sightings. The reserve's dramatic landscapes — Ololokwe rising on the northern horizon, doum palm forests along the river, golden grasslands stretching to the Mathews Range — give photographers exceptional variety.
Samburu cultural day and transfer south
A morning visit to a Samburu community offers an authentic insight into the pastoralist culture of the northern frontier. After lunch, a scheduled flight (or scenic drive) takes you south to Lake Nakuru. An afternoon game drive in the park introduces the flamingo flocks and white rhino sanctuary.
Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
After a morning game drive in Nakuru focusing on rhino and Rothschild giraffe, drive south through the Mau Escarpment and into the Maasai Mara. Arrive at camp in time for lunch, with an afternoon game drive on the open plains of the reserve.
Maasai Mara — full day
A full day in the Mara with two long game drives separated by a bush lunch. The reserve's big cats — lion prides on the open plains, cheetah hunting in the long grass, leopard in the riverine forests — are the focus. An optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari offers an unforgettable aerial perspective on the migration.
Maasai Mara and a Maasai community visit
Morning game drive followed by a visit to a Maasai manyatta — a chance to learn about the pastoralist culture of the southern plains and meet community elders. An afternoon game drive concentrates on any wildlife the trip has not yet covered in detail.
Maasai Mara to Amboseli
A scheduled flight (or a long road transfer for travellers preferring overland) brings you to Amboseli National Park beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. An afternoon game drive begins the search for the park's legendary elephant herds.
Amboseli — full day
A full day in Amboseli with morning and afternoon game drives. Early-morning light on Kilimanjaro behind Amboseli's elephant herds is one of the iconic East African safari images, and the park's marshes and pans attract hippos, buffalo, plains zebra and a host of birds.
Amboseli to Nairobi — departure
A final morning game drive in the soft early light before transferring to Nairobi for the homeward flight. Day rooms in Nairobi can be arranged for evening international departures. Wildtouch manages the airport transfers and check-in assistance.
How this journey unfolds — 5 stops in 10 days
- 1Nairobi
- 2Samburu
- 3Lake Nakuru
- 4Maasai Mara
- 5Amboseli
The year on this safari, month by month
June to October offers the best combined wildlife viewing across all four regions. January to March is excellent for Samburu and the Mara with quieter camps. The Mara's wildebeest migration falls between July and September.
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 Jacob's library arrives.
Included and not included
Included
- Meet-and-greet on arrival and airport transfers
- Private guided 4×4 game viewer throughout with an experienced Wildtouch driver-guide
- Internal scheduled flights between safari regions (where specified)
- All park and conservancy entry fees
- All accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- All meals as outlined per day
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout
- Government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights to and from Nairobi
- Kenya visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal items, drinks, laundry
- Optional excursions (hot-air balloon, cultural visits if not included)
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
Second-time Kenya travellers, dedicated wildlife enthusiasts, serious photographers, and anyone wanting a more comprehensive picture of Kenya than the classic circuit alone provides. The pace suits couples and small groups; multi-generational families with active grandparents travel well at this rhythm.
Configurable from quality tented camps through to flagship lodges and private-conservancy properties across all four regions. Properties can be paired for a consistent feel or chosen for variety across the regions — whichever you prefer.
Questions travellers ask
- What makes Samburu different from the Maasai Mara?
- Samburu is a semi-arid reserve in Kenya's northern frontier with a wilder, more rugged character. It holds the Special Five — gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich and beisa oryx — species you will see almost nowhere else in Kenya, alongside strong elephant and leopard viewing along the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
- Is ten days a comfortable pace?
- Yes. The itinerary is deliberately built to give time at each of the four regions rather than rush between them, with full days at the key reserves and scheduled flights on the longer legs to keep driving manageable.
- Do I keep the same guide throughout?
- You travel with the same private Wildtouch guide and 4×4 for the full ten days. That continuity means your guide learns what you most want to see and builds the days around it.
This itinerary is a starting point
Dates, lodges and pace are shaped around you — by Jacob, who runs the trip. Share your dates and party and we'll make it yours.