Norine Forbes Safaris
The Migration Signature Collection Plan My Safari
Kenya and Tanzania Safari: 9-Day Luxury Kenya Itinerary
All journeys Private travel itinerary

Kenya and Tanzania Safari: 9-Day Luxury Kenya Itinerary

Embark on a 9-day luxury Kenya and Tanzania safari that begins at Nairobi National Park and ventures to the rugged landscapes of Samburu and the endless plains of the Maasai Mara. Fly north to the...
9 days Kenya Private & tailor-made From US$ 14,995 pp
Journey overview

9-Day Luxury Kenya Safari – Nairobi, Samburu & Maasai Mara

Embark on a 9-day luxury Kenya and Tanzania safari that begins at Nairobi National Park and ventures to the rugged landscapes of Samburu and the endless plains of the Maasai Mara. Fly north to the remote Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, where wildlife, conservation, and Samburu culture are closely intertwined. Continue to the legendary Maasai Mara for classic game viewing, stunning sunsets, and unhurried days in the African wilderness. Staying at The Emakoko, Sarara Camp, and Cottar’s 1920s Camp, this tailor-made safari combines exceptional wildlife encounters with intimate luxury camps and meaningful conservation experiences, offering a profound connection to East Africa’s wild heart.
Route at a glance

Nairobi • Samburu • Maasai Mara

Duration 9 days · 8 nights
Journey Private & tailor-made
Pace Balanced
Minimum age All ages
Programme summary

Your journey at a glance

DayPlace / routeHighlightsStay
1Arrive NairobiVIP meet-and-greet; transfer to The EmakokoThe Emakoko
2Nairobi National ParkRhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras; conservation talkThe Emakoko
3Fly Nairobi to Namunyak Wildlife ConservancyScenic flight; first game drive; reticulated giraffes, leopards, wild dogsSarara Camp
4Reteti Elephant Sanctuary; night game drive in NamunyakCommunity-owned elephant sanctuary; night game driveSarara Camp
5Samburu community; NamunyakSamburu cultural experience; Singing Wells (dry season); game driveSarara Camp
6Fly Samburu to Maasai MaraScenic flight; first Mara game drive; sundownersCottar's 1920s Camp
7Maasai Mara National ReserveBig cats; expert guide; game drivesCottar's 1920s Camp
8Maasai Mara; Cottar's 1920s CampMorning game drive; pool/spa; Cottar's Wildlife Conservation Trust; final evening safariCottar's 1920s Camp
9Fly Maasai Mara to NairobiScenic flight; free time for lunch/shopping; day room; airport transfer
The essentials

What your journey includes

Included

  • Private airport transfers in Nairobi
  • Scheduled internal safari flights
  • 2 nights at The Emakoko
  • 3 nights at Sarara Camp
  • 3 nights at Cottar's 1920s Camp
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • VIP meet-and-greet assistance on arrival in Nairobi
  • Professional English-speaking safari guides and rangers
  • Game drives and safari activities as outlined
  • Nairobi National Park safari
  • Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy experiences
  • Reteti Elephant Sanctuary experience
  • Samburu cultural experience
  • Day and night game drives where permitted
  • Maasai Mara and private conservancy safari activities
  • Applicable park and conservancy fees as included by the respective camps
  • Day room in Nairobi on the final day
  • Airport transfer for your international departure

Not included

  • International flights to and from Kenya
  • Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), where applicable
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Premium drinks and beverages not included by the respective properties
  • Spa treatments and optional activities unless specifically stated as included
  • Gratuities for guides, camp staff and drivers
  • Any services or activities not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Day by day

Your itinerary

9 days
Day 01

Welcome to Kenya – Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive Nairobi

HighlightsVIP meet-and-greet; transfer to The Emakoko

Jambo na Karibu Kenya! Your luxury Kenya safari begins the moment you arrive in Nairobi. After a VIP meet-and-greet at the airport, your private driver will welcome you and transfer you to The Emakoko, tucked away on the edge of Nairobi National Park. It is a wonderfully peaceful introduction to Kenya. Settle in, enjoy the riverside surroundings and take the rest of the day at your own pace. Tomorrow, the safari begins properly.

MealsDinner

Accommodation

The Emakoko

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Day 02

Nairobi National Park – Wildlife at the City's Edge

Nairobi National Park

HighlightsRhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras; conservation talk

Wake early for your first game drive in Nairobi National Park, where open savannah stretches out beneath the distant Nairobi skyline. The park is particularly known for its rhinos, but you may also encounter lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and a remarkable variety of birdlife. After your morning in the park, return to The Emakoko for a slower afternoon and learn more about the lodge's involvement in conservation and neighbouring communities.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

The Emakoko

Full Board

Day 03

Fly from Nairobi to Samburu – Into Kenya's Wild North

Fly Nairobi to Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy

HighlightsScenic flight; first game drive; reticulated giraffes, leopards, wild dogs

After breakfast, leave Nairobi behind and fly north towards Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the Samburu region. The change in scenery is immediate. Samburu is rugged, dry and beautifully remote, with mountains, river valleys and vast stretches of wilderness. On arrival, meet your ranger and begin exploring on your first game drive. This northern landscape is home to fascinating wildlife, including reticulated giraffes, leopards, African wild dogs and many other species adapted to this harsher environment. Your home for the next three nights is Sarara Camp, surrounded by the wilderness of Namunyak.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Sarara Camp

Full Board

Day 04

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary & Night Safari

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary; night game drive in Namunyak

HighlightsCommunity-owned elephant sanctuary; night game drive

Today brings you closer to one of Samburu's most inspiring conservation stories. Visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a community-owned elephant sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and returning orphaned and abandoned elephants to the wild. Spend time learning from the keepers and watching the young elephants during their daily care and feeding routines. Later, as daylight fades, head back into the conservancy for a night game drive. Samburu feels completely different after dark, when nocturnal wildlife begins to emerge and the sounds of the wilderness take over.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Sarara Camp

Full Board

Day 05

Samburu Culture & the Singing Wells

Samburu community; Namunyak

HighlightsSamburu cultural experience; Singing Wells (dry season); game drive

This morning offers a different side of your Kenya safari; time with the people who have called this landscape home for generations. Meet members of the Samburu community and gain an authentic glimpse into their pastoral traditions and relationship with the land. During the dry season, you may visit the remarkable Singing Wells, where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while drawing water for their livestock. The remainder of the day can be spent exploring Namunyak, enjoying another game drive or simply slowing down at camp and taking in the surrounding wilderness.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Sarara Camp

Full Board

Day 06

Samburu to Maasai Mara – From the North to the Great Plains

Fly Samburu to Maasai Mara

HighlightsScenic flight; first Mara game drive; sundowners

After your final morning in Samburu, fly south towards one of Africa's most celebrated safari destinations – the Maasai Mara. On arrival, transfer to the legendary Cottar's 1920s Camp, set within a private conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Settle into your elegant safari tent and take in the wide-open plains before heading out for your first Mara game drive. As evening approaches, find a beautiful spot for sundowners before returning to camp for dinner beneath the African sky.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Cottar's 1920s Camp

Full Board

Day 07

Maasai Mara Safari – A Day in Big Cat Country

Maasai Mara National Reserve

HighlightsBig cats; expert guide; game drives

There is no fixed script in the Maasai Mara. Every game drive brings something different. Spend the day exploring with your expert safari guide, following wildlife across the grasslands and river valleys. Lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes and large herds of plains game all call this ecosystem home. Between game drives, return to camp for meals and time to relax before heading back into the wilderness to see what the Mara has waiting for you next.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Cottar's 1920s Camp

Full Board

Day 08

Maasai Mara – Wildlife, Conservation & Time to Unwind

Maasai Mara; Cottar's 1920s Camp

HighlightsMorning game drive; pool/spa; Cottar's Wildlife Conservation Trust; final evening safari

Enjoy another morning exploring the Mara while the plains are cool and wildlife is at its most active. Afterwards, slow the pace. Spend some time by the pool, relax at camp or indulge in a bespoke spa treatment overlooking the wilderness. During your stay, you can also learn about the work of the Cottar's Wildlife Conservation Trust, which supports wildlife conservation, habitat protection and neighbouring Maasai communities. As the sun begins to set, head out once more for your final evening safari; one last chance to watch the Maasai Mara turn golden before night falls.

MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation

Cottar's 1920s Camp

Full Board

Day 09

Maasai Mara to Nairobi – Until We Meet Again

Fly Maasai Mara to Nairobi

HighlightsScenic flight; free time for lunch/shopping; day room; airport transfer

Enjoy one final morning surrounded by the sounds and views of the African wilderness before saying goodbye to the Maasai Mara. Fly back to Nairobi, where you will have time for lunch and some last-minute shopping. A day room will be available for you to freshen up and relax before your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight. You may be leaving Kenya today, but after nine days through Nairobi, Samburu and the Maasai Mara, chances are a little piece of Kenya will be travelling home with you.

MealsBreakfast & Lunch

Seasonal pricing

Journey rates USD · Per person sharing

SeasonTravel datesAdult sharing
Low season01 Jan – 31 Dec 2026
Low season05 Jan – 14 Jun 2027USD 14,995
High season15 Jun – 15 Oct 2027
Low season16 Oct – 19 Dec 2027USD 14,995
Pricing notesPublished rates reflect applicable low-season pricing. This is a fully customizable private Kenya safari and can be operated year-round, subject to accommodation availability and seasonal rates. Internal safari flights are included within the land arrangements where indicated.

Frequently asked questions

Our safari prices typically include park fees, accommodation as per your chosen tier (Mid-Range, Luxury, or Exclusive), private 4x4 vehicle, professional English-speaking guide, all meals on safari, and Flying Doctor emergency evacuation cover. International flights, visas, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
Kenya and Tanzania Safari: 9-Day Luxury Kenya Itinerary private journey
Tailor this journey

Make this trip entirely yours.

Adjust the route, pace, stays and dates with a Norine Forbes safari specialist.

Request this trip