Bestseller Maasai Mara 5 Days
Maasai Mara Luxury: Big Cats & Bush Sundowners
- ✦ Big Five game drives in the legendary Mara
- ✦ Stay in a luxury tented camp with butler service
- ✦ Optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari
Ready to book
From
$2,450
← All safarisJun–Aug
Kenya in Summer: Samburu, Rhino Country & the Mara
Samburu, Ol Pejeta & Maasai Mara 9 Days / 8 Nights From $6,890 per person
Overview
The journey
The European and North American summer is the driest, clearest stretch of the Kenyan year. This route runs north to the Ewaso Nyiro, back through the Laikipia rhino country and finishes in the Mara as the herds arrive.
Why this safari
What makes it different
9 days, 4 ecosystems, one private vehicle and guide — and the option to fly the long legs.
4 distinct ecosystems in 9 days
Nairobi · Samburu · Ol Pejeta · Maasai Mara — each chosen for a different animal, landscape and light, and ordered so you never double back.
A tight, purposeful route with no wasted days
Every move is planned around game movements and light, so short days still deliver full game-viewing mornings.
Your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and private guide
No shared vehicles and no fixed departure times — you decide when to leave camp, how long to sit with a sighting, and where to have breakfast.
Flown, not driven — included at Ultra-Luxury
Private charters between Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Maasai Mara save roughly 19 hours of road time and are included in the Ultra-Luxury price.
Ultra-Luxury is genuinely all-inclusive
All meals, premium drinks, laundry, park and conservancy fees, private guiding and the charter flights are in the price. You should not need your wallet until you tip.
Priced honestly, with fees shown up front
Park and conservation fees, taxes and levies are itemised on your proforma invoice — 50% confirms the booking and the balance is due before travel.
Flying package
Fly between parks, conservancies and countries
Private Cessna Caravan or Grand Caravan charter, meet-and-greet planeside. 15kg per person in soft bags on charter sectors — extra seats can be blocked for luggage. Cross-border sectors include international handling and immigration clearance planeside.
Pick the legs you'd like to fly — the rest stay on the road in your 4x4.
Saves about 19 hours on the road — time you spend in camp instead.
No flights added yet — every transfer is by road.
At a glance
Trip essentials
Best season
Jul – Oct (migration) · Jan – Feb (calving & big cats)
Pace & difficulty
Relaxed — long stays, few moves · Easy — suitable for all ages
Group size
Private departure — 2 to 6 guests per vehicle
Game viewing
42–56 hours of guided game viewing across 7 active days
Destinations routed
Nairobi National Park → Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba → Ol Pejeta Conservancy → Maasai Mara National Reserve
Ideal for
First-time safari guests · Couples and small private groups · Private departures for 2–6 guests
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
Every day is planned to the hour, with the flexibility to change anything before you confirm.
Route overview
- 1
Nairobi National Park
Day 1 · 1 night
- 2
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Days 2–3–4 · 3 nights
- 3
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 5 · 1 night
- 4
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Day 6 · 1 night
- 5
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Days 7–8 · 2 nights
- 6
Nairobi National Park
Day 9 · journey ends
- 1
ArrivalDay 1 · Arrive Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Meet and greet, transfer to Karen for the night.
MorningArrival, immigration assistance and meet-and-greet by your Perch Africa representative
AfternoonTransfer, luggage re-pack for light aircraft, and a full trip briefing with your guide
EveningWelcome dinner and route walkthrough with your safari specialist
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Hemingways Nairobi
Dinner
Private airport transfer
Visa/e-TA must be approved before departure — we send the checklist on booking
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
- 2Transit
Day 2 · Fly to Samburu
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Scenic flightLight aircraft north. Afternoon drive along the Ewaso Nyiro river.
MorningScheduled light-aircraft flight
AfternoonAfternoon game drive on arrival — cultural & community visits
EveningCamp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Sasaab
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
- 3Safari
Day 3 · Samburu special five
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Cultural visitSundownersDawn drive for the arid-country specials, afternoon Samburu village visit and sundowners on the rocks.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching & photography
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then walking safaris (where permitted)
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Sasaab
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
- 4Safari
Day 4 · Camel walk and river
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Guided walkGuided camel walk at first light, then a river picnic and evening drive.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — walking safaris (where permitted)
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then guided game drives
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Sasaab
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
- 5
SafariDay 5 · To Ol Pejeta
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Primate trackingScenic flightShort flight south to Laikipia. Afternoon with the northern white rhino and the chimpanzee sanctuary.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided game drives
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then cultural & community visits
EveningNight drive (permitted in the conservancies), then dinner around the fire
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
- 6
SafariDay 6 · Rhino tracking on foot
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Guided walkWalk in with the monitoring team, then a night drive with spotlight.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — cultural & community visits
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then birdwatching & photography
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Spare camera batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
- 7
TransitDay 7 · Fly to the Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flightCross-country flight to the Mara. Afternoon drive into the heart of the reserve.
MorningScheduled light-aircraft flight
AfternoonAfternoon game drive on arrival — hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast
EveningCamp orientation, hot showers, sundowners and a three-course dinner
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Mara Plains Camp
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
- 8Safari
Day 8 · Mara full day
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Game driveGreat MigrationAll-day game drive with the migration herds and a bush dinner to finish.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided bush walks (conservancies only)
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then maasai village visit
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Mara Plains Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
- 9Departure
Day 9 · Depart
Nairobi National Park
Scenic flightMorning drive, flight to Nairobi and onward departure.
MorningFinal sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
AfternoonScheduled light-aircraft flight
EveningAssisted check-in for your international flight home
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Accommodation confirmed on booking
Breakfast
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
You leave Nairobi National Park with the sound of the plains still in your ears — and a standing invitation to come back for the season you missed.
Transparent pricing
Park & conservation fees included
| Destination | Type | Per adult / day | Days | Per adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | Park entry fee | $50 | 1 | $50 |
| Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba | Park entry fee | $80 | 4 | $320 |
| Ol Pejeta Conservancy | Conservation fee | $110 | 1 | $110 |
| Maasai Mara National Reserve | Park entry fee | $200 | 2 | $400 |
| Total statutory fees per adult | $880 | |||
Children under 12 pay 50% and infants under 3 are free. Your proforma invoice itemises 16% VAT, the 2% catering levy and the 2% service charge separately.
What's included
- All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary
- All game drives and activities named in the itinerary
- All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations
- Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered
- Flying-doctor evacuation cover (AMREF) for the safari days
- 24/7 in-country support line and a proforma invoice with every quote
Not included
- International flights and airport departure taxes
- Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory)
- Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits
- Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving
- Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure)
- Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included
What to pack
- ✦Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black)
- ✦Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives
- ✦Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- ✦Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot
- ✦Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor
- ✦Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs
- ✦Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed
- ✦Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required
Health & safety
- ✦Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor
- ✦Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country
- ✦Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark
- ✦Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting
- ✦Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory
- ✦Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days
Good to know
- ✦Kenya e-TA is applied for online and usually approved within 72 hours
- ✦Park fees are payable in USD and are included in your quoted price
- ✦Conservancy camps allow night drives and walking; the reserve itself does not
- ✦M-Pesa is universal for small payments — ask us how to load it
- ✦16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge are itemised on your proforma invoice
- ✦Book 6–9 months ahead for July–October and the festive season
- ✦Drones are prohibited in national parks without a written permit
- ✦A deposit of 50% confirms your dates; the balance is due 45 days before travel
Guest reviews & credentials
Why travellers trust us with the Kenya in Summer: Samburu, Rhino Country & the Mara
“Our guide read the plains like a book — we were the only vehicle at a leopard sighting twice. Every transfer, camp and park fee was exactly as quoted.”
Maasai Mara · 6 nights
“Travelling with a 6-year-old and grandparents could have been chaos. Perch planned the driving days around nap times and picked family tents with connecting rooms.”
Amboseli & Tsavo · 5 nights
“The migration timing advice was spot on. When one camp went full they moved us to a better one in the same conservancy at no extra cost, same day.”
Serengeti & Ngorongoro · 8 nights
KPSGA silver & gold guides
Every driver-guide is Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified, with 8+ years in the parks on your route.
Licensed tour operator
Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (Kenya) and TALA-licensed operations in Tanzania.
AMREF Flying Doctors cover
Air-evacuation cover for every guest for the full duration of the safari, included in your rate.
Vehicle & safety standards
Serviced 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, first-aid kits, satellite comms and daily driver check-ins.
Transparent proforma pricing
Park fees, conservancy levies, 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge itemised before you pay.
4.9 / 5 guest rating
Across 380+ reviewed departures, with a 62% repeat-and-referral rate from past travellers.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Or explore
Similar safaris you might love
Not quite what you had in mind? Browse related journeys or let us craft a custom itinerary just for you.
Bestseller Amboseli 3 Days
Amboseli: Elephants Beneath Kilimanjaro
- ✦ Iconic Kilimanjaro backdrop
- ✦ Massive multi-generational elephant herds
- ✦ Sundowners on Observation Hill
Ready to book
From
$1,180
Samburu 4 Days
Samburu: Rare Wildlife & Riverside Sundowners
- ✦ Rare 'Samburu Five' species
- ✦ Ewaso Nyiro river game viewing
- ✦ Authentic Samburu cultural exchange
Ready to book
From
$1,650
Bespoke
Want something completely your own?
Every Perch Africa Safaris journey can be customised — combine destinations, swap accommodations, add private guides, extend with a beach. Tell us your dream.
Customise My Safari