Miss Mary’s African adventure

9 Days-iconic Kenya custom safari

Samburu | Ol Pejeta | Maasai Mara | Nairobi
Road & Air

Welcome, Miss Mary! Your unique African adventure is focused on wildlife-rich, iconic landscapes! A perfect balance between soul-restoring and breathtaking scenery, exceptional wildlife viewing, engaging activities, and authentic cultural engagement.

Arrive in Kenya’s vibrant capital, Nairobi, before taking a short flight into the wild and beautiful Samburu National Reserve in the country’s wild northern frontier. This remote region is an elephant wonderland and home to the rare ‘Samburu Special Five’: the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Surrounded by rugged landscapes and rich wildlife, this is the perfect place to begin your unforgettable Kenyan adventure.

From here, you’ll head south to Laikipia, where expansive plains and the majestic Mount Kenya provide a dramatic backdrop for your stay within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a haven for wildlife and an international beacon for conservation. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in many of their exciting activities.

Your safari will conclude in the iconic, game-rich grasslands of the Maasai Mara, one of the most celebrated wildlife reserves in the world. Your journey includes a scenic flight southward across the Great Rift Valley, a geological wonder home to a string of shimmering lakes, and on to the rolling golden landscapes of the magical Mara.

Thank you for considering Sacred Savanna - We would be thrilled to host you and your family!

Samburu

NAIROBI - SAMBRU - 1.5 Hours (AIR)

DAY 1

Morning - Karibu Kenya! Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be warmly met by your driver guide and transferred to Wilson Airport for your short flight to Samburu National Reserve.

You will arrive in Samburu by mid-morning, where palm groves, riverine forests, and dry bushland create a breathtaking welcome to this jewel of Kenya’s northern wilderness. Upon landing, you’ll be met at the airstrip by your driver-guide and transferred to Soroi Samburu Lodge, beautifully perched along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Here, the serene and picture-perfect safari landscape unfolds before you and is the ideal setting to begin your immersive wildlife experience.

Enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a refreshing dip in the pool, or simply unwind in your room. The accommodation offers a perfect blend of authentic safari charm and modern comforts, a comfortable and relaxing African retreat.

Afternoon/Evening - Game Drive and Sundowner
As evening approaches, embark on your first game drive through the heart of Samburu. Drive along the riverbanks, where crocodiles bask in the fading sunlight and herds of elephants gather to cool off and play in the water. As the golden light softens into dusk, venture deeper into the bush, keeping a keen eye out for big cats beginning their evening prowl, a thrilling introduction to the untamed rhythm of the wild.

Soak it all in while enjoying a classic Kenyan safari tradition — a sundowner, your drink of choice in hand. It's the perfect pairing to a beautiful African sunset and to mark the end of your first day in the wild.

DAY 2

Morning - Journey to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Wake early to visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Travel further into the northern wilderness to the remote Mathews Range a landscape of stark contrasts and staggering views as far as the eye can see. Here nestled in the wilderness, is a community-owned sanctuary, a first for Africa. The Reteti Sanctuary rescues orphaned and abandoned elephant calves to reintegrate them into the adjacent wild herds.
Conservation Talk - Reteti
Engage with local community members who manage the sanctuary as they share insights into the community-led conservation model in northern Kenya. Learn how this approach benefits both people and wildlife, while also generating sustainable revenue.
The Midday Feed - Reteti
You will be paired with a keeper, all of whom are recruited from within the local Samburu community, who have been living alongside wildlife for thousands of years. You will be taught about the care, rehabilitation, and release of elephant calves and their ongoing anti-poaching initiatives. 

Lunch - You’ll carry a packed lunch, which you’ll enjoy at a scenic picnic spot.

Afternoon/Evening - Game Drive and Sundowner
Return to your lodge and head out for a restorative and scenic evening game drive. Explore a different section of the reserve while sipping your well-deserved sundowner and savor the relaxing end to an eventful day.

DAY 3

Morning – Spot the ‘Northern Special Five’
Begin your day with an early morning game drive. The reserve is a haven for elephants, as well as predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, often seen lounging under acacia trees or stalking through the golden grasslands. Samburu is also one of the few places in Africa where you can spot the Northern Special Five, including the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. These unique species are found only in this part of Kenya, giving you the rare chance to see wildlife that many visitors miss. Combined with opportunities to spot the Big Five in other regions of your journey, this experience gives you a deeper, more complete picture of Kenya’s extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity. Keep your binoculars ready and see how many you can tick off your list.

Afternoon – Rest, Relax, and Take in the View
Return to the lodge for a delicious lunch and some well-deserved rest. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Settle in with a book on the terrace, enjoy a refreshing drink, or simply watch as elephants and other wildlife pass below against a backdrop of rolling hills and wide skies. It's a peaceful moment to connect with nature and soak in the beauty of Samburu.

Evening – Final Game Drive & Bush Sundowner
As the day cools and the light softens, head out on your final evening game drive in Samburu. As the bush comes alive, your guide will take you to scenic spots for wildlife sightings you may have missed. As the sun begins to set, you’ll pause for a classic bush sundowner and finally return to the lodge in time for an atmospheric dinner.

 

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

UMOJA VILLAGE - OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY 3 H (ROAD)

SAMBURU - UMOJA VILLAGE 35 MIN (ROAD)

DAY 4

Morning - Cultural visit - Umoja Women Cultural Village
Depart Samburu after breakfast and begin your journey to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. You’ll travel south, from the arid, rugged bush to the open savannahs of Ol Pejeta. Along the way, you may get a glimpse of Mount Kenya’s peaks on a clear day

En route, you’ll visit the women of the Samburu tribe in their unique, women-only village - a sanctuary founded in 1990 for homeless survivors of violence against women, and young girls running from forced marriages or female genital mutilation. The women here have rejected the traditional norms and subjugation, choosing instead to create a community rooted in safety, solidarity, and empowerment. Step inside a manyatta (Samburu house), and experience traditional nomadic simplicity. Learn about their cooking practices, medicinal knowledge, and building techniques. This is a rare opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural exchange, one that can be deeply enriching for both visitors and the community.

Arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp around midday, nestled within Ol Pejeta Conservancy and overlooking a busy waterhole frequented by wildlife. The camp combines the comfort and amenities of a lodge with the charm of classic tented accommodation, offering an authentic yet accessible safari experience. After checking into your tent — complete with an en-suite bathroom and private veranda, you’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch at the camp’s restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind. Take in the view from your veranda, watch animals wander past, or enjoy a leisurely swim and soak in the beauty of your surroundings.

Afternoon/Evening - Game Drive and Sundowner - Following some rest and relaxation, your driver-guide will meet you for your first evening game drive in the conservancy. Witness the plains come alive, where you will likely see lions, leopards, hyenas, and more.

DAY 5

Morning - Lion tracking
Ol Pejeta has one of the highest predator densities in Kenya, with lions being the dominant species in this category. You will track collared lions and gather information about each pride member. The data you collect will go directly to Ol Pejeta’s ecological monitoring unit, aiding in finding solutions to the challenges facing Laikipia’s lions. This is truly one of the most thrilling wildlife conservation experiences on earth!

Afternoon - Rhino conservation
The afternoon begins with a drive to the northern white rhino sanctuary, home to the last two remaining specimens. Next, you will visit Baraka, a black rhino that you can get up close and personal with. At the Morani Information Centre, you will have the opportunity to speak with Baraka’s dedicated keepers and learn more about the different rhino subspecies and the conservation efforts for these endangered animals.

Afternoon/Evening - Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Nature Walk
Visit Ol Pejeta’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one in Kenya. Learn how the Conservancy provides refuge to orphaned and abused chimps from Central and West Africa. Finally, leave your vehicle behind and take a riverside nature walk, keeping an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and the diverse birdlife.
Final game drive and sundowner - End your wildlife conservation experiences on a high note with one last game drive through the breathtaking landscapes of Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

 

MAASAI MARA

OL PEJETA - MAASAI MARA 1H (AIR)

DAY 6

Morning - Depart Ol Pejeta for Maasai Mara (Air)
After breakfast, you will be transported to Nanyuki Air Strip for your morning flight to the Maasai Mara, the most famous safari destination in the world, and known for its exceptional game viewing and iconic landscapes.

Your short and scenic flight will offer you a unique perspective of the changing scenery. Upon landing, your driver guide will greet you and begin the journey through the golden rolling savannah to the community-led Lemek Conservancy. Located in the northern Mara corridor and part of the larger Mara ecosystem, it is famed for the Big Five and the great wildebeest migration.

Afternoon - Arrive at Naserian Mara Camp, where a warm welcome awaits you. After checking in, enjoy a hearty lunch, unwind, and take a moment to stretch your legs while soaking in the breathtaking surroundings of this classic tented safari camp. Set in a beautifully secluded part of the Mara, the camp offers a more exclusive and intimate experience than many others in the region. With its blend of rustic charm and understated luxury, Naserian provides the perfect setting for a peaceful retreat in the wild. You might even be greeted by one of the camp’s friendly resident bushbucks during your stay.

Evening - Game Drive and Sundowner
Head out on your first evening game drive. This golden hour reveals the Mara at its most photogenic: vast skies, soft light, and long animal shadows dancing through the grass. Predators become active, and hyenas begin to call across the valleys. Take in the sunset with a sundowner, before returning to camp for dinner under the stars.

DAY 7

Morning - Bush Breakfast and Morning Game Drive
Start the day with a bush breakfast. Set off early to catch the sun rising over the Mara. Your guide will find a scenic spot to stop, perhaps beside a riverbank or beneath a lone tree, where you’ll enjoy breakfast as hippos grunt nearby and birds sing the day awake.

Following breakfast, continue with a morning game drive through the Lemek and adjoining Mara ecosystem. Watch giraffes move gracefully across the plains, zebras gathering in herds, and lions scanning the horizon. The cool air and soft light make it a prime time for photography and close wildlife encounters.

Afternoon - Visit a Maasai Village
Relax in the serenity of your lodge and enjoy an unstructured afternoon. Or visit the local village to find out more about the local Maasai Community. Explore how and why they maintain their traditions and customs and resist modernity.

Evening - Game Drive and Sundowner
Return to the wilderness for your second evening game drive, exploring a different area of the conservancy. As dusk falls, the atmosphere becomes electric. You may catch a lion on the move, elephants silhouetted against the horizon, or hyenas starting their nightly patrol, with sundowners always close at hand!

DAY 8

Morning - Optional Hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara. Rise early for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. As the balloon lifts silently into the sky, the landscape unfolds beneath you: rivers, herds of wildebeest, giraffes moving like shadows across the plains, and perhaps a lion stalking its prey in the golden grass. The flight is followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush, a fitting end to this magical and memorable experience. Afterward, return to camp or head out on a short drive, depending on your energy levels.

Afternoon - Camp Acrtivities
In the afternoon, leave your vehicle behind and step into the wilderness on foot. Join a guided bush walk led by a Maasai naturalist and learn to interpret tracks, identify medicinal plants, and read the land like the Maasai do. Later, take part in an archery session, trying your hand at the traditional Maasai bow and arrow—a skill passed down through generations. Round off the afternoon with some relaxed birdwatching, as your guide helps you spot everything from sunbirds to eagles and the vibrant lilac-breasted roller.

Evening - Final Game Drive and Sundowner
It’s your final game drive, and your eyes are now more attuned to the subtleties of the landscape. The rustling of grass as lions stalk their prey, the telling shape of an elusive leopard in a distant tree, and the soft tread of elephants. End the day with your last sundowner, toasting to a remarkable journey across one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on earth. Back at camp, a farewell dinner awaits under the stars.

 

NAIROBI

NAIROBI - MAASAI MARA 5H (ROAD)

DAY 9

Morning - Journey to Nairobi
After a magical stay in the Maasai Mara, you’ll journey back to Nairobi by road. The drive takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, offering you final opportunities to take in the changing landscapes and enjoy some of Kenya’s most iconic views. You’ll carry food packed for the journey and arrive in Nairobi in the early afternoon, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a late lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages, a charming boutique property situated in the lush gardens of the historic estate once owned by the famed Danish author. Relax and stretch your legs in this beautifully preserved colonial-era property, perfectly located for easy access to some of Nairobi’s top attractions.

Afternoon - Activities if energy and time permit.

Option 1: Visit the Karen Blixen Museum and learn about Kenya’s colonial history.

Option 1: Visit the Giraffe Centre to feed endangered Rothschild giraffes and stroll the serene nature trail.

Option 2: Explore the Kazuri Bead Workshop or local boutiques with Kenyan crafts and handmade jewelry, for the perfect gift.

Or, simply relax in the serenity of the gardens.

Evening - Farewell from Kenya
As your African adventure draws to a close, you’ll be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi for your flight home. As you depart, we hope you’ll take with you the memories of Kenya’s stunning landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and warm hospitality.

 

DESTINATIONS AND Travel TIMES

Nairobi to Samburu - 1-hour and 15-minute flight

Samburu to Ol Pejeta - 3-hour 30-minute drive (with stops)

Ol Pejeta to Maasai Mara - 1-hour flight

Maasai Mara to Nairobi - 5-hour drive (with stops)

Priced at $8500 per person (based on double occupancy).

Final pricing may vary depending on the season, group size, room occupancy, and internal flight costs.

  • INCLUSIVE OF

    • Airport transfers

    • 2 Domestic Air connections

    • Road connections

    • Full-Board accommodation

    • Activities*

    • Entrance fees to National Parks, National Reserves, and Community/Private Conservancies

    • Expert private driver guide for the entire trip

    • Fully equipped 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser

    • Supplemental medical emergency insurance (evacuation cover)

  • EXCLUSIVE OF

    • Optional activities - Hot-Air Balloon ride

    • Personal travel insurance

    • International flights

    • Tips and donations

  • PLEASE NOTE

    • Accommodation comes in a wide range of options depending on location. We endeavor to source the best accommodation to suit your requirements and budget.

    • Add-ons are optional activities offered at an extra cost.

    • Some activities are not included in the estimated price. These are listed as 'optional' and will be priced separately.  

Add-on: Hot air balloon safaris are available at an additional cost, typically priced between $450 and $550 per person per day. These early morning flights offer a breathtaking aerial view of the Mara's landscapes and wildlife, followed by a champagne bush breakfast in the heart of the savannah. This is an unforgettable way to experience the magic of the Maasai Mara.