9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari is a meticulously curated adventure designed for travelers seeking a full-spectrum wildlife experience across Kenya’s most iconic landscapes. This journey blends Southern Kenya’s Amboseli and Maasai Mara with Northern Kenya’s Samburu and Laikipia Plateau, offering unmatched encounters with Kenya’s diverse fauna, breathtaking scenery, and vibrant cultures. Created by Winton Africa Safaris, this safari ensures both convenience and adventure, combining expert-guided game drives, luxurious lodges, and unique cultural experiences into an immersive nine-day journey.

The safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, and quickly transitions into the scenic wilderness of Amboseli National Park, where enormous elephant herds roam beneath the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro. Moving north, guests explore Samburu National Reserve, home to rare “Samburu Special Five” species like the Grevy’s zebra and gerenuk, highlighting the stark contrast between Kenya’s northern dry landscapes and southern savannah plains. The journey continues to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, an epicenter for rhino conservation, before culminating in the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife circuit and a prime location for observing the Big Five and, seasonally, the Great Migration.

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari offers a holistic wildlife adventure that includes photographic opportunities, cultural immersion with Maasai communities, and unique conservation experiences. Every aspect of this safari emphasizes both luxury and authenticity, ensuring travelers witness Kenya’s biodiversity while gaining insights into local conservation efforts. This expedition is ideal for families, couples, and wildlife enthusiasts seeking a transformative journey into Kenya’s natural wonders.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Transfer to Amboseli National Park (Southern Kenya)

Your 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari begins upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Guests are met by their professional safari guide from Winton Africa Safaris, who facilitates airport formalities and ensures a seamless transfer to Amboseli National Park, approximately a four-hour drive from Nairobi. Amboseli, famed for its iconic elephants and panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, serves as a perfect introduction to Kenya’s wildlife landscape.

Upon arrival, guests check into their lodge or tented camp before embarking on an optional afternoon game drive. The park’s marshes, open plains, and acacia woodlands support diverse wildlife. Elephants, often forming majestic herds, are a highlight, while lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes roam freely. Photographers find Amboseli an ideal setting, as the backdrop of Kilimanjaro enhances every wildlife shot.

Evening activities include sundowners, bush dinners, and reflections on the day’s encounters. Your guide may brief you on Amboseli’s ecosystems, animal behaviors, and photography tips to maximize your safari experience. This initial day sets the tone for the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari, combining adventure, comfort, and an introduction to the African bush.

• Animals to Spot: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagles, lilac-breasted rollers, ostriches
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai pastoralist lifestyle, traditional beadwork

Day 2: Full Day in Amboseli National Park

Day two of the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari offers a full immersion in Amboseli’s ecosystems. Guests embark on morning and afternoon game drives, exploring different areas of the park. Amboseli’s open plains, wetlands, and acacia-dotted landscapes provide opportunities to observe elephants in social herds, predators on the prowl, and herbivores grazing at waterholes.

Morning drives focus on predator activity, ideal for spotting lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, while the afternoon drives may take travelers to Observation Hill for panoramic views of Amboseli and Mount Kilimanjaro. The park’s vast bird population, including African fish eagles and storks, adds vibrancy to the bush scenery, enhancing both photography and wildlife observation.

Optional Maasai village visits allow travelers to experience local culture firsthand, witnessing beadwork, traditional dances, and understanding the Maasai’s deep connection with the land and wildlife. The day concludes with dinner at the lodge under the stars, cementing the first full day of the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari as a memorable wildlife immersion.

• Animals to Spot: Big Five (elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino), giraffes, zebras, wildebeests
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagle, vultures, lilac-breasted rollers
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai warriors, community visits, traditional storytelling

Day 3: Amboseli to Nairobi, then Flight/Drive to Samburu National Reserve

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari now transitions from southern to northern Kenya. After breakfast, guests depart Amboseli for Nairobi, followed by a flight or long drive to Samburu National Reserve, saving time while maximizing wildlife viewing opportunities. Samburu, characterized by arid landscapes and the Ewaso Ng’iro River, is home to species not commonly found in southern parks.

Upon arrival, guests embark on an afternoon game drive. Samburu’s unique dry-country species, including the Samburu Special Five—Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx—offer rare photographic opportunities. The combination of riverine forests and dry savannah ensures diverse wildlife encounters and excellent scenery, contrasting with the southern parks visited earlier in the safari.

Evening allows for relaxation at the lodge, with sunset views over the Ewaso Ng’iro River. This day is crucial in the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari, bridging southern Kenya’s lush landscapes with the arid beauty and specialized species of the north.

• Animals to Spot: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, lions, elephants, leopards
• Birds to Spot: Somali ostrich, colorful bee-eaters, raptors
• Cultures to Experience: Samburu tribal culture, traditional ceremonies

Day 4: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Day four of the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari is dedicated to Samburu’s full wildlife experience. Morning game drives focus on predator-prey interactions along riverbanks, while afternoons may explore dry savannah habitats. Samburu offers excellent opportunities to spot elusive species, including cheetahs and leopards, alongside the Special Five.

The Ewaso Ng’iro River attracts elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, creating dynamic ecosystems for observation and photography. Birdlife is abundant, with species like grey-headed kingfishers and African pygmy geese adding diversity. Optional visits to local Samburu villages provide insight into pastoralist lifestyles, traditional dress, and community conservation efforts, blending wildlife with cultural enrichment.

Evening activities include sundowners overlooking the river and bush dinners, enhancing the safari experience. This day solidifies Samburu as a unique highlight of the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari.

• Animals to Spot: Big cats, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, elephants, buffalo
• Birds to Spot: Grey-headed kingfisher, African pygmy goose, vultures
• Cultures to Experience: Samburu crafts, beadwork, cultural dances

Day 5: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari continues with a transfer from Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia. Ol Pejeta is renowned for its rhino conservation, housing the last two northern white rhinos. Upon arrival, guests embark on an afternoon game drive across the conservancy’s diverse landscapes, including savannah, wetlands, and riverine forests.

Guests have the unique opportunity to see rhinos up close, alongside lions, elephants, zebras, and buffaloes. Guided tours focus on conservation practices, photography, and tracking wildlife. Evenings at the lodge allow relaxation while enjoying sunset vistas and discussions on conservation challenges and successes.

• Animals to Spot: Northern white rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagle, weavers, kingfishers
• Cultures to Experience: Community conservancy programs, Maasai outreach

Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Day six marks the transition back to southern Kenya, traveling to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Arriving in time for lunch, guests are introduced to the Mara’s vast plains and extraordinary wildlife diversity. Afternoon game drives offer sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and elephants, with vast herds of herbivores enhancing the iconic African savannah scenery.

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari reaches a climax in the Mara, considered Kenya’s prime wildlife destination. Guests may also encounter seasonal Great Migration events, capturing unforgettable photographic opportunities of crossing rivers and predator-prey dynamics.

• Animals to Spot: Big Five, wildebeest, zebras, cheetahs, lions
• Birds to Spot: Secretary birds, vultures, storks
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai village visits, beadwork, warrior demonstrations

Day 7 & 8: Full Exploration of the Masai Mara

Two days are devoted to extensive game drives in the Masai Mara. Morning drives focus on predator activity, while afternoons explore different habitats. Optional hot air balloon safaris provide aerial perspectives of the Mara, a highlight for photographers and romantics alike.

Bush dinners and sundowners deepen the immersive experience. Cultural interactions with Maasai communities provide additional insights, blending wildlife adventure with authentic cultural appreciation. These two days showcase Kenya’s wildlife at its best, making the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari truly unforgettable.

• Animals to Spot: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeest, zebras
• Birds to Spot: Vultures, storks, rollers, ostriches
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai traditional ceremonies, beadwork, village interactions

Day 9: Maasai Mara to Nairobi and Departure

The final day of the 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari involves a last morning game drive in the Mara, followed by breakfast and transfer back to Nairobi. The drive or flight provides one last opportunity for wildlife photography and reflection on the safari journey. Guests are then escorted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departure, concluding an extraordinary nine-day adventure across Kenya’s northern and southern wilderness.

• Animals to Spot: Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagles, storks, ostriches
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai and Nairobi interactions en route

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers in Nairobi
• Accommodation in lodges/tented camps as per itinerary
• Transportation in 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs
• Professional English-speaking safari guide
• Park and reserve entrance fees
• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Conservation and community visits
• Meals during safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Bottled water during drives
• Optional hot air balloon safari in Maasai Mara

Safari Exclusions

• International flights
• Travel visas and travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Optional activities not included in package
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses and souvenirs

The 9 Days Northern and Southern Kenya Safari by Winton Africa Safaris offers the ultimate Kenyan adventure, spanning Amboseli’s elephants, Samburu’s dry-country specials, Ol Pejeta’s rhinos, and the predator-rich Masai Mara. This safari combines wildlife, landscapes, photography, and cultural immersion, creating memories that last a lifetime.