7-Day Samburu & Masai Mara Luxury Fly Inn Safari

Samburu & Masai Mara

Rates From $6,975

About This Tour

A deep sense of stillness defines this fly-in journey across two of Kenya’s distinct wildlife regions. The adventure matches the arid beauty of northern hills with the classic open savanna of the southwest. Travelers seeking a gentle pace and immersive nature connection will find a steady rhythm that avoids long road travel through the use of scenic light aircraft flights.

The journey moves onward from Nairobi to the expansive plains of the Masai Mara before flying north to the red-earth terrain of Samburu. This sequence allows the dramatic change in landscapes and wildlife species to unfold naturally. It provides a comprehensive view of the natural diversity of East Africa without rushed transitions.

Comfort and rest remain central to the entire experience. Balanced days offer an unhurried exploration of private conservancies where wildlife moves without the pressure of crowded public areas. This travel style ensures a calm, reassuring atmosphere from the initial flight to the final return.

Our Community Impact

This safari supports human development and community growth directly through local conservancy operations. Every night spent in Kalama and Mara Naboisho contributes specific lease fees directly to indigenous families who own the land. These steady revenues pay for local school bursaries and help maintain clean solar-powered water holes for community livestock.

Our Sustainability Promise

JohnBow Tours and Travel prioritizes low-impact travel structures that preserve delicate ecosystems. The partner properties on this itinerary utilize off-grid solar power systems to eliminate carbon emissions and process waste through eco-friendly biological filtration. We contribute five dollars per traveler from this journey directly to the Mathare community school to support local education.

Why This Safari Works

The design of this itinerary centers on spatial contrast and physical comfort. Flying directly between destinations eliminates days spent navigating rough dirt roads. This logistics choice protects your physical energy so you arrive at each lodge fresh and ready to experience the wilderness.

The route balances the dramatic, predator-rich plains of the south with the quiet, specialized wildlife zones of the north. Spacing the journey evenly with three nights in each location allows a deeper connection to the unique environment. It gives you the rare luxury of time to unwind without packing bags every morning.

This layout suits first-time safari guests who want to see iconic landscapes without the rush of traditional group tours. It also rewards experienced travelers who appreciate the freedom of exclusive night game drives and guided bush walks that only private conservancies allow.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • All-Inclusive
  • All-Inclusive Meals
  • Big Five Experience
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Family
  • Flight Transfer (Fly-in)
  • Fly-In Safari
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Group Travel
  • Luxury Safari
  • Rhino Tracking

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara by Flight
  • Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara Experience
  • Day 3: Experience the Masai Mara
  • Day 4: Flight from Masai Mara to Samburu via Nairobi
  • Day 5: Full Day Samburu Experience
  • Day 6: Full Day Samburu Experience
  • Day 7: Flight from Samburu to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Masai Mara (Mara Naboisho Conservancy)
  • Samburu (Kalama Conservancy)

Where You Stay

  • Masai Mara (Nights 1–3): Saruni Eagle View
  • Samburu (Nights 4–6): Saruni Samburu

Safari Highlights

  • Flying low over the Great Rift Valley escarpment on the journey to the southwest plains.
  • Watching elephants gather at the marsh springs from an open-air clay hide.
  • Exploring the African night on guided evening game drives to spot elusive leopards.
  • Walking through the whistling thorns with a local Maasai guide to learn traditional tracking.
  • Sipping a cold drink during a sunset sundowner on top of a volcanic rock ridge.
  • Learning ancient wilderness survival skills alongside Samburu warriors at the local academy.
  • Spotting the "Samburu Special Five" species that only live north of the equator.
  • Unwinding with a complimentary neck massage while listening to the sounds of the bush.

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

7-Day Samburu, Laikipia & Masai Mara Photographers Fly In Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Scenic morning flight
  • First evening game drive
  • Sunset sundowners over the savanna.

Itinerary information

Your journey begins at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, where you board a light aircraft for a flight over the Great Rift Valley. Landing on the airstrip inside the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the crisp air and golden grass welcome you. You will transfer to the lodge for lunch and a short afternoon rest. As the heat of the day breaks, head out in an open-sided vehicle for your first game drive. The evening finishes with drinks out in the wild as the sun dips below the horizon.

  • Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Eagle View

3-Day Samburu Kenya Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Sunrise wildlife tracking
  • Optional bush picnic lunch
  • Might game drive looking for predators.

Itinerary information

Wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee delivered directly to your tent. The early morning hours offer the best chance to witness big cats on the move before the sun grows hot. You can enjoy a long breakfast back at the camp or pack a picnic to spend the entire day out on the plains. Returning to camp in the afternoon, enjoy some quiet time on the viewing deck. After dark, the spotlights come out for a night game drive to observe nocturnal animals like genets, springhares, and hunting lions.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Eagle View

Basecamp Samburu, Samburu National Reserve

Itinerary Highlights

  • Guided bush walking safari
  • Local cultural interactions
  • Star-lit dinner out in the bush

Itinerary information

Step out on foot this morning with a resident Maasai guide. Walking without the vehicle awakens your senses to the smaller details of the bush, from animal tracks in the soil to medicinal uses of indigenous plants. In the afternoon, take a drive to visit a nearby traditional village to see how the community lives alongside the wildlife conservancy. Celebrate your final night in the Mara with a traditional bush dinner served under a canopy of stars.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Eagle View

7 Day Amboseli & Masai Mara Fly In Safari

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final Mara morning drive
  • Cross-country flight
  • Arrival in the rugged northern frontier.

Itinerary information

Enjoy a gentle morning game drive on the way to the airstrip. You will board your scheduled flight back to Nairobi and connect directly onto the afternoon flight heading north to Samburu. The view below changes dramatically from green plains to red earth, seasonal riverbeds, and flat-topped volcanic mountains. Arriving in the Kalama Conservancy, you will transfer up into the rocks to unwind and appreciate the vast views.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Samburu

Itinerary Highlights

  • Tracking the northern endemic species
  • Relaxation at the rock pool
  • Evening sundowners.

Itinerary information

Dedicate today to exploring the unique ecosystem of Kalama and the main Samburu reserve. Keep your camera ready for the unique “Special Five” animals: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the long-necked gerenuk antelope. Return to the lodge during the midday heat to float in the infinity pool or enjoy a complimentary 30-minute back and neck massage in the wellness center.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Samburu

Itinerary Highlights

  • Warriors Academy family activities
  • Self-instructed rock yoga
  • Twilight wildlife drive.

Itinerary information

Spend your morning experiencing the ancient traditions of the region. Families can participate in the Warriors Academy, where kids learn tracking and traditional bow-and-arrow skills from Samburu elders. Alternatively, use a private yoga mat for a peaceful workout session looking out over the plains. Cap off the day with a final evening drive to watch elephants digging for water in the dry riverbeds.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Saruni Samburu

Itinerary Highlights

  • Sunrise landscape views
  • Final northern breakfast
  • Flight return to Wilson Airport.

Itinerary information

Take in one last sunrise over the northern mountains as you enjoy breakfast on the terrace. Say goodbye to your guiding team before transferring back to the local airstrip. Your scheduled flight brings you back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport by early afternoon. This marks the official conclusion of your luxury fly-in safari experience.

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ The transition from the Masai Mara to Samburu is one of the most visually shocking experiences in Africa. You move from endless green grasslands to an arid landscape that looks like the surface of Mars. Staying inside private conservancies here means you can step out of the vehicle and walk on the earth. It is a level of freedom you simply cannot find inside the national reserves. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

SeasonDate Range2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak Season1 July – 30 Sept, 2026$7,115$7,080$6,975

Important Rate Notes

  • Luggage Limits: Internal flights use small aircraft with a strict maximum luggage allowance of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, which must be packed in soft-sided bags.
  • Conservancy Fees: Conservancy fees are subject to changes by local community boards and statutory bodies without prior notice.
  • Single Supplements: A single room supplement applies to solo travelers during the peak season months.
  • Flight Deviations: Domestic flight routes may include multiple stops at various safari airstrips before arriving at your final destination.

What's Included

  • Full-board accommodation and all daily meals.
  • Domestic flights between Nairobi, Masai Mara, and Samburu.
  • Return airstrip transfers in both destinations.
  • Shared day and night game drives in open-sided 4x4 vehicles.
  • Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers, and house spirits.
  • Kalama and Mara Naboisho conservancy entry fees.
  • Guided bush walking safaris and cultural village transfers.
  • One 30-minute complimentary back and neck massage per room.
  • Premium wireless internet connection at the lodges.

Optional Addons

  • Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari: A sunrise flight over the plains followed by a champagne breakfast in the wild.
  • Exclusive Use of Safari Vehicle: Secure a private vehicle and a dedicated guide for your party throughout the stay.
  • Extended Beach Night: Add a 3-night flight extension to the white sand beaches of Diani or Lamu.

What's Not Included

  • International flights to and from Kenya.
  • Premium spirits, cellar wines, Champagne, and specialized beers.
  • Entry fees for cultural village visits paid directly to the community.
  • Private safari guides or exclusive use of a vehicle.
  • Late departure fees or extra lunch charges on the final day.
  • Additional spa treatments beyond the complimentary massage.
  • Gratuities for camp staff, spotters, and safari guides.
  • Personal travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage.

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The vehicles used at both properties are custom open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles. Unlike the enclosed minivans or closed cruisers found in public areas, these open sides offer unobstructed 360-degree views. This feature is perfect for photography and creates a closer connection to the sights and sounds of the bush.
No, the wildlife populations are quite different. While the Mara features classic plains game like lions, wildebeests, and topis, Samburu is home to unique species adapted to arid climates. You will see animals like the long-necked gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, and Grevy’s zebra, which do not exist in the southern plains.
You do not need heavy mountaineering boots, but you must bring closed-toe walking shoes or lightweight hiking sneakers with good traction. The terrain can have loose volcanic rock, dry twigs, and thorns. Sandals or open shoes are not permitted on walking safaris for safety reasons.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

info@johnbowtoursandtravel.com
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 3rd Floor Room 3-8. Moi Avenue, Nairobi