Northern Frontier + Big Cats + Kilimanjaro Landscapes

Duration: 12 Days

Overview

A striking, contrast-rich Kenyan journey that moves from the rugged red-earth country of Samburu, to the predator-filled grasslands of the Masai Mara, and finally to the mystical green volcanic hills in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

This itinerary is designed for travelers seeking wild spaces, layered landscapes, exceptional guiding, and a mix of adventure and indulgence. Expect rare wildlife, cultural depth, and unforgettable photography—from riverine forests to cloud forests to big-cat territory.

Trip Highlights

Track the Samburu Special Five—wildlife found nowhere else in Kenya’s south

Explore the remote, dramatic landscapes of the Northern Frontier

Enjoy intimate big-cat encounters in private Mara conservancies

Soak in Kilimanjaro views from the green volcanic slopes of the Chyulus

Choose from horseback riding, walking safaris, mountain biking, cave explorations & conservation-based activities

Ideal For

Adventurous couples • Repeat safari travelers • Photographers • Wildlife lovers seeking contrasting landscapes

Preferred Properties

Samburu: Sasaab • Saruni Samburu • Kalepo Camp

Masai Mara: Mara Nyika • Angama Mara • Kicheche Bush Camp

Chyulu Hills: Ol Donyo Lodge • Campi ya Kanzi

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Days 1–2 — Nairobi (Warm-Up, Wildlife Orphanages & Cultural Touchpoints)

Arrive in Nairobi with a seamless airport meet-and-greet and settle into your boutique hotel. Spend the next day exploring the city at an easy pace: visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to meet orphaned elephants, tour the Karen Blixen Museum, browse artisan studios, or enjoy Nairobi’s emerging culinary scene.
Overnights: Hemingways Nairobi or similar

Days 3–5 — Samburu (Northern Frontier, Special Five & Red-Earth Landscapes)

Fly north into Samburu, a dramatic region of volcanic ridges, doum palms, red earth, and riverbeds. Over the next three days, track the Samburu Special Five (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk), enjoy walking safaris, sundowners atop rocky kopjes, and—optionally—helicopter flights over the Matthews Range or Lake Turkana for once-in-a-lifetime aerial photography.
Overnights: Sasaab; Saruni Samburu; or Kalepo Camp

Days 6–8 — Masai Mara (Big-Cat Conservancies, Open Plains & Seasonal Migration)

Fly south to a private conservancy in the Masai Mara for exceptional big-cat viewing and flexible activities. Enjoy full days tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs across open plains, photograph elephants in golden light, and—July to October—witness the Great Migration. Conservancies allow off-road tracking, guided walks, and night drives for intimate wildlife encounters.
Overnights: Mara Nyika; Angama Mara; or Kicheche Bush Camp

Days 9–11 — Chyulu Hills (Kilimanjaro Vistas, Cloud Forests & Adventure Activities)

Continue to the Chyulu Hills, a mosaic of green volcanic slopes, lava tubes, misty cloud forests, and sweeping Kilimanjaro views. Your days here can include horseback safaris, walking safaris, mountain biking, lava-tube cave explorations, and rich conservation experiences—community visits, reforestation initiatives, predator coexistence projects, and tracking exercises with expert guides.
Overnights: Ol Donyo Lodge or Campi ya Kanzi

Day 12 — Return to Nairobi & Depart

Fly back to Nairobi for your onward journey, with the option to add an overnight for smoother connections.

Pricing

Beginning at $15,500 per person