7-Day Off the Beaten Path Safari – Mid-Range Kenya Safari
This 7-Day Off the Beaten Path Safari – Mid-Range is a diverse Kenya safari crafted for travelers who want to combine iconic wildlife destinations with less-visited and highly rewarding northern parks. Starting and ending in Nairobi, the journey includes the legendary plains of Masai Mara National Reserve, the rhino sanctuary of Lake Nakuru National Park, the forested highlands of Aberdare National Park, and the rugged semi-arid wilderness of Samburu National Reserve.
Travel throughout the safari in a pop-up roof safari minivan, ideal for scenic road travel and wildlife viewing. Stay in carefully selected mid-range lodges and tented camps offering comfort, warm hospitality, and excellent locations. This itinerary combines Kenya’s famous Big Five regions with rare northern species, mountain forests, and contrasting ecosystems for a richer safari experience.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
-
Repeat safari travelers wanting something beyond classic circuits
-
First-time visitors seeking varied landscapes and wildlife
-
Couples wanting adventure with comfort
-
Families looking for educational wildlife experiences
-
Birdwatchers and photographers seeking diverse habitats
-
Mid-range travelers wanting value and variety
Why This Safari Best
-
Combines famous parks with less-visited northern Kenya
-
Great balance of Big Five wildlife and rare Samburu species
-
Diverse scenery: savannah, lake, forest, mountains, and arid plains
-
Efficient circular route from Nairobi
-
Mid-range lodges provide comfort throughout
-
Ideal for travelers wanting a safari beyond standard itineraries
Tour Highlights
2 nights in world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve
Lake Nakuru rhinos, giraffes, and seasonal flamingos
Unique tree lodge or forest lodge stay in Aberdare
2 nights in wild Samburu National Reserve
Search for Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Somali ostrich
Scenic drive through Kenya’s central highlands
Full board mid-range accommodation throughout
Private guided safari in pop-up roof minivan
Tour Map
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
Suitable for all ages
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
day_1
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Your safari begins with morning pick-up in Nairobi followed by a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley. Stop at a viewpoint before continuing via Narok town toward Masai Mara.
Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge or camp. Later, enjoy an afternoon game drive searching for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope across the open plains.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Nairobi to Masai Mara – Approx. 5.5 to 6 hours (270 km) by pop-up roof safari minivan
Enkorok Mara Camp
day_2
Full Day in Masai Mara
Spend a full day exploring one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves. Morning and afternoon game drives offer chances to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, and many plains species.
Relax between drives at camp or enjoy a picnic lunch inside the reserve for extended wildlife viewing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Full-day game drives within Masai Mara Reserve
Enkorok Mara Camp
day_3
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and drive through the Rift Valley toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive in time for lunch before an afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru is known for black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, tree-climbing lions, and excellent birdlife around the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru – Approx. 5 to 6 hours (300 km) by safari minivan
Ziwa Bush Lodge
day_4
Lake Nakuru to Aberdare National Park
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel through Kenya’s fertile central highlands toward Aberdare National Park.
The landscape changes dramatically from Rift Valley plains to cool forested mountains.
Arrive at your Aberdare lodge or tree hotel where animals often visit floodlit waterholes at night, creating a unique safari experience from the lodge viewing deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Lake Nakuru to Aberdare – Approx. 4 to 5 hours (190 km) by safari minivan
Aberdare Country Club
day_5
Aberdare to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, drive north across the equator toward Samburu National Reserve.
The scenery becomes drier and more rugged as you approach Kenya’s remote northern frontier.
Arrive for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive searching for elephants, lions, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Aberdare to Samburu – Approx. 4 to 5 hours (210 km) by safari minivan
Samburu Simba Lodge
day_6
Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
Enjoy a full day exploring Samburu’s dramatic landscapes of riverine forest, acacia scrub, and rocky hills.
The Ewaso Nyiro River attracts elephants and many animals throughout the day.
Morning and afternoon game drives focus on Samburu’s special species found mainly in northern Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Full-day game drives within Samburu National Reserve
Samburu Simba Lodge
day_7
Samburu to Nairobi
After breakfast, depart Samburu and drive south through central Kenya back to Nairobi.
Enjoy views of Mount Kenya region farms and countryside en route.
Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon for hotel or airport drop-off, ending your memorable off-the-beaten-path Kenya safari.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Samburu to Nairobi – Approx. 6 to 7 hours (320 km) by safari minivan
No Accommodations ( End of the tour )
Important to know
The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.
Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.