6-Day Self-Launched Mid-Range Kenya Safari: Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
6 days · Kenya
Grey Impala Safaris charges £1,900
No-markup version: ~£570 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, solo-friendly take on Grey Impala Safaris' 6-day mid-range Kenya safari covering Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara. Instead of a private guided group tour, you join affordable shared safari departures, public and shared shuttle transport, and budget-to-mid lodges, bandas and safari camps — hitting the same headline game drives and the classic Carnivore Restaurant finale. Costs are approximate backpacker/independent-traveller estimates in GBP and assume you book park fees, shared game drives and lodgings separately.
Day-by-day
Arrive Nairobi — safari briefing & city night
Nairobi
Land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and make your own way into the city (airport taxi ~£15, or an Uber/Bolt ride ~£8-12). Check into a budget-to-mid hotel or hostel in Westlands or the city centre. Spend the afternoon sorting your safari logistics: confirm your shared-departure seats, collect any park-fee e-tickets via the KWS self-service portal, and buy a local Safaricom SIM with data (~£4). Evening: easy dinner at a local nyama choma spot or the Talisman/Urban Eatery area. Optional Nairobi highlights if you have spare time — Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage (~£5 donation) or the Giraffe Centre (~£13). Early night before the long drive north.
🚌Airport taxi or app ride to city centre (~£8-15)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Westlands/CBD (e.g. dorm ~£10-15, private room ~£25-40)
- →Airport transfer
- →Buy Safaricom SIM & data
- →Confirm shared safari departures
- →Optional Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage
- →Optional Giraffe Centre
Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve
Samburu Game Reserve
Depart Nairobi early (most shared safari minivans leave 06:30-07:30). The drive north to Samburu takes roughly 5-6 hours, passing Mount Kenya's shoulders and the equator crossing near Nanyuki — a classic photo stop. Game-view en route and stop for lunch. By mid-afternoon you're checked into a mid-range lodge near the Ewaso Nyiro River, then head out on your first afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve. Samburu is famous for its 'Special Five' (reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
🚌Seat in a shared 4x4 safari minivan/minibus from Nairobi (~£50-70 for the leg, split across groups)
🛏Mid-range lodge or riverside camp near Samburu (e.g. budget bandas ~£30-50; mid lodge ~£70-110 shared)
- →Scenic drive via Mount Kenya & equator crossing
- →Afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve
- →Spot the Samburu Special Five
Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, travel south from Samburu toward the Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru (around 5-6 hours). Game-viewing continues during the drive. Arrive at your lodge near the lakeshore and head into Lake Nakuru National Park — a compact, fenced reserve best known for white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, and huge flocks of flamingos when water levels suit. Afternoon game drive spotlights rhino and, with luck, tree-climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at a lakeside lodge.
🚌Shared safari vehicle from Samburu to Nakuru (~£45-65 shared)
🛏Mid-range lodge near Lake Nakuru (e.g. budget-mid ~£40-70)
- →Game viewing along the drive
- →Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
- →Rhino and Rothschild's giraffe spotting
- →Flamingo viewing (season dependent)
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
Breakfast, then the long haul to the Masai Mara (roughly 5-6 hours via Narok). Arrive in time for lunch near the reserve and settle into a safari camp. Afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara — the classic Big Five territory, with lions, elephants, buffalo and (if lucky) leopard and rhino. Evening back at camp for dinner under the stars.
🚌Shared safari vehicle from Nakuru to Masai Mara (~£45-65 shared)
🛏Safari tented camp or banda in/near the Masai Mara (e.g. budget-mid ~£45-80)
- →Drive via Narok to the Masai Mara
- →Afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara
- →Big Five spotting
Full-day game drive in the Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve
A full day in the reserve. Head out at dawn for the best predator activity, taking a packed breakfast/lunch and spending the day crisscrossing the plains along the Mara River. Depending on the season (roughly July-October) you may witness the Great Migration and river crossings. Optional add-ons if you'd like extra depth: a hot-air balloon flight over the Mara (~£350-450, book direct with operators like Governors' Balloon Safaris) or a Maasai village visit (~£20-30). Return to camp for dinner.
🚌Full-day private-vehicle shared game drive within the reserve (vehicle/day split ~£30-50 per person)
🛏Safari tented camp or banda in/near the Masai Mara (e.g. budget-mid ~£45-80)
- →Dawn game drive
- →Full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve
- →Optional hot-air balloon flight
- →Optional Maasai village visit
- →Great Migration (seasonal, Jul-Oct)
Morning game drive, Carnivore lunch & return to Nairobi
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Final early-morning game drive — the golden hour is prime for big cats. Return to camp for breakfast, then drive back to Nairobi (about 5-6 hours). Cap the trip with a farewell lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant (~£25-35 per person, book direct) for its famous nyama choma barbecue. If time allows before your flight, drop bags and do a last-minute curio shop. Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
🚌Shared safari vehicle back to Nairobi (~£45-65), then taxi/app to the airport (~£8-15)
🛏None (departure day); optional one night in Nairobi (~£25-40) if your flight is the next morning
- →Early morning game drive in Masai Mara
- →Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant
- →Return transfer to Nairobi
- →Airport drop-off
Self-launched vs. Grey Impala Safaris
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Grey Impala Safaris | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£570 | £1,900 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,330 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Grey Impala Safaris-style trips? Check them out here.~£570
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 6-Day Self-Launched Mid-Range Kenya Safari: Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £570 per person for 6 days in Kenya. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Grey Impala Safaris?+
Yes — Grey Impala Safaris charges around £1,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £570 — a saving of roughly £1,330 (70%) per person.
How long is the Kenya trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Kenya.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, budget trip through Kenya, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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