This itinerary connects three genuinely distinct Kenyan ecosystems — the Mara’s classic plains, Samburu’s arid-north species you won’t see further south, and Amboseli’s elephant herds beneath Kilimanjaro — entirely by light aircraft, maximising time in each park rather than losing days to the road.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Your driver-guide transfers you to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for a scheduled light aircraft flight, roughly forty-five minutes, to one of the Mara’s several airstrips. Your camp’s vehicle meets you on arrival for an afternoon game drive.
Fly to Maasai Mara
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSarova Mara Game Camp
LuxuryAngama Mara
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day of game drives across the Mara’s plains for the Big Five and, seasonally, Great Migration herds, split by a picnic lunch out on the reserve.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A second light aircraft flight, this time north to Samburu — a genuinely different Kenya, arid and rugged, where the Ewaso Nyiro River cuts a green ribbon through red-earth scrubland. Afternoon game drive on arrival.
Fly to Samburu National Reserve
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSamburu Sopa Lodge
LuxuryElephant Bedroom Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A full day along the Ewaso Nyiro’s riverbanks tracking Samburu’s distinctive “special five” — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, species found nowhere in Kenya’s southern parks — alongside elephant, lion and leopard.
Full Day Samburu Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A third flight, south this time to Amboseli, Kilimanjaro visible from the air on approach on a clear day. Afternoon game drive on arrival among the park’s large elephant herds.
Fly to Amboseli National Park
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeAmboseli Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryTortilis Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day among Amboseli’s elephants, with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop for photography before the mountain typically clouds over by mid-morning.
Full Day Amboseli Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A further game drive plus an optional visit to a local Maasai community bordering the park, offering insight into pastoralist life alongside the reserve’s tourism economy.
Second Amboseli Day, Maasai Village Visit
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A final morning game drive before the short flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for your onward international connection.
Fly to Nairobi, Departure
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Permits & Costs
| Maasai Mara park entry | ~$80 per person per day |
| Samburu park entry | ~$70 per person per day |
| Amboseli park entry | ~$60 per person per day |
| Light aircraft transfers (3 legs) | Required, quoted separately |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers with a genuine interest in Kenya’s ecological diversity beyond the classic Mara-only trip, and comfortable with the premium light-aircraft-connected format.Tour Includes
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide at each park
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Park entry fees & airstrip transfers
Tour Excludes
- Light aircraft fares between parks
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance