How many flights are included in this safari

This safari includes four internal flights connecting Nairobi, Samburu, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and back to Nairobi, ensuring maximum game-viewing time at each destination with zero road travel between parks.

What wildlife is unique to Samburu

Samburu is home to the Special Five species found only in northern Kenya: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. These species cannot be seen in the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.

What makes Amboseli special compared to the Mara

Amboseli offers intimate elephant encounters framed by Mount Kilimanjaro, a photographic combination found nowhere else. The park's permanent swamps create a unique wetland ecosystem distinct from the Mara's open grasslands.

Can I see the Great Migration on this safari

If travelling between July and October, you have excellent chances of witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration during your two days in the Maasai Mara, including potential dramatic Mara River crossings.

Is the 15 kg baggage limit enough

Most travellers manage comfortably with 15 kg in a soft-sided bag. Lodges and camps provide laundry services, and the warm climate means lightweight clothing is all you need.

6 Day Fly-In Samburu Mara Amboseli Safari Three Parks by Air

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Review

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Review

Overview

A fly-in Samburu Mara Amboseli safari connecting three of Kenya’s greatest parks by air is the ultimate multi-destination wildlife adventure. This 6-day aerial journey begins in the rugged semi-arid beauty of Samburu National Reserve, where the rare Special Five species roam alongside elephant herds and big cats in a landscape of volcanic rock and river-fed oasis. A scenic flight carries you south to the legendary Maasai Mara, home to the Big Five and the Great Wildebeest Migration, where two days of expert-guided game drives deliver iconic predator encounters across sweeping golden grasslands. The final chapter unfolds at Amboseli National Park, where massive elephant herds roam beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa’s most photographed wildlife panorama. This fly-in Samburu Mara Amboseli safari eliminates days of overland driving and places you in three completely different ecosystems in less than a week. Each park on this three-destination flying safari offers wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on the itinerary. Samburu’s arid riverine ecosystem supports the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and gerenuk that you simply cannot see in the Mara or Amboseli. The Mara’s predator density and migration spectacle are unmatched anywhere in Africa. Amboseli’s Kilimanjaro backdrop and legendary big tusker elephants create photographic opportunities that are genuinely world class. With comfortable lodge accommodation, expert local guides at every destination, and scenic flights that themselves become highlights of the journey, this comprehensive safari covers the full spectrum of Kenyan wildlife in six perfectly balanced days.

Trip Highlights

Track the rare Samburu Special Five in northern Kenya
Big Five game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Elephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
Scenic bush flights connecting three iconic Kenya parks
Three distinct ecosystems from arid savannah to highland marshland
Expert local guides with deep knowledge at every destination
Mara River hippos, crocodiles, and potential migration crossings
Over 400 bird species across three world-class birding destinations

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Samburu by Air

Your fly-in Samburu Mara Amboseli safari begins at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport with a 90-minute scenic flight north to Samburu National Reserve. The flight passes near the snow-dusted peaks of Mount Kenya before descending into the rust-red semi-arid plains of northern Kenya. Your Samburu guide meets you at the airstrip and drives you to your riverside camp along the Ewaso Nyiro River for lunch. The afternoon game drive introduces you to the unique Samburu ecosystem, with your guide tracking the famous Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Large elephant herds frequent the river, and the dramatic landscape of doum palms and volcanic formations creates a stunning photographic setting.

9 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Full Day Samburu Game Drives

Spend a full day exploring Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. The early morning drive follows the Ewaso Nyiro River where elephants drink and bathe in the golden dawn light, while your guide searches the gallery forest for leopards and tracks lion prides across the arid plains. The semi-arid landscape of red earth and scattered palms is utterly different from any park you will visit later on this safari. After a relaxing lunch at camp, the afternoon drive ventures into different sectors targeting wild dog sightings, Beisa oryx herds, and the smaller predators like striped hyena and bat-eared fox that emerge as the afternoon heat subsides.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Samburu to Maasai Mara by Air

After breakfast at your Samburu camp, you fly south to the Maasai Mara, crossing the equator and the Great Rift Valley on a flight that showcases Kenya’s incredible geographic diversity. Landing in the Mara, the landscape transformation is dramatic as Samburu’s rust-red plains give way to the golden rolling grasslands of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserve. Your Mara guide meets you and drives you to your lodge for lunch before an afternoon game drive through the heart of the reserve. The Mara’s open terrain offers superb visibility, and your guide targets lion prides, cheetah, and the large buffalo herds that dominate the grassland corridors.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 04 :

Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives

A full day of morning and afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara explores the reserve’s legendary wildlife diversity. The early morning drive follows the Mara River where hippos crowd deep pools and crocodiles bask on sandy banks, while your guide searches for leopards in the riverine forest. During migration season, this area stages the famous wildebeest river crossings. After lunch and a midday rest, the afternoon drive focuses on different sectors, seeking out elephant herds, giraffe families, and the abundant predator activity that makes the Mara one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 05 :

Maasai Mara to Amboseli by Air

After breakfast at the Mara lodge, you transfer to the airstrip for your connecting flight to Amboseli National Park. The flight crosses the southern Kenya plains with Mount Kilimanjaro growing on the horizon until its snow-capped summit fills the view. Upon landing, your Amboseli guide drives you to your lodge for lunch with mountain panoramas before an afternoon game drive through the park’s marshlands and grasslands. Amboseli’s legendary elephant herds are your primary focus, with your guide positioning you for photographs of these gentle giants framed by the towering Kilimanjaro peak. The park’s swamps attract hippos, flamingos, and a rich diversity of waterbirds that add colour and life to every scene.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 06 :

Amboseli to Nairobi by Air

Rise early for a final morning game drive through Amboseli as the first light illuminates Mount Kilimanjaro in pink and gold. The early hours offer the clearest mountain views and the best wildlife activity as elephants cross the dusty plains and predators finish their nocturnal hunts. After returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, you check out and transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, arriving by midday. You carry with you six days of extraordinary memories spanning three of Kenya’s most iconic parks, each offering completely different landscapes, wildlife, and photographic magic.

6 hours

Breakfast