An 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari is the fullest road loop we run: forest, desert, conservancy, lake and plains in eight days with no day longer than five hours.
- FromUSD 2,350per person sharing, budget tier, 6 people, low season
- Duration8 days, 7 nights
- StartsNairobi
- Best forWildlife lovers who want the full north to south Kenya loop at a steady pace
- StylePrivate 4×4, your own driver guide
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
You travel in your own pop up roof 4×4 with a driver guide. The route adds Ol Pejeta between Samburu and Nakuru, which cuts the longest drive of the shorter loop in half and adds rhino and chimps.
This page shows the day by day plan, what each tier gets you, the fees in the price and when to go. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we reply with a written quote.
Highlights
- A night at a treetop lodge in the Aberdare forest
- Two nights in Samburu for the Special Five
- Ol Pejeta for black rhino, the last northern white rhinos and chimps
- Lake Nakuru for rhino, buffalo and birds
- Two nights in the Masai Mara with a full day on the plains
- No drive longer than about five hours
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Nairobi to the Aberdares
You leave Nairobi at about 8 am and drive north to Nyeri, which takes about three and a half hours. After lunch at the country club you take the lodge shuttle up into the Aberdare forest. You check in at your treetop lodge and watch the floodlit waterhole from the deck. Elephant, buffalo and bush pig come to drink after dark.
- Day 2
Aberdares to Samburu
After breakfast the shuttle returns you to Nyeri and your vehicle. You drive via Nanyuki and Isiolo to Samburu, which takes about five hours, with a stop at the Equator. You arrive for a late lunch, then take an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Elephants bathe in the shallows as the sun sets.
- Day 3
Full day in Samburu
You leave at dawn for a long game drive. Your 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari delivers the Special Five here: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Lion and leopard live in the rocks above the river, and crocodiles line the banks. After lunch and a rest you drive again until sunset.
- Day 4
Samburu to Ol Pejeta
You enjoy a short sunrise drive and breakfast, then leave Samburu for the south. The road runs through Isiolo and Nanyuki, which takes about four hours. Your 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari turns south here. You arrive at Ol Pejeta in time for lunch, then take an afternoon game drive. Black rhino and white rhino are common here. You sleep at a lodge or camp inside the conservancy.
- Day 5
Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru
You start early with a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and, if you wish, the northern white rhinos. After lunch you drive about three and a half hours to Lake Nakuru through Nyahururu. You enter the park for a late game drive and look for rhino, buffalo and Rothschild giraffe. You sleep near the lake.
- Day 6
Nakuru to the Masai Mara
After a short morning drive at Nakuru you leave for the Mara. The route runs through Narok and ends on a rough track to the gate. Plan for five to six hours with a lunch stop. You reach camp in the afternoon and head out on a first game drive as the light turns gold.
- Day 7
Full day in the Masai Mara
You leave at first light for the best hours of the day. Your guide works the plains and the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles wait. You take a packed lunch in the bush or rest at camp. The afternoon drive runs until sunset. Between July and October you can watch the migration herds.
- Day 8
Mara to Nairobi
After a final early game drive and breakfast you check out and drive to Nairobi. The trip takes about five to six hours with a lunch stop at Narok or Mai Mahiu. You reach the city by late afternoon. Your guide drops you at your hotel or the airport, and your 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari is done.
8 Day Samburu Aberdare Safari, guide price per person sharing, USD, low season
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget tier | USD 2,980 | USD 2,540 | USD 2,350 |
| Mid range tier | USD 3,840 | USD 3,330 | USD 3,050 |
| Luxury tier | USD 4,950 | USD 4,360 | USD 3,960 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Low season (Jan to Jun) shown, with Mara tickets at USD 100 per day
- Jul to Dec adds about USD 250 to 450 per person for the higher Mara fee and lodge rates
- Christmas and New Year dates carry a surcharge, confirm at booking
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Private pop up roof 4×4 Land Cruiser with a driver guide
- 7 nights accommodation on full board in your chosen tier
- Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru and Mara fees
- Lodge shuttle to the Aberdare treetop lodge
- Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit
- Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop off
Not included
- International flights and your Kenya ETA
- Tips for your driver guide and lodge staff
- Alcohol and drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Optional balloon ride, night drives and community visits
What an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari Really Gets You
An 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari is built for people who want a full Kenya loop without crushing drives. Ol Pejeta sits in the middle of the long Samburu to Nakuru stretch, so you break it in two. Your longest day is about five hours.
The loop covers five parks and four landscapes. It suits second time visitors, photographers and curious families with teenagers. For a shorter version, see our 5 day Samburu, Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru safari and the 7 day Kenya safari.
How Much Is an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari?
Our guide prices start at USD 2,350 per person for six people on the budget tier in low season. Two people on the mid range tier pay about USD 3,420 each. Two people on the luxury tier pay about USD 4,950 each.
The price covers your vehicle, guide, seven nights on full board and every park fee on the route. Samburu and Aberdare cost about USD 70 to 80 a day, Ol Pejeta about USD 100, Nakuru USD 90 and the Mara USD 100 a day in low season. Confirm exact fees at booking.
See our Kenya national park entry fees guide for the fee table and our Kenya safari packages and prices page to compare trips.
The Aberdare Night
The Aberdares are a mountain range of forest and moorland, cold at night and often misty. You leave your vehicle at the country club in Nyeri and ride a shuttle to the treetop lodge. You sleep in a small room and watch the waterhole from a deck.
The night is a classic Kenya safari experience, and it gives the 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari a strong first day. Our 3 day Aberdare and Ol Pejeta safari covers the Aberdare and Ol Pejeta as a short trip.
Ol Pejeta in the Middle
Ol Pejeta is a private conservancy of about 90,000 acres. It has the largest black rhino population in East Africa, and it protects the last two northern white rhinos. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is also on site.
Conservancy rules allow night drives and walks at some lodges. Read our 2 day Ol Pejeta safari or the Ol Pejeta day trip for a closer look.
Best Time for an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari
Jun to Oct and Jan to Feb are the driest months and the best for game viewing. The Aberdares are cold and wet in Apr to May and Nov. Jul to Oct brings the migration to the Mara and the highest Mara fees.
Read our Kenya safari month by month guide for the full year, and the best time to visit the Maasai Mara for the Mara months. Check the Kenya public holidays and peak dates for peak weekends.
Lodges and Camps by Tier
On an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari, you sleep in five different places, so tiers matter. Budget stays use simple lodges and camps with hot water and full meals. Mid range stays give you private bathrooms and river or plains views. Luxury stays give you large suites, pools and the best guides.
The Aberdare treetop lodge is small and simple at every tier. Our guide to lodges, tented camps and camping compares lodge and camp styles.
- Budget: simple rooms or tents, full meals, shared facilities in some
- Mid range: private bathrooms, a lounge and a pool in some
- Luxury: spacious suites, a pool, a bar and top service
What You Can Expect to See
Expect elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, giraffe, zebra and hippo. Samburu adds the Special Five. Ol Pejeta adds chimps and rhino close up. The Mara adds big cats and wildebeest in season.
On an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari, you can tick off the Big Five and many rare species. Our guide to the Big Five in Kenya and our Kenya safari animals guide show where to look.
Who Should Pick the Seven Day Loop Instead
If you have only seven days instead of an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari, skip Ol Pejeta and take the shorter loop. It has one longer drive, and it costs about USD 350 to 600 less. Our 10 day Kenya safari goes the other way and adds more parks.
If you want a calmer trip with fewer moves, pick two or three parks and add rest nights. We shape every trip around the days you have.
Health, Packing and Comfort
The Aberdares are cold at night, so pack a fleece. Samburu is hot, so pack sunscreen and a hat. Samburu, Ol Pejeta and the Mara are malaria areas, so speak to your doctor and pack repellent.
Our Kenya safari packing checklist and our Kenya vaccinations and malaria guide cover the details.
Book Your 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari
Send your dates, group size and budget for your 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957. We reply with a written quote and a lodge shortlist, usually within a few hours.
Book peak months three to six months ahead. The Aberdare lodges are small and fill early. Browse the full list of our safari packages for other lengths.
How to book your 8 day Samburu Aberdare
Booking your 8 day Samburu Aberdare with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every 8 day Samburu Aberdare plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box, and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only, and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos, and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 8 day Samburu Aberdare into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews, and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
Is an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari too tiring?
An 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari is a full trip, but no drive is longer than about five hours. You also have a rest rhythm, with two nights in Samburu and two in the Mara. Most guests find the variety keeps them energised. We can shorten the plan if you prefer.
How much does an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari cost?
Our guide price starts at USD 2,350 per person for six people on the budget tier in low season. Mid range runs about USD 2,540 to 3,420, and luxury about USD 3,960 to 4,950. Park fees are included. Peak season adds about USD 250 to 450.
Why include Ol Pejeta?
It breaks the long drive between Samburu and Nakuru, and it adds rhino, chimps and a second conservancy. It also has lodges with night drives and walks. That makes the trip richer and the days shorter.
When is the best time for an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari?
Jun to Oct and Jan to Feb are the driest and best for game viewing. The Aberdares are wet and cold in Apr to May and Nov. Jul to Oct is also migration season in the Mara. Apr and May are the wettest months overall.
Can I drop the Aberdares from an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari?
Yes. You can replace the treetop night with an extra night at Ol Pejeta or Samburu. The trip then starts with a longer first day on the road, and the price drops by about USD 100 to 250. Ask us for a custom plan.
Is a private vehicle worth it on a long loop?
Yes. On an eight day trip you spend many hours in the vehicle, so space and control matter. You choose stops, photo breaks and start times. Groups of four to six can bring the per person cost close to a shared van.
Can children join an 8 day Samburu Aberdare safari?
Yes, children over 8 do well. The game drives are long but varied, and the chimp sanctuary is a hit. Mara fees for ages 9 to 17 are about half, and ages 8 and under are free. See our Kenya family safaris for ideas.
Official information: Kenya Wildlife Service, the official park authority.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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