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Journey overview
About this safari
Discover three of Kenya’s most distinctive safari regions on a private six-day flying safari that links Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Reserve and Masai Mara National Reserve.
The itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience contrasting landscapes and wildlife without spending long days driving between distant safari regions. Scheduled light-aircraft flights connect the major safari areas through Nairobi, while game viewing within each destination is conducted in a private pop-up-roof 4x4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide.
Amboseli introduces the journey with elephant herds, wetlands, open plains and the possibility of Mount Kilimanjaro views. Samburu then changes the scenery completely, with the Ewaso Nyiro River, semi-arid northern landscapes and specialist wildlife such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. The safari finishes in the Masai Mara, one of Kenya’s premier wildlife areas and a strong destination for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo and seasonal migration activity.
The safari includes five nights and can be quoted with Economy, Standard or Luxury lodges or tented camps. Greatlink Safaris does not publish a fixed package price because the final quotation depends on the travel dates, flight availability, number of travellers, child ages, residency or nationality category, accommodation level and any optional experiences requested.
All flight times, routings and airstrips are subject to the schedules of the operating safari airlines. Some sectors may require a connection through Nairobi Wilson Airport. Greatlink Safaris confirms the final routing before travel and arranges the required road and airstrip transfers around the confirmed schedule.
Safari highlights
Why travellers choose this journey
- Three major safari regions: combine Amboseli, Samburu and Masai Mara in one compact air safari.
- Scheduled safari flights: reduce long overland journeys and maximise time in the wildlife areas.
- Private 4x4 game viewing: enjoy game drives in a pop-up-roof Land Cruiser with your own driver-guide in each safari region.
- Amboseli elephants: search for large elephant herds with possible Mount Kilimanjaro views when weather conditions are clear.
- Samburu Special Five: look for Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich in northern Kenya.
- Masai Mara predators: explore one of Kenya’s strongest areas for lion, cheetah and leopard.
- Migration potential: during the appropriate season, the Mara may host large wildebeest and zebra herds moving through the wider Serengeti–Mara ecosystem.
- Flexible accommodation: choose Economy, Standard or Luxury safari lodges or tented camps according to your preferred safari style.
- Nairobi assistance: required Nairobi transfers between Wilson Airport and the agreed hotel, airport or lunch stop are arranged within the itinerary.
Perfect forCouples, families, photographers, first-time Kenya safari travellers, repeat safari guests, and travellers who prefer flying between major wildlife areas instead of long road transfers.
Journey flow
Where this safari takes you
See the route in travel order, from the first stop to the final destination. Each stage connects directly to the detailed destination guide where available.
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Safari beginsNairobi
Safari endsNairobi
Safari Types
How this journey is designed
These categories describe the style of safari you are booking.
Fly-In SafarisSafari itineraries that use scheduled or charter flights to reduce long road transfers and max…
Photography SafarisPhotographer-focused safaris built around light, wildlife behaviour, patient sightings and fle…
Family SafarisPrivate safari itineraries planned around family-friendly pacing, rooming, child policies and …
Experiences
Experiences included in this safari
These are activities, encounters or natural spectacles included in or available through this journey.
Day by day
Your safari itinerary
Open each day to view the route, activities, meals, transport and accommodation details.
Your safari begins with an early transfer from your Nairobi hotel or agreed airport meeting point to Wilson Airport. After check-in and the safari airline’s reporting procedures, board the scheduled light-aircraft flight to the Amboseli area.
On arrival at the designated airstrip, meet your Greatlink Safaris driver-guide and transfer into your private pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser. Your first game drive begins immediately as you travel toward your lodge or tented camp.
Explore Amboseli National Park for elephant herds, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, gazelles and other plains wildlife. When the skies are clear, Mount Kilimanjaro may provide the dramatic backdrop that has made Amboseli one of Kenya’s most recognisable safari destinations.
Arrive at the lodge or camp for check-in and lunch. After time to rest, head out again for an afternoon game drive across the open plains and wetland areas. The permanent swamps attract large concentrations of wildlife and birdlife, while the softer afternoon light can be excellent for photography.
Return to the lodge or camp around sunset for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationAmboseli lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast where applicable before departure; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate Nairobi transfer; scheduled safari flight; private pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesWilson Airport transfer; scheduled fly-in; arrival game drive; afternoon game drive; elephant viewing; photography; birding
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Amboseli airstrip in time for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport. The transfer may provide a final opportunity to see wildlife as you leave the Amboseli area.
On arrival at Wilson Airport, connect with the scheduled flight to northern Kenya. The exact connection time and routing are confirmed with your final flight schedule.
Land at the designated Samburu-area airstrip, where your Samburu driver-guide will be waiting. Transfer toward your lodge or tented camp, arriving for lunch when flight timing permits.
In the afternoon, begin exploring Samburu National Reserve. The landscape changes dramatically from Amboseli’s southern plains to northern Kenya’s semi-arid country along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Search for elephants, leopard, lion and the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
Return to your lodge or camp around sunset for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationSamburu-area lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate airstrip transfers; scheduled Amboseli–Nairobi flight; scheduled Nairobi–Samburu flight; private 4x4 safari vehicle ActivitiesFlight connection via Nairobi; afternoon Samburu game drive; Special Five search; elephant and predator viewing
Spend the full day exploring Samburu with your private driver-guide. The programme can be arranged as separate morning and afternoon game drives with a midday break at the lodge, or as a longer game-viewing day depending on your preference and the location of your accommodation.
The Ewaso Nyiro River is the ecological heart of the reserve. Riverine woodland and doum palms provide shade and water in an otherwise dry landscape, attracting elephants, buffalo, impala and predators. Your guide will also search for the northern species that make Samburu unique, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and gerenuk.
Samburu is also rewarding for leopard, particularly around riverine cover, although all predator sightings are subject to natural movement. Birdlife is excellent, with colourful northern species such as vulturine guineafowl, golden-breasted starling and Somali ostrich adding another dimension to the game drives.
Return to the lodge or camp after the final game drive for dinner and your second night in Samburu.
AccommodationSame Samburu-area lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesMorning and afternoon game drives or extended game drive; Samburu Special Five; elephant viewing; leopard search; birding; photography
After breakfast, check out and enjoy a final Samburu game drive while transferring toward the airstrip. Board the scheduled flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport.
On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met for the planned lunch stop at Carnivore Restaurant before returning to Wilson Airport for the onward flight to the Masai Mara. This lunch arrangement is subject to the confirmed flight schedule and sufficient connection time; if airline timings change, Greatlink Safaris will adjust the meal and transfer plan accordingly.
Board the scheduled flight to the Masai Mara. On arrival at the designated Mara airstrip, meet your driver-guide and proceed directly into your first game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Mara is known for its open savannahs and rich predator populations. Depending on your route and arrival time, look for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and the reserve’s famous big cats as you make your way toward the lodge or tented camp.
Continue game viewing until late afternoon or sunset before checking in for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationMasai Mara lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Nairobi lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate Samburu airstrip transfer; scheduled flight to Nairobi; Nairobi road transfers; scheduled flight to Masai Mara; private 4x4 safari vehicle ActivitiesFinal Samburu game drive; Nairobi lunch stop; fly to Masai Mara; afternoon Mara game drive; predator search
Spend a full day in the Masai Mara with your private driver-guide. The day can be organised as morning and afternoon game drives with a lodge break, or as a longer full-day safari with a picnic lunch when arranged in advance.
Search the open plains and river systems for the Big Five and the Mara’s resident predator populations. Lion and cheetah are among the reserve’s strongest attractions, while leopard may be found along riverine areas and wooded drainage lines. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, topi, wildebeest and several gazelle species are also widely distributed.
When conditions and routing allow, your guide may explore toward the Mara River. During the annual migration season, large herds of wildebeest and zebra can move through the greater Mara ecosystem, but exact herd locations and river crossings depend on rainfall and natural movement and cannot be guaranteed.
The Mara is also an outstanding photography destination, with broad horizons, dramatic skies and abundant wildlife creating excellent opportunities throughout the day.
Return to the lodge or tented camp around sunset for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationSame Masai Mara lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch or picnic lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesMorning/afternoon or full-day game drive; Big Five search; Mara River exploration when practical; photography; birding
Begin your final day with an early-morning game drive, subject to the confirmed flight departure time. The cool morning hours provide a final chance to look for predators and other wildlife before leaving the reserve.
Return to the lodge or camp for breakfast, check out and transfer to the designated Mara airstrip. Depending on timing, the airstrip transfer may provide additional wildlife viewing.
Board the scheduled flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport. On arrival, a Greatlink Safaris representative will meet you and transfer you privately to your Nairobi hotel or the agreed airport terminal.
The source itinerary includes breakfast and lunch on Day 6. The final lunch arrangement will therefore be included where it fits the confirmed flight and transfer schedule, either before departure from the Mara or after arrival in Nairobi, as stated in your final itinerary.
The six-day flying safari ends after the Nairobi transfer.
AccommodationNo accommodation included after the Nairobi transfer unless separately requested. MealsBreakfast; Lunch as arranged around the confirmed flight schedule TransportPrivate 4x4 airstrip transfer; scheduled Masai Mara–Nairobi flight; private Nairobi transfer ActivitiesEarly-morning Mara game drive where flight timing permits; airstrip transfer; scheduled flight; Nairobi drop-off
Shape your safari
Safari choices for your quotation
Select the options that interest you when requesting a quote. No fixed public price is shown because the final quotation depends on dates, traveller numbers, availability and your preferred travel style.
Accommodation
Good-value lodges or tented camps in Amboseli, Samburu and Masai Mara, selected according to dates, location, rooming needs and availability.
Comfortable mid-range lodges or tented camps selected across all three safari regions with the confirmed meal plan.
Premium lodges or tented camps selected for stronger location, service, room quality and overall safari experience, subject to availability.
Service
English-speaking guiding is standard. Request another available guide language when submitting the enquiry; confirmation depends on dates and guide availability.
Before you travel
Know before you go
Flight schedule: all domestic safari flights are operated by scheduled light-aircraft carriers. Exact flight times, routing, airstrips and connection procedures are confirmed after booking and may change for operational, weather or airstrip reasons.
Baggage: safari airlines normally apply strict luggage limits and often require soft-sided bags. The final carrier allowance is provided with your confirmed travel documents. Excess baggage, if accepted, may attract an additional charge or require separate arrangements.
Wildlife: all animals are free-ranging. The itinerary identifies the wildlife normally associated with each destination, but no species, predator sighting, migration event or river crossing can be guaranteed.
Mount Kilimanjaro: views from Amboseli depend entirely on cloud and weather conditions. Early morning often offers the best chance, but visibility remains a natural occurrence.
Masai Mara migration: the Great Migration is seasonal and its exact timing varies according to rainfall and grazing conditions. Travelling to the Mara during migration season does not guarantee a river crossing.
Meals: the package includes the meals specified in each day’s itinerary. Day 4 includes the planned Nairobi lunch stop before the onward Mara flight, subject to the confirmed flight connection and sufficient transfer time.
Emergency evacuation cover: where specifically stated in the final quotation, temporary emergency medical evacuation cover may be included through AMREF Flying Doctors or another contracted provider. This is not a substitute for comprehensive personal travel and medical insurance.
Timing: game-drive, transfer and arrival times are estimates. Traffic, weather, flight operations, park regulations, airstrip conditions and wildlife movement may require reasonable itinerary adjustments.
Included
What is included
- Private transfer from the agreed Nairobi hotel or airport to Wilson Airport at the beginning of the safari.
- Scheduled safari flights required by the confirmed itinerary, including Nairobi to Amboseli, Amboseli to Nairobi, Nairobi to Samburu, Samburu to Nairobi, Nairobi to Masai Mara and Masai Mara to Nairobi, subject to the final operating airline schedule.
- Applicable airline taxes included in the confirmed domestic safari-flight tickets.
- Meet-and-assist service at the relevant safari airstrips.
- All scheduled airstrip transfers between the airstrip and the confirmed safari lodge or tented camp.
- Five nights’ safari accommodation in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- Meals shown in the confirmed itinerary: breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 1–5 as applicable to the day’s routing, and breakfast plus the stated lunch arrangement on Day 6 where confirmed.
- Planned Nairobi lunch stop on Day 4 before the onward Masai Mara flight, subject to the confirmed connection time and operating flight schedule.
- Private game drives in pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruisers within Amboseli, Samburu and Masai Mara unless another vehicle arrangement is specifically confirmed.
- Services of experienced professional English-speaking driver-guides during the safari. Other guide languages can be requested and are subject to availability.
- All game drives described in the itinerary, including arrival drives, morning and afternoon game drives, full-day safari options and the final morning drives where flight timing permits.
- Applicable conservation or reserve entry fees for Amboseli, Samburu and Masai Mara for the park visits specifically included in the confirmed itinerary, based on the traveller categories supplied at quotation stage.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicles during game drives and Greatlink Safaris road transfers.
- Nairobi ground transfers required between Wilson Airport and the planned Day 4 lunch stop where the flight connection allows.
- Private transfer from Wilson Airport to the agreed Nairobi hotel or airport after the final Masai Mara flight.
- Emergency medical evacuation cover when expressly included in the final confirmation, subject to the contracted provider’s terms, conditions, geographical limits and exclusions.
- Applicable Kenyan government taxes and local statutory levies relating to the services specifically included in the confirmed quotation.
Not included
What is excluded
- International or regional flights into or out of Kenya unless specifically added to the quotation.
- Kenya entry authorization, visa, immigration or passport-related costs applicable to the traveller.
- Comprehensive travel insurance, medical insurance, trip-cancellation insurance, baggage insurance and personal-accident cover.
- Medical treatment, hospitalization, medication, search-and-rescue costs or other expenses outside the limits of any included emergency evacuation plan.
- Accommodation in Nairobi before Day 1 or after Day 6 unless specifically included in the confirmed quotation.
- Meals in Nairobi that are not specifically shown in the itinerary, including any meal that cannot be taken because of a revised domestic flight connection.
- Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, soft drinks and lodge or camp beverages unless expressly included by the selected accommodation.
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, lodge staff, porters, restaurant staff and other service teams.
- Laundry, telephone calls, spa services, souvenirs and other items or services of a personal nature.
- Optional activities not specifically listed as included, such as balloon safaris, cultural visits, private sundowners, specialist photographic sessions or other lodge and camp activities.
- Excess baggage charges, additional baggage seats, baggage storage or additional transport required because of light-aircraft baggage limits.
- Any upgrade in accommodation, room category, vehicle type, flight category or guiding language unless included in the confirmed quotation.
- Additional accommodation, meals, transport or services caused by voluntary itinerary changes requested by the traveller after confirmation.
- Costs resulting from circumstances beyond the operator’s reasonable control, including severe weather, government restrictions, major airline disruption, airstrip closure, force-majeure events or supplier changes, except where the relevant supplier or booking conditions specifically provide otherwise.
