-
Year-round (July to October for the Great Migration in the Mara; Samburu offers excellent dry-season viewing year-round)
-
Luxury City Hotel / Premium Safari Lodges & Tented Camps
-
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on safari (Bed & Breakfast / Welcome Dinner in Nairobi)
-
Custom 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and heavy-duty suspension
-
Professional English-speaking Driver/Guide
Destinations Overview
The Northern Frontier & Mara Circuit is a masterclass in geographical contrast, taking you from Kenya’s arid, rugged north down through the lush central highlands, and finally into the sweeping southern savannahs. We have meticulously paced this expedition with multi-night stays at every single location, ensuring you have the time to deeply explore each unique ecosystem without ever falling victim to “safari fatigue.”
Your adventure begins with a relaxed, exclusive “urban safari” in Nairobi, where you will encounter rhinos roaming against a backdrop of city skyscrapers, hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, and visit orphaned baby elephants.
Leaving the city, the route crosses the Equator into the spectacular, semi-desert landscapes of the Samburu National Reserve for a two-night stay. Centered around the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro River, Samburu is visually stunning and home to the “Samburu Special Five” rare, northern-adapted species like the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, and the long-necked Gerenuk that you will not see in southern Kenya.
From the arid north, the journey climbs into the cool, green foothills of Mount Kenya for two nights at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia. This private reserve is famous for hosting the highest density of wildlife in Kenya and serving as the heavily guarded sanctuary for the last two Northern White Rhinos on Earth.
The transit continues down into the Great Rift Valley for a restorative two-night retreat at Lake Nakuru National Park, a vibrant haven for flamingos, pelicans, and rare tree-climbing lions. Finally, the expedition culminates in the Masai Mara National Reserve for an unforgettable three-night stay.
A limitless expanse of golden plains, the Mara is globally celebrated for its unrivaled Big Cat population and the thundering Great Wildebeest Migration. This transit route is highly ideal because it offers the most comprehensive wildlife checklist possible, seamlessly shifting through deserts, alpine foothills, Rift Valley lakes, and open savannahs.
Preserving the Ecosystem
At Maudie Safaris, we ensure your journey actively protects the diverse landscapes you traverse. In Nairobi, your visits to the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust directly fund the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants and endangered Rothschild giraffes.
In Samburu, your park fees support critical initiatives like the Grevy’s Zebra Trust and the Ewaso Lions project, while empowering the indigenous, semi-nomadic Samburu people. At Ol Pejeta Conservancy, your visit is a direct investment in the most high-tech, intensive rhino protection unit on the continent, heavily guarded by armed rangers and K-9 anti-poaching units to protect the critically endangered Black and Northern White rhinos. Furthermore, in Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara, we partner exclusively with eco-camps that prioritize solar power, waste reduction, and the funding of Maasai community conservancies, ensuring the long-term survival of East Africa’s most iconic predators and habitats.
Safari Highlights
- Stress-Free Pacing: A dedicated rest day upon arrival, built-in midday siestas, and multi-night stays at every lodge to completely eliminate rushed travel.
- The Urban Safari: Spot wildlife in Nairobi National Park, hand-feed giraffes, and visit orphaned baby elephants.
- The Samburu Special Five: Track rare, northern-adapted wildlife like the Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, and Gerenuk along the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
- Ol Pejeta's Rhinos & Chimps: Stand in the presence of the world's last Northern White Rhinos and visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
- Lake Nakuru's Rhinos & Birds: Photograph highly protected Black and White Rhinos on the shores of a Rift Valley lake teeming with birdlife.
- The Masai Mara (3 Nights): Unrivaled Big Cat viewing (lions, leopards, cheetahs) and the chance to witness the Great Migration on the endless plains.