Premium northern and Mara fly-in journey

Samburu & Mara by Air: 7-Day Private-Ground Safari

Explore Samburu and Maasai Mara over seven days, with private regional vehicles, premium camps and shared scheduled flights. See the full route and timing.

7 days / 6 nights

Route: Nairobi 1 → Samburu 2 → Maasai Mara 3 → Nairobi

Your journey at a glance

Start: JKIA, Nairobi
Finish: Wilson Airport followed by your agreed Nairobi accommodation or JKIA
Experience: Kalama scenery, Samburu dry-country species and Mara North wildlife
Accommodation & journey style: Premium planned accommodation in Kalama and Mara North, with a Nairobi arrival night
Time on safari: Two nights in the Samburu region and three in the Mara provide one complete northern wildlife day and two complete Mara days.
Pace: Three full wildlife days; three scheduled-air movement days plus arrival
Best suited to: Couples, interested first-time travellers and returning visitors seeking northern wildlife contrast

Arrive through JKIA and sleep in Nairobi before the first flight. Wilson is reached by a private transfer, with carrier check-in time allowed. Kalama is the planned Samburu-region airstrip for the hillside base; it is not interchangeable with every Samburu strip. At the Mara end the camp and flight must agree the arrival strip. Allow most of Day 4 to the camp-to-camp movement.

Private camp vehicles and resident guiding in each region, including the matched strip transfers. Samburu reserve access requires driving out from Kalama. Mara North viewing and the planned main-reserve excursion are different access areas.

Kalama conservancy access, one planned Samburu National Reserve excursion, Mara North conservancy access and one Maasai Mara National Reserve excursion.

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Route and time in each place

Nairobi 1 → Samburu 2 → Maasai Mara 3 → Nairobi

Langata / Carnivore grounds, Nairobi1 night
Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region2 nights
Mara North Conservancy, Greater Maasai Mara3 nights

All stated local times are East Africa Time (UTC+3), approximate operational planning windows. Final joining instructions and tickets control pickup, strip, check-in and entry timings. Flight times are current service patterns, not a guarantee for every date.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi and settle in

Planned start: Scheduled around your confirmed international arrival, not a fixed daily pickup.
From: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi
To: Nairobi accommodation

Complete entry formalities and collect your luggage before meeting the representative at the agreed landside meeting point. Your joining instructions identify the person/contact to use if you cannot immediately find the driver. Travel privately to your accommodation, complete check-in and use the remaining time to rest. There is no compulsory city outing; the priority is a workable night of rest before your Wilson transfer. Dinner is included; for a late landing we arrange an appropriate late or light meal with the property rather than assume the restaurant will remain open. No attraction or game drive is scheduled today.

Road movement: Approximately 15–25 km from JKIA to the planned Nairobi base; allow around 30–90 minutes after meeting your driver. This excludes immigration, baggage reclaim and customs. Traffic or road works can extend the transfer.
Scheduled-air movement: No air movement today.
Usable experience time: Arrival and recovery only. A morning landing does not turn this into a guaranteed sightseeing day.
ACCOMMODATION: Comfortable Nairobi accommodation in the Langata area. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Dinner; breakfast and lunch before check-in are not included. Late-arrival meal arrangement confirmed before travel.
Optional extras: Extra Nairobi accommodation or a carefully timed city outing, quoted separately.
Practical note: Rooms follow the confirmed check-in terms. An early-morning landing may need a paid prior night or day room. Send flight changes promptly; the team can coordinate a revised handover, but extra rooms or replacement tickets are not automatically free.

Day 2: Fly north to Kalama / Samburu

Planned start: Approximately 08:00–08:30 pickup for the current 09:45 Wilson service; final time is ticket-specific.
From: Nairobi accommodation
To: Kalama / Samburu

Eat breakfast, check the soft bags and meet your private transfer driver. At Wilson, allow time for baggage weighing and the carrier’s departure process. On arrival in the north, your resident regional guide meets the booked flight and brings you to camp. Have lunch, settle into the room and take a rest during the warm part of the day. An afternoon private drive around 15:30–18:00 is planned when timing permits, followed by dinner. The arrival route introduces Kalama; Samburu National Reserve is a separate outing.

A leopard walking through scrub and sandy ground.

Road movement: The nearby accommodation–Wilson transfer is usually around 5–10 km / 15–30 minutes; more time is allowed if traffic requires. At destination, allow approximately 20–60 minutes to the hillside camp; the receiving team confirms the actual track and timing.
Scheduled-air movement: Shared scheduled Wilson–Kalama service, with the current northern schedule allowing about one hour to the first stop. Additional airstrip calls can extend your journey. Aim to report at Wilson at least 60 minutes before departure, or earlier if instructed. Pack around 15 kg combined luggage per traveller in soft bags; the ticketed carrier’s allowance controls. Cameras count towards the applicable allowance; extra equipment needs prior arrangement.
Usable experience time: An air-transfer day, normally around 3–5 hours from Nairobi departure preparations to camp; one possible afternoon drive.
ACCOMMODATION: Premium safari accommodation in Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Optional extras: None scheduled; paid additions are described separately.
Practical note: Your guide changes by region; your Kenya-based coordinator keeps the wider journey connected. Do not assume a private aircraft or a guaranteed seat beside the pilot.

Day 3: Explore Samburu’s dry-country wildlife

Planned start: Approximately 06:00–06:30; early starts help avoid the strongest heat.
From: Kalama camp
To: Same Kalama camp

Today includes the itinerary’s Samburu National Reserve excursion. The route looks at how animals use the river corridor and drier surroundings. Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk are among the region’s distinctive possibilities, not a guaranteed list. Agree an early packed breakfast or return-meal plan with the guide. Depending on the route, take lunch as a picnic or return to camp, avoiding repeated long gate transfers simply to fit a rigid meal schedule. Rest in the middle of the day. A short later Kalama outing is possible if the reserve day was not already long; dinner is back at camp.

Road movement: Private transfer between Kalama and the agreed Samburu reserve entry, followed by local viewing. Allow roughly 45–90 minutes for an access leg depending on the camp, gate and track; wildlife stops are additional.
Scheduled-air movement: No air movement today.
Usable experience time: Your one full northern wildlife day. Reserve access consumes part of it; the afternoon remains flexible.
ACCOMMODATION: Premium safari accommodation in Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Optional extras: A separately hosted community visit or specialist activity needs consent, access and pricing confirmation.
Practical note: Carry water, sun protection and a light layer for the early start. Respect people’s consent before taking photographs; a village visit is not included by default.

Day 4: Fly from Kalama to the Mara

Planned start: Approximately 09:30–10:00 departure from camp, adjusted to the operating flight.
From: Kalama / Samburu
To: Mara North Conservancy

Have breakfast, complete checkout and let the guide reconfirm the service before leaving for the strip. The two camps coordinate lunch: it can be a packed meal during a longer connection or a late meal after arrival. Your Mara resident guide meets the actual landing strip and transfers you privately to camp. Take a short orientation drive only if the final arrival leaves a sensible window; a late arrival is followed by dinner and rest. This is a movement day, even if the aircraft passes over wildlife country.

Lions dispersed across broad grassland below low hills.

Road movement: Allow roughly 20–60 minutes to Kalama airstrip. At the Mara end, plan about 30–60 minutes from the matched airstrip to camp; the selected strip is confirmed with your accommodation.
Scheduled-air movement: Shared scheduled Kalama–Maasai Mara service. The published northern pattern is around 11:00–13:00, but intermediate stops and a Wilson connection/through-service can apply. In a connected pattern, Mara arrival may be later in the afternoon. Allow roughly 4–7 hours door to door, not just the airborne portion. Pack around 15 kg combined luggage per traveller in soft bags; the ticketed carrier’s allowance controls. Cameras count towards the applicable allowance; extra equipment needs prior arrangement.
Usable experience time: A substantial travel day. An afternoon conservancy outing is a possibility, not part of the full-day wildlife count.
ACCOMMODATION: Premium en-suite tented safari accommodation in Mara North Conservancy. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner; packed or late-lunch handover is arranged to the final routing.
Optional extras: None scheduled; paid additions are described separately.
Practical note: The operating airstrip and connections are reconfirmed, including any minimum-load condition. A change of aircraft or a stop at Wilson does not convert the scheduled service into a charter.

Day 5: Spend time with Mara North’s wildlife

Planned start: Approximately 06:15–06:30 for the first private drive.
From: Mara North camp
To: Same Mara North camp

Begin in the cooler light and take time over the behaviour in front of you. The guide can explain movement, feeding and the interaction between animals and their habitat; there is no need to leave a useful scene just to meet another group’s schedule. Return for breakfast as arranged, then have lunch and a long rest at camp. A second private drive around 15:30–18:00 explores another part of the conservancy. Dinner follows your return. An eligible walk or permitted dusk activity may be discussed with the camp, but the core plan remains a private wildlife day.

Road movement: Private local wildlife loops; distance depends on sightings and the permitted route rather than a fixed transfer mileage. Tracks can be uneven, dusty or muddy.
Scheduled-air movement: No air movement today.
Usable experience time: One complete day in the conservancy with two viewing periods and a camp break.
ACCOMMODATION: Premium en-suite tented safari accommodation in Mara North Conservancy. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Optional extras: Additional specialist activities depend on safety, ages, access and the confirmed camp package; paid extras are agreed first.
Practical note: Mara North is not an exclusive-use wilderness for your party. Its own access rules apply, and other camp vehicles may be at a sighting.

Day 6: Explore the main reserve with a picnic

Planned start: Approximately 06:15–06:30, with the day’s meals arranged before departure.
From: Mara North camp
To: Same Mara North camp

Use the included main-reserve excursion to compare a wider Mara landscape with yesterday’s conservancy day. A packed breakfast or early camp breakfast and picnic lunch allow flexibility without racing back for a meal. The guide chooses a sensible route for current conditions. In migration months, the presence of herds may influence that choice, but a long wait at a river is worthwhile only if you want it and conditions justify it. Return for dinner and prepare for tomorrow’s flight. A conservancy-focused alternative can be agreed before the access arrangements are committed.

Road movement: A private reserve excursion can involve roughly 1–2 hours of access driving each way, depending on gate, route and target area, plus the wildlife-viewing circuit.
Scheduled-air movement: No air movement today.
Usable experience time: A second complete Mara day; farther reserve sectors mean more time in the vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION: Premium en-suite tented safari accommodation in Mara North Conservancy. Twin/double sharing; the dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, occupancy and meal arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Optional extras: A balloon safari is a separate early start and replaces part of the morning programme.
Practical note: Keep water and essentials with you. There are limited convenient facilities on a long outing; tell the guide about comfort-stop needs.

Day 7: Fly to Nairobi and complete the safari

Planned start: Usually around 09:15–10:00 camp departure for the planned late-morning flight; your ticket and strip determine the time.
From: Mara North camp
To: Wilson Airport, then your agreed Nairobi accommodation or JKIA

Have breakfast, check out and travel to the strip with your regional guide. A full morning drive is not included before this flight. Your Nairobi transfer driver meets the arriving service at Wilson and takes you to the agreed handover point. Wilson is a different airport from JKIA: there is no airside walk-through between them. We review onward flight reporting time, road transfer and disruption allowance before confirming a same-day international connection. Lunch and dinner after the safari are your own arrangements.

Road movement: Allow roughly 30–60 minutes to the ticketed Mara airstrip. After landing at Wilson, a private city/JKIA transfer may take around 45–120 minutes; choose a larger buffer when traffic or onward check-in requires it.
Scheduled-air movement: Shared scheduled Maasai Mara–Wilson service; currently a late-morning pattern around 11:15–12:15 is published. Allow approximately one hour in the air, with changes possible for intermediate strips. Pack around 15 kg combined luggage per traveller in soft bags; the ticketed carrier’s allowance controls. Cameras count towards the applicable allowance; extra equipment needs prior arrangement.
Usable experience time: Flight, waiting and city transfer. Any incidental viewing on the way to the strip is not another safari session.
ACCOMMODATION: None included tonight; onward travel or an extra night is arranged separately.
Meals: Breakfast; lunch and dinner are excluded.
Optional extras: None scheduled; paid additions are described separately.
Practical note: Choose an onward flight only after connection review. If a change requires an additional room or ticket, we explain the revised arrangement and cost rather than promise a free replacement.

ACCOMMODATION

Comfortable Nairobi accommodation in the Langata area

Nights: 1
Location: Langata / Carnivore grounds, Nairobi
Room basis: One standard twin or double room for two adults; extra rooms for larger adult parties
Meal basis: Breakfast after the included Nairobi night and dinner on arrival are included; other arrival-day meals are excluded.

Room category and bed configuration are confirmed in the quotation. Early access and a room after checkout are separate arrangements.

Premium safari accommodation in Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region

Nights: 2, 3
Location: Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region
Room basis: One twin or double bedroom for two adults in the confirmed villa configuration; a complete multi-bedroom villa is not implied
Meal basis: Full board, standard house drinks and selected laundry within the booked ground package; premium drinks and extra services excluded.

A hillside setting means steps and uneven approaches may matter. The quotation identifies private/shared living areas and exact room access.

Premium en-suite tented safari accommodation in Mara North Conservancy

Nights: 4, 5, 6
Location: Mara North Conservancy, Greater Maasai Mara
Room basis: One standard en-suite twin or double tent for two adults
Meal basis: Full board, standard camp drinks selection and selected laundry under the booked ground package; premium items excluded.

Private camp vehicle and resident guide are included. One main-reserve excursion is included as well as the conservancy stay; additional reserve entries require a revised scope.

Your dated quotation identifies the actual proposed/confirmed property, room category, bed configuration, occupancy and meal arrangement. Where a substitute is proposed, it must be a comparable approved property preserving the agreed location and experience standard, subject to availability. We explain a change before you accept it; a similar star category alone is not enough. An enquiry or package-page view does not hold that property.

How the transfers and safari transport work

Private Nairobi transfers and exclusive resident vehicles at both safari bases are included. Scheduled aircraft link Wilson with Kalama, Kalama with the Mara and the Mara with Wilson; other travellers share those aircraft. The northern-to-Mara service can involve stops or a Wilson connection. The resident regional guides differ between camps, with Magical Exploits coordinating the handovers.

Price & inclusions

From USD 11,016.17 per adult sharing including 16% Kenyan VAT

VAT-inclusive reference total for two adults sharing: USD 22,032.34. The rounded per-adult guide is not multiplied to set the party total; your selected configuration total is shown before an order is created.

USD per nonresident adult sharing a twin or double room; minimum two adults. Defined nonfestive 2026 basis, illustrated by the 8 November 2026 departure case. Subject to availability and a final dated quotation. Optional extras are additional.

No rooms, aircraft seats or rates are held by this indicative from-price. Your dates and complete arrangements are checked before booking.

Displayed USD selling amounts include Kenyan VAT. GBP and KES estimates require an approved exchange-rate snapshot; your dated quotation fixes the agreed amount and currency.

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Understand safari cost components

What is included

6 nights in the locations and accommodation standard shown, on the confirmed adult twin/double-sharing basis.
Meals exactly as shown for each day, including stated packed lunches or late-meal arrangements. Where a meal is included, the precise menu and service follow the confirmed property arrangement.
The standard house-drinks selection and selected laundry at the planned premium safari camps under their booked ground packages. Premium drinks, special laundry and Nairobi/coast drinks are excluded unless stated.
Kalama conservancy access, one planned Samburu National Reserve excursion, Mara North conservancy access and one Maasai Mara National Reserve excursion.
Private Nairobi transfers and exclusive resident vehicles at both safari bases are included. Scheduled aircraft link Wilson with Kalama, Kalama with the Mara and the Mara with Wilson; other travellers share those aircraft. The northern-to-Mara service can involve stops or a Wilson connection. The resident regional guides differ between camps, with Magical Exploits coordinating the handovers.
Private camp vehicles and resident guiding in each region, including the matched strip transfers. Samburu reserve access requires driving out from Kalama. Mara North viewing and the planned main-reserve excursion are different access areas.
Mandatory taxes and charges for the quoted base services; the proposal identifies the complete amount before you agree the booking.
Kenya-based itinerary coordination, handover information and the active-traveller support arrangements described below.

What is excluded

International flights, and any unlisted onward domestic or international flight after the package end point.
Kenya entry authorisation/eTA where applicable, passport costs and other personal entry-document expenses.
Personal travel insurance, including the cover you choose for medical treatment, evacuation, cancellation and disruption; vaccination, medication and other personal health-preparation costs.
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, camp or accommodation staff.
Premium or excluded drinks, personal shopping, telephone charges, spa treatments and other individually ordered services.
Optional excursions, balloon flights, privately arranged special meals or celebrations, and room upgrades unless added to the accepted quotation.
Excess baggage, extra equipment carriage, an additional aircraft seat or independent luggage storage/forwarding unless explicitly arranged.
Early check-in, late checkout, day rooms, extra nights and transport beyond the stated route unless included in the accepted quotation.
Lunch and dinner on the final departure/return day, and a further Nairobi overnight unless separately booked.

Optional extras

OPTIONAL EXTRA — HOT-AIR BALLOON SAFARI. Any indicative research amount below is not a checkout price; the final VAT-inclusive optional-extra quotation must be confirmed separately before selection. Current indicative 2026 research reference: approximately USD 475 per adult. This is additional to the package price, subject to availability and subject to weather and operational conditions. Operator pricing may change; the final rate is confirmed before booking. The operator sets age, mobility and participation conditions. A balloon morning replaces part of the usual drive programme and needs a separate transfer plan; it is not an additional full safari day.

Additional nights in the north, an upgraded villa or tent configuration, a separately hosted community experience, a Mara balloon flight or a special meal. A complete private villa, aircraft charter or paid village visit is not implied by the base itinerary.

When to travel

The north is generally hot and dry compared with some other Kenyan safari areas; early starts and midday rest remain useful. January–February and the drier June–October period can work well, while rainfall changes tracks, vegetation and the flight operation. The two regions do not share one guaranteed wildlife calendar. Mara migration movements are seasonal possibilities, and the northern chapter remains worthwhile for its own habitat and species.

Who this journey suits

Choose this route for the contrast between northern dry country and the Mara, with premium camp bases and ground privacy. The price reflects that combination and the flights, not a claim to be the cheapest seven-day safari. Two nights in the north give only one complete day there; people who want a slower northern chapter should request an extra night. Families need age, villa layout, stair and activity checks before confirmation.

Family prices are individually configured against ages at travel, room occupancy, flight rules where applicable, park fees and the vehicle required. Do not apply the adult-sharing figure to a child or assume that two children can use the same room arrangement at every camp. A six-adult case is not a family quotation.

Practical information and booking

Luggage, access and preparation

Pack around the ticketed soft-luggage allowance, currently modelled at 15 kg combined per traveller. A through service may still include a change of aircraft. Medical equipment, larger cameras and extra bags need advance agreement; separate forwarding is not included.

The planned Kalama accommodation’s hillside setting makes steps, uneven rock and room position important. The exact room and shared/private living arrangement must be agreed. Heat, aircraft boarding and rough wildlife tracks also need consideration for travellers with limited mobility or stamina.

Bring light layers, sun protection, practical footwear, a camera and binoculars if you use them. Early game drives can feel cool. Confirm charging arrangements for essential equipment; a property offering electricity or Wi-Fi does not guarantee continuous power or a strong connection in every room or wildlife area. Ask about important dietary needs before confirmation. Use our health and insurance, first-safari and booking guidance for current entry requirements, health preparation, tipping and payment information. Country-specific medical advice belongs with a qualified travel-health professional; this itinerary does not replace it.

Requesting and confirming your journey

Request this journey with your dates, traveller numbers and preferred room arrangement. For a family, include each child’s age at travel; add any access needs, camera equipment or important dietary requirements. We check the route, rooms, flights where relevant and the complete inclusions, then prepare a dated proposal. You see the agreed amount, payment currency, deposit/balance schedule and booking conditions before paying. An enquiry, a proposal and a payment are not by themselves a statement that every supplier arrangement is confirmed. Your final travel documents identify confirmed accommodation, reporting times, handover contacts and the emergency channel for active travellers.

Understand the booking process

Kenya-based coordination and traveller support

Magical Exploits coordinates the journey from Nairobi. Normal office hours are Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00 and Saturday 09:00–14:00, East Africa Time; the office is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Active travellers have an emergency contact channel outside those hours, supplied with their travel arrangements. This is separate from the physical office’s opening hours. Use the contact page for current office details and approved ways to reach the team.

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Questions about Samburu & Mara by Air

Is the northern camp inside Samburu National Reserve?

The planned premium safari accommodation is in Kalama Conservancy, Samburu region. The included reserve excursion involves an access drive. This distinction gives you both a hillside conservancy setting and a separate reserve outing.

How much time do we actually have in the north?

Two nights give one complete northern wildlife day, with a possible arrival-afternoon outing. The flight to the Mara occupies much of the following day. Add a night if a slower northern chapter is a priority.

Is there always a nonstop flight from Kalama to the Mara?

No. The scheduled service can have intermediate stops or use a Wilson connection/through-service. The final ticket confirms the route, airstrips and timings; allow a substantial camp-to-camp travel day.

What makes this premium?

The planned camp tier, Kalama and Mara North settings, exclusive resident safari vehicles and three scheduled-air movements shape the scope. The camps and aircraft still host other travellers; premium does not mean the whole landscape is exclusively yours.

Will we see the Samburu Special Five?

They are regional wildlife possibilities rather than a guaranteed checklist. Habitat, season, animal movements and viewing conditions determine which species you find.

Are village visits included?

A separately hosted village visit is not included by default. Any community experience requires willing hosts, respectful photography practices and confirmation of access and fees. Normal guide interpretation does not create an entitlement to enter someone’s community.

Can we spend both Mara days in the conservancy?

That preference can be discussed before reserve access is committed. The base programme includes one reserve excursion and conservancy time. Any change is recorded in the quotation rather than assumed to create an automatic refund.

How much luggage can we bring?

The current model uses about 15 kg combined in soft bags per traveller, but each ticketed carrier’s rule applies. Declare large lenses, medical equipment and additional bags before flights are booked.

What should families know about the planned Samburu rooms?

A hillside setting can mean steps and uneven access. The quotation must show the bedroom and living-area configuration, age suitability and any shared spaces. A double-room price does not automatically buy an entire multi-bedroom villa.

Can we add a Mara balloon safari?

It can be arranged separately on a suitable full Mara morning, subject to operator conditions and availability. It replaces part of the usual morning programme and remains outside the base price.

What happens if the northern flight is rerouted?

The camps and journey coordinator adjust the handovers and meals around the confirmed operation. An afternoon drive may be shortened or lost. If a material change needs a different service or overnight, the revised cost and supplier conditions are explained.

Can this trip finish at Diani instead of Nairobi?

A beach extension and coast flight can be considered with a revised route and quote. They are not part of the seven-day base journey; The Kenya Passage is the approved longer northern, Mara, Amboseli and Diani itinerary.

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Sunset light above a broad Kenyan landscape.