7-Day Off the Beaten Path – Mid-Range Kenya Safari Tour
The 7-Day Off the Beaten Path – Mid-Range Safari is a strategically designed Kenya safari tour for travelers who want classic Big 5 wildlife experiences combined with rare northern species and unique highland ecosystems.
This journey blends the predator-rich plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve, the rhino sanctuary of Lake Nakuru National Park, the misty forests of Aberdare National Park, and the rugged semi-arid beauty of Samburu National Reserve.
Traveling in a pop-up roof minivan with a professional safari guide, this privately guided safari offers excellent wildlife visibility and comfortable road transfers.
Ideal for safaris for couples, wildlife enthusiasts, and repeat visitors seeking a deeper, more diverse tailor-made safari experience across Kenya’s contrasting landscapes.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
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Repeat visitors wanting something beyond the standard circuit
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Wildlife lovers seeking both Big 5 safari and rare northern species
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Couples wanting a scenic, mid-range safari Kenya experience
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Small groups preferring a privately guided safari
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Nature enthusiasts interested in forest, savannah, and semi-arid ecosystems
Why This Safari Best
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Begins with Masai Mara for strong Big 5 safari sightings
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Lake Nakuru adds rhino and birdlife diversity
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Aberdare introduces unique forest wildlife viewing lodges
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Samburu offers rare “Special Five” species
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Logical northbound routing minimizes backtracking
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Balanced pacing with no rushed overnight stops
Tour Highlights
Full-board mid-range lodge stays
Diverse ecosystems in one Kenya safari tour
Scenic Great Rift Valley drives
Samburu’s rare Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe & gerenuk
Elevated lodge wildlife viewing in Aberdare
Rhino tracking in Lake Nakuru
Big 5 safari drives in Masai Mara
Tour Map
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day
Suitable for all ages
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Day 1
Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
Your Kenya safari tour begins with early pickup in Nairobi.
Travel via the Great Rift Valley escarpment, stopping for panoramic views before continuing to Masai Mara through Narok town.
Arrive at your mid-range lodge or camp in time for lunch.
After check-in and relaxation, head out for an afternoon game drive in search of lions, elephants, buffalo, and cheetahs across the vast savannah plains.
Transport Distance & Time:
Approx. 270 km | 5–6 hours drive
Meal Plan:
Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 2
Full Day in Masai Mara
Spend a full day exploring Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives or a full-day excursion with picnic lunch.
The reserve’s high predator density increases chances of dramatic wildlife encounters.
Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and relaxation under the African sky.
Transport Distance & Time:
Game drives | Approx. 6–8 hours wildlife viewing
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Accommodation
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 3
Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park via the Rift Valley floor.
Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive focusing on white and black rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, flamingos, and other bird species before dinner and overnight.
Transport Distance & Time:
Approx. 300 km | 5–6 hours drive
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Day 4
Lake Nakuru – Aberdare National Park
After breakfast, drive north toward Aberdare National Park, known for its cool highland forests and unique tree-lodge experiences.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy wildlife viewing from the lodge decks overlooking waterholes, where elephants, buffalo, and forest species often gather.
Transport Distance & Time:
Approx. 180 km | 3–4 hours drive
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
The Ark Lodge
Day 5
Aberdare – Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, depart for Samburu National Reserve, crossing into Kenya’s northern semi-arid landscapes.
Arrive for lunch at your lodge followed by an afternoon game drive.
Samburu is home to rare northern species including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Transport Distance & Time:
Approx. 220 km | 4–5 hours drive
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Day 6
Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives exploring Samburu’s rugged terrain along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Search for elephants, lions, leopards, and the Samburu “Special Five.”
Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Transport Distance & Time:
Game drives | Approx. 6–7 hours wildlife viewing
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Day 7
Samburu – Nairobi
After breakfast, depart Samburu and drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.
Drop-off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport marks the end of your Off the Beaten Path safari.
Transport Distance & Time:
Approx. 310 km | 5–6 hours drive
Meal Plan:
Breakfast
Accommodation
No Accommodation ( End of the tour )
Important to know
The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.
Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.
Rates Per Person
Rates are Per Person Sharing a Room Except for the Solo who is on Single Supplement
| Month/Season | Solo - 1 Room | 2 People - 1 Room | 3 People - 1 Room | 4 People - 2 Rooms | 5 People - 2 Rooms | 6 People - 3 Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 - Feb 28, 2026 | $3,930 | $2,690 | $2,515 | $2,445 | $2,375 | $2,375 |
| Mar 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026 | $3,465 | $2,380 | $2,205 | $2,135 | $2,065 | $2,065 |
| Apr 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026 | $3,585 | $2,460 | $2,285 | $2,215 | $2,145 | $2,145 |
| Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 | $3,465 | $2,380 | $2,205 | $2,135 | $2,065 | $2,065 |
| Jul 1, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026 | $4,230 | $2,990 | $2,815 | $2,745 | $2,675 | $2,675 |
| Oct 1, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 | $4,230 | $2,990 | $2,815 | $2,745 | $2,675 | $2,675 |
| Nov 1, 2026 - Dec 15, 2026 | $3,765 | $2,680 | $2,505 | $2,435 | $2,365 | $2,365 |
| Dec 16, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 | $4,230 | $2,990 | $2,815 | $2,745 | $2,675 | $2,675 |
| Jan 1, 2027 - Feb 28, 2027 | $3,930 | $2,690 | $2,515 | $2,445 | $2,375 | $2,375 |
| Mar 1, 2027 - Mar 31, 2027 | $3,465 | $2,380 | $2,205 | $2,135 | $2,065 | $2,065 |
| Apr 1, 2027 - May 31, 2027 | $3,585 | $2,460 | $2,285 | $2,215 | $2,145 | $2,145 |
| Jun 1, 2027 - Jun 30, 2027 | $3,465 | $2,380 | $2,205 | $2,135 | $2,065 | $2,065 |
| Jul 1, 2027 - Sep 30, 2027 | $4,230 | $2,990 | $2,815 | $2,745 | $2,675 | $2,675 |
| Oct 1, 2027 - Oct 31, 2027 | $4,230 | $2,990 | $2,815 | $2,745 | $2,675 | $2,675 |
| Nov 1, 2027 - Dec 15, 2027 | $3,765 | $2,680 | $2,505 | $2,435 | $2,365 | $2,365 |