luxury African cultural safari
15% discount on all safari bookings upon confirmation of your reservation
$1860-3720 USD
pp
Safari summary
Kenya has consistently earned its reputation as a premier global travel destination, frequently securing top honors at the World Travel Awards as Africa’s leading safari destination. This prestige is built upon a foundation of genuine Kenyan hospitality, an array of world-class luxury lodges, and a network of national parks that offer unparalleled opportunities to witness wildlife in their undisturbed natural habitats. The Classic Highlights & Cultural Tour in Kenya is a meticulously curated itinerary designed to showcase the country’s diverse landscapes, from the lush highlands to the Great Rift Valley, while facilitating deep immersion into the traditions of the Kikuyu, Maasai, and Samburu people.
A Journey Through Kenya’s Natural Wonders
This expedition begins by traversing the central highlands, where vast coffee and tea plantations paint the hillsides in vibrant shades of green. As you move toward the northern frontier, the landscape shifts into the rugged beauty of the Samburu National Reserve. Here, travelers encounter the “Samburu Special Five”—the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk—species uniquely adapted to this arid terrain. The journey then descends into the Great Rift Valley, a geological marvel visible from space, where the alkaline waters of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha host thousands of flamingos and a significant population of endangered rhinos.
Cultural Immersion and Heritage
Beyond the wildlife, this tour emphasizes the human element of the African continent. Participants engage in authentic cultural exchanges, learning about the ancestral customs and modern lives of Kenya’s iconic tribes.
The Kikuyu: Discover the agricultural traditions and folklore of Kenya’s largest ethnic group in the fertile central regions.
The Samburu: Experience the vibrant attire and semi-nomadic lifestyle of these “butterfly people” in the north.
The Maasai: Participate in traditional dances and learn about the warrior culture that has coexisted with wild predators for centuries in the Greater Mara ecosystem.
The Ultimate Safari Finale
The itinerary culminates in the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. As the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration—often cited as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”—the Mara offers the highest density of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. By combining high-octane game drives with serene cultural visits, this program provides a holistic view of Kenya, ensuring that every traveler leaves with a profound understanding of the “cradle of mankind.” For more information on planning your visit, you can explore resources at Magical Kenya or the Kenya Wildlife Service.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Game drives | |
| Activity level | Easy activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks | ||
| Accesibility |
This tour is modifiable for those with limited mobility.
|
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Cultural visits—orphanages, markets, schools
- Photography safari—with professional guide
- Wildlife sanctuaries
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Park fees
- Private vehicle and driver
What’s not included?
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Spa treatments
- Tips and gratuities
Itinerary
Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Samburu
0730hrs, meet your driver-guide at the Hotel reception ready for safari. He will brief you on the entire safari and answer any question you may have to make your stay here in Kenya as comfortable as possible. Depart for the drive to Samburu arriving in time for lunch at Samburu Sopa lodge. Afternoon game drives in search of the game with dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Full day of game drives at Samburu
Samburu
Spend the entire day on game drives at the vast Samburu in search of the game with all meals and overnight at Samburu Sopa lodge. Samburu though located in the North and often dry, there is plenty of wildlife to see some that one can't see in other parks in Kenya.
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu - Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru
Early morning breakfast, depart for the drive out of Samburu with a short game drive en route heading to Lake Nakuru national par6arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drives around the picturesque Lake Nakuru where you will have a church to see thousands of flamingoes and wildlife that you might not see in other parks like rhino and Rothschild giraffe. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara
Masai Mara
Early morning breakfast; depart for the drive to Masai Mara arriving in time for a short game drive en route to Sopa lodge for check-in and lunch. Afternoon game drives in search of the game with dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.
Mara Sopa Lodge
Full day Masai Mara on game drives
Masai Mara
Spend the entire day on game drives at the vast Masai mara with all meals at the Lodge. However, to have more time for game drives, we recommend having an early morning game drives with picnic breakfast returning back in time for lunch. 430pm, depart the afternoon game drives returning back to the lodge before 630pm for dinner and overnight.
Mara Sopa Lodge
Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha
Early morning game drives at Masai mara returning back in time for breakfast. Depart for the drive to Lake Naivasha arriving in time for late lunch. Afternoon at leisure with an option of doing boat ride, visit crescent island or hell’s gate national park. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa lodge
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Lake Naivasha - Nairobi
Morning breakfast and rest of the day at leisure depending on your departure flight out of Kenya, you can have breakfast, relax at the beautiful lodge before driving back to Nairobi with a drop off back to the airport or city hotel
Here are the latest 6 tours by Astute Africa Safaris. See all 8 tours.
Masai Mara Safari
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
Kenya and Tanzania Safari tour
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
flying Masai Mara Safari
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
Kenya Wildlife Safari
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
Kenya Unlimited Bush Safari
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
Nairobi to Mombasa Safari
Tour by: Astute Africa Safaris
Countries:
Focus: Game drives
Cleanliness of vehicle
Meet and greet team
Quality of itinerary
Responsiveness of staff