9 Day Best Of Kenya Safari
Safari Overview
Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure on this 9-day Best of Kenya Safari. Explore diverse landscapes and top parks including Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and the legendary Masai Mara. Enjoy thrilling game drives, encounter the Big Five, and witness rich birdlife and breathtaking scenery. This carefully curated journey offers unforgettable wildlife experiences, cultural encounters, and luxurious stays, making it the perfect way to discover Kenya’s natural wonders.
Safari Highlight
- Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
detailed Itinerary
Begin your adventure with an early morning drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the last places on Earth where wildlife thrives in its natural habitat. As the northern tip of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara is renowned for its spectacular seasonal migration, featuring thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and their accompanying predators.
Arrive in time for lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive to explore the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp
After enjoying breakfast, embark on a full day of game driving, with a packed lunch provided for your convenience. The Masai Mara is famous for its black-manned lions and abundant resident wildlife, making it one of the best places to potentially spot the Big Five in just a morning’s drive.
You might even encounter cheetahs that are so accustomed to humans they often seek shade under vehicles or climb onto roofs for a better vantage point to spot prey. For bird enthusiasts, the reserve is a paradise, home to nearly 500 recorded species, including 16 types of eagles, various hawks and falcons, 6 species of vultures, 8 storks, and the impressive Kori bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird, among others.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp (Mid-range tented camp located inside Masai Mara NR)
Start your day with an early morning pickup, followed by a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Located across the equator, south of Bogoria, Lake Nakuru is renowned worldwide for its breathtaking flamingos and is recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world.
This alkaline lake also serves as a sanctuary for over 40 black rhinos and more than 60 white rhinos, making it a significant conservation area. However, the flamingos remain the main attraction, with numbers occasionally reaching nearly 2 million, creating a stunning deep pink band along the lake’s shores.
Arrive in time for lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive to explore the park’s unique wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Embark on an early morning drive to Lake Naivasha, the highest and most picturesque of the Rift Valley lakes, sitting at an elevation of 1,910 meters (6,200 feet). The fresh waters are surrounded by dense clumps of papyrus, historically used by the ancient Egyptians to make paper. Here, kingfishers perch on the papyrus, while herons hide within it as they search for food.
Lake Naivasha is a popular destination for birdwatching, boasting over 400 recorded species. It’s also a favored weekend retreat for Nairobi residents, who come to sail, water ski, and fish. Notably, the lake is devoid of crocodiles due to its cold water, but it is home to numerous hippos. Additionally, vineyards along the lakeshore contribute to the country’s emerging wine industry.
Main Destination: Lake Naivasha
Accommodation: Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort
Start your day early with a drive to Amboseli National Park, where you’ll check in at your accommodation and spend the day at leisure.
Amboseli National Park is located to the due south of Nairobi and features a unique landscape, predominantly consisting of a dry, ancient lake bed interspersed with fragile grasslands and patches of acacia woodlands. In the southern region, you’ll find several small, rocky volcanic hills. The swamps of Ol Okenya, Ol Tukai, and Enkongo Narok are particularly lush, showcasing vibrant vegetation, including yellow-barked acacias and phoenix palms.
Main Destination: Amboseli National Park
Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp
Start your day early to catch stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds begin to gather around the summit. A packed lunch will be provided for your convenience. After breakfast, you may choose to visit a Maasai village, where you can experience traditional singing and dancing as part of their daily life and sacred rituals. This intimate glimpse into their homes and social structure offers a poignant cultural experience.
Amboseli National Park is renowned for its incredible wildlife, especially its majestic elephants. Here, you can observe these magnificent creatures up close as they feed and bathe in the swamps, providing unforgettable highlights to your Kenya safari experience.
Main Destination: Amboseli National Park
Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp
Today, we set off by road for Tsavo West National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on an optional afternoon or evening game drive on this Kenya Safari.
Tsavo West is the most popular section of Tsavo National Park, offering a variety of attractions alongside its remarkable wildlife. One of the highlights is the renowned Mzima Springs, where an impressive 227.3 million liters of cool, crystal-clear water emerges from the ground through porous volcanic rocks. This water is believed to flow from the Chyulu Hills via an underground river, creating a stunning natural spectacle.
Main Destination: Tsavo West National Park
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp
After enjoying breakfast, we’ll embark on a full day of game driving, with a packed lunch provided. One of the highlights of the day will be visiting the Roaring Rocks, named for the wind that rushes through them, offering breathtaking views over Tsavo from a 98-meter rock face. You can also experience similar panoramic views from the Poachers Lookout.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the volcanic Chaimu Crater, which is less than 200 years old and composed of striking black rock; it’s a rewarding climb for those interested. This area is an excellent spot for spotting klipspringers, agile little antelopes aptly named “mbuzi mawe” in Swahili, meaning “mountain goat.” In the southwest corner of Tsavo West lies Lake Jipe, which straddles the Kenyan-Tanzanian border, adding to the day’s adventure.
Main Destination: Tsavo West National Park
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp (Luxury tented camp located inside Tsavo West NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Start your day with an early morning game drive after breakfast, soaking in the last sights of the incredible Kenya Safari wildlife in Tsavo West. Following this adventure, you’ll depart for Nairobi in the late morning, enjoying lunch along the way.
Main Destination: Nairobi (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Safari Terms
Inclusion
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Professional, certified English and French-speaking safari guide
- Game drives as per the itinerary
- All National Park entry and concession fees (including for vehicle and driver)
- Accommodation during the safari as specified in the Intinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- 24/7 phone support during the safari
Exclusion
- International flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal travel expenses (e.g. souvenirs, tips, laundry)
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Accommodation before and after the safari if not mentioned (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for guide and lodge staff (optional but appreciated)