11 Days Kenya Safari

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where your representative will meet you for a transfer to your Nairobi hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to relax, explore the hotel facilities or enjoy a short introduction to the city.

Nairobi is Kenya's capital and an important gateway to the country's national parks and wildlife conservancies. It is also a lively city with museums, restaurants, markets and cultural attractions.

For travellers arriving after a long international flight, we recommend keeping the first day relaxed rather than immediately beginning a long road journey.

Your safari representative will review the itinerary, explain the following morning's departure and answer any practical questions.

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and travel north towards Samburu National Reserve.

The journey passes through Kenya's central highlands, with agricultural scenery and possible views towards Mount Kenya when weather conditions are favourable.

As you continue north, the landscape gradually becomes drier. Acacia woodland, rocky hills and open plains introduce the semi-arid environment that makes Samburu distinctive.

The drive generally takes approximately five to seven hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and the location of your accommodation.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp for lunch if timing permits. Later, enjoy an introductory game drive.

Your guide will search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators while explaining the ecology of northern Kenya.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight relaxation.

Accommodation: Samburu lodge or tented camp

Spend the day exploring Samburu National Reserve, one of Kenya's most rewarding destinations for distinctive northern wildlife.

The reserve is particularly associated with the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.

These animals are adapted to northern Kenya's landscapes and provide an interesting contrast with species commonly encountered in the southern parks.

The Ewaso Ng'iro River is an important feature of the reserve, supporting vegetation and providing water for wildlife.

Elephants may be encountered moving between feeding areas and water sources, while lions and leopards also inhabit the ecosystem.

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, with a break for lunch and relaxation during the warmer part of the day.

Accommodation: Samburu lodge or tented camp

After breakfast, depart Samburu and travel south towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region.

The journey introduces changing landscapes as the dry northern plains give way to central Kenya's highland and savannah environments.

Ol Pejeta is internationally recognised for its conservation programmes, particularly its work protecting black and white rhinoceroses.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp, enjoy lunch and depart for an afternoon game drive.

Your guide will search for rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and predators.

Depending on the arrangements, additional conservation-related activities may be available at extra cost.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Ol Pejeta lodge or tented camp

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where wildlife conservation and tourism are closely connected.

The conservancy supports black and white rhinos, although sightings depend on animal movements and cannot be guaranteed.

It also provides habitat for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes and numerous antelopes.

Your guide will explore suitable wildlife areas while explaining the importance of conservation management and habitat protection.

Ol Pejeta is also associated with efforts to protect the critically endangered northern white rhinoceros. Specialist experiences may be available subject to conservation restrictions, advance booking and additional charges.

Return to your accommodation for lunch before continuing with an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation: Ol Pejeta lodge or tented camp

After breakfast, depart Ol Pejeta and travel towards Lake Nakuru National Park.

The route passes through parts of central Kenya and the Great Rift Valley, offering changing scenery along the way.

Lake Nakuru is known for its varied habitats, including woodland, grassland and lake environments.

The park supports rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and numerous bird species.

Arrive at your accommodation for lunch if timing permits, followed by an afternoon game drive.

Birdlife around the lake varies with water levels and ecological conditions. Although flamingos are historically associated with Lake Nakuru, their numbers and distribution change.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru lodge or hotel

After breakfast, enjoy a final wildlife-viewing opportunity in Lake Nakuru if the schedule and entrance arrangements permit.

Continue towards Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake surrounded by attractive Rift Valley scenery.

Arrive at your accommodation and enjoy lunch.

An optional boat excursion may be arranged on Lake Naivasha, subject to weather, safety conditions and additional charges.

The lake supports hippos and numerous waterbirds, while the surrounding landscape provides opportunities for nature exploration.

Visitors should remember that hippos are dangerous wild animals and must follow the instructions of authorised boat operators and guides.

Spend the evening relaxing at your lakeside accommodation.

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha lodge or hotel

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and travel towards the Masai Mara National Reserve.

The journey passes through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai countryside before reaching the reserve.

The road transfer generally takes approximately four to six hours, depending on road conditions and accommodation location.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp for lunch if timing permits.

Later, enjoy an afternoon game drive, searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and predators.

The Masai Mara is famous for its open grasslands and large predator populations.

During the migration season, wildebeest herds may also be present, although their location varies annually.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp

Wake early for a full-day Masai Mara game drive.

The reserve is particularly famous for lions, cheetahs and leopards, although sightings remain unpredictable.

Your guide will explore suitable habitats while looking for predators, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and numerous antelopes.

During the main migration season, large wildebeest herds may be present in the ecosystem.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at an authorised location before continuing the afternoon game drive.

The changing light provides opportunities for wildlife photography.

Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight relaxation.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp

Spend another full day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve.

The additional time allows your guide to revisit productive areas or explore different habitats according to current wildlife movements.

During suitable migration periods, a visit to the Mara River region may be considered.

However, river crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.

Outside the migration season, the reserve remains rewarding for resident wildlife.

An optional sunrise balloon safari may be arranged, subject to availability, weather and additional charges.

Return to your accommodation for your final evening in the Masai Mara.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and begin the return journey to Nairobi.

Depending on your lodge location and departure schedule, an early morning game drive may be possible if specifically included.

Continue through Narok and the Great Rift Valley towards Nairobi.

The journey commonly takes approximately five to seven hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Arrive in Nairobi during the afternoon or early evening for drop-off at your hotel, residence or agreed location.

Your 11 Days Kenya Safari concludes with memories of northern Kenya, rhino conservation, Rift Valley scenery and the wildlife-rich Masai Mara.