13 Days Northern & Southern Kenya Safari

Your 13 Days Northern & Southern Kenya Safari begins in Nairobi. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, complete immigration procedures and collect your luggage before meeting our representative in the arrivals area. You will then transfer privately to your selected Nairobi hotel.

The first day is intentionally relaxed. International flights can be tiring, and beginning a long road journey immediately after landing is rarely the most comfortable way to start an extended safari. Check into your hotel and take time to rest. Depending on your arrival time, optional Nairobi experiences can be arranged, such as:

• Giraffe Centre
• Karen Blixen Museum
• Nairobi National Museum
• Nairobi National Park
• Local shopping
• Selected restaurants
• Private city tour

Travelers arriving late can simply have dinner and rest. Your professional safari driver-guide may meet you today or the following morning for a comprehensive briefing covering:

• Safari route
• Driving times
• Park regulations
• Wildlife-viewing etiquette
• Accommodation
• Meal arrangements
• Optional activities
• Photography interests
• Safari expectations

Accommodation: Nairobi hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast or according to selected property

After breakfast, meet your private safari guide and begin traveling north toward Samburu National Reserve. The drive from Nairobi introduces one of the most interesting landscape transitions of the entire journey. Leaving the capital, you travel through agricultural areas and the central Kenyan highlands, and depending on weather and route conditions, distant views toward the Mount Kenya region may be possible.

The landscape gradually becomes drier as you continue north. Green highland farms give way to:

• Dry bush
• Open rangeland
• Rocky hills
• Acacia woodland
• Semi-arid plains

This visual transition is part of what makes an overland Kenya safari so rewarding. Eventually, you enter the Samburu ecosystem, which lies around the Ewaso Nyiro River, one of the most important water sources in this dry region.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch. After some time to settle in, begin your first afternoon game drive. Samburu immediately feels different from Kenya’s southern reserves: the landscape is more rugged, the vegetation more arid and several wildlife species are unique to this northern environment. Your first drive may produce: Elephants, Reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, Gerenuks, Beisa oryx, Impalas, Dik-diks, Baboons, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs.

Continue until the late afternoon before returning to camp.

Accommodation: Samburu lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Wake to your first full morning in northern Kenya. Early morning is an excellent time to explore because temperatures are relatively cool and predators may still be active. After breakfast, begin an extended game drive.

A major objective today is searching for the Samburu Special Five, species especially associated with northern Kenya. Finding all five can become an enjoyable wildlife challenge during the Samburu section.

Reticulated Giraffe

The reticulated giraffe has one of the most striking coat patterns of any giraffe. Large reddish-brown patches are separated by narrow white lines, creating a distinctive geometric appearance. The species is strongly associated with northern Kenya.

Grevy’s Zebra

Grevy’s zebra is larger than the common plains zebra and has much narrower stripes. It is one of Africa’s more threatened large mammals and is an important conservation species.

Gerenuk

The gerenuk has an unusually long neck and slender body. Its most remarkable behavior is standing upright on its hind legs while feeding on shrubs, which allows the animal to reach leaves unavailable to many other antelope species.

Beisa Oryx

The Beisa oryx is a powerful dry-country antelope with long, straight horns. It is well adapted to arid environments.

Somali Ostrich

The Somali ostrich differs from the common ostrich and is another characteristic species of northern Kenya.

Continue exploring throughout the morning, then return to the lodge for lunch. After resting during the hottest part of the day, head out again during the afternoon. The Ewaso Nyiro River can be particularly productive, as animals may gather around water while riverine woodland provides shade and feeding opportunities. Return to your lodge or camp in the evening.

Accommodation: Samburu lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Spend another complete day in Samburu. The additional time substantially improves the safari experience because wildlife is never predictable. Today may focus more heavily on elephants and predators.

Samburu Elephants

Elephants are one of the dominant animals of the region, and family groups may walk considerable distances between feeding areas and water. Around the river, you may observe elephants:

• Drinking
• Bathing
• Crossing shallow sections
• Feeding
• Dust bathing
• Interacting socially

Spending time with a herd can be much more rewarding than simply recording a quick sighting.

Lions

Lions inhabit the Samburu ecosystem and may be found resting in shade during warmer hours. Early mornings provide stronger opportunities to observe more active behavior.

Leopards

Riverine vegetation can provide suitable leopard habitat. Leopards remain elusive, however, and should never be treated as guaranteed.

Cheetahs

Open areas offer possibilities for cheetah sightings. These animals may scan the landscape from elevated points before moving across the plains.

Birdwatchers will also find Samburu exceptional, as northern Kenya supports many dry-country species not commonly encountered in the southern circuit. Spend another full day exploring before returning to your camp.

Accommodation: Samburu lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, leave Samburu and begin traveling south toward central Kenya. The change in landscape becomes immediately noticeable as you climb toward the greener highlands. Your destination is Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s best-known wildlife and conservation areas.

Arrive around lunchtime and check into your selected accommodation. After lunch, begin an afternoon wildlife drive. Ol Pejeta is particularly famous for rhino conservation, and both black and white rhinos occur within the conservancy. It also gained international attention for its role in efforts to conserve the northern white rhino.

The wider conservancy supports an impressive variety of wildlife. Potential sightings include: Rhinos, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Zebras, Warthogs, Antelopes.

Unlike a conventional national park, Ol Pejeta combines wildlife tourism with active conservation programs. This makes the destination particularly suitable for travelers interested in understanding how modern conservation works. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner.

Accommodation: Ol Pejeta or nearby lodge/camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring Ol Pejeta in greater depth. Begin with an early morning game drive, with one of the principal objectives being the search for rhinos.

White Rhinos

White rhinos often favor relatively open grassland and are primarily grazers.

Black Rhinos

Black rhinos tend to prefer thicker vegetation and browse on shrubs.

Both species face continuing conservation challenges. Observing rhinos in the wild provides an opportunity to discuss issues such as:

• Poaching
• Habitat protection
• Wildlife monitoring
• Veterinary intervention
• Anti-poaching patrols
• Tourism-supported conservation

Your guide can also search for predators, as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas are all part of the ecosystem. The conservancy also supports elephants, giraffes, zebras and numerous antelopes. Depending on the current visitor program and final booking arrangements, additional conservation experiences may be available.

Return for lunch and later continue exploring during the afternoon. Spend another night within the central Kenya region.

Accommodation: Ol Pejeta or nearby lodge/camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, depart central Kenya and begin the long journey south toward Amboseli National Park. This transfer demonstrates just how diverse Kenya is. The scenery changes from the Mount Kenya highlands through urban and agricultural areas before eventually opening into the dry plains of southern Kenya, and the journey may pass around Nairobi before continuing toward the Kenya-Tanzania border region.

Arrive at Amboseli later in the day and, depending on timing, enjoy an introductory evening game drive. The landscape is immediately different from Samburu. Amboseli is characterized by:

• Open plains
• Marshes
• Dry lake beds
• Acacia woodland
• Broad views
• Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop

Large elephant herds are the park’s greatest wildlife attraction. When conditions are clear, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro can create one of Kenya’s most iconic scenes, although mountain views are never guaranteed. Return to the lodge or tented camp for dinner.

Accommodation: Amboseli lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Wake early for a full day exploring Amboseli. Morning offers a particularly strong chance of seeing Mount Kilimanjaro clearly, though cloud often develops around the mountain later in the day and views can never be guaranteed. Your guide will search for viewpoints where wildlife and mountain scenery can be appreciated together.

Amboseli Elephant Herds

Amboseli is internationally known for its elephants, and some elephant families have been studied for decades. The park therefore provides excellent opportunities not only to see elephants, but also to observe their social behavior. You may witness:

• Calves playing
• Mothers protecting young
• Herds crossing roads
• Adults feeding
• Elephants entering marshes
• Social greetings
• Dust bathing

The wetlands are especially important. Underground water associated with the Kilimanjaro ecosystem feeds marsh areas even when surrounding plains appear dry. Other wildlife may include: Buffaloes, Lions, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Hippos, Gazelles.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later, head out for another afternoon game drive and enjoy evening light across the Amboseli plains before returning to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Amboseli lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy your final views of Amboseli before beginning the next stage of the safari. Today's route is structured as a transition toward the Masai Mara, and depending on the final itinerary and preferred travel pace, several arrangements are possible.

Option 1: Overnight Nairobi

Travel to Nairobi and spend the night in the city before continuing to the Mara the following morning. This breaks up the long southern-to-western transfer.

Option 2: Continue Toward the Rift Valley

Travel toward Lake Naivasha or another Rift Valley location for an overnight stop.

Option 3: Fly

A fly-in routing may be arranged depending on schedule availability and budget.

For a comfortable thirteen-day road itinerary, using a transit night is often preferable to attempting an excessively long same-day Amboseli-to-Mara transfer. This also provides useful rest before several intensive Masai Mara game-drive days.

Accommodation: Nairobi or Rift Valley hotel/lodge according to final routing
Meal Plan: Breakfast and applicable meals according to property

After breakfast, begin traveling toward the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. If starting from Nairobi, travel through the Great Rift Valley and continue toward Narok. If starting from Naivasha or another Rift Valley location, the route joins the main Mara corridor.

Beyond Narok, the landscape becomes increasingly open. Agricultural areas give way to:

• Grassland
• Acacia trees
• Pastoral areas
• Maasai settlements
• Expansive rangelands

Arrive at your selected Masai Mara lodge or tented camp. After lunch and check-in, begin your first game drive. The Mara offers some of Kenya’s most rewarding general wildlife viewing, and potential sightings include: Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Cheetahs, Leopards, Giraffes, Wildebeest, Zebras, Topis, Elands, Impalas, Gazelles, Hyenas.

The open terrain makes larger mammals relatively easy to observe. Continue until evening before returning to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara. Begin early while temperatures remain cool. The Mara is especially famous for its large predators.

Lions

Several lion prides inhabit the ecosystem. Your guide may encounter lions:

• Resting
• Feeding
• Walking
• Playing with cubs
• Patrolling
• Hunting

Cheetahs

Cheetahs prefer open terrain and may use termite mounds or small hills to look across the plains.

Leopards

Leopards are more secretive and often use trees, riverine woodland and thicker vegetation.

Spotted Hyenas

Hyenas are among the Mara’s most effective predators. They hunt as well as scavenge and play a critical role in the ecosystem.

Carry a picnic lunch if you want to remain inside the reserve throughout the day, or return to camp for lunch before an afternoon drive. Continue wildlife viewing into the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Your final complete safari day remains in the Masai Mara. Having several game drives improves the chance of experiencing different wildlife behavior.

Big Five

By this point, you may have already encountered most or all members of the traditional Big Five:

1. Lion
2. Leopard
3. Elephant
4. Rhino
5. Buffalo

Rhinos are more likely to have been seen earlier around Ol Pejeta, while the Mara provides particularly strong opportunities for lions, elephants and buffaloes. Leopards remain unpredictable.

Great Wildebeest Migration

Travelers visiting during the appropriate season may encounter large migratory wildebeest and zebra herds. The migration is driven primarily by:

• Rainfall
• Fresh grazing
• Water availability

Herd locations vary each year, and during some periods thousands of wildebeest may occupy parts of the greater Mara ecosystem. River crossings can occur along sections of the Mara River, but these events are impossible to guarantee. Animals may gather at a river and remain there for hours before either crossing or moving away. A serious migration safari therefore emphasizes time and flexibility rather than guarantees.

Optional Hot-Air Balloon Safari

An optional balloon flight can be arranged, subject to availability and weather. Balloon safaris usually begin before sunrise, and from the air travelers can appreciate:

• Savannah scale
• River systems
• Animal trails
• Wildlife herds
• Sunrise landscapes

After landing, a bush breakfast normally follows. Continue your final day of game viewing, then return to camp for dinner and your last evening in the Kenyan wilderness.

Accommodation: Masai Mara lodge or tented camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge or tented camp. Depending on accommodation location and departure arrangements, you may see wildlife while leaving the Mara ecosystem. Begin the road journey to Nairobi through Narok and the Great Rift Valley. Travelers who prefer to minimize road travel can request a scheduled flight from a Masai Mara airstrip to Wilson Airport, subject to availability and additional cost.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, transfer to:

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• Nairobi hotel
• Wilson Airport
• Another agreed destination

Your 13 Days Northern & Southern Kenya Safari concludes after crossing an extraordinary range of Kenyan habitats from Samburu’s dry northern wilderness to the grasslands of the Masai Mara.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is the defining northern destination on this safari. The reserve surrounds sections of the Ewaso Nyiro River, and because the surrounding countryside is relatively dry, the river becomes critically important to wildlife. Riverine vegetation creates shade and feeding opportunities, elephants frequently use the river and predators may patrol surrounding habitats. Samburu is particularly recommended for travelers wanting wildlife species different from those commonly seen in southern Kenya.

The Samburu Special Five

The five species most strongly associated with the Samburu safari experience are:

1. Reticulated Giraffe

Recognized by its geometric coat pattern.

2. Grevy’s Zebra

A large, narrow-striped zebra and important conservation species.

3. Gerenuk

A long-necked antelope capable of standing upright to browse.

4. Beisa Oryx

A dry-country antelope with long straight horns.

5. Somali Ostrich

A distinctive ostrich associated with northern Kenya. Seeing these animals makes Samburu an excellent complement to the Masai Mara.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta provides the itinerary’s strongest dedicated rhino-conservation component. The conservancy protects both black and white rhinos alongside a broader wildlife community, and it is also important because it introduces travelers to a different model of wildlife protection. Tourism revenue helps support:

• Conservation
• Anti-poaching operations
• Wildlife monitoring
• Habitat management
• Community programs

This makes the visit educational as well as wildlife-focused.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most recognizable wildlife destinations. The combination of elephants and Kilimanjaro creates iconic scenery, although mountain views depend on weather, and the park’s permanent marshes sustain wildlife even in relatively dry periods. Amboseli is especially strong for: Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Hippos, Waterbirds, Lions, Open-landscape photography.

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara provides the grand finale, and its grasslands support exceptionally diverse wildlife. The ecosystem is particularly famous for: Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Wildebeest, Zebras, Hippos, Crocodiles.

During parts of the year, migratory herds can add enormous numbers of animals to the resident wildlife population.

Northern Kenya vs Southern Kenya Wildlife

One of the major strengths of this itinerary is the opportunity to compare wildlife distributions.

Northern Wildlife

Potential northern specialties include: Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich.

Southern Wildlife

Southern Kenya may provide: Maasai giraffe, Large wildebeest herds, High lion densities, Cheetahs, Large plains-game populations.

Traveling between both regions significantly expands the safari species list.

Giraffe Diversity on the Safari

This route can be particularly interesting for travelers who appreciate giraffes. Northern Kenya is associated with reticulated giraffes, while southern areas such as the Mara are associated with Maasai giraffes. Depending on additional destinations, other giraffe populations may also be encountered, and comparing their coat patterns becomes an interesting feature of the journey.

Zebra Diversity

The safari may also provide opportunities to compare two different zebra species.

Grevy’s Zebra

Seen primarily in northern Kenya. Characteristics include:

• Narrow stripes
• Large ears
• Larger body size

Plains Zebra

Common in southern and central safari areas, the plains zebra is one of Kenya’s most familiar grazing animals.

Big Five Opportunities

The itinerary provides strong opportunities to search for the traditional Big Five, although no wildlife sighting can ever be guaranteed.

Lion

Possible in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Amboseli and Masai Mara.

Leopard

Possible in several destinations but naturally elusive.

Elephant

Excellent opportunities in Samburu and Amboseli.

Rhino

Ol Pejeta provides the strongest rhino component.

Buffalo

Common in several southern and central parks. No wildlife sighting can ever be guaranteed.

Predator Viewing

Predator enthusiasts will find the route particularly rewarding. Possible predators include: Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Spotted hyenas, Black-backed jackals, Side-striped jackals.

The landscapes used by predators vary. Samburu provides dry bush and riverine habitat, while Masai Mara offers vast open grasslands. This difference can influence both predator behavior and photography.

Elephant Safari

Elephants form one of the strongest wildlife themes connecting north and south.

Samburu Elephants

The Ewaso Nyiro River plays a major role in elephant movement, and herds may gather near the river during dry periods.

Amboseli Elephants

Amboseli is one of Africa’s most famous elephant destinations, and large family groups are frequently observed. Seeing elephants under such different ecological conditions is one of the special qualities of this itinerary.