Discover Kenya beyond the ordinary on this 10 Day Kenya Safari – Big Five, Rhinos, Lakes & Northern Wilderness, an immersive private journey designed for travellers who want time to experience the country’s wildlife rather than simply rush from one destination to another.
Over ten remarkable days, travel from the wildlife-rich foothills of Mount Kenya into the rugged landscapes of northern Kenya, through the beautiful lakes of the Great Rift Valley and finally to the endless golden plains of the Maasai Mara.
The journey begins at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s leading wildlife conservation areas and an exceptional destination for rhino encounters. Continue north to Samburu, where the dry wilderness is home to fascinating species rarely seen elsewhere in Kenya, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Your safari then moves into the Great Rift Valley, combining rhino and birdlife viewing at Lake Nakuru with a completely different style of adventure at Lake Naivasha. Cruise among hippos, walk alongside giraffes and zebras on Crescent Island, and experience the dramatic landscapes of Hell’s Gate.
For the grand finale, spend three nights in the Maasai Mara, giving you time to explore one of Africa’s greatest wildlife ecosystems at an unhurried pace. Search for the Big Five, follow predators across the savannah and, during migration season, experience the excitement surrounding the movement of vast wildebeest and zebra herds.
Throughout the safari, travel privately in a customized 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, accompanied by your own experienced safari driver-guide and staying in carefully selected lodges and tented camps.
This 10 Day Kenya Safari is designed for travellers who want the time and variety to experience Kenya properly. You’ll encounter rhinos in one of the country’s leading conservation areas, search for rare species in the northern wilderness, discover the lakes and dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, cruise among hippos, walk alongside giraffes and even explore on foot or bicycle before finishing with three nights of exceptional Big Five game viewing in the Maasai Mara. With a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, your own professional safari guide and carefully selected safari lodges and tented camps, the journey combines wildlife, conservation, adventure and comfort in one beautifully paced Kenyan experience
Your grand Kenyan adventure begins in Nairobi, where your private safari driver-guide will meet you at your hotel, residence or agreed pick-up point.
Settle into your customized 4x4 Land Cruiser and travel north through Kenya's fertile central highlands, passing beautiful agricultural landscapes and small towns along the way.
As you approach the Mount Kenya region, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with the mountain providing a spectacular backdrop on clear days.
Arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and check into your safari lodge or tented camp before enjoying lunch.
Later, set out for your first afternoon game drive.
Ol Pejeta is renowned for its conservation work and provides excellent opportunities to see both black and white rhinos. The conservancy is also home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras and numerous antelope species.
Enjoy your first African sunset before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner.
Overnight: Ol Pejeta
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Wake up surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Laikipia Plateau and enjoy breakfast before beginning a full day of wildlife exploration.
Today's game drives focus on discovering Ol Pejeta's remarkable conservation success story.
Search for black and white rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, lions and other wildlife while exploring the conservancy's open grasslands.
You'll also have an opportunity to visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides a safe refuge for rescued chimpanzees.
Depending on your safari arrangements, your guide can also introduce you to some of the conservancy's conservation initiatives while you continue exploring this remarkable ecosystem.
Return to your lodge for time to relax before another afternoon game drive.
As evening falls, enjoy dinner and your second night in the Mount Kenya wilderness.
Overnight: Ol Pejeta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave the Mount Kenya region and continue north toward the striking landscapes of Samburu National Reserve.
The scenery changes dramatically during today's journey. Fertile highlands gradually give way to rugged hills, dry riverbeds and semi-arid wilderness.
Arrive at your lodge or luxury tented camp in time for lunch and some relaxation.
Later in the afternoon, head out for your first Samburu game drive.
The reserve offers an exciting contrast to Ol Pejeta, particularly because of its unusual northern wildlife species.
Begin searching for Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Elephants are frequently seen around the Ewaso Nyiro River, while lions, leopards and cheetahs make Samburu an excellent destination for predator sightings.
Return to your lodge or camp as the sun sets over the northern wilderness.
Overnight: Samburu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out for a full day of wildlife exploration.
The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeline of this semi-arid ecosystem and attracts an impressive concentration of animals, particularly during the dry season.
Your guide will help you search for the celebrated Samburu Special Five:
Beyond these rare species, Samburu offers excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes and numerous birds.
Depending on your preferred pace, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with a relaxing break at your lodge during the middle of the day.
An optional visit to a local Samburu community can also be arranged for guests interested in learning more about the traditions and daily life of the Samburu people.
Return to your lodge or camp for dinner.
Overnight: Samburu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, say goodbye to Kenya's northern wilderness and begin your journey south toward the Great Rift Valley.
Travel through changing landscapes, passing the central highlands before descending toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
On arrival, enjoy a game drive through one of Kenya's most scenic wildlife parks.
Lake Nakuru is particularly renowned for its rhino conservation and provides excellent opportunities to see both black and white rhinos. The park is also an important sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.
Explore acacia woodland, grasslands, rocky escarpments and lakeshore habitats while searching for buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, baboons and other wildlife.
The lake attracts impressive birdlife, including pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, herons and eagles. Flamingos may also be present, although numbers naturally vary with changing lake conditions.
Later, proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed departure for nearby Lake Naivasha.
Today's itinerary replaces the traditional vehicle game drive with two completely different safari experiences.
Begin with a scenic boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
Cruise across the freshwater lake while watching hippos in the shallows and looking out for African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants and other birdlife.
Continue toward Crescent Island, where you'll step ashore for a guided walking safari.
Walk through the open landscape among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks, impalas and other plains wildlife.visitHell's Gate National Park for another unusual safari experience.
Unlike many of Kenya's major wildlife parks, Hell's Gate allows visitors to explore designated areas on foot or by bicycle.
Afterwards, transfer to your lodge and enjoy the rest of your evening overlooking the beautiful Rift Valley surroundings.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, continue toward the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Travel through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai countryside before arriving at your lodge or luxury tented camp.
Depending on your arrival time, relax at the property or enjoy your first game-viewing experience in the Mara.
Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up in one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations.
After breakfast, set out for an extensive game drive across the Maasai Mara's beautiful acacia-dotted plains.
The Mara supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, making every game drive different.
Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, alongside cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and numerous antelope species.
Your guide will follow wildlife movements and recent sightings rather than a rigid route, allowing you to make the most of the day's safari experience.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness or return to your lodge, depending on your preferred game-viewing schedule.
Continue exploring into the afternoon before returning to your camp for dinner.
Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your second full day in the Mara gives you even more time to explore areas you may not have reached the previous day.
Depending on wildlife movements, travel toward the Mara River, home to large pods of hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Between approximately July and October, the wider Maasai Mara–Serengeti ecosystem hosts the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, when enormous herds of wildebeest and zebras move in search of fresh grazing.
River crossings are among the most dramatic moments of the migration, although their timing and location are entirely determined by nature and cannot be guaranteed.
Return to your lodge or camp for your final evening in the African wilderness.
Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your final breakfast overlooking the Maasai Mara before checking out.
Take in the sweeping savannah one last time before beginning your journey back to Nairobi.
Travel through Maasai country and the magnificent Great Rift Valley, with scenic and comfort stops along the way.
Arrive in Nairobi during the afternoon or early evening, where your private safari guide will transfer you to your hotel, residence or agreed drop-off location.
Your 10 Day Grand Kenya Safari – Big Five, Rhinos, Lakes & Northern Wilderness comes to an end after an extraordinary journey through Kenya's conservation areas, northern wilderness, Rift Valley lakes and legendary savannahs.
