The 10 Day Kenya Grand Safari is a private, 9-night 4x4 Land Cruiser safari from Nairobi to Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli, priced from USD 2,448 per person.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 10 days / 9 nights |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Destinations | Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli |
| Starts / Ends | Nairobi |
| Price From | USD 1,980–3,650 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | First-time Kenya safari travellers wanting a broad, six-park circuit |
The 10 Day Kenya Grand Safari is a private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari covering six of Kenya's leading wildlife destinations: Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli National Park.
This Kenya safari is designed for travellers who want more than a short Masai Mara trip. The route moves from the dry landscapes of northern Kenya to the Great Rift Valley and then into the wildlife-rich plains of the Masai Mara before finishing in Amboseli beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
This is a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, not a shared group tour or safari van. Your vehicle, driver-guide and itinerary are reserved for your travelling party, and the route can be adjusted around your travel dates, preferred accommodation level, interests and pace.
Safari Highlights
- 10 days / 9 nights across six destinations
- Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Samburu's northern wildlife and distinctive landscapes
- Ol Pejeta's rhino conservation and wildlife
- Lake Nakuru's rhinos, birdlife and Rift Valley scenery
- Masai Mara's Big Five and predator-rich plains
- Lake Naivasha's freshwater ecosystem and optional boat safari
- Amboseli's large elephant herds and Mount Kilimanjaro views
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Optional hot-air balloon safari
- Nairobi pickup and drop-off
The itinerary is particularly suitable for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Kenya's wildlife and landscapes across a longer, six-park circuit.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Your safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, JKIA or Wilson Airport. Drive north towards Samburu through Kenya's central highlands, with the scenery gradually changing from agricultural highlands to the drier landscapes of northern Kenya.
Arrive in Samburu in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Look for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras and Samburu's northern species, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx.
Day 2: Full-Day Samburu National Reserve
Spend a full day exploring Samburu. Morning and afternoon game drives provide time to follow the Ewaso Ng'iro River and surrounding dry-country habitats.
Samburu is particularly valuable on a longer Kenya safari because its wildlife differs from the southern parks. You may encounter the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx.
Day 3: Samburu – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, drive south towards Laikipia and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, well known for rhino conservation and its work protecting endangered wildlife.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive through the conservancy. The area supports rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and other plains wildlife.
Optional Add-Ons
Optional conservation experiences at Ol Pejeta, such as rhino tracking or a chimpanzee sanctuary visit, can be arranged depending on availability and at an additional cost.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta – Lake Nakuru National Park
Enjoy a morning activity or game drive before continuing towards Lake Nakuru. The route passes through Kenya's central highlands before descending towards the Great Rift Valley.
After lunch, explore Lake Nakuru National Park on an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is particularly known for black and white rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes and birdlife.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, leave Lake Nakuru and travel towards the Masai Mara. The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley and Narok County before reaching the Mara ecosystem.
Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The Masai Mara is one of Kenya's best destinations for seeing lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest.
Day 6: Full-Day Masai Mara
Spend a full day in the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. A full day gives your guide more flexibility to explore different sections of the reserve rather than rushing between sightings.
The Mara is excellent for big-cat viewing and is also part of the Greater Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. During the Great Migration season, usually around July to October, you may witness large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra and, depending on conditions, river-crossing activity.
Optional Add-Ons
An optional Maasai village visit or hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara can be added at an additional cost.
Day 7: Masai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a final morning game drive before departing the Mara for Lake Naivasha.
After arrival and lunch, you can take an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and waterbirds. A guided walk on Crescent Island can also be arranged where conditions and availability allow.
Optional Add-Ons
Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island guided walk, both available as optional activities at an additional cost.
Day 8: Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, drive south towards Amboseli National Park. This is one of the longer road-transfer days, but it connects two very different Kenyan safari landscapes.
Arrive in Amboseli later in the day and enjoy an afternoon game drive if time permits. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.
Day 9: Full-Day Amboseli National Park
Enjoy a full day of wildlife viewing in Amboseli. Early morning is one of the best times for views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build around the mountain.
Explore the park's wetlands, open plains and dry lakebed while searching for elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes and other wildlife. The park is especially popular with photographers because of the combination of elephants and Kilimanjaro.
Day 10: Amboseli – Nairobi
Enjoy a final morning game drive before breakfast and departure. Drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon or evening depending on road conditions and your final destination.
Drop-off can be arranged at your Nairobi hotel, JKIA or Wilson Airport.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
The safari is operated as a private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari. Pricing varies according to travel season, number of travellers, accommodation and park fees.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June and November
- Peak SeasonJuly–October and festive periods
Recommended Private Safari Rates (Planning Guide)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | From $2,448 pp | From $2,150 pp | From $1,980 pp |
| High Season | From $2,950 pp | From $2,600 pp | From $2,400 pp |
| Peak Season | From $3,650 pp | From $3,200 pp | From $2,950 pp |
The final price depends on the exact travel dates, accommodation category, room configuration, park fees and availability.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private transportation in a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop-off
- 9 nights' accommodation
- Meals as specified in the final itinerary
- All scheduled game drives
- All applicable park and conservancy entry fees
- Bottled/purified drinking water during safari
- All government taxes and applicable service charges
- Safari vehicle with pop-up roof and individual window seats
- 24/7 local safari support
Excluded
- International flights
- Kenya entry visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Tips and gratuities
- Laundry services
- Optional activities
- Maasai village visit where applicable
- Masai Mara hot-air balloon safari
- Any accommodation before or after the safari unless specified
- Items not specifically listed under inclusions
Getting There
The 10 Day Kenya Grand Safari starts and ends in Nairobi. International travellers normally arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya's main international gateway. You can also connect through Wilson Airport for domestic or safari flights.
Beyond The Plains can arrange airport pickup and transfer to your Nairobi hotel or begin the safari directly, depending on your arrival time. Road safaris depart from Nairobi hotels, JKIA or Wilson Airport.
Route Map
Travelling the Full Circuit
The entire Grand Safari is designed as a road circuit, making the Toyota Land Cruiser an important part of the experience. A 4x4 is particularly useful across the rougher sections of the Mara and the varied terrain between Kenya's parks.
For travellers who prefer to reduce long driving times, selected sections can potentially be converted to fly-in arrangements. This should be discussed when requesting your quotation.
Get Free Quote ›
