This 11-day Kenya safari is our most complete Kenya-only itinerary, combining six destinations in one private journey: Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli National Park.
The route opens in Samburu's semi-arid landscape for species found almost nowhere else in Kenya, continues to Ol Pejeta for rhinos and chimpanzees, then Lake Nakuru for flamingos and more rhino viewing. From there it's on to the Masai Mara for Big Five game drives, a boat safari and walking safari at Lake Naivasha, and a finish in Amboseli beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
The safari is operated privately, using a specially equipped 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a pop-up roof, rather than a shared van tour.
Safari Highlights
- 11 days / 10 nights across six destinations
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
- Samburu's rare species: Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich
- Ol Pejeta Chimpanzee Sanctuary and black rhino population
- Lake Nakuru flamingos and rhino sanctuary
- Masai Mara Big Five game drives
- Lake Naivasha boat safari and Crescent Island walking safari
- Amboseli elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro views
- Giraffe Centre visit on the final day
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Optional hot-air balloon safari
- Suitable for couples, families and small private groups
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), where a Beyond The Plains Safaris representative will meet you and transfer you to your Nairobi hotel.
Spend the evening relaxing after your international flight and preparing for the safari ahead.
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
After an early breakfast, depart Nairobi for Samburu National Reserve, passing through the central highlands along the way. Samburu is renowned for species you won't easily find elsewhere in Kenya, including Grevy's zebra, the Somali ostrich and the gerenuk.
After lunch at your camp, head out for your first game drive, with chances to see elephants, lions and leopards alongside Samburu's signature species. The semi-arid landscape, with its riverine forests and dry plains, offers a striking contrast to Kenya's better-known parks.
Full Day in Samburu
An early morning game drive when animals are most active, following the Ewaso Nyiro River where elephants and other wildlife gather along the banks.
Enjoy a picnic lunch within the reserve before continuing your safari in the afternoon. Samburu's open plains, doum palms and volcanic mountains offer an authentic, less-crowded safari experience.
Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, depart Samburu for Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region — renowned for its conservation efforts, particularly for endangered rhinos.
After lunch, head out on a game drive with the chance to visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these primates. Ol Pejeta is also home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
Breakfast at Ol Pejeta, then a scenic drive through the central highlands and Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving in time for a lakeview lunch.
Lake Nakuru is famed for its flocks of flamingos, which can sometimes blanket the shoreline in pink. After lunch, head out for an evening game drive — the park is also known for its rhino sanctuary and populations of lions, leopards and buffaloes.
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
An early breakfast, then depart for the world-famous Masai Mara, home to the Big Five and the Great Migration. Check in and settle down for lunch on arrival.
In the afternoon, a game drive across the Mara's endless plains, with good chances of lions, elephants and cheetahs, and if you're lucky, a leopard.
Masai Mara Full Day
A full-day game drive across the Masai Mara. After breakfast, leave with packed lunch boxes for a picnic at a scenic point overlooking the Mara River, a hotspot for hippos and crocodiles.
Continue with game drives through different territories of the reserve, maximising your chances of diverse wildlife sightings, before returning to camp for your final overnight in the Mara.
Optional Activities
A Maasai village visit or an early-morning hot-air balloon ride can both be arranged for this day at an additional cost.
Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, depart the Masai Mara for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. Settle in for a lakeview lunch on arrival.
In the afternoon, a boat safari on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and a wide variety of birdlife, including fish eagles, followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island — a sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes, zebras and other herbivores.
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, drive towards Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Amboseli is known for its iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, forming a stunning backdrop to your safari.
After lunch, an afternoon game drive with the chance to see Amboseli's famous elephant herds, along with lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
Full Day in Amboseli
After breakfast, a morning game drive to see more of Amboseli's wildlife, including its large elephant herds. The park is also home to buffaloes, zebras and numerous bird species.
Around lunchtime, a picnic lunch in a scenic spot within the park, followed by an afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Amboseli to Nairobi
After breakfast, a final morning game drive in Amboseli before departing for Nairobi. On arrival, visit the Giraffe Centre, where you can learn about and interact with endangered Rothschild's giraffes.
You'll then be dropped off at your hotel in Nairobi or transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
This is a private Land Cruiser Jeep safari, priced according to accommodation category, season, group size and park fees.
What Affects the Price?
- Number of travellers
- Accommodation category
- Travel season and park fees
- Optional Maasai village visit or hot-air balloon safari
- Private vehicle and driver-guide throughout
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure, with meet-and-greet service
- AMREF Flying Doctors medical insurance and evacuation cover
- 10 nights' full-board accommodation with private en-suite facilities
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout
- Bottled mineral water each day of the safari
- Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Game drives, sightseeing and excursions per the itinerary, including entrance fees
- Complementary Giraffe Centre visit
- All park entry fees except optional tours or activities
- Government taxes and levies where applicable
Excluded
- International flights, airport taxes and security-related fees unless stated
- Meals and drinks not described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in Nairobi before or after the safari (available at extra cost)
- Tips and gratuities to driver-guide, camp and restaurant staff
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional activities, such as balloon flights, and any excursion not described above
Getting There
The safari starts and ends in Nairobi, with pickup arranged from your Nairobi hotel, residence or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The full route is travelled by road in a private safari vehicle: Nairobi to Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli, before returning to Nairobi.
