The 12 Day Grand Kenya Safari is a private, 11-night 4x4 Land Cruiser safari from Nairobi to Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo West, from approximately USD 2,950 per person.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 12 days / 11 nights |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Destinations | Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara (3 nights), Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo West |
| Starts / Ends | Nairobi |
| Price From | USD 2,150–4,050 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | Travellers who want a comprehensive private Kenya safari rather than a short Masai Mara-only trip |
The 12 Day Grand Kenya Safari is built for travellers who want more than one or two parks. It combines Kenya's northern wildlife region, the Great Rift Valley, and the Masai Mara, with Amboseli's Kilimanjaro views closing out the trip.
Samburu delivers the northern Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. Ol Pejeta is one of Kenya's top rhino conservation areas. Lake Nakuru adds rhino and birdlife. Three nights in the Masai Mara cover big cats and, in season, the Great Migration. Lake Naivasha breaks up the drive with hippos and birdlife. Amboseli closes the trip with large elephant herds and Kilimanjaro backdrops.
This is a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, with a dedicated driver-guide and a flexible schedule. The vehicle is fitted with a pop-up roof for game viewing and photography.
The safari starts and ends in Nairobi and adjusts around your flight schedule.
Safari Highlights
- 12 days / 11 nights across Kenya
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Samburu National Reserve and the Samburu Special Five
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy and rhino conservation
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- 3 nights in the Masai Mara
- Big Five game viewing
- Great Migration viewing during the July–October season
- Lake Naivasha experience
- Amboseli National Park — large elephant herds and Mount Kilimanjaro views
- Tsavo West National Park to close the trip
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Full-board safari accommodation
- Flexible private game drives
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve
Your safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport. Drive north towards Samburu National Reserve, crossing the equator around Nanyuki before continuing into Kenya's dry northern landscapes.
Arrive at your lodge or camp for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. Samburu is home to wildlife rarely seen in southern Kenya, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Day 2: Full-Day Samburu National Reserve
Spend the day exploring Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives, following the Ewaso Nyiro River, where wildlife gathers around the remaining water sources.
Look for elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes and Samburu's northern Special Five.
Optional Add-Ons
An optional Samburu cultural visit can be arranged at an additional cost.
Day 3: Samburu – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, leave Samburu and drive towards the Laikipia region. Arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
Ol Pejeta is particularly important for rhino conservation and is home to black and white rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and other wildlife.
Optional Add-Ons
Optional conservation experiences at Ol Pejeta can be arranged at an additional cost.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta – Lake Nakuru National Park
Enjoy a morning game drive before departing for Lake Nakuru. Continue through the central highlands and Great Rift Valley before arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive searching for rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes and other wildlife. The park is also an important habitat for bird species and offers good opportunities for rhino viewing.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara
After breakfast, drive through the Great Rift Valley towards the Masai Mara. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your lodge or tented camp.
Depending on arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the reserve. The Masai Mara is famous for its large populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and other plains game.
Day 6: Full-Day Masai Mara National Reserve
Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara. Leave after breakfast with a packed lunch and spend most of the day on game drives, with your guide choosing the best areas according to recent wildlife activity and road conditions.
The Mara is particularly rewarding for predator viewing. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest are regularly encountered. During the Great Migration season, usually July to October, the Mara can also offer opportunities to see large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
Day 7: Masai Mara – Full Day Game Viewing
Enjoy another full day in the Masai Mara. A second full game-drive day gives you more time to explore different sections of the reserve instead of trying to cover everything in one day.
Early morning drives are particularly useful for predator activity, while afternoon drives provide opportunities to follow elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and plains game.
Optional Add-Ons
A hot-air balloon safari or Maasai cultural visit can be arranged separately at an additional cost.
Day 8: Masai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a morning game drive before leaving the Mara for Lake Naivasha. Drive through the Great Rift Valley and arrive at Lake Naivasha.
Depending on your arrival time and package, you can take an optional boat ride on the lake. Lake Naivasha is known for its birdlife and hippos, while Crescent Island offers walking wildlife experiences subject to conditions and availability.
Optional Add-Ons
Optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha, subject to arrival time and availability, at an additional cost.
Day 9: Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park. This is one of the longer road-transfer days, so an early departure is recommended.
Arrive in Amboseli and check into your lodge or camp before an afternoon game drive. Amboseli is one of Kenya's best destinations for elephant viewing, with Mount Kilimanjaro often providing a spectacular backdrop when weather conditions are clear.
Day 10: Full-Day Amboseli National Park
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli. Early morning game drives offer some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing and clear views towards Mount Kilimanjaro.
Search for elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos and numerous bird species. The park's wetlands attract wildlife throughout the year, making Amboseli particularly different from the dry landscapes of Samburu.
Day 11: Amboseli – Tsavo West National Park
After breakfast, leave Amboseli and continue towards Tsavo West National Park. Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
Tsavo West offers a different safari landscape, with volcanic terrain, lava formations, woodland and open areas. Explore areas around Mzima Springs and search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and predators.
Day 12: Tsavo West – Nairobi
Enjoy an early morning game drive before or after breakfast, depending on your departure schedule. Leave Tsavo West and drive back towards Nairobi.
Drop-off can be arranged at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Wilson Airport or your Nairobi hotel. For international flights, we recommend allowing enough time between the safari drop-off and your departure flight.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
The safari is based on a private 4x4 Land Cruiser and the price varies according to season, accommodation category and number of travellers.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May and selected November dates
- High SeasonJanuary–March and June–October, excluding peak dates
- Peak SeasonJuly–October migration dates, Christmas and New Year dates
Private Mid-Range Land Cruiser Safari Rates
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | From $2,950 pp | From $2,350 pp | From $2,150 pp |
| High Season | From $3,450 pp | From $2,750 pp | From $2,550 pp |
| Peak Season | From $4,050 pp | From $3,250 pp | From $2,950 pp |
Prices are indicative and should be confirmed against your travel dates and selected accommodation. Park and conservancy fees, accommodation rates and other supplier charges can change.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- 11 nights' accommodation as specified in the final quotation
- Meals according to the itinerary
- All scheduled game drives
- Park and conservancy entry fees as included in the quotation
- Nairobi airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle
- Fuel and vehicle running costs
- Driver-guide accommodation and expenses
- Government taxes and applicable levies
- Use of a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing
- Safari assistance throughout the trip
Excluded
- International flights
- Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Travel insurance
- Medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless specifically included
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Maasai village visits
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Optional boat rides at Lake Naivasha
- Optional conservation activities at Ol Pejeta
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
- Any additional accommodation before or after the safari
Getting There
The easiest way to start the safari is to fly into Nairobi. Most international travellers arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Wilson Airport (WIL) is mainly useful for domestic and safari flights.
Beyond The Plains Safaris can arrange pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport. For travellers already in Kenya, the safari can also connect with a Nairobi hotel, Diani Beach, Mombasa, Naivasha or another destination depending on your travel plans.
Route Map
Travelling the Full Circuit
This itinerary is primarily designed as a road safari because the private Land Cruiser allows you to travel between the parks while enjoying game drives along the way.
Internal flights can be considered for selected sections if you want to reduce long road transfers — discuss this when requesting your quotation.
Get Free Quote ›
