Kenya: Big Five, Big Skies & the Indian Ocean
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
Meet your driver-guide at the airport and head into the city. In the late morning, visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage for the daily public viewing, when the rescued baby elephants come in from the forest for their mud bath and milk bottles. Spend the afternoon at the Giraffe Centre, or relax before the road ahead. Overnight in Nairobi.
Day 2: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
A full day’s drive north, about five to six hours, crossing the equator and watching the highlands give way to dry, golden scrubland. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Day 3: Samburu
Full day of game drives in the “Special Five” country, wildlife found here and rarely farther south: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the long-necked gerenuk. Elephants, crocodiles, and leopards are regular sightings along the riverbanks. Optional visit to a Samburu village to meet the community.
Day 4: Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park
Drive south across the equator again, passing Mount Kenya and the highland farms of Nyahururu. Arrive at Lake Nakuru in time for a late-afternoon game drive.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru
A full day in one of Kenya’s most rewarding small parks. Look for black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and lions and leopards in the acacia woodland. The lake’s famous flamingos come and go with the water levels, but pelicans and hundreds of other birds are always present. Finish at Baboon Cliff for the best view over the lake.
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Drive west through the Rift Valley and Narok to the Mara, about five to six hours with a stop for lunch. Your first game drive begins the moment you enter the reserve.
Days 7-8: Masai Mara National Reserve
Two full days in Kenya’s most celebrated reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives with your guide, picnic breakfasts on the plains, and the best chance of seeing lions, cheetahs, leopards, and elephants in a single day. From roughly July to October, you may witness wildebeest herds massing at the Mara River. Optional extras include a sunrise hot-air balloon flight, a Maasai village visit, and a guided bush walk.
Day 9: Fly to Diani Beach
A morning game drive, then a short transfer to the Mara airstrip. Fly to the coast, connecting through Nairobi to Ukunda airstrip, and transfer to your beachfront resort. Spend the rest of the day with your toes in the sand.
Days 10-11: Diani Beach
Two beach days to unwind. Swim in the warm water, walk the powdery white sand, or snorkel and spot dolphins on a boat trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. Watch colobus monkeys in the coastal forest and finish the evening with a dhow sunset cruise or a seafood dinner on the sand.
Day 12: Depart from Diani
Transfer to Ukunda airstrip for your onward flight.
Good to Know
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Driving: All road transfers and game drives are in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and an experienced driver-guide, so you can stop for photos whenever you like. Some road stretches are long, which is why each leg includes a scenic stop.
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Sheldrick visit: Public viewing is limited to a one-hour window each day, and reservations are required. Timing matters, so arrive in Nairobi on a morning flight if possible. If your flight lands late, we’ll add a night in Nairobi.
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Seasons: July to October is peak migration season and the busiest in the Mara, so book early. January to March is hot, dry, and excellent for wildlife viewing. The coast is lovely most of the year but is hottest in February and steamiest in April and May.
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Pace: Lodges and camps are chosen to suit your comfort level, from classic tented camps to luxury lodges.
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Health & entry: Check current visa requirements (Kenya uses an electronic authorization system), recommended vaccinations, and malaria precautions before travel.
