Route map
Where you'll travel
Tap any stop to jump to that day in the itinerary.
Trip highlights
- Samburu special five
- Maasai Mara
- Amboseli & Kilimanjaro
- Rift Valley lakes
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi →Arrive at JKIA, Nairobi; transfer to hotel.
Full day details →Day 2
Nairobi to Samburu →Long drive north; afternoon game drive.
Full day details →Day 3
Samburu full-day →Special five species.
Full day details →Day 4
Samburu to Aberdares →Tree-hotel overnight.
Full day details →Day 5
Aberdares to Lake Nakuru →Rhino sanctuary and flamingos.
Full day details →Day 6
Nakuru to Naivasha →Boat ride and Crescent Island.
Full day details →Day 7
Naivasha to Maasai Mara →Afternoon Mara game drive.
Full day details →Day 8
Maasai Mara full-day →Big cats.
Full day details →Day 9
Maasai Mara full-day →Mara River / balloon option.
Full day details →Day 10
Mara to Amboseli →Fly or drive.
Full day details →Day 11
Amboseli full-day →Elephants and Kilimanjaro.
Full day details →Day 12
Amboseli to Tsavo West →Mzima Springs and volcanic landscapes.
Full day details →Day 13
Tsavo West to Tsavo East →Red elephants and Aruba dam.
Full day details →Day 14
Tsavo to Nairobi →Drive back to Nairobi.
Full day details →Day 15
Departure from Nairobi →Transfer to JKIA for onward flight.
Full day details →
Before you book
What to know about travelling in Kenya
Visas, permits, health requirements, seasons, money and tipping — everything specific to this destination.
Before you book · Kenya
Travelling in Kenya
- Visas & entry
- Kenya no longer issues visas: every visitor must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) at least 3 days before arrival. Passport valid 6+ months with two blank pages. The East Africa Tourist Visa (Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda, 90 days, multiple entry) is the better value if your trip crosses those borders.
- Arrival gateway
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi — domestic bush flights leave from Wilson Airport.
- Best time to travel
- July–October for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara; January–March for dry, clear game viewing and calving. April–May is the long rains (green, quiet, best value); November is the short rains.
- Health & vaccinations
- Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis recommended for the Mara, Tsavo and the coast. Routine vaccinations plus typhoid and hepatitis A advised. Drink bottled or filtered water only.
- Money & payments
- Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD notes dated 2009 or later are widely accepted for park fees and tips; M-Pesa and card payments work in cities and most lodges. Carry small USD/KES notes for rural stops.
- Weather & climate
- Warm days (25–30°C) and cool early mornings on the highlands and in the Mara (10–15°C). Coast is humid, 28–32°C year-round.
- Connectivity
- 4G in towns and most camps; Wi-Fi in lodge common areas. Deep-bush camps in Tsavo and Samburu can be offline — expect a digital detox.
- Tipping guideline
- Guideline: USD 10–15 per guest per day for your driver-guide, USD 5 per day for camp staff (tip box), and USD 2–3 per bag for porters.
- What to pack
- Neutral-coloured layers, warm fleece for open-vehicle morning drives, wide-brim hat, high-SPF sun cream, binoculars, dust-proof camera bag, and a soft duffel (hard cases don't fit light aircraft — 15 kg limit).
- Local etiquette
- Ask before photographing people, especially in Maasai and Samburu communities. Single-use plastic bags are illegal in Kenya — leave them at home.
Requirements and fees change. We reconfirm current visa, permit and health rules in writing before you pay any balance.