Duration
10 NIGHTSBest For
Guests prioritizing premium accommodations and seamless private logistics.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Samburu Intrepids, Amboseli Kibo Safari Camp, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Mara Serena Safari LodgeSafari Overview
Kenya's grand safari circuit
This ten-night grand circuit is designed for travelers who want to experience the full breadth of Kenya's wildlife and landscapes in one comprehensive journey.
From the arid north of Samburu to the elephant country of Amboseli, the Rift Valley lakes of Nakuru and Naivasha, and the legendary Maasai Mara, every stop offers a distinct ecosystem and wildlife experience.
With luxury lodge accommodations, expert guiding, and seamless road logistics, this is the ultimate Kenya safari for those who want it all.
Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide throughout
Safari Snapshot
A deep exploration of Kenya's contrasting ecosystems with top-tier guiding and seamless logistics.
Safari Style
Luxury Lodges
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
10+ Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Kenya
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi
Met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to your hotel for a pre-safari briefing and overnight rest.
- Airport meet-and-greet
- Pre-safari briefing
Day 2 · Nairobi to Samburu
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Drive north through the Kenyan highlands to Samburu National Reserve. Arrive for lunch and an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, home to the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich.
- Scenic drive north
- Samburu Special Five
Day 3 · Samburu National Reserve
Full Day in Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives tracking elephants, lions, leopards, and rare northern species. Optional visit to a local Samburu village for cultural immersion.
- Riverine wildlife
- Optional cultural visit
Day 4 · Samburu to Amboseli
Samburu to Amboseli via Nairobi
Drive south through Nairobi and continue to Amboseli National Park, arriving in the afternoon. Check in at Kibo Safari Camp and enjoy an evening game drive with Kilimanjaro views.
- Cross-country drive
- Kilimanjaro backdrop
Day 5 · Amboseli National Park
Full Day in Amboseli
Morning game drive for the best Kilimanjaro views before clouds build. Visit Observation Hill for panoramic wetland views. Afternoon game drive targeting elephant herds, lions, and cheetahs. Optional Maasai village visit.
- Kilimanjaro morning views
- Elephant herds
Day 6 · Amboseli to Nakuru
Amboseli to Lake Nakuru
Drive north through Nairobi into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon game drive to spot white and black rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, and flamingos.
- Rift Valley scenery
- Rhino tracking
Day 7 · Nakuru to Naivasha
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Morning game drive in Nakuru before departing for Lake Naivasha. Afternoon boat safari on the freshwater lake to see hippos, fish eagles, and waterbirds.
- Flamingo colonies
- Lake Naivasha boat safari
Day 8 · Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island
Morning walking safari on Crescent Island among grazing herbivores. Afternoon at leisure or optional Hell's Gate National Park visit for cycling and gorge walks.
- Walking safari
- Optional Hell's Gate cycling
Day 9 · Naivasha to Maasai Mara
Naivasha to Maasai Mara
Drive south through Maasai country to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Arrive for lunch and an afternoon game drive in one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations.
- Scenic Rift Valley descent
- First Mara game drive
Day 10 · Maasai Mara National Reserve
Full Day in the Maasai Mara
Full-day game drive with picnic lunch, tracking the Big Five and exploring different sectors of the reserve. During migration season (Jul-Oct), witness dramatic river crossings. Optional hot-air balloon safari at dawn.
- Big Five tracking
- Migration river crossings
Day 11 · Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Maasai Mara to Nairobi and Departure
Final morning game drive before departing the Mara and driving back to Nairobi for your onward flight or hotel drop-off.
- Final game drive
- Departure transfer
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Nairobi
Arrival, briefing, and overnight in Nairobi.
- 2
Day 2-3
Samburu National Reserve
Northern Kenya wilderness with rare species and riverine habitat.
- 3
Day 4-5
Amboseli National Park
Elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrops.
- 4
Day 6-7
Lake Nakuru National Park
Rhino sanctuary and flamingo-rich Rift Valley lake.
- 5
Day 8
Lake Naivasha
Freshwater lake with boat safaris and Crescent Island walks.
- 6
Day 9-11
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Big Five country and migration corridor game drives.
What's Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
- Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the final day
- Park entry fees and conservancy charges
- All activities unless listed as optional
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Drinking water during safari days
- Services of a professional guide/driver
- Taxes and VAT
Exclusions
- Hot-air balloon rides
- Maasai village and similar optional visits
- Boat rides unless specified
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. We tailor pacing, lodge standards, and activities to your travel style, dates, and priorities.
Do I need special fitness for this safari?
Most game-drive itineraries are moderate. Gorilla/chimp treks require stronger mobility and we can advise accordingly.
How far in advance should I book?
For prime season travel, we recommend securing your trip 4-8 months in advance to guarantee preferred camps.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Masai Mara Lion Prides: Territories, Coalitions, and Conservation
From Marsh and Rekero to Black Rock, Sand River, Topi, Sopa, Salas, Survey, and Rongai, this in-depth guide breaks down where each pride operates, who controls them, and how coalition turnover, habitat shifts, and migration timing influence lion life across the Mara ecosystem.
Read Guide
Wildlife in the Masai Mara: Beyond the Big Five
The Mara is famous for predators, but the full ecosystem covers Coke's hartebeest and common eland, Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer, dwarf and slender mongoose, honey badger, pangolin, jackals, hyenas, baboons, and more than 450 bird species — a depth that rewards travellers who slow down beyond the Big Five.
Read GuideWhere to Stay in the Masai Mara: Camps, Lodges, and Conservancy Picks
With more than 100 properties across the reserve and surrounding conservancies, choosing where to stay defines your safari pace, vehicle density, and the depth of your wildlife encounters. This guide walks through how we shortlist camps by zone, season, and traveller profile.
Read GuidePlan Your Kenya Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
Hear what our clients have to say
Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
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