Majestic Kenya Safaris

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10-Day Kenya Explorer Safari from AU

  • Visit: Samburu NR, L. Nakuru NP, L. Naivasha, Masai Mara NR, Amboseli NP
  • 10 Days
  • Private
  • Mid-Range
Elephant, with MT. Kilimanjaro backdrop
Antelopes sighting in Masai Mara
Giraffe sighting Masai Mara National Reserve
Large elephant with other herbivores in the background
Flock of flamingoes in Lake Nakuru
Wildebeasts, Zebras, and flamingoes in the background
Starts from

$2,250 pp (USD)

Overview

4.6 (41) Reviews
Rated 4.6 out of 5

This ten-day safari covers Kenya’s best wildlife destinations in one continuous loop, starting north in Samburu and finishing south in Amboseli before returning to Nairobi. It’s a comprehensive itinerary that shows you how varied Kenya really is, from the semi-arid bush of the north to the Rift Valley lakes, the Mara’s open grasslands, and Amboseli’s elephant country beneath Kilimanjaro.

Samburu is where the trip begins, offering species you won’t find anywhere else in Kenya. The Rift Valley lakes follow, with Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos and Lake Naivasha for a boat safari among hippos. Three nights in the Masai Mara gives you enough time to properly explore without feeling rushed. The trip ends in Amboseli, where large elephant herds and Kilimanjaro views provide a strong finish.

The accommodations are mid-range, comfortable and well-located without the premium pricing of the luxury properties. All lodges sit inside or directly adjacent to their respective parks, keeping drive times to wildlife areas short. This is a good fit for Australian travellers who want thorough Kenya coverage at reasonable cost.

Accommodations:

  • Samburu: Samburu Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
  • Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (1 night)
  • Lake Naivasha: Sawela Lodge (1 night)
  • Masai Mara: Mara Sopa Lodge (3 nights)
  • Amboseli: Kibo Safari Camp (2 nights)

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

    Drive Time: Approximately 5-6 hours

    Meals: Lunch & Dinner

    Morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around 7:00 AM. Drive north through Nanyuki with views of Mount Kenya before the landscape shifts into the drier, more rugged terrain of Samburu. The change is gradual but noticeable as the highland farms give way to acacia scrubland and red laterite soil.

    Arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits along the Ewaso Ng'iro River with good views of the surrounding reserve. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive along the river and into the open bush.

    Samburu's dry terrain concentrates wildlife around the river year-round. This is where you'll find species unique to Kenya's north: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. None of these appear in the southern parks. Predators are well represented with lions, leopards, and cheetahs all present.

    Dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 2: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. Early start around 6:30 AM when animals are most active along the river. Elephants move between the bush and water in the morning, leopards are regularly spotted in the riverine trees, and lions are active before the heat builds.

    Samburu gets far fewer visitors than the Mara. Sightings are often unhurried with no other vehicles around, which makes a real difference to the experience. Crocodiles are common along the riverbanks and hippos occupy the deeper pools. The birdlife is excellent for dry-country species, vulturine guineafowl, martial eagles, and various hornbills among them.

    The Samburu people have coexisted with this wildlife for generations. Your guide can explain the relationship between the community and the reserve, which adds context to what you're seeing.

    Dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 3: Samburu to Lake Nakuru National Park

    Drive Time: Approximately 5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early morning game drive in Samburu before breakfast. Last chance for the northern species before heading south. Check out and drive southwest to Lake Nakuru via Nyahururu, passing Thomson's Falls en route. This road avoids Nairobi entirely and takes you through highland farming country before descending into the Rift Valley.

    Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits on elevated ground inside the park. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive around the lake.

    Lake Nakuru is compact and fully fenced, which has allowed both black and white rhino populations to recover well. Sightings of both species are reliable. Flamingo numbers vary with the lake's alkalinity but can be spectacular when conditions are right. Leopards are frequently seen, often in trees near the lodge. Also look for Rothschild's giraffe, waterbuck, buffalo, and lions.

    Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

    Drive Time: Approximately 1.5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru before breakfast, best time for predators and rhino activity. Check out and short drive south to Lake Naivasha, arriving late morning.

    Sawela Lodge sits on the lake shore. After check-in and lunch, afternoon boat safari on the lake. Naivasha is freshwater, different from the alkaline soda lakes you've already visited. Large hippo populations use the lake along with fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and various water birds. The papyrus edges attract different species and the buffalo and zebra often graze the shores in the evenings.

    Optional visit to Crescent Island for a walking safari among zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and antelope. No predators on the island so you walk freely with a guide. It's a good change of pace after several days in a vehicle.

    Dinner and overnight at Sawela Lodge.

  • Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

    Drive Time: Approximately 5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early breakfast then drive west to the Masai Mara through Narok town. Landscape opens into Maasai grazing land as you approach the reserve boundary. Roads get rougher after Narok but the drive is manageable.

    Arrive at Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits on a hillside at the eastern edge of the reserve. After settling in, late afternoon game drive into the Mara. Wildlife density is immediately noticeable. Lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and plains game within the first couple of hours. The resident populations stay year-round regardless of migration timing.

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Full day in the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Early start at 6:30 AM. Lions in large prides are almost guaranteed. Leopards take patience but sightings are regular near the rivers. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains. Buffalo herds can be several hundred strong. Rhinos are present but less common.

    Between July and October the wildebeest migration dominates. Over a million animals from the Serengeti create the dramatic river crossings you see in documentaries. Timing is unpredictable but guides maintain radio contact and will position you when activity builds. Outside migration season the resident wildlife delivers consistent viewing.

    Optional Maasai village visit or hot air balloon safari (USD $450 per person, booked in advance).

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 7: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Second full day to cover new areas or revisit productive spots. Good day for a full-day drive with picnic lunch if you want maximum time in the field. By now your guide knows your interests and will adjust accordingly.

    The Mara River is worth extended time even without crossings. Hippo pods, large crocodiles on the banks, and the riverine forest species make it worthwhile on its own. Cheetah sightings are common on the open plains, and if wild dogs are in the area your guide will know about it through the radio network.

    Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

  • Day 8: Masai Mara to Amboseli National Park

    Drive Time: Approximately 6-7 hours

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Early morning game drive in the Mara before breakfast. Check out and drive to Amboseli, passing through Nairobi and continuing southeast toward the Tanzanian border. It's the longest drive of the trip but straightforward on tarmac most of the way.

    Arrive at Kibo Safari Camp in the afternoon. The camp sits just outside the park with views toward Kilimanjaro when clear. After check-in and lunch, late afternoon game drive into Amboseli.

    The contrast with the Mara is immediate. Amboseli is drier, more open, and dominated by large elephant herds moving between the swamps. The permanent water sources fed by underground springs from Kilimanjaro concentrate wildlife in predictable areas. Good chance of clear Kilimanjaro views on your first evening if the weather cooperates.

    Dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp.

  • Day 9: Full Day in Amboseli National Park

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    Morning and afternoon game drives with midday break. Early start at 6:30 AM when Kilimanjaro is usually clearest. Focus on the swamp areas where elephants feed and drink in the morning. The research project here has tracked families since 1972 and guides often recognize individual animals.

    Observation Hill offers panoramic views across the basin and good bird watching. Easy 15-minute walk to the top. Pelicans, Egyptian geese, herons, and egrets are common around the wetlands. Cheetahs hunt on the dry lake bed. Leopards are present but harder to find than in the Mara.

    This is your last full day on safari. Take time to absorb the landscape, the Kilimanjaro views, the elephant families moving through the swamps. These are the moments that stay with you after the trip.

    Dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp.

  • Day 10: Amboseli to Nairobi - Departure

    Drive Time: Approximately 4-5 hours

    Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

    Final early morning game drive before breakfast. Last chance for Kilimanjaro at dawn and elephants in the morning light. Return to camp for breakfast and check out, then drive back to Nairobi arriving mid to late afternoon.

    Drop off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Most Australian travelers use Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha, or Kenya Airways via Bangkok. Evening departures work well with morning drives from Amboseli. Day rooms near the airport can be arranged if needed between safari and your flight.

Accommodation

Sawela Lodge
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge swimming pool
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Kibo Safari Camp
Kibo Safari Camp
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu Sopa Lodge

Rates

Season2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
Jan - Jun$3,150$2,850$2,600$2,400$2,250
Jul - Dec$3,750$3,400$3,100$2,900$2,700

Includes & Excludes

  • Park entry fees for all parks and reserves
  • All meals from lunch Day 1 through lunch Day 10
  • Accommodation (9 nights)
  • Game drives per itinerary
  • Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
  • Crescent Island walking safari
  • Professional driver-guide
  • Road transfers in 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Bottled water during game drives
  • Airport transfer
  • International airfares and flights
  • Tips for guides and camp staff (USD $15-20 per person per day)
  • Kenya eVisa (USD $50, Australians require visas)
  • Drinks at lodges
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities: Hot air balloon safari (USD $450 per person), Maasai village visit
  • Single supplement

A Family Safari to Remember

Our Kenya safari exceeded expectations! Expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and unforgettable wildlife sightings. Highly recommend!

Kenya safari testimonial - The smiths

The Smiths

USA

An Unforgettable Solo Adventure

Solo traveler, felt safe and well-cared for. Guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Mark Davis testimonial of our Kenya safaris

Mark Davis

Australia

Honeymoon Paradise in Kenya

Honeymoon was a dream come true! Luxurious accommodations, personalized service, and romantic atmosphere. Perfect!

The Harris Testimonial

David & Emily Harris

UK

Budget-Friendly Safari Adventure

Budget-friendly safari with incredible wildlife sightings. Knowledgeable guides and comfortable accommodations. Highly satisfied!

Family-Safari-Review (1)

Théo Martin

France

A Luxury Safari Experience

Best safari experience ever! Saw the Big Five, learned about Maasai culture, and enjoyed delicious food. Amazing!

Jennifer Lee Testimonial

Jennifer Lee

Canada

Luxury Honeymoon in the Wild

Our Kenya safari was unforgettable! Expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and incredible wildlife sightings. Highly recommend!

Testimonial by David and Emily Johnson

David and Emily Johnson

United States

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