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12 Day Kenya Safari From Nairobi – Samburu, Masai Mara, Amboseli & Tsavo
12 DaysA comprehensive Kenya safari designed for travellers who want to experience the country’s northern reserves, Great Rift Valley lakes, famous Masai Mara grasslands, Amboseli elephant country and the dramatic landscapes of Tsavo West in one journey.
The route begins in Nairobi and travels north to Samburu and Ol Pejeta before continuing through Aberdare and Lake Nakuru. It then reaches the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli before finishing with Tsavo West and the return to Nairobi.
This itinerary combines classic game drives with bird watching, a Lake Naivasha boat experience, a guided walking safari and opportunities for optional cultural or balloon experiences in the Masai Mara.
Safari at a Glance
- Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
- Starts: Nairobi
- Ends: Nairobi
- Destinations: Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park
- Safari style: Guided road safari with flexible private arrangements
- Pricing: Request a tailored quotation based on travel dates, group size and accommodation level
Why Choose This Safari
- Samburu wildlife and the Ewaso Nyiro River
- Ol Pejeta rhino conservation and chimpanzee sanctuary
- Lake Nakuru birdlife and rhino viewing
- Full-day Masai Mara game viewing
- Lake Naivasha boat and walking safari experiences
- Amboseli elephants with Kilimanjaro views
- Mzima Springs and Tsavo West landscapes
Gordtrip Voyage Travellers can tailor this itinerary around your travel dates, preferred accommodation category and arrival or departure arrangements. Final park fees, accommodation and optional activities are confirmed in your quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this 12 day Kenya safari start and end?
The planned road itinerary starts in Nairobi and returns to Nairobi. Airport, hotel or residence transfers can be coordinated around your travel schedule.
Is this safari private?
The itinerary is designed to work well as a private safari. Final vehicle, accommodation and passenger arrangements are confirmed in your quotation.
Can I upgrade the accommodation?
Yes. Accommodation can be tailored to budget, mid-range or higher-comfort lodge and tented-camp options, subject to availability.
Can I add a Masai Mara balloon safari?
Yes. A hot-air balloon safari can be added as an optional experience, subject to availability and additional cost.
Itinerary
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner
Pick up from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport and drive through Kenya’s central highlands toward Samburu. Arrive for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro ecosystem. Overnight at a Samburu safari lodge or tented camp.
Day 02 :
Full Day Samburu Safari
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day exploring Samburu on morning and afternoon game drives. Search for elephants, big cats and northern Kenya specialties such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and beisa oryx, with wildlife activity often concentrated near the river.
Day 03 :
Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a final Samburu game drive before travelling toward Laikipia and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. After arrival, explore the conservancy on a game drive with opportunities to learn about rhino conservation and visit the chimpanzee sanctuary.
Day 04 :
Ol Pejeta to Aberdare National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin with morning wildlife viewing in Ol Pejeta, then continue to the cooler Aberdare highlands. Transfer to a tree lodge area where wildlife may be observed around nearby waterholes and forest habitats.
Day 05 :
Aberdare to Lake Nakuru National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel toward the Great Rift Valley with a scenic stop around Nyahururu and Thompson’s Falls where routing permits. Continue to Lake Nakuru for an afternoon game drive focused on rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, birdlife and the park’s woodland and lakeshore habitats.
Day 06 :
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early game drive, depart for the Masai Mara. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the reserve’s open savannah, searching for big cats, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and other plains wildlife.
Day 07 :
Full Day Masai Mara Safari
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend a full day in the Masai Mara with extensive game viewing. Explore the Mara River area for hippos and crocodiles and, in migration season, possible wildebeest activity. Optional Maasai village and hot-air balloon experiences can be arranged at extra cost.
Day 08 :
Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a final morning game drive before leaving the Mara for Lake Naivasha. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a boat safari or visit the Hell’s Gate and Crescent Island area for a different perspective on Rift Valley scenery and wildlife.
Day 09 :
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start with a Lake Naivasha boat experience and guided walking safari where conditions allow, then travel south to Amboseli. Arrive for an afternoon game drive with the possibility of seeing elephants beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 10 :
Full Day Amboseli Safari
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy morning, mid-day and afternoon wildlife-viewing opportunities across Amboseli. The park is especially known for elephants, open wetlands, plains wildlife and classic views toward Mount Kilimanjaro when weather is clear.
Day 11 :
Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a final Amboseli game drive before travelling to Tsavo West. Explore the park’s volcanic scenery, rolling hills and wildlife habitats on an afternoon game drive.
Day 12 :
Tsavo West to Nairobi
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a final morning game drive and visit Mzima Springs where the route and park conditions allow. Depart Tsavo West for Nairobi, arriving later in the afternoon or evening for drop-off at your hotel, residence or airport.
