10-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari
The Rift Valley & Kilimanjaro Views

Customizable Kenya Safari Itinerary

Customize This Itinerary Now

10-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari at a Glance

  • Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Perfect for: First-time Kenya visitors, photography enthusiasts, Big Five seekers, and those desiring a balanced mix of wildlife and scenic beauty.
  • Key Destinations: Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve.
  • Ekuseni Difference: A perfectly paced itinerary designed for maximum game viewing and minimized, logical travel, with the freedom to customize every aspect to your personal style and budget, from mid-range comfort to high-end luxury.

Trip Highlights

  • Kilimanjaro Majesty: Wake up to the awe-inspiring, snow-capped silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro towering over Amboseli’s dusty plains and its massive elephant herds.

  • The Great Rift Valley Lakes: Enjoy a unique water safari on the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha, gliding past hippos and diverse birdlife.

  • Rhino Sanctuary & Birdlife: Search for endangered Black and White Rhinos within the unique, forest-fringed Lake Nakuru National Park.

  • Maasai Mara Magic: Spend three full days in Kenya’s premier wildlife destination, known globally for its spectacular concentration of predators and the annual Great Migration (seasonal).

  • Flexible Pace: Unlike rigid group tours, your private safari allows for spontaneous stops and extended viewing time at the most interesting wildlife sightings.

Ultimate Kenya Safari Gallery

Why We Love this Itinerary

What we love most is how perfectly this journey connects the vast, iconic landscapes of southern Kenya. It offers a spectacular contrast: the dry, dramatic theatre of Amboseli, the cool, watery oasis of the Great Rift Valley, and the endless, golden savannahs of the Maasai Mara.

This strategic routing ensures maximum wildlife viewing time within the parks while making the required driving days as productive and interesting as possible. Travel is conducted in our comfortable, customized 4×4 safari vehicles by default, with the option to fly to key parks like the Mara for those who prefer to save time.

Your 10-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari, Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

  • Activity: Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), your friendly Ekuseni guide will meet you outside the arrivals hall. We will then transfer you directly to your accommodation in Nairobi for check-in.

  • Note: This day is intentionally left free of activities to allow for any flight delays, customs, and time to settle into the pace of Kenya. You are welcome to relax, enjoy the hotel facilities, or simply rest after your international flight.

  • Overnight: Nairobi

  • Activity: After breakfast, we begin the drive south towards Amboseli National Park. Known as the “Land of Giants,” Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, followed by your first thrilling afternoon game drive.

  • Overnight: Amboseli

  • Activity: Enjoy a full day dedicated to exploring the marshlands and dry lakebed of Amboseli. The morning game drive is often the best time to see predators. The middle of the day is a great time to visit Observation Hill for a panoramic view of the park. We will spend the afternoon seeking out lion, buffalo, cheetah, and the famous elephants.

  • Overnight: Amboseli

  • Activity: We drive through the Great Rift Valley, heading towards the freshwater Lake Naivasha. After checking into your lodge, you will enjoy a relaxed afternoon boat trip on the lake. This is a fantastic opportunity to get close to hippos and the stunning birdlife, including African Fish Eagles. You can also opt for a walking safari on Crescent Island, known as Naivasha’s ‘animal sanctuary’.

  • Overnight: Lake Naivasha

  • Activity: After a leisurely breakfast, we take a short drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is famous for the vast flocks of flamingos that turn the lake pink and its rhino sanctuary. The day is spent on game drives, focusing on the endangered black and white rhinoceros, Rothschild’s giraffe, and lion.

  • Overnight: Lake Nakuru or nearby Elementaita

  • Activity: Today, we head to the crown jewel of Kenya’s safari circuit: the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve. The scenic drive will bring us to our tented camp in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, we embark on an introductory game drive to familiarize ourselves with the immense plains and the wildlife that call it home.

  • Overnight: Maasai Mara

  • Activity: A full day of expansive game viewing in the Maasai Mara, the landscape of the Great Migration (seasonal). We will search for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, and explore the Mara River. We can enjoy a packed lunch (a picnic) deep in the reserve, maximizing our time for wildlife viewing.

  • Overnight: Maasai Mara

  • Activity: Start with a final, early morning game drive in the Mara, often the most active time for predators. After a late breakfast, we begin the transfer back to Nairobi. This is a final opportunity to enjoy the Kenyan landscape. Upon arrival in Nairobi, we will transfer you to a hotel for your last night.

  • Overnight: Nairobi

  • Activity: Depending on your flight schedule, your Ekuseni guide will ensure a seamless private transfer from your hotel back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your international departure.

  • Note: No scheduled activities are planned to ensure you have maximum flexibility for your journey home.

Common Questions, Expert Answers

Is this a luxury safari?

Ekuseni is not an exclusive luxury company. We cater to the individual budget of our guests, offering choices from high-end to mid-range accommodations, ensuring the quality of the experience and guiding remains expert-level regardless of your choice.

The Maasai Mara is fantastic year-round. However, for the chance to witness the Great Migration river crossings, the best time is typically July to October. For great weather and lower crowds, January to March is ideal.

We have an excellent chance! The Maasai Mara is one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five. Our expert guides will use their knowledge to maximise your sightings, though as it is a wildlife Safari, nothing is ever guaranteed.

You will travel in a private, specially customised 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal viewing and photography. Your personal Ekuseni guide will stay with you for the entire journey.

No. Ekuseni does not currently offer self-drive services. We believe having our experienced local guides drive and lead your Safari provides a superior, safer, and more informative wildlife viewing experienc

Are flights included in the price?

Typically, international flights are not included. The price covers your ground transportation, accommodation, park fees, and guiding. We can, however, arrange local flights (e.g., from the Mara back to Nairobi) if you prefer to skip the drive.

We offer high-level flexibility and a highly personal touch. We want you to feel like you are visiting a friend. This means customising your daily schedule where possible and focusing on your individual preferences, not rigid schedules.

We work with a range of carefully vetted camps and lodges, from comfortable tented camps and mid-range lodges to more exclusive, high-end options, all chosen for their location and service quality.

Kenya is an equatorial country with two main rainy seasons (short rains Oct-Nov, long rains Mar-May). The dry season (Jan-Feb and June-Sept) offers sunny days, but temperatures are comfortable, making for excellent game viewing.

Drives are part of the adventure. The Nairobi-Amboseli drive is approximately 4-5 hours. The longest drive is typically Maasai Mara back to Nairobi, which is about 6 hours. We break up all drives with comfort stops and scenic overlooks.

What's Included and Excluded?

Understanding your total trip cost is important, and as your friends, we want to be transparent about what your Ekuseni Ultimate Kenya Safari package will cover:

Price Includes

  • Expert, English-speaking Ekuseni driver-guide.

  • Accommodation for 9 nights as per your chosen budget.

  • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during the safari portion (Day 2 to Day 9).

  • All park entrance and conservation fees for Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara.

  • Private transport in a customised 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat.

  • All scheduled game drives.

  • Private airport transfers (arrival and departure).

  • Boat trip on Lake Naivasha.

  • Bottled water in the vehicle during game drives.

Price Excludes

  • International flights to and from Nairobi.

  • Visa fees.

  • Travel and medical insurance.

  • Gratuities for the guide and camp staff (highly recommended).

  • Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari in the Mara, Maasai village visit).

  • Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks at the lodges.

  • Meals and accommodation in Nairobi (Day 1 dinner, Day 9 breakfast) unless specified.

Start Your Flexible Trip

Your 10-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari is ready to be personalized. This itinerary is our expert suggestion, but the real adventure begins when we shape it to your exact wishes and personal budget.

Simply fill out the inquiry form below to tell us a little more about your travel dreams, your budget, and any specific interests. We aim to get back to you within the same business day to start planning your itinerary.