11 Day Kenya Ultimate Highlights
Countries: Kenya
Destinations: Nairobi , Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves , Masai Mara , Kenya Coast
Group Size: 2
Duration (days): 11
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 0
Explore the birthplace of the African safari on this rewarding Kenya safari. This varied adventure takes you from the bustling capital of Nairobi to the wildlife-rich plains of the Masai Mara and the rust-red landscapes of Samburu. Along the way, you’ll encounter fascinating wildlife, seek out the great wildebeest migration, and learn about the fascinating culture of the local people.
You’ll spend three nights in two safari camps, each offering a unique perspective and experience of the Kenyan wilderness. You’ll enjoy game drives, bush walks, sundowners, and more while staying in comfortable, eco-friendly accommodation.
If time permits, extend your trip with a three-day beach getaway to the Indian Ocean tropical coast. Here, you can relax on the soft sand, swim in the warm turquoise water, and explore the colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life.
This adventure is the ultimate Kenya safari, combining the best of nature, culture, and relaxation. Take advantage of this chance to experience the magic of Africa.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | Giraffe Manor |
| 2 | Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves | Saruni Samburu |
| 3 | Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves | Saruni Samburu |
| 4 | Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves | Saruni Samburu |
| 5 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 6 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 7 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 8 | Kenya Coast | Msambweni Beach House |
| 9 | Kenya Coast | Msambweni Beach House |
| 10 | Kenya Coast | Msambweni Beach House |
| 11 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Nairobi
You will be welcomed off your flight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to Giraffe Manor for your overnight stay before launching into your safari. Take this opportunity to relax, recoup and recover from your flight.
Kenya
Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty.
Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty. With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara.
To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience the local tribes and cultures, in particular the Masai and Samburu.
Kenyan roads are notoriously bad however, so the majority of safaris we recommend are fly-in options to the various parks. The small group scheduled safaris all operate by road, so you would need to be prepared for what is called "the African massage".
The diversity of areas to visit in Kenya is astounding, with each game reserve offering something truly unique. And to top it off, the country has a splendid coastline which invites some pure relaxation after spending time in the bush.
Nairobi
One of Africa’s major cities, Nairobi is the UN’s fourth “World Centre,” East Africa’s commercial, media and NGO hub, and a significant capital in its own right, with a population of approximately 3 to 4 million.
Little more than a century old, it has real claims to Western-style sophistication and displays enormous vitality and buzz. On the surface the city accepts everyone with tolerance, and, in any downtown street, you can see a complete cross section of Kenyans, every variety of tourist, and migrants and refugees from many African countries.
If you plan to stay in Nairobi for any length of time, you’ll soon get the hang of balancing reasonable caution with a fairly relaxed attitude - thousands of visitors do it every year. If you’re only here for a few days, you’re likely to find it a stimulating city.
Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection. Often referred to as one of the most instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor is its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made Kenya safari with The Safari Collection.
Day 2 - 4 : Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves
You leave Nairobi by taking a light aircraft flight to Samburu National Park. Enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped Mount Kenya as you fly north. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be transferred to Saruni Samburu Camp where you can relax, settle in and enjoy the incredible surroundings.
Samburu National Park is a fantastic location to begin your safari. The Ewaso Ngiro River attracts a variety of animals that can be seen congregating at this lifeline to the reserve. You can spot the Samburu Big 5, which includes the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelope, and Somali ostrich, as well as more than 400 types of birds.
Get within feet of the wildlife in Saruni Samburu’s photographic hide, as well as enjoy game drives and guided bush walks. Hiking the sacred mountain of Mount Ololokwe is a great way to understand the Samburu culture while also feasting your eyes on incredible 360° views of the Kalama Community Conservancy.
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves
On the southern edge of Kenya's northern frontier region, the Uaso Nyiro River carves through the desolate lands, and provides life to the wonderful reserves of Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs.
The water is vital for the survival of the many animals found in this region, as well as for the local Samburu tribes who have settled in the area.
Especially rewarding during the dry season, when the surrounding land is parched and cracked, these reserves play host to several unique species, and great numbers of predators.
Being some of the more remote tourist destinations of Kenya, there is a great sense of adventure in visiting these reserves. Heading into the north of Kenya, there is very little human habitation, and the true wilderness is evident.
Saruni Samburu
Saruni Samburu’s six luxury, eco-chic villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kalama Conservancy and Mount Kenya. As the only lodge in over 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife to explore exclusively, and guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture, the safari experience at Saruni Samburu is intimate and truly exceptional.
Day 5 - 7 : Masai Mara
Leave Samburu behind as you depart for the next exciting stop on your Kenyan safari adventure: the Greater Masai Mara Reserve. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Naboisho Camp to settle in before your first game drive in this iconic wildlife area.
The Great Migration is present between July and October. But you can expect abundant wildlife sightings whatever time of year you visit the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. You are in a significant cat territory with the highest density of lion in Kenya and healthy leopard and cheetah populations. Game viewing is excellent, with a vast variety of mammals to discover, as well as nearly 500 recorded bird species present.
Your days in the Greater Masai Mara will be brimming with memorable game drives exploring the vast grasslands. A delicious bush breakfast and a glorious sundowner cocktail in the African bush add a layer of joy to the excursion and the many incredible wildlife experiences. Visit a Maasai village on one of your days here and learn about the local community’s culture.
Masai Mara
It is no surprise that the Masai Mara ranks up near the top of most famous game reserves in the world. The land of the Mara is consistently covered with herds of antelope, interspersed with prides of lions, journeys of giraffe, dazzles of zebra, and almost every other collective animal noun you can think of.
The sightings are nothing short of fantastic, and it is definitely the park to visit to tick off your "wildlife of Africa" list. The scenery of the park is similar to the open plains of the Serengeti, although the Mara is dotted with more trees, and the game viewing is equal to, or can be better than, its southerly sister.
Within the boundaries of the reserve, there are certain areas which can seem quite crowded with travellers, although there are places to escape from the crowds, and enjoy the Mara in some exclusivity. Private concessions surround the Masai Mara, allowing more private safari experiences, and additional activities.
The Masai Mara is easily accessed from Nairobi, with a number of scheduled flights operated each morning and afternoon. It can also be reached by road, but be prepared that it can be quite a bumpy 6 hour drive, with sections being particularly broken up.
Naboisho Camp
There are nine spacious tents at Naboisho Camp. And because it’s based in a private conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho is one of the best camps for your safari in the Mara, known for its amazing guiding. A Kenyan safari at Naboisho goes beyond the usual game drives. Explore the Mara on foot, keep your eyes peeled on a night drive or spend an unforgettable night camping in the bush for a real safari adventure. With 266 species of birds to spot, there are also ample birdwatching opportunities.
Day 8 - 10 : Kenya Coast
The safari portion of your journey ends, and it’s time to swap the bush for the beach. The camp will transfer you to the airstrip in readiness for your flight to the Kenyan coast. This afternoon, you will be checking into your hotel and later enjoying dinner with an ocean view.
Msambweni House is a luxurious and romantic hideaway perfect for honeymooners and special celebrations.
The next three days allow you to unwind away from game-drive vehicles as you sink your feet into the soft white tropical sands of Kenya’s South Coast.
You can relax by languishing on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, dipping into the turquoise waters of the warm Indian ocean, watching the ancient dhows sailing past, and being pampered with spa treatments, or opt for a more active safari conclusion. Various watersports are on offer, from snorkelling and diving to kite surfing in season, and an 18-hole golf course is only a few minutes away.
Kenya Coast
Safari-ing in Africa can be pretty busy, with early mornings, thrilling activities, and a lot of ground covered. It is therefore always great to be able to chill out on a beach, under a palm tree, with a bright coloured drink before jetting off back to reality.
And the Kenyan coastline provides the perfect locations for this relaxation.
Lined with pristine white sand beaches fringing the warm, tempting waters of the Indian Ocean, Kenya's coast is inviting for any traveller, and has a fascinating and exotic history, being the setting for the passage of the Arabian Spice Trade.
Along the length of the coastline Arab and Portuguese forts, old towns and the overgrown and deserted ruins of Swahili outposts bear witness to this history, and offer travellers a truly special beach holiday.
Msambweni Beach House
Msambweni Beach House, on Kenya’s South Coast, is a success story, looking out over a remote and pristine beach, lapped by azure blue waters, the beautiful, boutique, is an intimate slice of paradise on Kenya’s coast, ideal for a 'get away' experience It is in a quiet, unique setting on a stretch of completely unspoilt sandy beach surrounded by 28 acres of natural land.
The property has 700 feet of private beach along a four mile stretch of coastline with palm trees offering peace and tranquillity where guests can really be at one with nature while enjoying a luxury, yet discreet, stay with attentive service in beautiful surroundings.
Msambweni House is family owned by the Vanderhoevens and managed by the eldest son Frederik Vanderhoeven, run exclusive with three spacious and luxurious suites in the Main House, 3 private villas and an Ocean Suite.
A stay at Msambweni Beach House has an emphasis on attention to detail and great service for an unforgettable stay. Dine by the pool under the African sky and candlelight while listening to the whispers of the breeze from the Indian Ocean.
It is famed for its range of sumptuous meals from fresh seafood, Swahili, Belgian and French cuisine and, if you need a more intimate location, dining can be arranged by the pool or, for lunch, out on the sandbank!
Day 11 - Day of Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast by the beach before you are transferred to Ukunda Airport for your flight to Wilson Airport. Upon arrival, your Asilia driver will meet you and drive you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, approximately an hour away, depending on traffic. It is time to say goodbye to the fantastic highlights of Kenya as you check in for your flight back home.