Kenya Highlights: 12-Day Ultimate Safari, Culture & Coast Itinerary

Welcome to Kenya! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by your professional guide and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax after your journey or enjoy an optional visit to the Giraffe Centre, where you can get up close with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring delicious Kenyan cuisine while receiving a briefing about your exciting adventure ahead.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport or similar

After breakfast, set out to explore Kenya’s vibrant capital city. Begin with an exciting game drive through Nairobi National Park, the world’s only national park located within a capital city, where lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife roam against the backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline. Continue to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn about elephant conservation before visiting the historic Karen Blixen Museum. Complete your day with a stop at the Kazuri Beads Women’s Factory, where local artisans create beautiful handcrafted ceramics and jewellery.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport or similar

After breakfast, journey through the scenic Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its spectacular landscapes and impressive wildlife. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of white and black rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and seasonal flocks of flamingos. As the sun sets over the lake, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar or similar

Following breakfast, travel to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. Arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive across the vast savannah. Keep your camera ready as you search for elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, and countless other species that call the reserve home. End the day by watching a breathtaking African sunset before returning to your safari camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or similar

Spend an entire day exploring the magnificent Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the season, you may witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration as thousands of animals cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness while observing hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks. You may also choose an optional hot air balloon safari at sunrise or visit a traditional Maasai village to experience the culture and customs of one of Kenya’s most iconic communities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or similar

Leave the Maasai Mara behind as you travel to the peaceful shores of Lake Naivasha. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing boat ride across the freshwater lake, where hippos and a variety of birdlife can often be spotted. Continue to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among freely roaming giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and other wildlife in a safe and picturesque environment. Spend the evening unwinding at your lakeside lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort or similar

Begin your day with a visit to the dramatic landscapes of Hell’s Gate National Park, one of the few parks in Africa where visitors can enjoy cycling or walking alongside wildlife. Admire towering cliffs, volcanic formations, deep gorges, and geothermal activity before continuing your scenic journey south to Amboseli National Park. Arrive in the evening and settle into your lodge with spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge or similar

Wake up to magnificent views of Africa’s highest mountain and enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through Amboseli National Park. Famous for its large elephant herds, the park also provides excellent opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and over 400 bird species. The iconic scenery of elephants walking beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro creates one of the most memorable safari experiences in Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge or similar

After breakfast, travel to the expansive wilderness of Tsavo East National Park, one of Kenya’s oldest and largest protected areas. During your afternoon game drive, search for the famous red elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and numerous antelope species. Visit Aruba Dam, an important water source that attracts large numbers of animals throughout the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Aruba Lodge or similar

Leave the savannah behind as you travel to Kenya’s spectacular Indian Ocean coastline. Arrive at the award-winning Diani Beach, known for its powder-soft white sands, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing by the beach, enjoying a refreshing swim, or simply taking in the tropical surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Palms Beach Resort or similar

Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of Africa’s finest beach destinations. You may choose to relax at your resort or join optional excursions such as a dolphin-watching trip to Wasini Island, snorkelling in Kisite Marine Park, deep-sea fishing, kite surfing, or a visit to the Colobus Conservation Centre. In the evening, savour a delicious seafood dinner while watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Palms Beach Resort or similar

After breakfast, enjoy your final moments in Kenya before transferring to Moi International Airport in Mombasa or returning to Nairobi by domestic flight or the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for your international departure. Depart with unforgettable memories of Kenya’s incredible wildlife, welcoming people, diverse landscapes, and beautiful coastline.

Meals: Breakfast