The short answer
- Shortest worthwhile
- 3 days, Masai Mara
- Classic circuit
- 7 days: Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli
- Start and end
- Nairobi
- Add on
- Samburu, Diani Beach or Tanzania
Kenya's main parks are within a day's drive of Nairobi, so most safaris are loops from the capital. Drives are long and slow, so it's better to see fewer places well. These routes are the ones most tours follow.
Driving times
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| Nairobi | Masai Mara | Lake Naivasha | Lake Nakuru | Amboseli | Samburu | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 5.5 h | 2 h | 3 h | 4.5 h | 6 h | |
| Masai Mara | 5.5 h | 4.5 h | 5 h | 9 h | 10 h | |
| Lake Naivasha | 2 h | 4.5 h | 1.5 h | 6 h | 6 h | |
| Lake Nakuru | 3 h | 5 h | 1.5 h | 7 h | 5 h | |
| Amboseli | 4.5 h | 9 h | 6 h | 7 h | 10 h | |
| Samburu | 6 h | 10 h | 6 h | 5 h | 10 h |
3 days: the Masai Mara
Best for: Short on time, first safari
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive to the Masai Mara, afternoon game drive | Masai Mara |
| 2 | Full day of game drives | Masai Mara |
| 3 | Morning drive, return to Nairobi |
Want this as a private safari?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 3 days, built around your dates.
5 days: the Masai Mara and the Rift Valley lakes
Best for: Rhinos and flamingos as well as big cats
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive to the Masai Mara, afternoon game drive | Masai Mara |
| 2 | Full day in the Mara | Masai Mara |
| 3 | Morning drive, then to Lake Nakuru | Lake Nakuru |
| 4 | Lake Nakuru for rhinos, then a boat trip on Lake Naivasha | Lake Naivasha |
| 5 | Walk on Crescent Island or in Hell's Gate, return to Nairobi |
Want this as a private safari?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 5 days, built around your dates.
7 days: the classic Kenya circuit
Best for: Most first time visitors
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Amboseli: elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them | Amboseli |
| 3 | Drive to Lake Naivasha, boat trip | Lake Naivasha |
| 4 | Lake Nakuru National Park | Lake Nakuru |
| 5 to 6 | Masai Mara | Masai Mara |
| 7 | Morning drive, return to Nairobi |
Want this as a private safari?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 7 days, built around your dates.
10 days: add the north or the beach
Best for: Longer trips and second visits
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Samburu: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and other northern species | Samburu |
| 3 | Ol Pejeta Conservancy: rhinos and a chimpanzee sanctuary | Ol Pejeta |
| 4 | Lake Nakuru | Lake Nakuru |
| 5 to 7 | Masai Mara | Masai Mara |
| 8 to 10 | Fly to the coast for Diani Beach, or swap for Amboseli | Diani Beach |
Want this as a private safari?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Rather have a trip to Kenya made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for a Kenya safari?
Three days for the Masai Mara alone, five to seven days for the classic circuit with the Rift Valley lakes and Amboseli, and ten days to add the north or the beach.
What is the best Kenya safari itinerary for first timers?
The 7 day circuit of Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara gives the widest range of animals and landscapes.
Can I combine a Kenya safari with the beach?
Yes. Diani Beach is about an hour's flight from Nairobi, or take the train to Mombasa, about four and a half hours.
Kenya month by month
More Kenya guides
Best time to visit Kenya: safari seasons, rains and the migration
June to October and January to February are the best months for a Kenya safari, with dry weather and animals gathered near water. July to October adds the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, at peak prices.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Kenya: when and where to see it
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. They are usually in the Mara from July to October, with river crossings peaking in August and September.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Kenya safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$150 to 250 per person per day on a budget safari, US$300 to 500 mid range and US$700 or more for luxury, including park fees. Park fees alone can be US$200 to 600 per person on a short Masai Mara trip.
Updated 16 October 2026
Masai Mara safari guide: reserve or conservancy, how long and how to get there
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous safari, with big cats all year and the Great Migration from July to October. Choose between the busy national reserve and quieter private conservancies, and allow at least two or three nights.
Updated 16 October 2026