A 10 day Kenya safari itinerary is the most complete Kenya safari experience at this length covering the Masai Mara, Samburu National Reserve in the northern frontier, Lake Nakuru for rhino and flamingos, and Amboseli for elephant herds against Kilimanjaro, finished with an optional Diani Beach extension on the Indian Ocean coast. The 10 Days safari gives three nights in the Mara (enough for a balloon safari plus two full drive days), two nights in Samburu’s unique northern ecosystem, and two nights each in Nakuru and Amboseli. This guide covers the day-by-day route, lodging at every budget and full costs.
10-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary: Overview
| Day | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi → Masai Mara | Arrive, fly to Mara, afternoon game drive |
| Day 2 | Masai Mara | Balloon safari, full day drives |
| Day 3 | Masai Mara | Full day, Mara River / conservancy drives |
| Day 4 | Masai Mara → Samburu | Fly to Samburu, afternoon drive |
| Day 5 | Samburu NR | Full day, northern specials |
| Day 6 | Samburu → Lake Nakuru | Fly to Nakuru, afternoon game drive |
| Day 7 | Lake Nakuru NP | Full day: rhino, flamingos, giraffe |
| Day 8 | Lake Nakuru → Amboseli | Fly to Amboseli, afternoon elephant drive |
| Day 9 | Amboseli NP | Full day, Kilimanjaro elephant views |
| Day 10 | Amboseli → Nairobi | Morning drive, return Nairobi, depart |
10-Day Kenya Safari Day by Day
Days 1–3: Masai Mara
Fly Wilson to Mara on Day 1 (40 minutes). Three nights gives you Day 2 for a hot air balloon safari ($450, departs 5:30am) plus two full drive days. Three days in the Mara allows you to cover all zones: the central plains for cheetah, the Mara Triangle for lion, the Talek River woodland for leopard, and the Mara River banks for hippo and crocodile (and crossings July–October). The private conservancies bordering the reserve — Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North — allow off-road tracking available only to guests of partner camps.
Overnights: Masai Mara. Mid-range: Ol Seki Hemingways, Mara Serena. Luxury: Angama Mara, Mahali Mzuri, andBeyond Bateleur Camp.
Days 4–5: Samburu National Reserve
Fly from the Mara to Samburu (via Nairobi Wilson, 1.5 hours total). Samburu is Kenya’s northern frontier a semi-arid thornbush ecosystem on the Ewaso Ng’iro River that is completely different from the southern savannah. The park’s “Samburu Special Five”, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich — are found nowhere else in Kenya. The riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng’iro also supports resident leopard, elephant, lion and over 450 bird species. The contrast with the Masai Mara’s open grassland is striking — two entirely different Kenyas in four days.
Overnights Samburu. Mid-range: Samburu Intrepids Camp ($250–400), Samburu Sopa Lodge ($150–250). Luxury: Sasaab ($600–$1,000), Elephant Bedroom Camp ($500–$850), Larsen’s Camp ($450–$750).
Days 6–7: Lake Nakuru National Park
Fly from Samburu to Nakuru (via Wilson, 1.5 hours). Lake Nakuru is Kenya’s rhino sanctuary — both black and white rhino are reliably seen at close range within the fenced park. In peak years, millions of lesser flamingos line the alkaline soda lake, turning the shore pink. The woodland holds Rothschild giraffe (one of the world’s rarest giraffe subspecies), waterbuck and the Nakuru population of tree-climbing lions. Two days gives a morning game drive on Day 6 arrival afternoon, a full day on Day 7 for rhino tracking and lakeshore drives, and time for the remarkable viewpoint from Baboon Cliff.
Overnights Lake Nakuru. Mid-range: Sarova Lion Hill, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp. Luxury: Mbweha Camp ($350–$550).
Days 8–9: Amboseli National Park
Fly from Nakuru to Amboseli (via Wilson, 1.5 hours). Amboseli at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro gives the most photogenic wildlife setting in Kenya: habituated elephant families at the swamp edges with the snow-capped summit (5,895m) clear behind them in the early morning. Two full mornings are available — Kilimanjaro is clearest before 9am. The park also has cheetah on the open plains, lion, large zebra and wildebeest herds and spectacular waterbird concentrations in the permanent swamps.
Overnights Amboseli. Mid-range: Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Serena. Luxury: Tortilis Camp ($600–$950), andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Amboseli ($700–$1,100).
Day 10: Return to Nairobi
Final morning drive in Amboseli (6:00–9:00am) for a last elephant and Kilimanjaro encounter. Fly or drive to Nairobi for international departures. Optional extension: continue to Diani Beach (flight from Amboseli to Ukunda airstrip, 1 hour) for 2–3 nights on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast — white sand, warm water, fresh seafood. Diani is the best beach in Kenya and an easy add-on to any 10-day safari.
Best Time and FAQs
Best time: July–October for the wildebeest migration in the Mara. January–March for calving and excellent all-park game with lower crowds. June and November for shoulder season value — good game and 20–30% off peak rates. Samburu is excellent year-round; the northern frontier is driest June–September.
What makes Samburu different from the Masai Mara? Different ecosystem, different species. Samburu’s “Special Five” (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich) are found only in Kenya’s northern frontier and nowhere else in the country. The landscape is semi-arid thornbush rather than open grassland. The Ewaso Ng’iro River is the focal point rather than open plains. A 10-day itinerary that includes both gives you two completely different sides of Kenya.
Can I replace Samburu with Ol Pejeta or Laikipia? Yes Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia is 3 hours from Nairobi and holds the world’s last two northern white rhinos (non-breeding, under guard). It also has black rhino, chimpanzees (rescued sanctuary, not wild), lion, elephant and all the Samburu specials in a privately managed conservancy. See our Ol Pejeta guide for details.
For full planning details, see our Kenya Safari Guide 2027 and Kenya safari cost guide.
