What are the best Kenya safari itineraries? The answer is, undoubtedly, any safari that’s been uniquely tailored to your specific desires and requirements! To guide you, however, our team has curated an assortment of the best Kenya safari itineraries that combine the best locations, experiences and safari lodges into exceptional itineraries. Below we’ve narrowed our selection even further, into what we believe to be three of the best Kenya safari itineraries around.
10 Nights Laikipia, Masai Mara & Kenya Beach
‘This Kenya safari really stood out for us for two main reasons: the sense of freedom we experienced, and the way in which each safari lodge was run with a view to ensuring that guests, local communities and wildlife all benefitted. We experienced the upliftment that we’ve always felt in pristine untrammelled wilderness; and also liberty from schedules and timetables. Each of the lodges we stayed at had their own distinct take on what true freedom meant, and each was equally wonderful.
At The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, we were delighted to find that we could wake up, eat, and go on safari (or not) at whatever time best suited us. We could also have as many massage treatments as we wished. The fact that our villa was attended to by a butler, valet, askari and private guide freed us from having to lift a finger.
Elephant Pepper Camp’s definition of freedom was to take us back in time to a less hurried safari era, and to experience the incredible wildlife of the Masai Mara in much the same way that the first safari-goers did. This peaked with our magnificent walking safari.
Our time at AfroChic Diani Beach was all about freedom and flexibility – with no fixed daily itinerary, we could take a beach walk on a whim and eat whenever the mood took us. Every aspect of our stay, from the design of our suite to the impeccable but unobtrusive service, was a tacit recognition that we were individuals with our own wants and needs – all of which were met in true Kenyan style.‘
-
Elephant Pepper Camp has eight spacious safari tents for guests. © Elewana Collection - Big cats like lion can be seen near Elephant Pepper Camp. © Elewana Collection
- AfroChic Diani Beach is set right in front of the Indian Ocean. © AfroChic Diani Beach
- Laze comfortably in the shade at AfroChic Diani Beach. © AfroChic Diani Beach
- A walking safari is a wonderful experience in Laikipia. © Ol Lentille
- The two-sleeper Eyrie at The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a romantic bolthole in an African retro style. © Ol Lentille
- While away some time in a hammock at Elephant Pepper Camp. © Elewana Collection
- Camel trekking from The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a fun family activity. © Ol Lentille
What you can see & do on this safari
Go on safari in lovely Laikipia ♦ Whiz across northern Kenya in a helicopter ♦ Go on safari in the magical Masai Mara ♦ Ride horses in the Kenyan wilderness ♦ Drift over the Masai Mara in a balloon ♦ Camel trek in striking Samburu ♦ Get to know the majestic Maasai ♦ Watch the Great Wildebeest Migration cross the Mara River ♦ Go on a private walking safari in the Masai Mara ♦ Destress on a Kenyan beach
Where you’ll stay
Click here to read more about this safari
8 Nights Chyulu Hills & Masai Mara
‘This eight-night itinerary gave us ample scope to explore Kenya. We’d chosen three of the best safari lodges in Kenya, all of which offered incredible flexibility so we could enjoy our safari holiday at our own pace, doing as much (or as little) as we wished. I loved having so many activities to choose from, and I found that the views from each camp – and the chance to spot wildlife without going anywhere – meant that it was really possible to relax.
We came to Kenya for the animals, of course, but despite all the planning and research I still wasn’t fully prepared for the breathtaking excitement of watching a hunt, or of seeing elephant up close. I really enjoyed the contrast between these fast-paced moments of adrenaline, and the pauses we inserted into our itinerary: the candlelit dinners, the massage, and the chance to simply be together in stunning settings.’
- Sometimes it's nice to put your camera down and simply enjoy watching the wildlife in the log-pile hide in Chyulu Hills. © Great Plains Conservation
- A guided walking safari at Angama Mara lets you appreciate all the smaller critters and flowers you’d miss from a vehicle. © Angama Mara
- If you get your timing right, you’ll witness a Mara River crossing during the Great Wildebeest Migration. © Great Plains Conservation
- Some of the suites at ol Donyo Lodge have their own private plunge pools. © Great Plains Conservation
- Sink into a Chesterfield sofa in the Mara Plains Camp guest-area lounge. © Great Plains Conservation
- Sundowners with Mara Plains Camp in the Masai Mara combines luxury with wilderness. © Great Plains Conservation
- The tent and deck floors at Mara Plains Camp are made from beautiful old railway sleepers. © Great Plains Conservation
- The fire pit at Angama Mara, perched high above the Great Rift Valley, is perfectly positioned for sundowner drinks. © Angama Mara
What you can see & do on this safari
Ride horses in the Kenyan wilderness ♦ Get starstruck in a Kenyan star bed ♦ Go on safari in the magical Masai Mara ♦ Watch wildlife while hiding out in secret ♦ Drift over the Masai Mara in a balloon ♦ Go on a private walking safari in the Masai Mara ♦ Watch the Great Wildebeest Migration cross the Mara River ♦ Explore the enchanting Chyulu Hills on safari ♦ Get to know the majestic Maasai
Where you’ll stay
Click here to read more about this safari
7 Nights Amboseli, Meru & Masai Mara
‘We had the best Kenyan safari imaginable and we were able to experience so much of this country, taking in some of the best Kenyan safari experiences – from giant elephant bulls to big cats, and towering snow-capped peaks. We learnt more about conservation, from the early days of Elsa the lioness to today’s high-tech satellite tracking of migrating elephant. We shared some wonderful views – from hilltops, outdoor showers and our hot-air balloon – and enjoyed laughing with our new Kenyan friends.
Looking back, we’re both amazed at how much we saw in just seven nights, and yet we still had lots of time to relax with coffee and cocktails. Plus, I managed to lose three games of billiards on the bounce. We had front-row seats to the Great Wildebeest Migration, and while we didn’t see a kill, I’m not too sorry about that – there was still plenty of drama. And we had the iconic experience of watching elephant in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Starting and ending our itinerary in Nairobi meant that we weren’t rushed before or after international flights, plus we experienced some of the buzz of this happening city. And our favourite moment? It’s impossible to choose, but one thing’s for sure: we’ll be back. It’s easy to see how people fall in love with Kenya – we’re a great example!’
- The arid Meru National Park is punctuated by doum palm trees and frequented by herds of elephant, as you’ll see on your game drives from Elsa’s Kopje Meru. © Elewana Collection
- With a view like this, there’s no need to leave the large honeymoon suite at Elsa’s Kopje Meru at all. © Elewana Collection
- The sunny dining area at Tortilis Camp Amboseli comes with glorious views. © Elewana Collection
- Get the most out of your Masai Mara game drive by stopping for a bush picnic. © Elewana Collection
- There are seven twin tents at Tortilis Camp Amboseli. © Elewana Collection
- You’ll likely see zebra on your game drives when staying at Tortilis Camp Amboseli. © Elewana Collection
- The tents at Sand River Masai Mara are elegantly luxurious, from the four-poster bed to the Persian carpet, velvet bed-end bench and crystal decanter. © Elewana Collection
- Wildlife often pass right by Sand River Masai Mara, like these elephant. © Elewana Collection
What you can see & do on this safari
Going on a private walking safari in the Masai Mara ♦ Watch the Great Wildebeest Migration cross the Mara River ♦ Get to know the majestic Maasai ♦ Drift over the Masai Mara in a balloon ♦ Watch elephant in the shadow of Kilimanjaro ♦ Go on safari in the amazing Amboseli ♦ Go on safari in the magical Masai Mara ♦ Explore marvellous Meru on safari ♦ Whizz across northern Kenya in a helicopter
Where you’ll stay
Click here to read more about this safari
