10 Days Kenya Itinerary. Mount Kenya, Samburu And Masai Mara

Mount Kenya, Samburu, and Masai Mara are three unique and emblematic destinations in Kenya, each providing various wildlife observation and cultural encounters. Mount Kenya is a magnificent peak, the second tallest in Africa, providing breathtaking vistas and trekking prospects. Samburu National Reserve is renowned for its distinctive animals, notably the “Samburu Special 5,” and its vibrant Samburu culture. The Masai Mara National Reserve is globally acclaimed for its expansive grasslands, the Great Migration, and diverse species, including the “Big Five.”

This 10-day Kenya itinerary integrates exceptional wildlife observation in premier Kenyan habitats with a variety of cultural engagements and numerous activities.

Your Kenyan tour commences in Nairobi at Giraffe Manor, an exquisite English-style country home distinguished by its resident population of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Following a delightful night, you and your family will go on a scheduled trip to Solio Lodge, a secluded camp featuring merely six thatched cabins. It is situated in one of the inaugural private rhino conservancies established in Kenya, which also hosts one of the most successful breeding initiatives for these critically endangered and vulnerable species. This is one of the simplest locations for wildlife viewing in Africa, and your varied excursions encompass a day excursion to Aberdare National Park.

Following two nights, your chartered aircraft will transport you to SaSaab Camp’s exclusive airstrip for three days of exceptional wildlife observation, which encompasses the pursuit of the rare and endemic Samburu Special 5. The key attractions are camel trekking and fly-camping, both of which provide a unique viewpoint on the surrounding nature. Sala’s Camp, situated between Samburu and the Masai Mara, epitomises prime position. You will experience prime viewing of the Great Migration from June to September, accompanied by the advantages of reduced visitor traffic and enhanced privacy.

Each of these sites is replete with conservation and community initiatives that benefit the land and its inhabitants. Given the plethora of activities available at each lodge and camp, we recommend allocating a minimum of three nights to fully optimise your experience at each site.

Mount Kenya, Samburu And Masai Mara Safari: $22,550 – $24,790 Per Person Sharing

A Detailed 10 Days Kenya Itinerary

Day 1: Luxury and Giraffes | 1 Nights

One may find oneself in the English countryside, including a stone manor house, were it not for the presence of one or two giraffes extending their heads through the window to partake in your breakfast. Welcome to Giraffe Manor, located on the periphery of Nairobi, where a distinctive blend of 19th-century sophistication and rustic African charm coexists alongside an experience including endangered Rothschild’s giraffes.

Giraffe Manor serves as an excellent refuge post-flight, facilitating a transition into the rhythms of Kenya. It appeals to both young and older travellers and is an ideal location to explore, time allowing, some of Nairobi’s intriguing attractions, such as the Karen Blixen Museum and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

Days 2-3: Into Rhino Territory | 2 Nights

Following a delightful night at Giraffe Manor, you embark on a scheduled flight to the Nanyuki Airstrip in Laikipia, where you will be transported by a 45-minute 4×4 journey to Solio Lodge. This is among the inaugural private rhino conservancies in Kenya and one of the most successful breeding initiatives for these critically endangered, gentle creatures that trace their lineage back to the era of the dinosaurs.

However, it is not solely the proximity of rhinos that renders Solio Lodge captivating; it also provides effortless game drives featuring a variety of species and breathtaking landscapes surrounding Mount Kenya. Engage in a safari walk, horseback riding, or mountain biking, or return to the 4×4 for a day excursion to Aberdare National Park within the Aberdare mountain range. The Kikuyu see Aberdare as one of the abodes of Ngai or God. The park’s mountains, waterfalls, and streams sustain a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including the black-and-white colobus monkey, golden cats, melanistic servals, and the bongo, an elusive antelope inhabiting the bamboo forest. To safeguard the bongo populations, Aberdare’s lions have been relocated to other national parks, while leopards and wild dogs persist in the area. More than 250 avian species have been observed, including the endangered Aberdare cisticola, Jackson’s francolin, and sparry hawks.

Solio Lodge features six chalets designed in a sophisticated, contemporary style that harmonises with the surrounding nature. Following an exhilarating bush breakfast, deemed essential at Solio, delightful wildlife observations, and a pleasant dinner, relax by the fireplace in your private sitting room and contemplate the possibilities of the following day.

Days 4-6: Samburu Sunsets Beckon | 3 Nights

Today, you charter a flight to the acclaimed SaSaab Camp, situated on communal property owned by the Samburu tribe. The Samburu region of Kenya is distinctive, and one can also pursue the ‘Samburu Special 5.’ The following creatures are native to the region: Grevy’s zebra, the charming long-necked gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe, the besia oryx, and the Somali ostrich.

SaSaab draws influence from the Arabic merchants who engaged in trade along Kenya’s coast, embodying a particularly Moroccan ambiance. The Arabian elements in the decor may motivate you to explore an alternative way of safari transport: consider game watching on a camel, accompanied by a knowledgeable Samburu guide. Camel trekking is an exhilarating method to experience Africa’s sights, sounds, and aromas—definitely a must for the bucket list.

SaSaab offers various enticing activities: explore Samburu National Park through fly-camping, engage in market shopping, relax while stargazing, and refine your photographic abilities during safari walks.

Days 7-9: A Classic Masai Mara Safari | 3 Nights

The Masai Mara is emblematic of Kenya and the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Mara is an extraordinary habitat that sustains millions of ungulates grazing on its sun-kissed grasses following the rains, making it essential for any serious safari enthusiast. Sala’s Camp serves as an excellent base, situated along the Sand River amidst a grove of shaded trees.

The principle of ‘location, location, location’ governs prime real estate globally, and Sala’s is no exception. From June to September, this location is ideal for seeing the challenges and successes of the Great Migration. While it offers maximum comfort with fully equipped facilities and Internet access, Sala retains the essence of ‘traditional safari’: anticipate Meru tents, outdoor showers, and evening conversations over the campfire.

Additionally, do not disregard Sala’s external migration season; informed individuals also favour January, February, and October, when temperatures are agreeable and fauna is plentiful. After nine days, you may struggle to reintegrate into ‘civilisation’; but, when you bid farewell to Kenya, you will also leave a fragment of your heart in this magnificent region of Africa.

Day 10: Your Time in Kenya Comes to an End

Following your final morning in the Mara, you will be transported to the airstrip to board your charter flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for your subsequent travels.

End of the 10 Days Kenya Itinerary. Mount Kenya, Samburu And Masai Mara