18 days Kenya: lots and lots of safari & beach
You want to see the big landscapes, experience big highlights and marvel at the Big Five? Then this is your big chance! Cruise through nine national parks before you hit the beach.
You’ll kick things off with seeing the rhinos and African wild dogs of Ol’ Pejeta Conservancy, followed by a meet-and-greet with the elephants and the Samburu Special Five in the Samburu National Reserve. In the Solio Game Reserve, you’ll encounter the grey giants once more, along with the usual suspects of African wildlife. With big smiles, you’ll make your way to Lake Nakuru National Park. Here you can marvel at countless birds flocking to the star of the park: Lake Nakuru itself. If you’re lucky, you’ll even encounter some tree-climbing lions during your game drive.
While the Big Five and the Great Wildebeest Migration await you in the Masai Mara National Reserve, hippos welcome you in the waters of Lake Naivasha. In Amboseli National Park it’s again the elephants that cross your road. To top it off, all of the Big Five pass you by one more time in Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Park, before you’ll head to the beautiful beaches of Diani. This 18-day tour is proof that perfection does exist!
Highlights
- Encounter the Big Five Across 9 National Parks
- Meet the Samburu Special Five
- Witness Birdlife at Lake Nakuru & Hippos at Lake Naivasha
- Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration in Maasai Mara
- Relax at the White Sand Beaches of Diani
Itinerary
As you step out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a member of our team or a hotel driver greets you with a big smile: 'Karibu Kenya – welcome to Kenya!' He brings you straight to your hotel to relax and, along the way, you get your first impressions of vibrant Nairobi. The next day, your guide takes you on an exclusive, private safari that allows you to travel at your own pace. Let the adventure begin!
The Ol' Pejeta Conservancy is a protected area set up for endangered species. For rhino lovers, this is a pure heaven on earth with a population of more than 100 black rhinos, almost 40 southern white rhinos AND the last two remaining northern white rhinos worldwide. These white rhinos can even be visited up close! Besides rhinos, the conservancy hosts endangered species like the African wild dog, the oryx, Jackson's hartebeest and Grévy’s zebra, and houses a sanctuary for abused or orphaned chimpanzees.
Samburu National Reserve is a great place the first half of your safari adventure, with a dry semidesert and savannah landscape that allows for far sights and lots of animals. It is home to the Northern Five also called the Samburu Special Five - five rare animals that can only be spotted together in Samburu. The central Ewaso Nyiro River makes for a great spot to see all these animals, while just outside the park you can meet the fascinating Samburu tribe, and observe their special way of living.
Samburu National Reserve is a great place the first half of your safari adventure, with a dry semidesert and savannah landscape that allows for far sights and lots of animals. It is home to the Northern Five also called the Samburu Special Five - five rare animals that can only be spotted together in Samburu. The central Ewaso Nyiro River makes for a great spot to see all these animals, while just outside the park you can meet the fascinating Samburu tribe, and observe their special way of living.
The Solio Ranch Conservancy is a privately owned and very special wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, the former ranch is dedicated to saving and protecting rhinos in Kenya. Enjoy thrilling game drives, guided walks and serene picnics amidst the picturesque scenery and not only marvel at the grey giants, but also animals like buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elands, oryx, impala, waterbucks, Thomson’s gazelles and warthogs. You can either spend an unforgettable day here or even stay the night at this tranquil place in the middle of nowhere.
Lake Nakuru National Park is an amazing wildlife haven, smack in the middle of the Great Rift Valley. The Nakuru Lake in the middle of the park is its main attraction, with hundreds of birds flocking to its shores. The park used to be known for its many flamingos, but rising water levels caused these birds to migrate elsewhere. Luckily, they are slowly returning, and in any case, Lake Nakuru is a great place to visit with its black and white rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, lions, the occasional leopard and over 400 species of birds.
Today is a day to remember as you make your way to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve - the highlight of your trip! Enjoy both straight and winding roads on this beautiful road trip, while passing by some exceptional landscapes that you can only find in this part of the world. As this road trip takes up the biggest part of your day, no game drive is planned today. You sleep in an accommodation just outside the park to be well-rested for all the beauty the Mara has to offer the next day!
The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous places for safari worldwide. Located 270 kilometres west of Nairobi, this is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa. It extends over 1,500 km² and has more than 400 species of birds and no less than 95 species of mammals. Big cats are frequently spotted here, and this is THE place to watch the world-famous Great Migration between August and October, with its vast herds of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River.
Have you ever wanted to pass floating hippos by boat? Seek no longer: during a boat safari on Lake Naivasha this is exactly what will happen. You will pass between huge groups of hippos while seeing eagles and cormorants flying above you, and admiring giraffes on the shore. The safari on board a small motorized boat takes about 60 minutes and ends on the beautiful Crescent Island, where you will continue with a stunning walking safari between zebras, giraffes and wildebeests.
After driving towards Amboseli National Park today, you end your day in style with a classic safari sundowner. Upon arrival in the lodge and after freshening up, a guide accompanies you to a special sundowner spot. The short walk over the savannah leads to a table and chairs, glasses and drinks, snacks and, of course, a view to die for. With some luck, you see the Amboseli animals passing while the sun slowly sets in the most beautiful glow over the long savannah grasses...
Discover the mesmerizing Amboseli National Park, a true wildlife haven at the foot of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The national park on the border with Tanzania offers sweeping savannahs, impressive lava rocks and shimmering swamps, creating an ideal habitat for large herds of elephants, graceful lions, a staggering variety of bird species and many more animals. Shoot them all (with your camera, of course!) with the mighty Kili in the background – an amazing sight!
Tsavo West National Park is a park that shows a diverse and remarkable nature with, for example, the Mzima Springs, the Shetani Lava Flows and the Chaimu crater. With its 9,065 square kilometres, this is one of Kenya's largest national parks, and four of the Big Five can be seen roaming freely here. Besides, you fairly easily spot regulars like giraffes, zebras, antelopes, gerenuks and many different species of birds, all between the green hills, acacia forests, savannah, natural springs and huge lava rocks from nearby volcanos.
With over 13,000 square kilometres, Tsavo East National Park is huge, impressive, and, since it was founded in 1948, old. Cruise the outstretched savannah of the Yatta Plateau with its large groups of red elephants, and observe some of the last remaining supertuskers and maneless lions. Listen to the famous story of the man-eating lions, while keeping your eyes peeled for an amazing amount of other animals; four of the Big Five (minus rhinos) together with dik-diks, zebras, giraffes, yellow baboons, cheetahs, African wild dogs, elands, gazelles, gerenuks, hyenas, jackals, and over 500 species of birds!
Embark on an unforgettable train ride through the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya's national parks. While heading to Mombasa, expect some great sightings of animals and nature; you might even see the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance! So sit back, grab some snacks and enjoy this nature documentary on rails. Once there, you either stay in a resort on Diani Beach or go to the exclusive tropical island of Chale!
Diani Beach is perfect for beach holidays - think the most outstretched and white beaches, a blue Indian Ocean and plenty of resorts and restaurants to choose from. Always dreamed of tropical islands? Then take it up a notch and stay on Chale - a tropical island just off the coast, with an amazing design hotel to pamper to all your needs.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- 24/7 service
- All accommodations
- Full board
- Luxurious private 4×4 Safari Jeep
- Pickup and transfer airport
- Reservation costs
- Park Fees
- Private guide speaking fluently English
- Domestic flight/train
- Fully accredited under SGR
- Drinking water in our safari jeeps
- Game drives
Cost Excludes
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- International flights (can be booked for you on request)
FAQs
Many people travelling to the African continent have questions about safety. Is Kenya safe to travel to? Our answer is clear: YES!
Kenya is definitely a safe country to visit, especially for people going on organised game drives with private guides as you will do with us. There are definitely some places to avoid in big cities like Nairobi or Mombasa, but – as with all big cities – by taking some precautions, you’ll be fine. We advise, for example, to leave the hotel at night with a driver and not to go strolling around alone. Also be aware not to wear big and visible jewellery, and keep an eye on your valuables.
This is an exclusive, private safari that allows you to travel at your own pace. This trip is made just for you, exactly as you want it! Our experienced travel consultants will make sure that your wishes come true. There are numerous advantages to such a trip. First, you can cruise around in a private safari vehicle and have a personal guide. It’s completely up to you what time you leave in the morning and when you come back (taking into account your guide’s advice, of course). Secondly, once you’re in a national park, you can observe specific animals or herds for as long as you like. No one will push you to move along. And lastly, knowing your wishes, your personal guide will give you the right tips, turning your trip into an unforgettable experience.
At Watalii, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your African adventures with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalised experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular African tours and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
Absolutely, Kenya is also home to all of the Big Five and many, many more animals. In short: wildlife galore! These magnificent creatures—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo — can be observed in their natural habitats, making Kenya a preferred choice for wildlife enthusiasts.
Tour Map
