Samburu · Laikipia · Rift · Mara · 10 days · 9 nights · Best Jun – Oct & Jan – Mar
Grand Kenya
If you're only coming to Kenya once, come for ten nights and see it all. This grand circuit climbs north to Samburu's desert specials, swings through Ol Pejeta's rhino conservancy with Mount Kenya as a backdrop, drops into the Rift Valley for Nakuru's rhino and Naivasha's hippos, then finishes with three full nights in the Maasai Mara. No park gets less than two nights, so you settle in everywhere instead of just passing through.
From $5,100 per person
Specimen itinerary for planning purposes only — not a confirmed booking document.
Logistics & transport
- Pickup
- Confirmed 24 hours before departure on WhatsApp
- Guide language
- As selected at booking
- Group
- Private / small group · max 6 guests
Where you'll stay
Lodging varies by trip — tented camp, safari lodge, beach hotel, or city hotel as your package requires. The property for this package is confirmed in writing after you book — ask us on WhatsApp if you want options before paying.
Included in your package price — exact camp, lodge, or hotel confirmed after booking.
Indicative schedule — day by day
Planned rhythm for your trip — your guide may adjust on the day for conditions, light and wildlife.
Day 1: Nairobi → Samburu
Scenic drive north past Mount Kenya. Afternoon drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro for the first of the northern specials.
Day 2: Samburu in full
A full day for Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk — and leopard along the river. Picnic brunch in the bush.
Day 3: Samburu → Ol Pejeta
Transfer to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Meet the last northern white rhino and visit the chimpanzee sanctuary.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta & Mount Kenya
Morning lion-tracking with the research team, afternoon game drive under Mount Kenya. Optional night drive.
Day 5: Ol Pejeta → Lake Nakuru
Down into the Rift Valley. Afternoon drive for rhino, Rothschild's giraffe and (water permitting) flamingo.
Day 6: Nakuru → Lake Naivasha
Morning at the lake, then transfer to Naivasha for an afternoon boat ride among the hippos.
Day 7: Naivasha → Maasai Mara
Walk Crescent Island on foot in the morning, then descend to the Mara for a first evening game drive.
Day 8: Full day in the Mara
Dawn to dusk in the great reserve — lion, cheetah, leopard, and (Jul–Oct) the migration. Bush breakfast on the plains.
Day 9: More Mara, optional balloon
Another full day of big cats, with an optional sunrise balloon safari and champagne breakfast.
Day 10: Final drive, return to Nairobi
A last morning drive, brunch, then fly or drive back to Nairobi for your onward connection.
Trip inclusions
- 10 nights full-board accommodation
- All park, reserve & conservancy fees
- Private 4x4 · experienced driver-guide throughout
- All inter-park transfers
- Rhino & chimpanzee encounters at Ol Pejeta
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
Trip exclusions
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa ($51 — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional balloon safari ($475 pp) & internal flights
- Tips for guide & staff
Preparation & packing
Before you go
- This section is general Kenya travel guidance — not a substitute for official advice or your doctor.
- We confirm trip-specific details (property, pickup times, park rules) with you on WhatsApp before departure.
- Questions about Grand Kenya? Message us anytime — we'd rather you ask than guess.
Visa & entry
- Most visitors need a Kenya eVisa before travel — apply at evisa.go.ke and check current fees and rules.
- Passport usually needs 6+ months' validity and blank pages — verify with your airline and immigration.
- Keep a printed copy of this itinerary and your eVisa for border control.
Health
- Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you are travelling from — check Kenya's latest entry rules.
- Malaria prevention is commonly recommended for safari areas — ask your doctor well before you fly.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
- Bring personal medication in original packaging.
Weather & clothing
- Safari mornings and evenings are often cooler than midday — layers work better than one heavy coat.
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) are standard for game drives.
- Rain can appear in any season — a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
- We send a short weather note for your dates once your trip is confirmed.
Packing list
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking + sandals for camp or lodge
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Binoculars if you have a pair (optional — ask us if you'd like a recommendation)
- Power bank + travel adaptor (Kenya commonly uses Type G plugs, 240V)
- Soft bag often works better than a hard suitcase if your trip includes light-aircraft legs — we'll confirm luggage limits for your routing
- Some cash in USD (clean, newer bills) or KES for tips and small purchases
- Insect repellent
Money & connectivity
- Cards work in Nairobi and at many properties; cash is still useful for tips and markets.
- M-Pesa is widely used in Kenya — we can walk you through it on arrival if helpful.
- Wi‑Fi varies by property (lodge, camp, or hotel) — signal on game drives is usually limited.
- Tipping customs vary by property and guide — we share current guidelines for your trip before you travel.