12 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Amboseli & Tsavo | 12 Days 11 Nights Kenya Road Safaris | 2 Nights Samburu National Reserve, 1 Night Aberdare National Park, 1 Night Lake Nakuru National Park, 3 Nights Masai Mara National Reserve, 2 Nights Amboseli National Park & 2 Nights Tsavo West National Park Safari | 12 Day Kenya Safaris
This well-paced 12-day Kenya road safari holiday offers a comprehensive overview of some of Kenya’s best big game parks and reserves. You’ll spend enough time in each major destination and totally immerse yourself in the best that Samburu, Aberdare, Nakuru, Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo East have to offer.
Enjoy superb morning and afternoon game drives; learn about the culture of the Maasai and Samburu; encounter the great Elephant herds of Amboseli; watch the wildebeest migration and take a hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara; take pictures of millions of Flamingos in Lake Nakuru and see Hippos under water at Mzima Springs.
This tour begins in Nairobi and could end in Nairobi or Mombasa. After breakfast at your Nairobi city hotel, the tour travels to Samburu National Reserve, known for its rare and unusual animal species, including the gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Somali Ostrich and the reticulated Giraffe.
Samburu is also a good place to see Leopards and all of Africa’s big cats, as well as endangered wild dogs. Birding enthusiasts will also be pleased with more than 350 species to be found. One of the highlights of visiting Samburu is meeting the traditional Samburu people, who still follow old customs, rituals and ceremonies.
The tour continues to the Aberdare National Park where we spend the afternoon and evening at the Ark lodge or the Treetops lodge looking out for wildlife that come to visit the floodlit salt lick and waterhole. Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, Colobus and Skye Monkey, Giant Forest Hog, Baboon, Bongo and Suni Antelopes are typically seen in the waterhole.
Our next destination is Lake Nakuru National Park, home of Black and White Rhinos, Hippos, Baboons, Giraffes, Zebras, Buffalo, Leopards and tree-climbing Lions. Lake Nakuru Park is also known for its bird life, as a Ramsar Wetland area, attracting a diversity of birds, especially waterbirds.
Next, we make our way to Kenya’s ultimate safari destination – Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is home to all the “Big Five” and other wildlife including Baboon, Eland, Ostrich, Bat-eared Fox, Jackal, and the rivers abound with Hippos and Crocodiles.
It is also world-famous for the legendary Great Migration a wildlife spectacle of epic proportions, where a million Wildebeest, Gazelles (Thomson’s and Grant’s) and Zebras migrate along an age-old route between Mara and Serengeti in Tanzania.
After three nights in Masai Mara, the tour continues to Amboseli National Park, renowned for its large Elephant herds, including big bulls with impressive tusks. Amboseli offers fantastic photographic opportunities of Elephants and other wildlife roaming the open plains, with majestic Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
The park is home to rich bird life and many big mammals, such as Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Buffalo, Jackal and giraffes. Bird life in abundance flourishes particularly in the marshes and swamps with over 420 species having been counted within the park as a whole including 6 species of vulture, 12 species of heron and 10 varieties of an eagle.
We then journey to our final safari destination, Tsavo West National Park, best known for the famous Man-Eaters Of Tsavo where two Lions were accused of killing and eating as many as 135 men in Kenya in 1898 while building a bridge over the Tsavo River, as part of the Kenya-Uganda Railway.
Tsavo West has a variety of wildlife, such as eastern black Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and large prides of Masai Lion. There are also other smaller animals that can be spotted in the park, such as the Bushbaby, Hartebeest, Lesser Kudu, and Masai Giraffe.
Some rare species include while-tailed Mongoose, Genet cat, Jackal, Hyrax, Dik-dik, Porcupine, and Oryx.
Safari Itinerary in Summary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 3: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park
Day 4: Aberdare – Drive to Nakuru National Park
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 6: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Discover Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Masai Mara – Drive to Amboseli National Park
Day 9: Explore Amboseli National Park
Day 10: Amboseli – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
Day 11: Explore Tsavo West National Park
Day 12: Tsavo West – Drive to Mombasa or Nairobi
Safari Itinerary in Detail
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
We hit the road in our 4×4 this morning, after breakfast at the hotel, leaving the city behind. Travelling north to Samburu National Reserve, we take in the scenery along the way. Arriving at our lodge/camp in time for lunch, followed by free time to chill out and swim in the pool.
Next up, a game drives in Samburu National Reserve this afternoon. Samburu offers outstanding game viewing, with frequent sightings of Grevy’s Zebras, Oryx, Buffalos, strange-looking Gerenuks and an array of interesting grazers.
This is a good place to see Leopards and all of Africa’s big cats, as well as endangered wild Dogs. Birding enthusiasts will also be pleased with more than 350 species to be found.
Overnight Accommodation: Samburu Lodge, Samburu Simba or Samburu Intrepids Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve
A big day of game viewing today – look forward to an early morning game drive, and then a mid-morning drive, followed by another game drive later in the afternoon. We explore Samburu National Reserve in a 4×4 game drive vehicle with a pop-up roof for taking unobstructed photos of the wild things.
One of the highlights of visiting Samburu is meeting the traditional Samburu people, who still follow old customs, rituals and ceremonies. This is a hot, dry part of Kenya, characterized by scrubland and Savannah plains flanked by mountains, notably Ol Olokwe Mountain.
Overnight Accommodation: Samburu Lodge, Samburu Simba or Samburu Intrepids Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Samburu – Drive to Aberdare National Park (Tree Hotel)
First, we have breakfast and then we drive overland south from Samburu to The Aberdare Country Club or the Outspan hotel. After lunch and high tea, set off for the Ark tree lodge or the Treetops hotel, located in the forest on the mountain slopes of the Aberdare Mountains at 7,000 feet.
These outstanding lodges offer high-altitude game viewing, including animals that are rarely encountered elsewhere: giant forest Hog, bush Pig, tree Hyrax, large spotted Genet, and the elusive Bongo.
Wildlife can be observed from different levels and from outside where you can see, hear and smell everything and inside where you can sit with a cup of tea and stay warm and cosy. You can put in a request to be awakened during the night if your favourite animals show up.
A herd of Elephants might be just feet away and if you are lucky, a Leopard or large male Lion might put in an appearance.
Overnight Accommodation: The Ark Lodge or Treetops Hotel
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Aberdare – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Today we travel to Lake Nakuru National Park located in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch, an exciting game run is planned for the afternoon. Lake Nakuru National Park, the pretty home of black and white Rhinos, Hippos and baboons galore.
Other inhabitants include elusive Leopards, tree-climbing Lions and, when conditions are right, massive flocks of greater and lesser Flamingos. Giraffes, Zebras, Buffalo, Hippos and Antelopes are some of the typical African animals to be seen here.
Lake Nakuru Park is also known for its birdlife, as a Ramsar Wetland area, attracting a diversity of birds, especially waterbirds.
Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nauru Sopa Lodge or Sarova Lion hill Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve
Today we make our way to Kenya’s ultimate safari destination – Masai Mara National Reserve. This enormous reserve is actually part of the vast Serengeti plains famously known for its spectacular great wildebeest migration and is home to the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino.
Lunch at our lodge/camp and relax before departing for the afternoon game run. Masai Mara – the ultimate safari destination in Kenya, if not Africa, and one of the top wildlife reserves in the world. This vast landscape is the quintessential African bush scene, an open wilderness of undulating grasslands dotted with acacia trees.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is world-famous for the legendary Great Migration a wildlife spectacle of epic proportions, where a million wildebeest, gazelles (Thomson’s and Grant’s) and Zebras migrate along an age-old route between Mara and Serengeti in Tanzania.
Overnight Accommodation: Sarova Tented Camp, Siana Tented Camp or Sarova Mara Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 6 & 7: Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve
Masai Mara is home to a wide variety of wildlife species including an array of predators and plains game. The reserve is known for its sizable big cat populations, hosting plenty of Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs.
We spend the next two days on morning and afternoon game drives. After game viewing in the classical African safari setting of Masai Mara, we have the chance to stop in at one of the nearby Masai Manyattas – traditional settlements where the Masai Tribes still live in their customary way.
Hot-air balloon trips are an outstanding way of viewing the Savannah plains and the wildlife of Masai Mara and can be arranged at extra cost upon booking.
Overnight Accommodation: Sarova Tented Camp, Siana Tented Camp or Sarova Mara Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 8: Masai Mara – Drive to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, we drive to Nairobi for lunch then continue to Amboseli National Park. The Park is famous for the big herds of Elephants and the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. We arrive in Amboseli late afternoon and enjoy a game drive en route to our lodge/ camp.
Amboseli is famous for close encounters with big herds of elephants. The game park is a photographer’s paradise combining close-range wildlife sightings with scenic landscapes, featuring the towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain.
The vegetation of the park varies seasonally with green swamps in rainy times and arid bush in dry periods, both well-suited to game viewing. Sightings include the big cats of Africa, as well as the Big four of Africa. The Rhino is absent.
Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge or Tortilis Camp or Oltukai Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 9: Discover Amboseli National Park
The entire day is set aside for 4×4 game drives in Amboseli, one of the most scenic national parks in Kenya. We pause for a picnic lunch and continue exploring, looking out for Elephant herds and an array of other wildlife.
Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge or Tortilis Camp or Oltukai Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 10: Amboseli – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
After breakfast, we depart by road to Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo East is a vast expansion of African savanna with a more diverse array of habitats which include open plains, semi-desert scrub, woodland, Chyulu Hills and rock outcrops.
It’s famous for the Red Elephants, Oryx, and Gerenuk among other mammal species and bird life. Other notable features include Mzima Springs which are water source for Mombasa Town, Shetani Lava Flow and Ash cones, which is an example of a recent volcanic eruptions.
The Movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” was shot here.
Overnight Accommodation: Kilaguni Safari Lodge, Ngulia Lodge or Finch Hattons Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 11: Explore Tsavo West National Park
Today we explore the park on a morning game drive. Lunch is served back at the lodge and then there is some time to relax, before our afternoon game drive.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West combined to make one of the biggest game reserves in the world, at about 22700km². Tsavo is famous for the man-eating lions of Tsavo, which preyed on railway workers in colonial times.
Tsavo West is known for its magnificent wildlife viewing and species that includes elephants, rhinos, Hippos, Lions, Cheetah, Leopards, and Buffalos as well as diverse plant and bird species.
We take an afternoon wildlife viewing drive through the park spotting overwhelming numbers of wildlife and searching for rare species such as Hunter’s Hartebeest.
Overnight Accommodation: Kilaguni Safari Lodge, Ngulia Lodge or Finch Hattons Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 12: Tsavo West – Drive to Mombasa or Nairobi
Morning game drive to savour the beauty of the park, return to the lodge for breakfast. After, depart for Mombasa or Nairobi arriving in the afternoon.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
12 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Amboseli & Tsavo Prices
12 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Amboseli & Tsavo Prices Include;
Enjoy up to 16 Extensive Game drives + All meals included while on safari + All applicable Game Park entrance fees + Guaranteed window seating with open top + Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water + Multi-lingual Professional Safari Driver Guide + Round trip transport from Nairobi to Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Amboseli & Tsavo West + Accommodations in Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Amboseli & Tsavo West
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 2 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2023 | 31st December 2023 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
12 Day Kenya Safari Samburu Aberdare Nakuru Mara Amboseli & Tsavo Prices Exclude;
* International Airfare
* A visit to a Masai Village
* Accommodations in Nairobi
* Cost of obtaining passport and visas
* Gratuity for your professional driver guide
* Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
* Christmas, New Year and Easter Supplement
* Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps and airports
* Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
* Optional Hot Air Ballooning, Night Game drives, Nature walks etc
* Personal expenses such travelling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, laundry, emails, faxes and phone calls beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary