10 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: "Big Five" Safari Experience

On this safari tour of Kenya's most beautiful landscapes, you'll encounter the so-called "Big Five"—the African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros—in the wild.

You'll arrive in Nairobi and begin your adventure on day two with your first safari experience at Lake Nakuru National Park. The next day, you'll have the chance to meet local people in a Maasai village and shop for local handicrafts in a village market. Then you'll spend a whole day on safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve, hopefully spotting lions and cheetahs in the park's vast grasslands. It's a hot, dusty ride from the Maasai Mara to Naivasha, where you'll have some free time to relax midway through the trip.

Next, you'll visit Hell's Gate National Park, home to giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and gazelles. Then it's up to you to either hike, cycle, or drive to the park's scenic gorge. The following day, you'll hike to the summit of Mt. Longonot. The trip ends with one more safari adventure in Amboseli National Park, where you'll likely spot elephants in the wild, framed by massive Mt. Kilimanjaro. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Wildlife and Beaches of Kenya

Outdoor enthusiasts will love this well-rounded tour of Kenya's best beaches, national parks, lakes, and wildlife reserves, including a visit to an elephant orphanage.

The trip begins in Nairobi, but you'll soon venture outside the city to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and a local giraffe center where you can interact with elephants and giraffes, respectively. You'll then take to the waters to explore beautiful Lake Naivasha by boat. Head to Lake Nakuru National Park on day four to spot exotic birds, rhinos, leopards, and hippos. 

Take a break from the wilderness for cultural education at the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. Here, you'll learn about Maasai traditions, chat with locals, visit a village school, and sleep in a traditional cottage. The experience offers context for your next few days, which you'll spend exploring Maasai Mara National Reserve. If your trip is happening between July and September, consider yourself lucky: the Great Migration is underway, so abundant wildlife is easily visible on the plains. Kick back on the white sandy coastline of Diani Beach for the last few days of the trip, then circle back to Nairobi to catch a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Running Experience in Kenya

Designed for long-distance runners and running enthusiasts, this active adventure lets travelers jog through magnificent scenery, observe elite athletes in training, and soar high above the Mara River in a hot air balloon.

After a day of sightseeing in Nairobi, transfer to Iten, the so-called "Home of Champions." You'll spend a few days going on early morning runs with a local running group, touring the High Altitude Training Center, and watching elite athletes train at Kamariny Stadium. Enjoy an excursion to a nearby village to sample traditional specialties of the Rift Valley before transferring to Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you'll spend the next few days experiencing the park from different perspectives. 

In addition to a safari, you'll have the option to see wildlife from above on a hot air balloon tour. On day seven, you'll fly to Diani Beach and spend the rest of the trip relaxing on sandy beaches, swimming in the Indian Ocean, visiting a sacred forest, and learning about monkeys at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Head back to Nairobi, where the trip ends, to catch a flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Safari and Gorilla Trek in Kenya & Uganda 

Explore Kenya's famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve before crossing the border to Uganda for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure on this wildlife-focused itinerary. 

The first part of the trip happens in Kenya. Arrive at Amboseli National Park, home to an incredible variety of birds. You'll go on a safari and sleep in a safari lodge, then move to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Elephants, rhinos, hippos, and lions await in this world-famous park, and you'll have a great chance of seeing them in the wild on an early-morning safari. Opt for a hot air balloon ride over the reserve for the best photo opportunities!

On day six, you'll head over the border to Uganda. Spend a night in Entebbe before transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also known as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You'll spend a few nights in an eco-lodge and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing mountain gorillas in the wild on a trekking tour of the park. Learn more

More Great Kenya Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Kenya? Check out these other Kenya itineraries, with wildlife-focused trips, cultural journeys, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.