10 Days Kenya Bush Safari only

Day 1: Arrival Nairobi – Transfer to Movenpick Hotel

Airport meet and greet 5-star urban oasis

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), you will be warmly welcomed by one of our representatives holding a Mara Triangle Safaris sign. After a brief introduction, you will be transferred to the luxurious Movenpick Hotel Nairobi in Westlands – a 5‑star property known for its Swiss hospitality, large outdoor pool, and the famous daily “Chocolate Hour” (4‑5 PM). The rest of the day is free for relaxation after your flight. You may explore the hotel’s spa, gym, or nearby attractions. Lunch and dinner on this day are at your own account; however, the hotel offers excellent dining options, and Westlands has many restaurants (e.g., About Thyme, Fogo Gaucho). Overnight at Movenpick Hotel Nairobi.

Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Nairobi – Request rates

Day 2: Nairobi to Tsavo East National Park – Red Elephants and The Big Five

5-6 hours drive Big Five territory Afternoon and evening game drives

Early in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, you will drive southeast to Tsavo East National Park – one of Kenya’s oldest and largest parks, covering over 13,700 square kilometres. The drive takes you through the scenic Taru Desert with its iconic baobab trees. You will arrive at Voi Wildlife Lodge in time for a delicious buffet lunch. The lodge overlooks a natural waterhole that attracts elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife – you can watch them while dining.

After lunch, you will embark on an afternoon and evening game drive. Tsavo East is famous for its dust‑red elephants, which bathe in the iron‑rich soil. The park is home to the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino (in a sanctuary), and Cape buffalo. The Galana and Athi Rivers host large crocodiles and hippos, eagerly hiding within the dark depths. You may also spot gerenuk (long‑necked antelope), zebra, giraffe, and over 500 bird species. As the sun sets, return to Voi Wildlife Lodge for dinner.

Photography tip: The golden hour (5:30‑6:15 PM) produces stunning warm light on the red elephants – use a shutter speed of at least 1/500 second.

Accommodation: Voi Wildlife Lodge – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 3: Tsavo East to Taita Hills Sanctuary – Salt Lick Safari Lodge

Private conservancy Floodlit waterhole Over 300 bird species

After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning game drive en route as you depart Tsavo East and head toward Taita Hills Sanctuary, a private conservancy bordering Tsavo West. You will arrive at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge is built on stilts with elevated walkways connecting the rooms, overlooking a floodlit waterhole. After lunch, you will relax and then enjoy an afternoon game drive within the sanctuary.

The waterholes at Salt Lick provide a wonderful opportunity to view animals at close proximity in their natural habitat – elephants, buffalo, lions, and sometimes leopards come to drink. The sanctuary is also home to the rare African wild dog, fringe‑eared oryx, greater kudu, and the endemic Taita falcon. Return to the lodge for dinner. The underground photographic hide allows you to watch wildlife at eye level even after dark. Overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 4: Taita Hills to Tsavo West to Amboseli – Mzima Springs and Kilimanjaro

Underwater hippo observatory Shetani lava flow Mount Kilimanjaro views

After breakfast, you will check out with picnic lunches and drive leisurely to Tsavo West National Park. Here you will enjoy en route game drives as you head towards Amboseli. Tsavo West is a vast expansion of African savannah with a more diverse array of habitats: open plains, semi‑desert scrub, woodland, Chyulu Hills, and rock outcrops. The movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” (about the Tsavo man‑eaters) was filmed here.

You will stop at Mzima Springs, a series of crystal‑clear pools fed by underground water from the Chyulu Hills. An underwater observatory allows you to see hippos, crocodiles, and giant tilapia swimming just below the surface. You will also drive past the Shetani Lava Flow, a black volcanic rock formation that erupted from a fissure a few hundred years ago. Continue to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in time for dinner. Overnight at Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, a comfortable tented camp with views of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather permitting).

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli Lodge – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 5: Amboseli National Park – Giants of Africa and Kilimanjaro Backdrops

World-class elephant photography Observation Hill Swamp birding

You will have breakfast and spend the full day enjoying game watching with picnic lunches from the lodge. Amboseli National Park is located in the lower slopes of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain (5,895 metres) – whose peak lies across the border in Tanzania. It is quite an experience to see Kilimanjaro hovering above the clouds in an early morning. The animal pictures arising against the dramatic backdrop of the mountain will thrill the photography enthusiast.

Amboseli is renowned for its huge elephant herds (over 1,600 individuals). You are likely to see buffalo, black rhino (in sanctuary), zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and other plain animals. The swamps – Enkongo Narok, Ol Tukai, and Loginya – attract concentrated wildlife. Visit Observation Hill for a 360‑degree panorama of the park and Kilimanjaro. Return to Sentrim Amboseli Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Did you know? The Amboseli Trust for Elephants has studied the park’s elephants for over 50 years – some matriarchs like “Echo” are known worldwide.

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli Lodge – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 6: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha – Boat Ride and Crescent Island (own account)

Hippo boat safari Walk among giraffes African fish eagles

You will have your breakfast then drive to Lake Naivasha (approximately 5‑6 hours). Arrive in time for lunch. Upon arrival, you will check in at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort and have lunch. The resort is set on a hillside overlooking the lake, with beautiful gardens and a swimming pool.

After lunch, you will spend the rest of the afternoon at the lake enjoying the incredible view and other activities on offer. Such activities include boat rides and a visit to Crescent Island. These activities will be on own account and are payable directly at the entrance. The driver guide will assist you on the same. The boat safari (approximately $30‑40 per person) takes you among hippos, fish eagles, and cormorants. Crescent Island is a private sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and elands – no predators, so it is completely safe. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 7: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara – Africa’s Ultimate Wildlife Reserve

Endless plains Afternoon game drive The Great Migration (seasonal)

After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, so named to mean the “spotted plains” in the Maa language. Arrive in time for lunch at Enkorok Mara Camp. Masai Mara is home to the greatest concentration of large mammals and is widely recognized as Africa’s ultimate wildlife reserve. The park is the northern extension of the vast Serengeti‑Mara ecosystem, famous for its annual migration of wildebeest. After lunch, you will enjoy game watching on the afternoon game drives until sunset in this spectacular place of breathtaking sceneries, never‑ending plains, and the most abundant variety of wildlife remaining anywhere in the world.

Expect to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and more. During the Great Migration (July‑October), witness wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River – crocodiles wait below. Dinner and overnight at Enkorok Mara Camp.

Accommodation: Enkorok Mara Camp – Request rates

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Full Day Masai Mara – Morning and Afternoon Game Drives

Sunrise predator hunt 450 bird species Wildebeest Migration spectacle

After breakfast you will spend the rest of the days in game watching on morning and afternoon game drives. Wildlife is abundant in the Reserve, with the gentle grasslands ensuring that animals are never out of sight. Birds are prolific, including immigrants – over 450 bird species have been recorded, among them 57 birds of prey. Every year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle: The Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti. The big cats – lion, leopard, and cheetah – follow the wildebeest, essentially their main source of food, into the Mara. So the Mara at this time is literally packed with wildlife, providing lucky visitors on safari with superb sightings of game.

You will explore the Mara River (for crossing points), the Talek River, and the open plains around Rhino Ridge. Optional upgrade: hot air balloon safari (at extra cost) – a breathtaking sunrise flight followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Dinner and overnight at Enkorok Mara Camp (second night).

Accommodation: Enkorok Mara Camp – Request rates

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru – Flamingos and Rhino Sanctuary

Pink lake Black and white rhinos Baboon Cliff viewpoint

After an early breakfast you will depart for Lake Nakuru to arrive in time for lunch at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge. After lunch and rest, you will embark on a tour of Lake Nakuru National Park. Flocks of greater and lesser flamingos are found on this lake, which turns it pink – hence it is dubbed the “pink lake”. It is also a home to the endangered black and white rhino, the big cats (lions, leopards), and other wildlife including buffalo, waterbuck, and giraffes. Later after the game drives, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Visit Baboon Cliff for a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding escarpment. The park also has Makalia Falls, a scenic waterfall. Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos in the wild. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge – Request rates

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

Day 10: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi – Farewell Kenya

Scenic drive back Last souvenir shopping End of safari

You will have breakfast then drive leisurely back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you may opt to have a farewell lunch in one of the city restaurants (on own account). Thereafter, you will be dropped at the airport in time for your international flight (usually 3 hours before the flight) or be dropped at the hotel of your residence in case you will be extending your stay. Asante sana – thank you for choosing Mara Triangle Safaris. We hope to welcome you again to Kenya.