10 Days Kenya Bush Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Nairobi – Rest & Preparations at Movenpick Hotel

 Airport meet & greet    5‑star urban oasis

After landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), you’ll clear customs and be met by a Mara Triangle Safaris representative holding a branded sign. A private, air‑conditioned vehicle will transfer you to the Movenpick Hotel Nairobi in Westlands – a tranquil 5‑star property known for its Swiss hospitality, large pool, and famous daily “Chocolate Hour” (16:00–17:00). Use this day to recover from your flight, adjust to East African time, and do any last‑minute shopping for binoculars, memory cards, or insect repellent at the nearby Sarit Centre. Lunch and dinner are at your own account – recommended restaurants: About Thyme (garden setting), Fogo Gaucho (Brazilian churrascaria), or the hotel’s own Swiss restaurant. Overnight at Movenpick Nairobi.

Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Nairobi – Request rate & availability →

 Day 2: Nairobi → Tsavo East National Park – Red Elephants & Man‑Eater Lions

5‑6 hours drive     Big Five territory     Afternoon game drive

After an early breakfast (06:00), your guide will brief you on the day. Depart Nairobi and drive southeast along the Mombasa Road (A109). The landscape transforms from urban bustle to the baobab‑studded scrubland of the Taru Desert. Enter Tsavo East National Park – at 13,747 km², one of the largest parks in Kenya. The park is famous for its dust‑red elephants, which bathe in the iron‑rich soil and appear almost mahogany in color. It is also the historic location of the “Tsavo Man‑Eaters” – two lions that killed over 100 railway workers in 1898 – a story immortalized in the film The Ghost and the Darkness.

Arrive at Voi Wildlife Lodge around 12:30 for a buffet lunch overlooking a bustling waterhole. The lodge’s waterhole regularly attracts elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, and warthogs – you can watch them while dining. After a short rest, board your safari vehicle at 15:30 for an afternoon game drive along the Voi River basin. Expect to see:

• Red elephants: Herds of up to 100 individuals, often led by a large matriarch.
• Lions: Tsavo lions have smaller manes; look for them resting under acacia trees near the Galana River.
• Leopards: Elusive but occasionally seen in the rock outcrops (kopjes) near Aruba Dam.
• Crocodiles & hippos: The Galana River and Aruba Dam are prime spots.
• Gerenuk: A long‑necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse high acacia leaves.

At 18:15, return to the lodge for dinner. The lodge’s night lighting around the waterhole allows you to see nocturnal visitors. Overnight at Voi Wildlife Lodge.

🔭 Photography tip: Use a shutter speed of at least 1/500s for moving elephants. The golden hour (17:30–18:15) produces dramatic warm light that makes the red dust glow.

Accommodation: Voi Wildlife Lodge – Request rates & booking →

 Day 3: Tsavo East → Taita Hills Sanctuary – The Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge

 Private conservancy     Floodlit waterhole    300+ bird species

After breakfast, we drive to Taita Hills Sanctuary, a 28,000‑acre private conservancy bordering Tsavo West. Unlike national parks, private conservancies allow night drives, walking safaris, and much lower vehicle densities. Lunch is at the legendary Salt Lick Safari Lodge, built on stilts with elevated walkways connecting the rooms. The lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole that attracts elephants, buffalo, lions, and sometimes leopards – you can watch from your bed or the underground photographic hide.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive in the sanctuary. Special wildlife includes the fringe‑eared oryx, gerenuk, greater kudu, and the endemic Taita falcon. The sanctuary also has a healthy population of African wild dog (painted wolf) – one of the rarest predators in Africa. Return to the lodge for dinner, then head to the underground hide (open 24/7) where you can photograph animals at eye level. Overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge – Request special rates →

 Day 4: Full Day in Taita Hills – Walking Safari, Waterhole Vigil & Sundowners

Guided bush walk        Hide photography     Sundowner viewpoint

Today is dedicated to total immersion. Awake at 06:00 for a walking safari (2‑3 hours) accompanied by an armed ranger. You’ll track animals on foot, learn to identify dung and footprints, and explore the ancient baobab groves. Return for breakfast. Then you can either relax by the pool or spend hours at the photographic hide – the lodge provides bean bags and camera rests.

After lunch, we drive to the southern sector of the sanctuary for an extended afternoon game drive and sundowner. This area is known for large herds of eland, zebra, and buffalo, and is the best place to spot the elusive serval cat. At 18:00, stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Taita Hills; your guide will serve drinks and snacks as the sun sets over the African savannah. Return to Salt Lick for a gourmet dinner.

Optional upgrade: Night game drive with spotlight (extra fee) – excellent for aardvark, genet, and bushbabies.

 Day 5: Taita Hills → Tsavo West → Amboseli – Mzima Springs & Kilimanjaro’s Shadow

 Underwater hippo observatory     Shetani lava     Kilimanjaro views

After breakfast, we depart Taita Hills and enter Tsavo West National Park. First stop: Mzima Springs, a natural oasis where 250 million liters of crystal‑clear water bubble up daily from underground. An underwater observatory allows you to see hippos, crocodiles, and giant tilapia swimming just below the surface – a unique experience that’s great for children and photographers alike. Then we drive past the Shetani Lava Flow, a black volcanic rock formation that erupted from a fissure a few hundred years ago. The name “Shetani” means “devil” in Swahili – local legends say a demon emerged from the lava.

We continue with an en‑route game drive, crossing into the Amboseli ecosystem. The landscape flattens, and suddenly Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) appears on the horizon – Africa’s highest peak. Arrive at Sentrim Amboseli Camp in late afternoon, just in time to see the mountain’s snows turn pink at sunset. Overnight at Sentrim Amboseli Camp.

Accommodation: Sentrim Amboseli Camp – Request rates →

Day 6: Amboseli National Park – Giants of Africa & Kilimanjaro Backdrops

World’s best elephant photography    Observation Hill     Swamp birding

Rise at 05:30 for a pre‑dawn coffee, then depart for an early morning game drive. Amboseli is globally renowned for its elephant population (over 1,600 individuals) and the stunning backdrop of Kilimanjaro. We drive straight to the Enkongo Narok swamp, where herds of elephants, buffalo, and hippos gather. The golden sunrise light on Kili’s glacier creates iconic postcard images. Keep your camera ready – you’ll see elephant families with tiny calves, dust‑bathing, and play‑fighting.

At 09:00, we stop at Observation Hill, a small volcanic cone that offers a 360‑degree panorama of the entire park. On clear days, Kilimanjaro seems close enough to touch. After a picnic breakfast, we explore the Lake Amboseli basin – a dry lakebed that sometimes floods, attracting flamingos and pelicans. In the afternoon, we visit the swamp loops near the lodge, where lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are often seen hunting. Return to Sentrim Camp for dinner.

📖 Did you know? The Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) has been studying the park’s elephants for over 50 years – some individuals have names like “Echo” and are known to millions through National Geographic documentaries.

Day 7: Amboseli → Lake Naivasha – Boat Safari & Crescent Island Walking Safari

Hippo boat ride   Walk among giraffes    African fish eagles

After breakfast, we drive to the Great Rift Valley (approx 5‑6 hours). The scenery changes dramatically as we ascend the escarpment overlooking Lake Naivasha – a freshwater lake with a healthy hippo population. Lunch is at a lakeside restaurant. Then we board a motorized boat for a 2‑hour safari. The lake is home to hundreds of hippos (watch their ears and eyes break the surface) and a spectacular array of birds: African fish eagles (they often dive for fish right in front of you), cormorants, pelicans, and herons.

The boat takes you to Crescent Island, a private wildlife sanctuary accessible only by boat. Here you can walk among the animals – an exhilarating experience. The island has no predators, so you can safely approach zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, elands, impalas, and waterbucks. Your guide will explain the ecology and point out bird nests. After the walk, we drive (approx 1 hour) to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving at Punda Milia Nakuru Camp in time for dinner. Overnight at Punda Milia.

Accommodation: Punda Milia Nakuru Camp – Request best rates →

 Day 8: Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingos, Rhinos & Lions

 Pink flamingo lake    Black & white rhinos    Makalia Falls

After breakfast, we enter the park with picnic lunch boxes. Lake Nakuru is famous for its huge flocks of lesser and greater flamingos – when conditions are right, over a million birds turn the lake into a living pink carpet. Even when water levels fluctuate, the birdlife is spectacular: pelicans, cormorants, and dozens of wader species. The park is also a rhino sanctuary, and you have excellent chances of seeing both black (critically endangered) and white rhinos grazing near the lake shore. Baboon Cliff offers a panoramic view of the entire park – a must for photography.

We’ll also explore Makalia Falls (a scenic waterfall) and the Lion Hill area, where lions are often found resting in the shade. Leopards are sometimes spotted in the acacia trees near the park entrance. In the late afternoon, return to Punda Milia Camp for dinner and overnight.

🔬 Conservation success: Lake Nakuru’s rhino population has rebounded from near extinction to over 100 individuals thanks to dedicated anti‑poaching efforts.

Day 9: Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara – The Great Migration Theater

 Endless plains    Afternoon game drive    Big Five guaranteed

Early breakfast, then drive to the crown jewel of Kenya: Masai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes us across the Loita Plains, where Maasai herders graze their cattle alongside zebras and wildebeests. Arrive at Enkorok Mara Camp in time for lunch. This classic tented camp sits along the Talek River – hippos grunt in the background as you eat.

At 15:30, we depart for an afternoon game drive. The Mara is part of the Serengeti‑Mara ecosystem, home to the highest concentration of large mammals on Earth. You can expect to see:

• Lions: Large prides (15+ individuals) are common; you may see them hunting or resting in the open.
• Leopards: Often found in the trees along the Talek River, sometimes with a kill.
• Elephants, buffalo, and rhino: The Mara is one of the few places where you can see all of the Big Five in a single day.
• Cheetahs: Frequent the open plains east of the Mara River.
• Great Migration (July–October): If your timing is right, witness wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River – crocodiles wait below.

Return to camp at 18:15 for dinner. Overnight at Enkorok Mara Camp.

Accommodation: Enkorok Mara Camp – Request rates & migration upgrade →

 Day 10: Maasai Mara → Nairobi – Final Game Drive & Farewell

Early morning predator watch    Return to Nairobi     End of safari

Wake up at 05:30 for one last early morning game drive – predators are most active at dawn. We’ll search for any animals you may have missed: perhaps a leopard dragging a kill into a tree, or a pack of hyenas finishing a night hunt. Return to Enkorok for a full breakfast (around 09:00). Then we pack up and begin the scenic drive back to Nairobi, with a final en‑route game drive as we leave the reserve. Stop at the Oloolaimutia Gate for a restroom break and souvenir shopping (local Maasai markets).

We arrive in Nairobi around 14:00-15:00, depending on traffic. You may choose to have a farewell lunch at a city restaurant like Carnivore Restaurant (famous for game meat) or Talisman (garden setting) – at your own account. Afterwards, we transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your outbound flight (recommended check‑in 3 hours before departure). If you are extending your stay, we’ll drop you at your hotel. Asante sana (thank you very much) for choosing Mara Triangle Safaris – we hope to welcome you again!