Unmatched Expeditions · Kenya
18-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Itinerary
2 – Samburu National Reserve • 2 – Ol Pejeta Conservancy • 1 – Lake Nakuru National Park • 1 – Lake Naivasha • 3 – Masai Mara National Reserve • 2 – Amboseli National Park • 2 – Tsavo West National Park • 4 – Mombasa
Safari Overview
| Company | Unmatched Expeditions |
| Duration | 18 Days / 17 Nights |
| Cost pps | $8,104 |
| Start | Nairobi, Kenya |
| End | Mombasa / Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA) |
| Parks & Destinations | Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Mombasa (Bamburi/Nyali Beach) |
| Best Season | Year-round — Great Migration (July–Oct) in Masai Mara |
| Vehicle | 4WD Safari Land Cruiser / Land Rover |
| Included | Accommodation, stated meals, park entry fees, game drives, beach resort stay in Mombasa |
| Excluded | International flights, visas, tips/gratuities, hot air balloon safari, personal expenses, travel insurance, water sports/extra activities in Mombasa |
Day 1
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve
| Transfer | Nairobi to Samburu: ~340 km (approx. 6 hours via Nanyuki) |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Samburu |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich (‘Samburu Special Five’), lion, leopard, elephant |
Daily Programme
- Early departure from Nairobi northward through the central highlands
- Scenic drive through Nanyuki town with views of Mount Kenya
- Cross the equator — photo stop at the equator monument
- Arrive at Samburu in the early afternoon and check in at lodge
- Late afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River
Day 2
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Samburu |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Leopard, cheetah, wild dog, dwarf mongoose, Pel’s fishing owl, ‘Samburu Special Five’ |
Daily Programme
- Full day of game drives in Samburu National Reserve
- Search for the rare ‘Samburu Special Five’ — unique northern Kenya species
- Afternoon river bank game drive — crocodile, elephant and lion sightings common
- Sundowner on a rocky outcrop overlooking the reserve
Day 3
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
| Transfer | Samburu to Ol Pejeta: ~130 km (approx. 3.5 hours via Nanyuki) |
| Stay | Sweetwaters Serena Camp |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Northern white rhino, black rhino, lion, elephant, cheetah, wild dog, hippo |
Daily Programme
- Morning drive southward along the foothills of Mount Kenya
- Arrive at Ol Pejeta — home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos
- Afternoon visit to the northern white rhino enclosure — a poignant conservation experience
- Explore the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary (one of East Africa’s largest chimpanzee sanctuaries)
- Sundowner game drive on the open plains
Day 4
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
| Transfer | Full day in conservancy — no transfer |
| Stay | Sweetwaters Serena Camp |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Rhino (black & northern white), cheetah, lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe |
Daily Programme
- Full day of activities within Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Early morning game drive — cheetah and lion often spotted at dawn
- Visit the black rhino sanctuary (Ol Pejeta has the largest population of black rhino in East Africa)
- Afternoon visit to the Baraka animal sanctuary (blind black rhino)
Day 5
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
| Transfer | Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru: ~175 km (approx. 4 hours via Nakuru town) |
| Stay | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Flamingo (lesser & greater), white rhino, black rhino, lion, leopard, Rothschild’s giraffe, hippo, pelican |
Daily Programme
- Morning departure from Ol Pejeta descending into the Rift Valley
- Arrive at Lake Nakuru by mid-morning and check in
- Afternoon game drive around the lake shore — famous for flamingos and rhinos
- Spot Rothschild’s giraffe, one of the world’s rarest giraffe subspecies
- Visit Makalia Falls and the Baboon Cliff viewpoints for panoramic views over the lake
Day 6
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha
| Transfer | Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha: ~80 km (approx. 1.5–2 hours) |
| Stay | The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Hippos in Lake Naivasha; African fish eagle, pelican, cormorant, waterbuck, giraffe (on Crescent Island) |
Daily Programme
- Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park for final wildlife tracking
- Scenic drive to Lake Naivasha, arriving around mid-day
- Check in at the Great Rift Valley Lodge perched on the Eburru escarpment
- Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha — spot hippos, fish eagles, and a variety of water birds
- Visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary for a unique walking safari with wildlife
Day 7
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara: ~240 km (approx. 5 hours via Narok) |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo (Big Five), cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, topi, hyena |
Daily Programme
- Depart Lake Naivasha driving south through Narok town and the vast Mara ecosystem
- Arrive at Masai Mara by early afternoon
- Afternoon game drive across the world’s most famous wildlife reserve
- Look out for the Big Five on your first Mara game drive
Day 8
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, grey-crowned crane, Secretary bird, Masai giraffe |
Daily Programme
- Full day Big Five game drives in the Masai Mara
- Visit the Mara River — famous crossing site of the Great Migration (July–October)
- Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn over the Mara plains (additional cost)
- Afternoon visit to a Maasai manyatta (village) for cultural interaction (optional at own cost)
Day 9
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Hippo (Mara River), crocodile, elephant, leopard, lion (in trees), jackal |
Daily Programme
- Dawn game drive — best time for lion hunts and cheetah activity
- Exploration of lesser-traveled sectors of the reserve
- Sunset photography on the open plains
- Farewell dinner at camp under the African sky
Day 10
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
| Transfer | Masai Mara to Amboseli: ~520 km (approx. 7–8 hours via Narok & Southern Bypass) |
| Stay | Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Elephant (largest concentration in Kenya), lion, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, hyena, Cape buffalo |
Daily Programme
- Early morning departure from Masai Mara driving east across the Great Rift Valley towards Amboseli
- Check in at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in the late afternoon
- Late afternoon game drive around the swamps beneath Mount Kilimanjaro
- Observe massive elephant herds crossing the dusty plains
- Sunset photography at Observation Hill with views of Africa’s highest peak
Day 11
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
| Transfer | Full day in park — no transfer |
| Stay | Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Superb starling, flamingo, pelican, saddle-billed stork, gerenuk, impala |
Daily Programme
- Early morning game drive for the best Kilimanjaro visibility and predator activity
- Visit the Enkongo Narok Swamp — rich in hippos, pelicans, and hundreds of water birds
- Afternoon Maasai cultural village visit (optional & at own cost)
- Evening sundowner with Kilimanjaro backdrop
Day 12
Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park
| Transfer | Amboseli to Tsavo West: ~100 km (approx. 2–3 hours via Chyulu Gate) |
| Stay | Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge OR Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hippo, crocodile, buffalo, giraffe, zebra |
Daily Programme
- Morning departure from Amboseli, entering Tsavo West via Chyulu Gate
- Afternoon game drive: look out for elephants, lions, cheetahs, and the famous Tsavo red elephants
- Visit Mzima Springs: a natural oasis where hippos and crocodiles can be observed through an underwater viewing chamber
- Sundowner at your lodge overlooking the Chyulu Hills
Day 13
Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park
| Transfer | Full day in park — no transfer |
| Stay | Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge OR Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Leopard, wild dog, lesser kudu, gerenuk, eland, over 600 bird species |
Daily Programme
- Full day of game drives in Tsavo West
- Explore the volcanic Shetani Lava Fields (one of Kenya’s most dramatic landscapes)
- Visit Roaring Rocks viewpoint for sweeping views across the savannah
- Optional: guided walk at Ziwani or birdwatching session (over 600 bird species recorded)
Day 14
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Tsavo West to Mombasa: ~280 km (approx. 5–6 hours drive or SGR train via Voi) |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | Breakfast at lodge, Lunch & Dinner at resort |
| Highlights | Indian Ocean coastline, tropical palm beaches, swimming pools, watersports |
Daily Programme
- Morning departure from Tsavo West heading southeast towards the Kenyan Coast
- Drive through palm-fringed coastal landscapes arriving in Mombasa by early afternoon
- Check in at Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa along Nyali / Bamburi beach
- Relaxation by the ocean or swimming pools after your safari adventure
- Dinner and evening entertainment at the resort
Day 15
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Full day at beach resort — no transfer |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at resort |
| Highlights | Water sports, beach volleyball, marine park snorkel tours, sunbathing |
Daily Programme
- Full day at leisure enjoying the tropical amenities of Voyager Beach Resort
- Optional water sports, deep-sea fishing, or glass-bottom boat tour at Mombasa Marine Park
- Relax on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean
- Evening dinner and cultural performances at the resort
Day 16
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Full day at beach resort — no transfer |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at resort |
| Highlights | Mombasa Old Town excursion, Fort Jesus, spice markets, coastal cuisine |
Daily Programme
- Full day at leisure or optional excursion into Mombasa Old Town
- Visit historic Fort Jesus (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and explore Swahili architecture and local spice markets (optional)
- Unwind with sunset cocktails overlooking the ocean
- Dinner and overnight stay at Voyager Beach Resort
Day 17
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Full day at beach resort — no transfer |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at resort |
| Highlights | Relaxation, spa treatments, sunset dhow cruise, seafood dining |
Daily Programme
- Final full day of beach relaxation and tropical comfort
- Optional spa treatments, beach walk, or a traditional Swahili dhow cruise at sunset
- Special farewell dinner at Voyager Beach Resort celebrating your Kenya safari & beach expedition
Day 18
Mombasa / Return to Nairobi / Departure
Mombasa / Return to Nairobi / Departure
| Transfer | Resort to Mombasa Airport / SGR Station or Nairobi transfer |
| Stay | Departure day |
| Meals | Breakfast at resort |
Daily Programme
- Breakfast at Voyager Beach Resort and check-out
- Transfer to Moi International Airport (Mombasa) for flight home, OR take the Madaraka Express SGR train back to Nairobi
- Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) for onward international departure flights
Important Notes
Road Conditions & Travel Times
- All distances and travel times are approximate and may vary due to road conditions, weather, and stops
- Kenya’s roads range from tarmac (highways) to murram (gravel/dirt) tracks within the parks — a 4WD vehicle is essential
- Long road legs (such as Masai Mara to Amboseli or Tsavo to Mombasa) can optionally be done by scheduled domestic flights or SGR train to save travel time
Health & Safety
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
- Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari and coastal destinations listed
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is required
Packing Essentials
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown) — avoid white, blue and black which attract insects
- Warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives, sunscreen, sunhat, bug repellent, and beachwear/swimwear for Mombasa
- Binoculars, camera, extra memory cards and batteries
- Soft-sided bags recommended as bush planes have strict weight limits (typically 15 kg)