Unmatched Expeditions · Kenya
20-Day Kenya Safari + Beach Itinerary
2 – Samburu National Reserve • 2 – Ol Pejeta Conservancy • 2 – Lake Nakuru National Park • 2 – Lake Naivasha • 3 – Masai Mara National Reserve • 2 – Amboseli National Park • 2 – Tsavo West National Park • 4 – Mombasa
Safari Overview
| Company | Unmatched Expeditions |
| Duration | 20 Days / 19 Nights |
| Cost pps | $8,992 |
| Start | Nairobi, Kenya |
| End | Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA) |
| Parks Visited | Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West |
| Beach | Mombasa |
| 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 |
| Excluded | International flights, visas, tips/gratuities, hot air balloon safari, personal expenses, travel insurance |
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 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
- Late afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River
Day 2
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in park — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Samburu |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Leopard, cheetah, wild dog, dwarf mongoose, Pel’s fishing owl |
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: ~150 km (approx. 3.5 hours via Nanyuki) |
| Stay | Sweetwaters Serena Camp |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| 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 lodge |
| 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)
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 | Breakfast, 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; arrive at Lake Nakuru by mid-morning
- Afternoon game drive around the lake shore — famous for flamingos and white rhino
- Spot Rothschild’s giraffe, one of the world’s rarest giraffe subspecies
- Visit Makalia Falls and the baboon cliff viewpoints
Day 6
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
| Transfer | Full day in park — no transfer |
| Stay | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | African fish eagle, marabou stork, cormorant, reedbuck, waterbuck, eland |
Daily Programme
- Full day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Early morning rhino tracking — both black and white rhino
- Visit Lion Hill for panoramic views over the flamingo-fringed lake
- Afternoon drives along the southern shores where leopards are frequently spotted
- Sundowner with views over the shimmering pink lake
Day 7
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
- 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 (walking with wildlife)
Day 8
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha
| Transfer | Full day at lodge |
| Stay | The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, rock hyrax, lammergeier vulture |
Daily Programme
- Rest at lodge
- Swimming, or optional golf at the resort (at own cost)
Day 9
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 lodge |
| Wildlife | Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo (Big Five), cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, topi, hyena |
Daily Programme
- Scenic drive 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 evening game drive
Day 10
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| 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 11
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Hippo (Mara River), crocodile, elephant, leopard, lion (in trees), jackal |
Daily Programme
- Dawn game drive — best time for lion hunts and cheetah activity
- Sunset photography on the open plains
- Farewell dinner at camp under the African sky
Day 12
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 lodge
- Evening game drive around the swamps and open plains
- Observe massive elephant herds crossing the dusty plains beneath Africa’s highest peak
- Sunset photography at Observation Hill
Day 13
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 14
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 15
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 16
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Tsavo West to Mombasa: ~280 km (approx. 5–6 hours drive) |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | 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
Days 17–19
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
Mombasa (Beach Resort)
| Transfer | Full days at resort — no transfer |
| Stay | Voyager Beach Resort Mombasa |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at resort (daily) |
Daily Programme
- Start or end your days with peaceful beach walks during sunrise or sunset along the shoreline
- Enjoy the resort’s facilities, lounge by the beach, or choose from a selection of optional activities (available at your own cost)
- Try kite surfing, go snorkeling at the Mombasa Marine National Park, or take scenic boat rides along the coast
- Visit Haller Park (a transformed quarry turned nature sanctuary featuring giant tortoises, giraffes, and hippos) or Nguuni Nature Sanctuary (famous for sunset views, giraffes, and ostriches)
- Guided Swahili village cultural visit to explore local heritage, crafts, and traditional coastal living
Day 20
Return to Nairobi
Return to Nairobi
| Transfer | Resort to Mombasa Airport / Nairobi transfer |
| Stay | Departure day |
| Meals | Breakfast at the resort |
Daily Programme
- Morning: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the resort followed by a final morning walk along the beach or a dip in the pool
- Late Morning: Check out of the resort and prepare for your onward journey or transfer home
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
- The Mara–Nairobi return leg can optionally be done by scheduled charter flight (approx. 45 minutes) to save time
- The Mombasa leg can be done via SGR train with the associated costs to be communicated
Health & Safety
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
- Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari 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
- Binoculars, camera, extra memory cards and batteries
- Soft-sided bags recommended as bush planes have strict weight limits (typically 15 kg)
- Light clothes for the beach holiday