14 - Days Kenya’s Best Kept Safari Secrets -Big 5 & great Migration Tour
This 14-day private safari showcases Kenya’s “best kept safari secrets,” combining iconic parks, hidden gems, and rich wildlife encounters. Guests explore Tsavo East & West, Amboseli, Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara, experiencing the Big 5, wildebeest migration, rare species, and spectacular landscapes. The safari uses mid-range to luxury lodges and tented camps with prime locations, ensuring excellent wildlife viewing and comfort. Private 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs and experienced guides provide a personalized, immersive safari experience.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Tsavo East & West, Amboseli, Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
- Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra (seasonal).
- Big 5 sightings: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino.
- Visit Mzima Springs, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, and Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
- Game drives, evening/optional night drives, and walking safaris with armed guides.
- Birdwatching with a professional guide.
- Cultural experiences with Maasai communities.
- Scenic drives through the Rift Valley and savannah landscapes.
Itinerary
- You will be collected from the airport.
- Accommodation before the tour starts is not included in this package. We can help organize it for you at an extra cost.
Pick up from the hotel at 7:30 am or Airport upon landing, short safari briefing by one of our travel consultants. We will then hit the road to Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks.
The two parks form the largest National park in the world and cover a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area.
Tsavo East is the largest of the two lies to the east of the Nairobi to Mombasa road, equidistant between the two, and offers a vast and untapped arena of arid bush which is washed by azure and emerald meandering of Galana River.
Guarded by the limitless lava reaches of Yatta plateau and patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds.
We will be arriving at the lodge in good time for early lunch after an introductory game in this park. Afternoon at leisure, the late afternoon 4.30 p.m game viewing / exploring the park in places such as elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, kudu, zebra and hartebeest.
- Main Destination: Tsavo East National Park
- Accommodation: Ashnil Aruba {https://www.ashnilhotels.com/aruba/} - Mid-range tented camp located inside Tsavo East NP
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water, (Other drinks not included)
When in Tsavo East, we rise with the birds, that is, before the sun. Our early morning game drive will afford us exquisite views of the park emerging in the dawning light.
Breakfast follows at our lodge or tented camp and then we are off again on another game drive to discover buffalo, impala, eland, and some of the park’s 500 species of birds.
Soon it is time to journey to Tsavo West. The short drive there will give us more opportunities to spot wildlife.
The look and feel of this park are different – more color, more foliage, and some very green surprises like Mzima Springs.
The crystal waters feeding this haven and the palm-shrouded banks impart the feeling of a lush oasis. We will look for hippo, crocodile, exotic fish, and migratory birdlife.
The park also is home to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, protecting at least 80 of these endangered animals. We will drive through and perhaps spot some of the magnificent rhinos.
- Main Destination: Tsavo West National Park
- Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge {https://www.serenahotels.com/kilaguni} - Luxury lodge located inside Tsavo West NP
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water, (Other drinks not included)
Early pre-breakfast game drive, exit for morning game drive listening to the birdsong sticking out your eyes for the first stirrings of the game as it emerges from the night, ready to explore.
The park’s Mzima Springs is a lovely surprise of greenery, palm trees, and an unending flow of crystalline water.
Mzima means “life” in Swahili and this lush spot is life giving for the hippos, crocodiles, and exotic fish that inhabit this special place. Other animals include; Elephant, zebras, and other wildlife that naturally flock to this Eden.
We will later exit and drive to Amboseli National Park. We will follow the towering guide of Mt. Kilimanjaro to set our course. This smaller park lies at the foot of Africa’s tallest peak and together they create amazing vistas and perfect photos.
We will arrive at the park by mid-morning ready for lunch and then set out for a game drive. Amboseli is famous for its herds of elephants marching proudly before a backdrop of the iconic mountain.
- Main Destination: Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp {https://kibosafaricamp.com/} - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Amboseli NP
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Wake before dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive within the park. Kilimanjaro never looks quite as beautiful as she does first thing in the morning.
You will get to see predators such as leopards, lions, and cheetahs out on the prowl in the cooler morning air.
They do not call Amboseli the “Royal Court of Kilimanjaro” for nothing. As you take in its large elephant herds and the stunning panorama of Mt. Kilimanjaro, you will see why this is one of Kenya's most beloved parks.
After your morning game drive and a late breakfast, relax at the lodge for a few hours before heading out into the park again in the afternoon.
With the animals largely inactive during the warm midday hours, you can get some rest before catching them out in the cooling afternoon air.
- Main Destination: Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp {https://kibosafaricamp.com/} - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Amboseli NP
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After a light breakfast, you will go on a morning game drive to view the early hunters. After bidding good-bye to Amboseli’s predators, you will return to the camp.
You will enjoy a game drive as you leave the park and make your way to the Aberdares via Nairobi. Enjoy a late lunch at the Aberdares Country Club and then transfer to the Ark.
The Ark has four viewing decks with balconies and lounges to provide superb game viewing from the comfort of the lodge. The animals come to you! Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the Ark.
- Main Destination: Aberdare National Park
- Accommodation: The Ark { https://thearkkenya.com/} - Mid-range lodge located inside Aberdare NP
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Depart from Aberdare after breakfast and head to Samburu National Reserve, driving through the rugged wilderness along the way. Arrive in time for lunch at the Samburu Sopa Lodge and then relax before getting ready for your first afternoon game drive.
Samburu National Reserve offers distinctive vistas of rugged and undulating hills. The mix of grassland and wood with a swamp and riverine forest makes the reserve home to a variety of animals and birdlife.
Wildlife viewing in the reserve is excellent due to its visibility. Return to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
- Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge { https://sopalodges.com/samburu-sopa-lodge/the-lodge} - Mid-range lodge located inside Samburu NR
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Enjoy a full day in Samburu Game Reserve. Begin your first game drive at 0630hrs and then return to the lodge for breakfast. Later you will leave your lodge with a packed lunch in hand to explore both Samburu and Buffalo Springs Reserves.
You will have the chance to spot oryx, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, crocodiles, hippos, herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyena, cheetahs, and (if you are lucky enough) the elusive leopard.
You may also opt to spend the entire day exploring the reserve with a packed picnic breakfast and lunch.
A visit to a cultural village may be organised if you are interested. Return to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Samburu National Reserve
- Accommodation: Samburu Sopa Lodge { https://sopalodges.com/samburu-sopa-lodge/the-lodge} - Mid-range lodge located inside Samburu NR
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Check out and drive onto the Laikipia plains and into the Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy. On arrival, you will check-in at your lodge and have lunch.
After some leisure time, you will go on an evening game drive from 16. 00hrs until sunset. During your game drives, you will also visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
- Main Destination: Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Laikipia)
- Accommodation: Rhino Watch Safari Lodge { http://rhinowatchlodge.com/} - Mid-range lodge located outside Ol Pejeta
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, you will depart at 0800hrs for Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. This park is renowned for its spectacular flamingo population and as one of the world's greatest ornithological sites.
Stop at the stunning Thompson Falls and the Subukia viewpoint for photos. You will arrive in Lake Nakuru National Park with enough time to relax before lunch.
Later you will have a game drive in the park from 1600hrs until sunset. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
- Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge { https://lakenakurulodge.com/} - Mid-range lodge located inside Lake Nakuru NP
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Depart from your lodge after an early breakfast and drive through the scenic Rift Valley to Masai Mara. You will enjoy breathtaking views of hills, grasslands, extinct volcanoes, and wheat plantations.
Arrive at this world-famous game reserve in time for lunch at the Zebra Plains Mara Camp. You will have some time to relax before getting ready for a late afternoon game drive.
Your game drive will help you understand why Masai Mara is the most famous national reserve in the world.
the concentration of wildlife here will surprise you. Return to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Julia's River Camp { http://www.juliasrivercamp.com/] - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will spend the full day viewing wildlife across the rich, tree-studded grassland and rolling hills of the Masai Mara.
The Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game, black-maned lions, leopards, and cheetahs. It also contains numerous elephants and virtually every type of wildlife found in Kenya. In the evening you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Julia's River { http://www.juliasrivercamp.com/] - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will spend the full day viewing wildlife across the rich, tree-studded grassland and rolling hills of the Masai Mara.
The Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game, black-maned lions, leopards, and cheetahs. It also contains numerous elephants and virtually every type of wildlife found in Kenya. In the evening you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Julia's River { http://www.juliasrivercamp.com/] - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After an early morning breakfast at your lodge, you will check out and then go on one last game drive in the Masai Mara. You will then begin your drive back to Nairobi, with lunch en-route.
We will be arriving back in Nairobi by late afternoon where the safari ends with Hotel or Airport drop off for your outbound flight back home.
- Main Destination: Nairobi (City)
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour:
- Last Night Hotel accommodation this day is not included in the package. We can help organize it for you at an extra cost though.
- Drop off will be back to the Hotel or airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- - Accommodation as outlined above.
- - All meals noted in the itinerary.
- - Each day generally includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner buffets consisting of both western and local dishes.
- - Transportation in a standard game viewing safari vehicle complete with a pop-up roof for easy viewing and photography.
- - Every passenger is guaranteed a window seat.
- - Your driver/guide speaks English and has in-depth knowledge of the flora, fauna, landscape, and culture.
- - A 4x 4 Safari Van/safari Land cruiser of pop up roof outfitted with two-way, long-range high-frequency radio communications equipment in Tanzania.
- - Each safari vehicle carries safari accessories including wildlife books, binoculars for the guide, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.
- - Flying doctors (AMREF) insurance covers each client doing a safari with us just for emergencies
- - Park entrance fees and game drive as noted in the itinerary.
- - All government taxes, levies, 2 liters of bottled water during safari
- - Pick up from the airport/your hotel and drop off back to the hotel or airport in good time for your outbound flight after the trip.
Cost Excludes
- - Domestic and international airfares and departure taxes.
- - Personal communications charges for telephone calls, faxes, email, etc.
- - Tips and gratuities for your driver/guide.
- - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- - Laundry services.
- - Between meal snacks, parks, attractions, and events not included in your itinerary
