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Day 1
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Journey overview
About this safari
This private ten-day Kenya safari creates a broad coast-to-inland circuit through Tsavo West National Park, Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Bogoria, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park and Tsavo East National Park.
Tsavo West begins the journey with volcanic landscapes, wildlife, Mzima Springs and features such as Shetani Lava Flow. The following day reaches Nairobi, where time permitting the itinerary can include the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum before an overnight in the capital.
The route then crosses the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara for two nights and a full safari day. The Mara offers strong opportunities for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and other plains wildlife. During the migration season, large herds may enter the ecosystem, but their location and any river crossing remain natural and unpredictable.
Lake Nakuru follows, adding black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo and rich birdlife. Flamingos may occur in varying numbers, but their abundance changes with water and feeding conditions and should not be promised as a fixed spectacle.
Lake Bogoria adds a very different Rift Valley environment. The Ramsar Sites Information Service describes Bogoria as an alkaline soda lake dominated by hot springs and internationally important for waterbirds, especially Lesser Flamingos. The visit therefore focuses on landscape, birding, flamingos when present and geothermal features rather than presenting Bogoria as a conventional Big Five game-drive destination.
At Lake Naivasha, take a boat excursion followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island. Crescent Island is currently accessible by boat, and the boat transfer is operated independently from the sanctuary itself. The sanctuary walk provides opportunities to see plains wildlife and birds on foot under local guidance.
The final safari stages move south through Amboseli and then east into Tsavo East. Amboseli is known for large elephant herds and possible Mount Kilimanjaro views, while Tsavo East provides red-elephant country, the Galana ecosystem and the vast Yatta volcanic landscape before the journey returns to Mombasa.
Accommodation can be quoted at Economy, Standard or Luxury level. No fixed public price is shown because season, traveller category, park fees, accommodation location, group size and optional activities determine the final quotation.
Safari highlights
Why travellers choose this journey
- Tsavo West: start with volcanic landscapes, Mzima Springs, wildlife and dramatic viewpoints.
- Nairobi interlude: optional Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum visits when arrival time permits.
- Masai Mara: spend one full day plus arrival game viewing in Kenya’s classic big-cat country.
- Lake Nakuru: search for black and white rhinos and enjoy a rich Rift Valley birding environment.
- Lake Bogoria: experience an alkaline soda lake, hot springs and important Lesser Flamingo habitat.
- Equator crossing: include a photographic stop where practical on the route toward the northern Rift Valley.
- Lake Naivasha boat safari: look for fish eagles, pelicans, herons, kingfishers and hippos from the water.
- Crescent Island walking safari: explore an authorised sanctuary on foot after the boat transfer.
- Amboseli: photograph elephant herds beneath possible Kilimanjaro views.
- Tsavo East: finish with red elephants, open wilderness and the Yatta lava landscape.
- Return to the coast: end at the agreed Mombasa or Kenya Coast hotel.
Perfect forCouples, families, first-time Kenya travellers and coast-based visitors who want a longer private road safari combining major wildlife reserves with Rift Valley lakes.
Journey flow
Where this safari takes you
See the route in travel order, from the first stop to the final destination. Each stage connects directly to the detailed destination guide where available.
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Day 10
Finish
Mombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari beginsMombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari endsMombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari Types
How this journey is designed
These categories describe the style of safari you are booking.
Day by day
Your safari itinerary
Open each day to view the route, activities, meals, transport and accommodation details.
Meet your Greatlink Safaris driver-guide at the agreed coastal hotel and begin the journey inland on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway toward Tsavo West National Park.
Enter the park through the most suitable gate and begin game viewing en route to the selected lodge or tented camp.
After lunch, explore the park’s volcanic landscapes and wildlife. Depending on route and time, the drive may include areas near Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, Roaring Rocks or other scenic viewpoints.
Search for elephants, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, predators and birdlife until late afternoon.
Return to the lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationTsavo West lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast where applicable before departure; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drive ActivitiesTsavo West game viewing; volcanic landscapes; Mzima Springs/Shetani Lava Flow where practical
After breakfast, check out and enjoy wildlife viewing toward the park exit before continuing to Nairobi.
Arrive in Nairobi for lunch according to traffic and road conditions.
If sufficient time remains, visit the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. These attractions are included only when the final schedule and entrance arrangements are confirmed.
Check in at the Nairobi hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
AccommodationNairobi hotel — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch. Dinner only where specifically included. TransportPrivate Tsavo West–Nairobi road transfer and optional city excursion ActivitiesFinal Tsavo viewing; Nairobi transfer; optional Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum
After breakfast, leave Nairobi and travel through the Great Rift Valley toward Narok and Masai Mara National Reserve.
Where traffic and visibility permit, include a scenic Rift Valley stop. Continue through rural landscapes toward the Mara, arriving for lunch or early afternoon.
After check-in, begin an afternoon game drive across the open savannah. Search for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, topi, gazelles and other plains wildlife.
Continue until late afternoon or sunset before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationMasai Mara lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesGreat Rift Valley scenery; afternoon Masai Mara game drive; predator and Big Five search
Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with your private driver-guide.
The day can be split into morning and afternoon game drives with a midday lodge break, or arranged as a full-day safari with picnic lunch.
Search for the reserve’s predators and plains wildlife. Where practical, travel toward the Mara River for hippos, Nile crocodiles and riverine scenery.
During migration months, wildebeest and zebra may move through the ecosystem, but crossings cannot be scheduled or guaranteed.
Return to the lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationSame Masai Mara lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch or picnic lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesFull-day or split game drives; Big Five search; Mara River where practical; migration wildlife in season
After breakfast, check out and travel toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive in the Nakuru area for lunch and check-in.
In the afternoon, explore Lake Nakuru for black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra and rich birdlife.
Flamingos may be present along the lake edge, but their numbers fluctuate naturally. Where roads and time permit, include Baboon Cliff or Makalia Falls before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationLake Nakuru/Nakuru-area lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drive ActivitiesLake Nakuru game drive; rhino viewing; birding; flamingos when present; viewpoints
Begin with an early Lake Nakuru game drive when practical, return for breakfast, check out and continue north through the Rift Valley.
Stop near the Equator where the confirmed route provides a suitable and safe location.
Continue toward Lake Bogoria and arrive for lunch or early afternoon.
Explore the reserve and lakeshore with a focus on the alkaline landscape, geothermal features, birdlife and Lesser Flamingos when present. Lake Bogoria’s waterbird concentrations can change with lake conditions, so no fixed number of flamingos is promised.
Observe hot springs and geothermal areas only from authorised safe locations and follow reserve instructions.
Proceed to the confirmed Lake Bogoria/Baringo-area accommodation for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationLake Bogoria/Baringo-area hotel, lodge or camp — as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate road transfer and Lake Bogoria reserve visit ActivitiesEquator stop; Rift Valley scenery; Lake Bogoria flamingos when present; hot springs; birding
After breakfast, check out and travel south through the Rift Valley toward Lake Naivasha.
The route passes varied Rift Valley landscapes and may pass the Lake Elmenteita/Nakuru region depending on the selected road.
Arrive in Naivasha for lunch and prepare for the afternoon lake programme.
Take a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, searching for African Fish Eagle, pelicans, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, hippos and lake scenery. The boat captain determines safe wildlife-viewing distance and whether conditions are suitable to operate.
Continue by boat to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary for an authorised walking safari. Walk among plains wildlife and birds under sanctuary guidance before returning by boat.
Dinner and overnight in Naivasha.
AccommodationLake Naivasha hotel or lodge — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate road transfer; Lake Naivasha boat; Crescent Island walking safari ActivitiesRift Valley transfer; boat safari; birds and hippos; Crescent Island guided walk
After breakfast, check out and travel through the Nairobi corridor toward Amboseli National Park.
Arrive in the Amboseli area for lunch and check-in according to traffic conditions.
Spend the afternoon on a game drive searching for elephant herds, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, antelope, predators and birdlife.
Mount Kilimanjaro may appear beyond the plains when cloud conditions allow.
Continue until late afternoon before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationAmboseli lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate road transfer and game drive ActivitiesAmboseli elephant herds; wetlands; birdlife; Kilimanjaro when visible
After breakfast, check out and travel east toward Tsavo East National Park.
Enter the park and begin game viewing en route to the lodge or tented camp. Tsavo East is known for its red-earth landscapes and elephants that often appear dusted red.
After lunch, return to the park for an afternoon game drive. Depending on route, enjoy broad views associated with the Yatta Plateau and search for elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, antelope, predators and birds.
Continue until sunset before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationTsavo East lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drive ActivitiesTsavo East red elephants; Yatta Plateau scenery; afternoon wildlife drive
Begin with an early game drive when the lodge location and gate schedule permit, return for breakfast and check out.
Continue game viewing toward the park exit for final opportunities in the Tsavo ecosystem.
Lunch will be arranged according to the road-transfer schedule.
Drive back to Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and drop off at the agreed Mombasa or coastal hotel.
The ten-day Tsavo, Masai Mara, Rift Valley and Amboseli safari ends at the hotel drop-off.
AccommodationNo accommodation included after the coastal drop-off unless separately requested. MealsBreakfast; Lunch TransportPrivate Tsavo East–Mombasa/Coast road transfer ActivitiesEarly game drive where practical; final Tsavo East wildlife viewing; coast transfer
Shape your safari
Safari choices for your quotation
Select the options that interest you when requesting a quote. No fixed public price is shown because the final quotation depends on dates, traveller numbers, availability and your preferred travel style.
Accommodation
Good-value hotels, lodges or camps along the coast-to-Rift-Valley safari circuit, selected according to route, dates and availability.
Comfortable mid-range accommodation with practical access to the protected areas and the confirmed meal plan.
Premium lodges or tented camps selected for stronger location, service and comfort, subject to availability.
Experience
Add confirmed entrance to the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum on Day 2 when road arrival and attraction opening hours allow.
Upgrade the Day 7 lake excursion to a private boat arrangement focused on birds, scenery and safe wildlife viewing.
Service
English-speaking guiding is standard. Another available language may be requested and is subject to guide availability.
Before you travel
Know before you go
Long road safari: this itinerary covers a large part of Kenya. Several transfer days are substantial, and published kilometre and time estimates should be treated as approximate rather than guaranteed.
Tsavo West: Mzima Springs, volcanic features and wildlife are the main attractions. Exact routing depends on the selected lodge, gate and road condition.
Nairobi Day 2: the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum are included only when the Tsavo West departure, traffic and attraction opening hours allow enough time. The final Nairobi programme is confirmed after accommodation and road routing are known.
Masai Mara: wildlife is free-ranging and no Big Five sighting or migration event can be guaranteed.
Lake Nakuru flamingos: flamingo numbers fluctuate. Lake Nakuru remains a strong rhino and birding destination even when flamingo concentrations are lower.
Lake Bogoria: Bogoria is an alkaline soda lake and Ramsar wetland dominated by hot springs. Visitors must respect local safety instructions around geothermal areas; boiling springs and unstable ground should never be approached outside authorised areas.
Lake Naivasha: boat excursions are weather- and safety-dependent. Hippos require substantial viewing distance.
Crescent Island: the sanctuary is boat-access only at present. Boat operators are independent of Crescent Island, and island entry is handled separately. The confirmed Greatlink package coordinates both components for the client.
Amboseli: Kilimanjaro views are weather-dependent. The park remains rewarding even when the mountain is hidden because of its elephants, wetlands and birds.
Tsavo East: KWS identifies the Yatta Plateau as the world’s longest lava flow and Tsavo East as a stronghold for red elephants. Sightings and visibility depend on the day’s route.
Included
What is included
- Private pick-up from the agreed Mombasa or Kenya Coast hotel on Day 1.
- Private road safari transport throughout in a pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser unless another vehicle is confirmed.
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari. Other guide languages can be requested.
- One night in the Tsavo West area.
- One night in Nairobi.
- Two nights in the Masai Mara.
- One night in the Lake Nakuru/Nakuru area.
- One night in the Lake Bogoria/Baringo area.
- One night in the Lake Naivasha area.
- One night in the Amboseli area.
- One night in the Tsavo East area.
- Accommodation in the selected Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- Meals specifically shown in the final itinerary.
- Tsavo West National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drives.
- Masai Mara conservation/entry fees applicable to the confirmed reserve sector and safari days.
- Lake Nakuru National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drive.
- Lake Bogoria reserve/site entry fees for the included visit where applicable to the confirmed programme.
- Lake Naivasha boat excursion on Day 7 as confirmed with the selected boat operator.
- Crescent Island entry and walking-safari arrangement on Day 7 where confirmed.
- Amboseli National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drive.
- Tsavo East National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drives.
- All game drives specifically described in the confirmed itinerary.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle during Greatlink Safaris road transfers and game drives.
- Private return transfer to the agreed Mombasa/Coast hotel on Day 10.
- Emergency medical evacuation cover where expressly included and subject to provider terms.
- Applicable Kenyan government taxes and statutory local levies for the services specifically included.
Not included
What is excluded
- International, regional or domestic flights unless specifically added.
- Kenya entry authorization, visa, passport or immigration-related costs.
- Mombasa/Coast accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 10 unless separately included.
- Comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, baggage and personal-accident insurance.
- Alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, minibar items and beverages not included in the confirmed meal plan.
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, local guides, boat crews, lodge staff and other service teams.
- Laundry, spa services, telephone calls, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
- Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum entrance fees unless the Day 2 Nairobi excursion is expressly included.
- Additional Lake Naivasha boat time, specialist birding boat or other water activities beyond the confirmed excursion.
- Any hot-spring bathing or unauthorised geothermal access at Lake Bogoria.
- Hot-air balloon safari or cultural visits in the Masai Mara unless separately added.
- Accommodation, room, vehicle or guide upgrades beyond the confirmed category.
- Additional services resulting from voluntary itinerary changes after confirmation.
- Costs arising from severe weather, floods, road closure, park closure, government restrictions or other circumstances beyond the operator’s reasonable control except where applicable supplier terms provide otherwise.
