12-Day North to South Kenya Safari Itinerary

Upon arrival at JKIA Nairobi airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn where you are booked for 2 nights on bed & breakfast basis.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an Out-of-Africa tour where you will visit the Giraffe Centre Sanctuary and Karen Blixen Museum, followed by lunch at the Utamaduni Cultural Centre, return to your hotel for dinner & overnight.

After breakfast, depart with all your luggage driving North of Nairobi past one of the world’s largest pineapple plantations, coming into the agricultural rich central highlands of Kenya where vast farms of Kenya’s arabica coffee are located, enjoying the scenic views of the seemingly never-ending Aberdare range of mountains, proceed further North past the Equator driving through the scenic slopes of Mt. Kenya before arriving at Samburu National Reserve for lunch and check-in at your lodge where you are booked for 2 nights.

Samburu National Reserve: is a premier safari destination in Northern Kenya, renowned for its rare wildlife species and stunning landscapes. It spans 165 km² along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, offering a mix of savannah, riverine forests, and rugged terrain that supports diverse animal life.

Situated in Samburu County, about 350 km north of Nairobi, it is famous for the “Samburu Special Five” — Grevy’s Zebra (distinct narrow stripes), Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk (giraffe-antelope) and Beisa Oryx. Other wildlife include over 900 elephants, predators and abundant birdlife with more than 450 recorded species. The Ewaso Ng’iro River runs through the reserve, providing a vital water source for wildlife and lush vegetation like doum palms and acacia trees. The reserve was home to Kamunyak, the famous lioness known for adopting a baby oryx. Its remote wilderness and cultural ties with the Samburu people add depth to the safari experience.

Morning & afternoon game viewing drives, all meals at your lodge.

Morning & afternoon game viewing drives, all meals at your lodge.

After breakfast in Samburu National Reserve, depart with your luggage heading South-west to your next destination, Sweetwaters Tented Camp located right on the geographical Equator Line, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game viewing drive before returning to your camp for dinner & overnight.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy: situated in Laikipia County, Central Kenya right on the Equator, is one of Kenya’s most important wildlife sanctuaries, lying between the Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya, and offering spectacular views of both. It has the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa with over 100 individuals.

It combines cutting-edge conservation work with community development and sustainable tourism. It is here where world-renowned conservationist Jane Goodall started a sanctuary for the endangered chimpanzees which were rescued from Central Africa where they were faced with imminent extinction. These chimps have today found a safe home and their numbers have since doubled whilst in this sanctuary which is not their endemic habitat. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is also home to the extremely endangered Northern White Rhinos where the world’s only two surviving Northern Whites, Najin and Fatu, are found. Ol Pejeta gained global attention as the home of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, who passed away in 2018. His legacy continues through advanced reproductive technologies aimed at saving the subspecies.

Morning & afternoon game viewing activities with a visit to the Chimps & rhino sanctuaries. All meals & overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

Morning & afternoon game viewing activities within the conservancy. All meals & overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

After breakfast in Sweetwaters, drive South into Nairobi, lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn followed by afternoon drive, further South to Amboseli National Park where you are booked for 3 nights at Tulia Camp.

Amboseli National Park: is found in Loitoktok District in southern Kenya, near the Tanzania border. It is one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations covering 392 km² (151 sq mi), world-famous for its large elephant herds and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. It offers a unique blend of wildlife, landscapes, and cultural experiences that make it a must-visit for travelers. It is cited by UNESCO as a Biosphere, the perfect co-existence of man & nature! Amboseli, being a semi-arid scrubland, is survived by two unique and natural swamps with floating vegetation. These swamps get their water through underground rivers coming in from the nearby Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is this floating vegetation that attracts numerous elephant families that make their way from the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro every morning to spend the day foraging through these swamps until late afternoon when they make their way back to the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli is nicknamed the “Home of the African Elephant” for its exceptionally large herds; visitors often see dozens of elephants at once. It is one of the best places in Africa for close-up elephant photography as well as a key site for elephant research, contributing to global understanding of elephant behavior and conservation. Additionally, Amboseli has over 400 bird species thriving in its swamps and wetlands, besides numerous other animal species.

Morning & afternoon game viewing activities within Amboseli National Park. Meals & overnight at Tulia Camp.

Morning & afternoon game viewing activities within Amboseli National Park. Meals & overnight at Tulia Camp.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Amboseli National Park mid-morning, drive back to Nairobi, JKIA for your homebound flight.