11 Days Great Rift Valley to Amboseli

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with this 11-Day Kenya Safari from Nairobi to Wild North, Great Rift Valley & Amboseli. This expertly curated journey takes you deep into Kenya’s most iconic and diverse national parks and reserves.

Your safari begins in Meru National Park, a rarely visited gem offering a mix of rivers, doum palm groves, and open grasslands. Enjoy your first game drives here, spotting elephants, lions, and even the elusive lesser kudu. On Day 2, explore the park in depth, visit Elsa the lioness’s grave from Born Free, and encounter both black and white rhinos in a secure sanctuary.

Next, head north to Samburu National Reserve, crossing the equator into Kenya’s wild frontier. Famous for its “Samburu Special Five” – including the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe – Samburu also hosts big cats and vast elephant herds. Spend a full day here, with optional visits to a local Samburu village to immerse yourself in cultural traditions.

The journey continues south into the Great Rift Valley, where you’ll descend into the scenic basin to discover Lake Nakuru National Park. Known for its rhino sanctuary and seasonal flamingo populations, Lake Nakuru also provides opportunities to spot lions, leopards, and a wealth of birdlife.

From here, travel to the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five and the world-famous Great Migration (seasonal). Spend two days exploring the Mara’s endless savannahs with chances to see cheetahs, wildebeests, and over 450 bird species. Optional hot air balloon safaris add a magical perspective.

Your Kenya safari then leads you to the peaceful Lake Naivasha, where boat rides bring you close to hippos and African fish eagles, and a walking safari on Crescent Island lets you stroll among giraffes and zebras.

Finally, venture south to Amboseli National Park, set against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Conclude your 11-Day Kenya Safari from Nairobi to Wild North, Great Rift Valley & Amboseli with a scenic return to Nairobi.

Additional information

Duration	11 Days
Country	Kenya
Attractions	11-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary- From Nairobi to Wild North, Great Rift Valley & Amboseli
Level	Meru National Park,Samburu National Reserve,Lake Nakuru National Park,Masai mara,Lake Naivasha,Amboseli National Park and Tsavo National Park
Physical Condition	It doesn’t matter
Best Time	All year round

Day 1

Nairobi – Meru National Park

Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive. Meru offers diverse landscapes – rivers, grasslands, and doum palm groves – and is home to elephants, lions, buffalos, cheetahs, and the elusive lesser kudu. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight within the park.

Day 2

Full Day in Meru National Park

Spend a full day exploring the vast and rarely crowded Meru National Park. You’ll visit the grave of Elsa the lioness – made famous by the book and movie Born Free – and explore the many rivers that cross the park, attracting hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. The park is also part of a rhino sanctuary, offering chances to see both black and white rhinos. Enjoy picnic lunch in a scenic spot or return to camp for a hot meal. After an afternoon game drive, relax and enjoy your second evening in the wild.Dinner and overnight within the park.

Day 3

Meru – Samburu National Reserve

After breakfast, drive north toward Samburu National Reserve, crossing the equator and entering Kenya’s arid and dramatic northern frontier. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Samburu is famous for its “Special Five” – the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx – as well as large elephant herds and predators such as lions and leopards. The landscape, dominated by the Ewaso Nyiro River, offers stunning contrasts. Dinner and overnight at a lodge or tented camp in Samburu.

Day 4

Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Enjoy a full day of game drives in Samburu, covering various areas along the river and arid bush country. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best wildlife viewing, with time to relax at your camp during the hotter midday hours. In between drives, you may visit a local Samburu village to learn about traditional customs and nomadic culture. The region’s birdlife is exceptional, with over 380 recorded species. Return for your final night under the Samburu sky.

Day 5

Samburu – Lake Nakuru National Park

Depart after breakfast and begin your journey toward the Rift Valley, descending through dramatic escarpments to reach Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive for a late lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in this compact but wildlife-rich park. Lake Nakuru is best known for its rhino sanctuary and seasonal flamingo flocks. You may also encounter lions lounging in the acacia trees or leopards on the hunt. Overnight at a lodge within or near the park.

Day 6

Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast,another game drive then drive through the scenic Rift Valley and cross into the legendary Masai Mara, Kenya’s most famous safari destination. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive across the vast savannahs dotted with acacias and teeming with wildlife. The Mara is home to the Big Five and large populations of cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and over 450 bird species. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Settle in for your first night in the Masai Mara.

Day 7

Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara ecosystem on game drives, from the Mara River to remote plains.You may opt for an early morning hot air balloon safari (at extra cost) for a spectacular aerial view of the reserve.Return for dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the savannah.

Day 8

After a final morning game drive and breakfast, depart the Masai Mara and head back to the Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Naivasha in time for a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon, take a peaceful boat ride on the lake to see hippos, fish eagles, and waterbucks, followed by a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where you can walk freely among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes.Overnight stay at a lakeside lodge or camp.

Day 9

Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, depart Naivasha and drive south to Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch and a late afternoon game drive. Amboseli is set against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is famous for its enormous herds of elephants. The park’s swamps attract an abundance of birdlife and grazing animals such as wildebeests, buffaloes, and gazelles. Settle in at your lodge or tented camp for the evening.

Day 10

Full Day in Amboseli National Park

Enjoy a full day exploring Amboseli on morning and afternoon game drives. Visit Observation Hill for panoramic views of the park, wetlands, and the snowcapped summit of Kilimanjaro on clear days. Look out for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and a wide range of bird species.Dinner and Overnight at the park.

Day 11

After an early breakfast drive back to Nairobi for your international flight or transfer to Emali or Mtito Andei train station for the SGR train to Mombasa (reserved in advance). If heading to the coast, you’ll enjoy a smooth transition from wildlife adventure to beach relaxation, arriving at 2.30 pm at Mombasa then you will be transferred to the hotel.

Price for 11 days safari from Nairobi with Mini Bus