Kenya 14-Day Itinerary 2026
Two weeks in Kenya allows you to explore far beyond the Mara-Amboseli-Beach circuit. This extended itinerary adds the remote Samburu wilderness with its unique northern species, the foothills of Mount Kenya, the flamingo-covered Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate gorge for hiking, and extra beach time in Diani and Watamu. With rest days built in and a mix of bush flights and road transfers, you will experience the full spectrum of Kenya's extraordinary diversity.
Route Overview
| Day | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen |
| 2 | Samburu | Fly in, afternoon game drive, unique northern species |
| 3 | Samburu | Full-day safari, Samburu warriors, Ewaso Nyiro River |
| 4 | Mount Kenya Region | Drive south, Nanyuki, trout farm lunch, Ol Pejeta |
| 5 | Lake Naivasha | Boat ride, hippos, Hell's Gate cycling/hiking |
| 6 | Masai Mara | Drive to Mara, afternoon game drive, Big Five |
| 7 | Masai Mara | Dawn drive, Mara River, balloon option, Maasai village |
| 8 | Masai Mara | Full day in less-visited Mara North or Triangle, rest PM |
| 9 | Lake Nakuru | Flamingos, rhino sanctuary, Baboon Cliff |
| 10 | Amboseli | Elephants, Kilimanjaro views, Observation Hill |
| 11 | Amboseli | Morning drive, Maasai market, fly to coast |
| 12 | Diani Beach | Beach relaxation, snorkelling, Colobus monkeys |
| 13 | Diani / Wasini | Wasini Island dhow trip, dolphins, marine park |
| 14 | Diani → Departure | Kaya forest, final swim, fly home |
Day 1 – Nairobi
Arrive at JKIA. Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (11 AM feeding, KSh 1,500), Giraffe Centre (KSh 1,500) and Karen Blixen Museum (KSh 1,200). Dinner at Carnivore (game meats, KSh 4,500) or Mama Oliech for local fish. Stay in Karen or Westlands.
Stay: Budget: KSh 3,000 | Mid: KSh 12,000 | Luxury: KSh 40,000 (Hemingways)
Days 2-3 – Samburu National Reserve
Day 2
Fly from Wilson Airport to Samburu National Reserve (1 hour, KSh 15,000-25,000). Samburu is home to the “Special Five” — species found only in Kenya's dry north: the Grevy's zebra (endangered, only ~2,500 left), reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk (the long-necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse). Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, which attracts elephants, leopards, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.
Day 3
Full-day safari. Samburu's landscape of rocky hills, doum palms and dry thornbush is strikingly different from the Mara grasslands. Visit a Samburu warrior village to learn about this semi-nomadic pastoralist culture. Watch elephants crossing the river at your lodge in the late afternoon — Elephant Watch Camp and Saruni Samburu are famous for this.
Stay: Budget: Samburu Simba Lodge (KSh 12,000) | Mid: Samburu Intrepids (KSh 30,000) | Luxury: Saruni Samburu (KSh 90,000)
Day 4 – Mount Kenya Region
Drive south from Samburu to Nanyuki (3 hours), a pleasant highland town at the foot of Mount Kenya. Lunch at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant, built in a fig tree beside a trout farm. Afternoon game drive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy (KSh 9,000 entry) — home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth (Sudan, Najin and Fatu), plus excellent Big Five viewing and a chimpanzee sanctuary. Stay at one of the lodges inside the conservancy or in Nanyuki town.
Stay: Budget: Nanyuki guesthouse (KSh 4,000) | Mid: Sweetwaters Tented Camp (KSh 25,000) | Luxury: Ol Pejeta Bush Camp (KSh 60,000)
Day 5 – Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate
Drive south through the highlands to Lake Naivasha (3 hours). Take a boat ride on the lake (KSh 3,000 per boat, 1 hour) weaving between hippos and fish eagles. Afternoon cycling or hiking through Hell's Gate National Park (KSh 3,000 entry) — one of the only parks in Kenya where you can walk or cycle freely among giraffes, zebras, buffalo and baboons. The narrow Fischer's Tower gorge with its towering red cliffs was the inspiration for the landscape in The Lion King.
Stay: Lake Naivasha — Budget: Fisherman's Camp (KSh 2,500) | Mid: Lake Naivasha Sopa (KSh 15,000) | Luxury: Loldia House (KSh 50,000)
Days 6-8 – Masai Mara (3 Days)
Day 6
Drive from Naivasha to the Masai Mara (4-5 hours via Narok). Afternoon game drive. The Mara has all Big Five in high concentrations — over 25 lion prides, an excellent leopard population, and the largest black rhino sanctuary in Kenya.
Day 7
Dawn game drive at 5:30 AM when predators are active. Optional hot-air balloon safari (KSh 50,000). If visiting July-October, head to the Mara River for wildebeest crossing attempts. Afternoon visit a Maasai village (KSh 2,000-3,000) for an enriching cultural experience.
Day 8
Explore the less-visited areas — the Mara North Conservancy or Mara Triangle offer the same wildlife with far fewer vehicles. Morning drive, then a rest afternoon at your camp. Three days in the Mara ensures you have the best chance of seeing everything including elusive leopards and cheetah hunts.
Stay: Budget: KSh 15,000 FB | Mid: KSh 30,000 | Luxury: KSh 120,000 (Angama Mara)
Days 9-11 – Lake Nakuru & Amboseli
Day 9: Lake Nakuru
Drive from Mara to Lake Nakuru (5-6 hours). Game drive around the alkaline lake with its flamingo flocks. Climb Baboon Cliff for panoramic views. Spot rhinos (both species) and Rothschild giraffes. Over 450 bird species recorded.
Day 10: Amboseli
Drive south to Amboseli (6-7 hours). Afternoon game drive with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Amboseli's elephant herds have some of the largest tuskers in Kenya. Climb Observation Hill for 360-degree views of the park and the mountain.
Day 11: Amboseli & Fly to Coast
Early morning drive for the best Kilimanjaro photos (clearest at dawn). Visit a Maasai market for beadwork. Afternoon transfer to Amboseli airstrip for a flight to Ukunda/Diani (via Nairobi, 3 hours total, from KSh 12,000) or drive to Mombasa via the SGR train.
Stay: Amboseli — Budget: KSh 12,000 | Mid: KSh 28,000 | Luxury: KSh 80,000
Days 12-14 – Diani Beach
Day 12: Beach Relaxation
After days of early safari starts, sleep in. Relax on the 17 km white sand beach, snorkel the coral reef, or visit the Colobus Conservation Centre (KSh 1,000). Afternoon kitesurfing lesson (KSh 8,000) or spa treatment at your resort.
Day 13: Wasini Island
Full-day Wasini Island dhow trip (KSh 5,000-8,000). Sail to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for snorkelling with dolphins and sea turtles. Swahili seafood lunch on the island. Walk through the coral garden and ancient baobabs. Return in the afternoon for sunset on Diani Beach.
Day 14: Kaya Forest & Departure
Morning walk in Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest (KSh 600), an ancient ceremonial forest of the Mijikenda people. Final swim and lunch on the beach. Transfer to Ukunda Airstrip for a flight to Nairobi (1 hour, KSh 8,000) connecting to your international departure.
Stay: Diani — Budget: KSh 2,500 | Mid: KSh 18,000 | Luxury: KSh 45,000
Budget Summary (14 Days)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights) | KSh 100,000 | KSh 310,000 | KSh 900,000 |
| Transport (flights + safari vehicle) | KSh 80,000 | KSh 160,000 | KSh 400,000 |
| Park fees | KSh 45,000 | KSh 45,000 | KSh 45,000 |
| Food & drinks | KSh 40,000 | KSh 90,000 | KSh 200,000 |
| Activities & extras | KSh 25,000 | KSh 80,000 | KSh 200,000 |
| Total per person | KSh 290,000 (~$2,230) | KSh 685,000 (~$5,270) | KSh 1,745,000 (~$13,420) |
Prices based on 2026 rates. Exchange rate approximately KSh 130 = $1 USD.
Trip Snapshot
- Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
- Parks: 6 (Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Naivasha, Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli)
- Budget from: KSh 290,000 ($2,230)
- Best months: Jul-Oct, Jan-Feb
- Big Five: All 5 guaranteed