Kenya 7-Day Itinerary 2026

Nairobi → Masai Mara (2 days) → Lake Nakuru (1 day) → Amboseli (1 day) → Diani Beach (2 days)

Morning

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer to a hotel in Karen or Westlands (Uber KSh 1,500-2,500). Head straight to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park for the 11 AM public feeding (book online, KSh 1,500). Watch baby elephants being bottle-fed and mud-bathing — one of Nairobi's most heartwarming experiences.

Afternoon

Visit the Giraffe Centre in Langata (KSh 1,500) to hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from an elevated platform. Walk across to the Karen Blixen Museum (KSh 1,200), the colonial farmhouse made famous by the film Out of Africa. The gardens with views to the Ngong Hills are beautiful.

Evening

Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant, Kenya's most famous restaurant, where unlimited game meats (crocodile, ostrich, zebra) are carved tableside from Maasai swords (KSh 4,500 per person). Alternatively, try Mama Oliech in Kilimani for the best local fish dish in Nairobi (KSh 800-1,500).

Stay: Nairobi — Budget: Wildebeest Eco Camp (from KSh 3,000) | Mid: Eka Hotel (from KSh 12,000) | Luxury: Hemingways Nairobi (from KSh 40,000)

Morning

Depart Nairobi early for the Masai Mara (5-6 hours by road, or 45 minutes by bush flight from Wilson Airport, KSh 15,000-25,000 one-way). The road route passes through the Great Rift Valley escarpment with stunning views — stop at the viewpoint above Narok.

Afternoon

Check into your camp or lodge and head straight out on your first afternoon game drive. The Mara ecosystem is home to all the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. With over 1,510 square kilometres of savannah, the concentrations of wildlife here are astonishing. Your guide will know where the resident lion prides and leopards are. Look for cheetahs on the open plains.

Evening

Sundowners on the savannah as the African sun sets in spectacular orange and purple. Return to camp for a bush dinner under the stars. Most camps include all meals and game drives in their rate.

Stay: Masai Mara — Budget: Mara Explorers Camp (from KSh 15,000 full board) | Mid: Mara Serena Lodge (from KSh 30,000) | Luxury: Angama Mara (from KSh 120,000)

Dawn

Rise at 5:30 AM for a dawn game drive. The early morning light is magical and predators are most active at this hour. Lions and hyenas are often seen on kills, and cheetahs begin their hunts as the plains warm up.

Morning

For an unforgettable experience, take a hot-air balloon safari (from KSh 50,000 per person) drifting silently over the Mara at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. This must be booked well in advance. If visiting during the Great Migration (July-October), head to the Mara River to witness the dramatic crossings where thousands of wildebeest brave crocodile-infested waters.

Afternoon

Visit a Maasai village (KSh 2,000-3,000 per person). Learn about the warrior culture, traditional beaded jewellery, cattle-based economy and the iconic jumping dance. This is a genuinely enriching cultural experience. Continue with an afternoon game drive focusing on areas you have not yet covered.

Evening

Final sundowners in the Mara. Many camps offer bush dinners with campfires and traditional entertainment. Listen to the sounds of the African night — hyenas, lions and nightjars.

Morning

Drive from the Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park (5-6 hours via Narok). Lake Nakuru is a soda lake in the Great Rift Valley famous for its vast flocks of flamingos — at peak times over a million lesser flamingos create a pink shoreline visible from space. The park is also a rhino sanctuary with both black and white rhinos.

Afternoon

Game drive around the lake. Climb to Baboon Cliff for a panoramic view of the entire lake and the surrounding alkaline flats. Spot Rothschild giraffes, waterbuck, leopards (Nakuru has one of the densest leopard populations in Kenya), and the incredible birdlife — over 450 species recorded.

Evening

Stay at a lodge overlooking the lake. Watch the sunset paint the flamingo-lined shores gold and pink. Some lodges have viewpoints where you can see rhinos grazing at the edge of the forest.

Stay: Lake Nakuru — Budget: Flamingo Hill Camp (from KSh 10,000) | Mid: Lake Nakuru Lodge (from KSh 20,000) | Luxury: Sarova Lion Hill (from KSh 35,000)

Morning

Drive south to Amboseli National Park (6-7 hours via Nairobi, or take the direct Narok-Nairobi-Namanga route). Amboseli is home to the most photographed elephants in Africa — massive herds crossing the dry lake bed with the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro towering behind them.

Afternoon

Afternoon game drive to Observation Hill, the only place in the park where you can get out of your vehicle and climb to the summit for 360-degree views of the park, Kilimanjaro and the surrounding marshlands. The elephants here have some of the largest tusks remaining in Kenya. Look for hippos in the swamps and large lion prides.

Evening

Kilimanjaro is most visible at dawn and dusk when the clouds clear. Position yourself for sunset photos with elephants and the mountain. Dinner at your camp watching the stars appear above Africa's highest peak.

Stay: Amboseli — Budget: Kibo Safari Camp (from KSh 12,000) | Mid: Amboseli Serena Lodge (from KSh 28,000) | Luxury: Tortilis Camp (from KSh 80,000)

Morning

Depart Amboseli for the coast. Drive to Mombasa (5-6 hours via the Mombasa Road) or take the Madaraka Express SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa (5 hours, from KSh 1,000 economy / KSh 3,000 first class) — one of Africa's best train journeys, passing through Tsavo National Park where you may spot elephants from the window.

Afternoon

From Mombasa, cross the Likoni Ferry (free for pedestrians) and drive 30 minutes south to Diani Beach. This 17-km stretch of white sand with turquoise water and coral reefs is consistently rated one of Africa's best beaches. Check into your resort and relax on the sand.

Evening

Dinner at Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant — a restaurant set inside a natural coral cave, open to the stars above (KSh 5,000-8,000 per person, book ahead). Walk along the beach under moonlight.

Stay: Diani — Budget: Diani Backpackers (from KSh 2,500) | Mid: Swahili Beach Resort (from KSh 18,000) | Luxury: The Sands at Nomad (from KSh 45,000)

Morning

Take a Wasini Island dhow trip (KSh 5,000-8,000 including lunch). Sail on a traditional wooden dhow to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for snorkelling with dolphins, sea turtles and colourful reef fish. Lunch is fresh Swahili seafood served on the island. This is one of Kenya's top marine experiences.

Afternoon

Visit the Colobus Conservation Centre (KSh 1,000) to see endangered Angolan colobus monkeys being rehabilitated. Take a final swim or try kitesurfing — Diani has excellent kite conditions year-round (lessons from KSh 8,000). Walk through the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest (KSh 600), an ancient Mijikenda ceremonial forest.

Evening

Transfer to Ukunda Airstrip for a flight to Nairobi (1 hour, from KSh 8,000 on Safarilink) or drive to Moi International Airport Mombasa for your international connection. Alternatively, spend another night and depart the next morning.

Prices based on 2026 rates. Exchange rate approximately KSh 130 = $1 USD. Park fees for non-residents.

The best months are July to October for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, clear skies over Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, and dry weather on the coast. The short rains (November-December) bring green landscapes and lower prices. The long rains (April-May) should be avoided as some roads become impassable and camps close.

For beach weather, January to March is also excellent — hot and dry on the coast with calm seas for snorkelling and diving.

• Safari: Book through a reputable Kenyan operator (not an international middleman) for better value. A group safari saves significantly over private.
• Park fees: Masai Mara charges $80/day for non-residents, Amboseli $60/day, Nakuru $60/day. Pay by card at the gate (smart card system).
• Bush flights: Safarilink and AirKenya connect Nairobi to the Mara and coast. Book 2-4 weeks ahead. 15kg luggage limit (soft bags only).
• Visa: Kenya has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) replacing the old eVisa. Apply online before travel ($30).
• Malaria: Take prophylaxis. The Mara and coast are high-risk zones. Use DEET repellent and sleep under a treated net.
• Balloon safari: Book the Mara hot-air balloon at least 2 weeks ahead, especially during migration season. It sells out.

• Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
• Distance: ~1,500 km
• Budget from: KSh 153,000 ($1,180)
• Best months: Jul-Oct
• Big Five: All 5 possible