A 10 day Kenya safari itinerary gives you time for the classic parks without feeling rushed, as long as you don’t cram in too much. This road route covers Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara, and spends the most nights in the Mara, where the wildlife is best.
The 10 day Kenya safari itinerary at a glance
| Day | Stop | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Nairobi | Rest; optional Nairobi National Park |
| 2 | Nairobi to Amboseli | Drive about 4 to 4.5 hours |
| 3 | Amboseli | Full day of game drives |
| 4 | Amboseli to Lake Naivasha | Long transfer; Hell’s Gate optional |
| 5 | Naivasha to Lake Nakuru | Short drive; afternoon game drive |
| 6 | Nakuru to Maasai Mara | About 5 to 6 hours |
| 7 and 8 | Maasai Mara | Full days of game drives |
| 9 | Mara to Nairobi | About 5.5 to 6 hours |
| 10 | Depart | Fly out |
Day by day
Day 1, Nairobi. Keep it easy after the flight. If you land early and have energy left, Nairobi National Park makes a good half-day.
Day 2, Nairobi to Amboseli. The drive takes about four and a half hours. You’ll get there in time for an afternoon game drive, with Kilimanjaro behind the elephants if the clouds allow it.
Day 3, Amboseli. Go out early, when the animals are most active. You can take one long drive with a picnic lunch, or split the day into a morning and an evening drive with a rest at camp in between.
Day 4, Amboseli to Lake Naivasha. This is the longest driving day, so start early. The Naivasha stop is there to break up the trip. Going straight from Nakuru to Amboseli takes about 7.5 to 8 hours, and Amboseli back to Nairobi takes 4 to 4.5. One operator route uses Naivasha at this point and adds a visit to Hell’s Gate.
Day 5, Naivasha to Lake Nakuru. A shorter day, with a game drive in the afternoon. Nakuru is good for rhinos and birdlife, and for flamingos when they’re there.
Day 6, Nakuru to the Maasai Mara. Expect five to six hours on the road. You’ll arrive in time for an evening drive.
Days 7 and 8, Maasai Mara. Two full days is where the trip peaks. Plan an early drive, a break at camp, then an afternoon drive.
Day 9, Mara to Nairobi. Nairobi is roughly 5.5 to 6 hours away, about 284 km, so leave after a last morning drive. Book an evening flight or a hotel night in the city.
Day 10, depart.
Is 10 days enough for a Kenya safari?
Yes, for the classic circuit. Rough Guides says ten days covers places like the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo, though it also points out that packing in too much has a cost. If the plan feels tight, drop Naivasha or Nakuru and add a night in the Mara.
Ways to change the route
- Bush to beach: swap Amboseli or Nakuru for time at Diani Beach on the coast.
- Northern loop: add Samburu and Mount Kenya, as some operators do, and trim the south.
- Kenya and Tanzania: extend into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- Fewer drives: fly into the Mara from Nairobi and spend the extra nights there.
Tips before you book
- Book the Mara first. It fills up before everywhere else, especially in peak season.
- Budget for the fee jump. Mara fees are $100 per day from January to June and $200 from July to December.
- Leave buffer time. Drive times change with traffic and road conditions.
- Pack layers. Mornings on game drives are cold and afternoons are hot.
- Ask for a 4×4, and check that park fees are in the quote.
Pace your 10 day Kenya safari itinerary
This route works best when you pace it: two nights in Amboseli, one each at Naivasha and Nakuru, and three in the Mara. Start early on the transfer days and accept that road time is part of the trip. If you’d rather spend more time with wildlife and less in the car, cut a park or fly between them.
Related reading
- Kenya safari 7-day itinerary, a shorter alternative
- Nairobi to Masai Mara road trip, more on the drive
- Fly-in safari in Kenya, to save time on long transfers
- Best time to visit Maasai Mara, to choose your month
Drive times and fees vary. Confirm current details with your operator before booking.