24 Days Best of Kenya: The Ultimate Wildlife, Safari & Beach
24 Days Best of Kenya Safari – Wildlife, Culture, Landscapes & Indian Ocean
Discover Kenya beyond the classic safari circuit on an extraordinary 24-day journey through Kenya's most iconic wildlife destinations, dramatic landscapes and historic coastal towns.
From the rugged wilderness of Samburu and Shaba in northern Kenya to the forests of Meru, the highlands of Aberdare, the bird-rich Great Rift Valley lakes and the legendary plains of the Maasai Mara, this itinerary delivers an exceptionally comprehensive Kenyan safari.
The journey continues south to Amboseli National Park, where enormous elephant herds roam beneath spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, before exploring the volcanic landscapes and wildlife-rich wilderness of Tsavo West and Tsavo East.
The final chapter takes you to the Indian Ocean. Relax on the white-sand beaches of Watamu, then fly to Lamu, where Swahili culture, dhow sailing, historic architecture and island life provide a memorable finale.
This is not simply a safari. It is a complete Kenya experience—wildlife, wilderness, culture, landscapes, conservation, beach and heritage in one remarkable journey.
The 24-Day Journey
Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Overnight: Sarova Panafric Hotel | Bed & Breakfast
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where the Afrika Hub Vacations representative will meet and welcome you to Kenya.
Transfer to your Nairobi hotel for an overnight stay and time to recover from your international journey.
Experience: Arrival assistance | Nairobi | Relaxation
Day 2 – Nairobi → Samburu National Reserve
Overnight: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge | Full Board
Depart Nairobi after breakfast and travel north through Kenya's changing landscapes towards the dramatic semi-arid country of Samburu.
Arrive at Samburu National Reserve later in the afternoon, followed by your first game drive.
The reserve is renowned for its distinctive northern wildlife, including the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, alongside elephant, lion, leopard and numerous bird species.
Continue to Sarova Shaba Game Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – Full-Day Samburu & Shaba Wildlife Safari
Overnight: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge | Full Board
Spend a full day exploring the Samburu ecosystem, including the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba circuits where conditions and park access permit.
Morning and afternoon game drives offer opportunities to photograph elephants, big cats, giraffes, zebra, antelope and the region's northern endemic species.
The combination of rugged hills, dry riverbeds, acacia woodland and the Ewaso Nyiro River creates one of Kenya's most distinctive safari environments.
Day 4 – Samburu → Meru National Park
Overnight: Elsa's Kopje | Full Board
After breakfast, depart for Meru National Park, one of Kenya's less-explored wilderness destinations.
The park is historically associated with conservation legends George and Joy Adamson and offers an authentic wilderness experience away from the busier safari routes.
Arrive at Elsa's Kopje, dramatically positioned on a rocky kopje overlooking the Meru plains.
Day 5 – Full-Day Meru National Park
Overnight: Elsa's Kopje | Full Board
A full day is dedicated to discovering Meru's diverse ecosystems.
Depending on your interests, activities may include:
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Guided bush walks
- Bush meals
- Sundowners
- River excursions
- Fishing
- Rhino tracking within the designated sanctuary
- Big-cat and elephant viewing
Elsa's Kopje itself offers a particularly strong premium wilderness experience. Published 2026 rates for the lodge show substantial seasonal variation, with July–October rates significantly higher than November–December.
Day 6 – Meru → Aberdare National Park
Overnight: The Ark Lodge
Travel towards the Aberdare highlands and check in at the iconic The Ark Lodge, a forest lodge overlooking a waterhole and salt lick.
The lodge's viewing decks provide opportunities to observe wildlife visiting the waterhole, often including elephant, buffalo and other forest species.
Day 7 – Aberdare → Lake Nakuru
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | Full Board
After breakfast, continue towards Lake Nakuru via Nyahururu and Thompson's Falls.
Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya's premier rhino conservation areas and an important birding destination.
The park supports significant populations of black and white rhino together with buffalo, lion, leopard, waterbuck, giraffe and numerous bird species.
Day 8 – Lake Nakuru → Lake Bogoria → Lake Baringo
Overnight: Tumbili Cliff Camp
Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast and departure towards Lake Bogoria.
Explore the dramatic geothermal landscape around Lake Bogoria, known for hot springs, geysers and birdlife.
Continue to Lake Baringo, an important birding destination in Kenya's Rift Valley.
Day 9 – Full-Day Lake Baringo Experience
Overnight: Tumbili Cliff Camp
Discover Lake Baringo through a combination of optional experiences.
Activities may include:
- Boat excursion | Bird watching | Island exploration | Cultural interaction
- Njemps village visit | Nature walks | Photography
This provides a welcome change of pace from the intensive game-drive sections of the safari.
Day 10 – Lake Baringo → Maasai Mara
Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Depart early with a packed lunch and travel south towards Kenya's most celebrated wildlife destination—the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Arrive in the afternoon and embark on a game drive as you enter the Mara ecosystem.
Watch for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, lion, cheetah and leopard.
Day 11 – Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari
Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Enjoy a full day of game viewing across the Maasai Mara.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to experience the Mara's exceptional wildlife concentrations.
Depending on the season, you may witness large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra associated with the annual migration.
Optional experiences:
- Hot-air balloon safari | Maasai cultural visit | Private photographic safari
- Sundowner | Bush breakfast
Day 12 – Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha
Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort | Full Board
Depart the Mara after breakfast and travel through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the resort.
Optional experiences can include:
- Boat ride | Crescent Island walking safari | Bird watching | Nature walks
- Spa and leisure experiences
Day 13 – Lake Naivasha → Amboseli National Park
Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Travel south towards Amboseli National Park.
Arrive for lunch before an afternoon game drive.
The combination of open plains, seasonal wetlands, acacia landscapes and Mount Kilimanjaro provides one of the most iconic photographic settings in Africa.
Day 14 – Full-Day Amboseli Safari
Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli.
The park is particularly renowned for its large elephant herds, many of which are photographed against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives.
A Maasai cultural experience can also be arranged as an optional activity.
Day 15 – Amboseli → Tsavo West
Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Continue towards Tsavo West National Park.
After lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive.
Explore the park's dramatic volcanic scenery, lava flows, springs, rocky outcrops and wildlife-rich plains.
Possible sightings include elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and numerous antelope species.
Visit Mzima Springs subject to park conditions and operating arrangements.
Day 16 – Full-Day Tsavo West Safari
Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge | Full Board
Spend a full day exploring Tsavo West.
The landscape changes dramatically from volcanic terrain to open savannah and springs.
The park's famous red-dust elephants provide particularly striking photographic opportunities.
Day 17 – Tsavo West → Tsavo East
Overnight: Ngutuni Lodge | Full Board
Depart Tsavo West and travel towards Tsavo East National Park.
Enjoy an afternoon safari experience in this vast wilderness.
Tsavo East is famous for expansive savannah landscapes, large elephant herds and dramatic red-earth scenery.
Day 18 – Tsavo East → Watamu
Overnight: Medina Palms Beach Hotel
Leave the safari wilderness behind and travel towards Kenya's Indian Ocean coast.
Arrive in Watamu and transition from game drives to beach relaxation.
Watamu begins the coastal chapter of your Kenya journey.
Days 19 & 20 – Watamu Beach Escape
Overnight: Medina Palms Beach Hotel | Bed & Breakfast
Enjoy two leisurely days beside the Indian Ocean.
Optional activities can include:
- Snorkelling | Diving | Deep-sea fishing | Dhow excursions | Marine experiences
- Spa treatments | Beach relaxation | Gede Ruins excursion | Mida Creek experiences
Day 21 – Watamu → Lamu Island
Overnight: The Majlis Resort
After breakfast, transfer for your flight to Manda Island.
On arrival, cross by boat to Lamu Island.
Settle into The Majlis Resort and begin your Lamu experience.
Days 22 & 23 – Discover Lamu
Overnight: The Majlis Resort
Enjoy two days to explore Lamu at your own pace.
Experiences can include:
- Lamu Old Town | Swahili architecture and heritage | Dhow sailing | Snorkelling
- Scuba diving | Deep-sea fishing | Sunset cruises | Beach relaxation | Cultural excursions
Lamu provides the perfect conclusion to a journey that has moved from Kenya's wilderness to its Indian Ocean heritage.
Day 24 – Lamu → Nairobi
After breakfast, check out according to your flight schedule.
Transfer by boat to Manda Airstrip for your flight to Nairobi and onward connection.
Your 24-day Best of Kenya adventure ends with memories spanning wildlife, wilderness, culture, conservation and the Indian Ocean.
