Classic Kenya: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Diani
Duration : 12 days
Route : Nairobi (1 night) → Masai Mara flight (3 nights) → Amboseli flight (2 nights, Kilimanjaro) → Diani beach flight (4 nights) → return Nairobi (1 night)
Custom travel to Kenya
Kenya is one of the world's most iconic safari destinations. Cradle of humanity and home to 42 peoples, the country devotes 23% of its territory to protected areas: the Masai Mara and the Great Wildebeest Migration (August-October), Amboseli and its elephants at the foot of Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), Samburu and its 'Special Five', the red lands of Tsavo, Lake Naivasha. And to finish gently, the white-sand beaches of Diani and Watamu on the Indian Ocean, steeped in Swahili culture. In 12 to 14 days, Kenya delivers Africa's most complete safari + beach combination.
Highlights
- Masai Mara: Great Migration and Big Cats
- Amboseli: elephants at the foot of Kilimanjaro
- Samburu: Special Five (endemic wildlife)
- Lake Naivasha: hippos and flamingos
- Diani beaches (Swahili coast)
- Authentic Maasai: boma visits
Sample itineraries
Complete Kenya: Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Naivasha
Duration : 14 days
Route : Nairobi (1) → Samburu (3, Special Five) → Lake Naivasha (1) → Masai Mara (3) → Amboseli (2) → Diani (3) → Nairobi (1)
Exclusive Kenya: Angama and Mnemba
Duration : 12 days
Route : Nairobi (Hemingways, 1 night) → Angama Mara (4 nights, world top) → Ol Donyo Lodge Amboseli (2) → Diani Alfajiri Villa (4) → return
When to go
June-October is the best period (dry season, wildlife concentrated at water points, Mara crossings August-October). January-February: 2nd dry season, still abundant wildlife. Avoid April-May (long rains, some lodges closed) and November (short rains).
Practical information
Safe in safari zones and beaches (vigilance Nairobi pickpockets, Somali border not recommended). Online eTA for French citizens ($35, since 2024). Mandatory yellow fever vaccine if arriving from endemic country. Antimalarial recommended. Avoid tap water. Cards accepted in premium lodges and big cities, cash (USD or shillings) elsewhere. Appropriate attire for Maasai (covering). Ranger tipping $10-$20/day (essential for their income).
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a safari in Kenya?
The long dry season, from June to October, is the ideal window: vegetation is low, wildlife gathers around waterholes, and the Great Migration's Mara River crossings happen from August to October. January-February, the second dry season, is a lovely alternative with fewer visitors. Avoid April-May, however: these are the long rains, tracks get difficult and several camps close.
How long should you plan for a Kenya trip?
Plan on 12 days for the great classic of Masai Mara, Amboseli and the Diani beaches, a comfortable pace that leaves time to enjoy every stop. With 14 days, you can add Samburu and the unique 'Special Five' wildlife of the north.
What budget should you plan for a Kenya safari?
For 12 days in comfort, budget between €4,800 and €6,500 per person excluding international flights; a premium version in exceptional lodges runs closer to €8,500-€12,000. Add €800-€1,200 for international flights. A Kenyan safari is a high-end trip, but every night there is an experience in itself.
Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?
Yes: Kenya replaced the classic visa with an eTA authorization, requested online before departure ($35, in force since 2024). The yellow fever vaccine is only mandatory if you arrive from a country where the disease is endemic.
Is Kenya suitable for a family safari with kids?
Yes, from ages 6-8 and in excellent conditions: short domestic flights (45 min between Nairobi and the Mara instead of 5-6 h of track), short game drives in the morning and late afternoon with a midday nap and pool break, family lodges with kids' menus, babysitting and 'little ranger' programs, then Diani's sheltered lagoon for a gentle beach finish. With young children, a private vehicle is recommended.
How do you get around between Kenya's parks?
Mainly by domestic flights: SafariLink and AirKenya link Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to the park airstrips in 40 min to 1 h, which avoids long days on the road. On site, game drives are done in a 4×4 with a ranger guide. Road transfers remain relevant between nearby stops.
Should you pick Kenya or Tanzania for the Great Migration?
It all depends on the calendar: the herds spend 9 to 10 months of the year on the Tanzanian side, in the Serengeti, and only stay in the Masai Mara from August to October. But that is precisely where, and when, the most spectacular Mara River crossings happen, if that's the image you're after, aim for Kenya between August and October.
Can you see the Big Five in Kenya?
Yes: the Masai Mara is home to all five species, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, but it takes several game drives to encounter them all. Plan at least 3 days on site, and to maximize your chances, the Tanzanian Ngorongoro Crater can be added.
Can you combine Kenya with other destinations?
Very well, in fact: Kenya + Tanzania to follow the Migration on both sides of the border, Kenya + Rwanda to add mountain gorillas, or Kenya + Madagascar to extend on the Indian Ocean side. Regional flights from Nairobi make these combinations very smooth.
What tips should you plan for in Kenya?
Tipping is part of safari culture and a significant share of the teams' income: plan on $10-$20 per day for your ranger guide, and a few dollars a day for the lodge staff.