Rhinos in the Rift Valley, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, Tsavo’s red elephants and a finale on the coast. A day-by-day plan for an unforgettable first trip to Kenya.
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Kenya: enough time to see a remarkable variety of wildlife and landscapes without rushing, and still finish with your toes in the Indian Ocean. This is the route we love to recommend, linking some of our favourite trips into one journey.
Key takeaways
Start gently in Nairobi, then head into the Rift Valley, Amboseli and Tsavo before ending on the coast.
The route moves steadily south-east, so you never double back.
Every stop offers something different: rhinos, flamingos, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, red elephants and coral reefs.
Build in a rest day on the coast; after a week of early game drives, you will appreciate it.
The route at a glance
Days | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
1–2 | Nairobi | Nairobi National Park and the Giraffe Centre |
3 | Lake Nakuru | Rhinos, birdlife and the view from Baboon Cliff |
4–5 | Amboseli | Elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them |
6–7 | Tsavo East and West | Red elephants, Mzima Springs and volcanic landscapes |
8–10 | Mombasa and the south coast | Fort Jesus, the Old Town, dhows and the beach |
Days 1–2: Nairobi
Arrive, rest, and ease into Kenya with wildlife on the city’s doorstep. Our 1 Day Nairobi National Park Safari is the perfect first game drive, with a good chance of seeing rhinos against the city skyline. In the afternoon, hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes on our Giraffe Centre Feeding Experience.
Stay at Savannah Lodge, near the national park, or in our Modern Apartment with City View if you are travelling as a family or small group.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru
Drive into the Great Rift Valley for our 1 Day Lake Nakuru National Park Safari. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s best places to see both black and white rhinos, and its shores are rich with birdlife.
Day 3 is your best chance of the trip to see rhinos, so keep your binoculars close.
Days 4–5: Amboseli
Head south to Amboseli for our 2 Days Amboseli Safari. With two days here you get sunrise and sunset game drives, unhurried time with the elephant families and the best chance of seeing Kilimanjaro clear of cloud.
Days 6–7: Tsavo East and West
Continue east into Kenya’s largest wilderness on our 2-Day Tsavo East/West Safari. Look for the famous red-dusted elephants of Tsavo East and the crystal-clear water of Mzima Springs in Tsavo West. For a night in the wild, stay at Savannah Dunes Resort or in our Safari Cottage inside Tsavo West.
Days 8–10: Mombasa and the coast
End where the savannah meets the sea. Our 2 Days Mombasa Beach & Fort Jesus Tours combines Fort Jesus and the Old Town with time on the beach. On your final day, sail a dhow to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park on our Wasini and Kisite-Mpunguti day trip, or simply relax at Coastal Breeze Resort in Diani.
Make it your own
Short on time? Drop Lake Nakuru and fly from Nairobi to the coast at the end.
Love the beach? Add extra days in Diani, Nyali or Lamu.
Travelling with children? Slow the pace with an extra night in Amboseli.
More time? Add the Maasai Mara at the start for the Great Migration from about July to October.
Before you book
Choose your travel month (the dry seasons are best for game viewing)
Check your entry requirements and passport validity
Book a travel health appointment
Decide between hotels and holiday homes for each stop
Pack layers for cool mornings and light clothing for the coast
Plan your 10 days with Azana
Every stop on this route is a trip we run ourselves, so we can link them seamlessly, arrange your transfers and adjust the pace to suit you. Send us your dates and we will turn this itinerary into your Kenya adventure.
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