Arrival in Nairobi – Gateway to Kenya’s National Parks

Your 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari begins with arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), where a professional guide welcomes you and transfers you to a high-end city hotel such as Hemingways Nairobi or Giraffe Manor. After settling in, guests have the option to visit the Giraffe Centre, interacting with endangered Rothschild giraffes and learning about breeding programs.

For conservation enthusiasts, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers an unforgettable encounter with orphaned elephants and rhinos, providing insight into Kenya’s efforts to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife. Nairobi’s cosmopolitan atmosphere also allows guests to explore local markets, artisan shops, and traditional restaurants offering Kenyan cuisine. This day serves as an essential acclimatization and orientation for the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari, blending culture, conservation, and city comfort.

• Animals to Spot: Rothschild giraffe, orphaned elephants
• Birds to Spot: Lilac-breasted roller, African fish eagle, hornbills
• Cultures to Experience: Urban Nairobi culture, Maasai beadwork exhibitions

Amboseli National Park – Elephants with Kilimanjaro

Travel south to Amboseli National Park, a savannah ecosystem renowned for its iconic elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop. Two full days allow for extensive game drives in open plains, seasonal swamps, and acacia woodlands.

Early morning drives provide the best lighting for photography and the opportunity to observe elephants grazing, playing, and interacting socially. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas inhabit the park, while giraffes, zebras, and warthogs roam the plains. Birding is exceptional, with African fish eagles, grey crowned cranes, and lilac-breasted rollers providing brilliant color contrasts against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro.

Guests have the option to visit Maasai villages near the park, learning about beadwork, warrior traditions, and pastoralist lifestyles. Lodging at Elewana Tortilis Camp or similar luxury camps offers private verandas, fine dining, and direct access to wildlife-viewing areas. These two days set the standard for the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari, combining iconic wildlife, photographic opportunities, and cultural experiences.

• Animals to Spot: African elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo
• Birds to Spot: Lilac-breasted roller, African fish eagle, grey crowned crane
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai beadwork, warrior dances, pastoralist traditions

Tsavo West & East National Parks – Rugged Wilderness

Next, the safari moves to the vast Tsavo National Park, split into West and East, forming Kenya’s largest park complex. Tsavo West is famed for rugged volcanic landscapes, Mzima Springs, and rocky escarpments, while Tsavo East features open plains, red-dust elephants, and iconic savannah vistas.

Game drives focus on large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, and buffalo, while hippos, crocodiles, and monitor lizards inhabit riverine and swamp areas. Bird enthusiasts can spot ostriches, kori bustards, and a range of raptors including bateleur and martial eagles. The volcanic features, lava flows, and natural springs provide unique photographic backdrops.

Luxury lodging in the Tsavo region offers private accommodations and immersive safari experiences. These two days demonstrate Kenya’s wild, unspoiled landscapes, highlighting why Tsavo is a critical component of the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari.

• Animals to Spot: African elephant, lion, cheetah, buffalo, hippo, crocodile
• Birds to Spot: Ostrich, kori bustard, bateleur eagle, martial eagle
• Cultures to Experience: Local coastal and Kamba community insights

Nairobi National Park / Optional Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Return toward Nairobi with the option of a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, a unique ecosystem bordering the city. Guests can spot lions, giraffes, rhinos, and zebras against Nairobi’s skyline. Alternatively, travelers can fly north to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary, home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

At Ol Pejeta, guided bush walks, rhino tracking with expert rangers, and game drives allow intimate encounters with endangered species. Birders can find over 350 species, including the martial eagle, grey-capped social weaver, and secretary bird. Cultural visits introduce guests to Laikipia communities and their sustainable conservation practices.

Luxury lodges like Ol Donyo Lodge or Lewa Safari Camp ensure privacy, comfort, and elevated wildlife experiences. This segment adds conservation depth and northern Kenya wildlife diversity to the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari.

• Animals to Spot: Black rhino, chimpanzee, elephant, lion, zebra, hippo
• Birds to Spot: Martial eagle, secretary bird, grey-capped social weaver
• Cultures to Experience: Laikipia pastoralist traditions, conservation engagement

Lake Nakuru National Park – Birds and Rhinos

The safari continues to Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. Famous for its dense flamingo populations, this park is also a sanctuary for both black and white rhinos. Game drives include spotting lions, leopards, baboons, and large herds of impala and waterbucks.

The lake attracts thousands of flamingos seasonally, creating a spectacular pink expanse. Other birdlife includes African fish eagles, pelicans, and sacred ibises. Lodge accommodations allow for sunset views over the lake and surrounding escarpments. This day offers a balance of vibrant birding, photographic opportunities, and wildlife observation integral to the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari.

• Animals to Spot: Black rhino, white rhino, lion, leopard, waterbuck, baboon
• Birds to Spot: Flamingo, African fish eagle, pelican, sacred ibis
• Cultures to Experience: Rift Valley community insights

Lake Naivasha – Water-Based Safari and Crescent Island Walk

Travel to Lake Naivasha for a unique freshwater experience. Guests enjoy a boat safari among hippos, waterbucks, and birdlife. A guided walking safari on Crescent Island allows close encounters with giraffes, zebras, impalas, and other non-predator wildlife.

The lake’s ecosystem supports diverse birds such as fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and weaver birds. Optional hikes explore the surrounding hills and geothermal areas, offering spectacular views. Lake Naivasha’s combination of tranquility, wildlife diversity, and photographic opportunities is an essential component of the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari.

Animals to Spot: Hippo, giraffe, zebra, impala, warthog
Birds to Spot: Fish eagle, kingfisher, heron, weaver birds
Cultures to Experience: Local Maasai and Kikuyu community interactions

Maasai Mara National Reserve – Extended Wildlife Immersion

The final wildlife highlight is a four-day stay in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, offering in-depth game drives, off-road access, and optional hot-air balloon safaris. The Mara is famous for the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo—and the seasonal wildebeest migration (July–October).

Daytime game drives explore savannahs, riverine forests, and kopjes, capturing predator-prey dynamics. Birdlife includes over 450 species: vultures, secretary birds, crowned cranes, and African fish eagles. Cultural visits to Maasai villages enrich the experience, providing insight into traditional beadwork, warrior rituals, and community conservation initiatives. Luxury lodges like Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp offer fine dining, private decks, and personalized guiding.

• Animals to Spot: Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, zebra
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagle, secretary bird, grey crowned crane, vultures
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai village life, beadwork workshops, traditional dances

Departure – Nairobi

After the final morning game drive or breakfast, guests transfer back to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for international departure, concluding the 14 Days Kenya National Parks Safari. Memories of majestic wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant cultures accompany travelers home.