A private 11-day Kenya safari from Nairobi covering six destinations: Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Samburu, Sweetwaters (Ol Pejeta Conservancy), Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara. Fully private vehicle and guide. Budget and mid-range accommodation available. Returns to Nairobi on day 11.
Quick Highlights
| Detail | Information |
| Duration | 11 days / 10 nights |
| Style | Private |
| Starts | Nairobi |
| Ends | Nairobi |
| Destinations | Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Samburu, Sweetwaters Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara |
| Unique Elements | Samburu Special Five northern endemics; last northern white rhinos; chimpanzee sanctuary |
| Accommodation | Budget and mid-range primary; luxury available on request |
Who Is This Safari For?
Ideal for: Travellers who want the 14-day comprehensive Kenya circuit but have 11 days available
Ideal for: First-time Kenya visitors who want southern savannah, northern endemics, and conservation experiences
Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts specifically interested in both Samburu Special Five and Ol Pejeta conservation
Ideal for: Families and groups wanting private vehicle flexibility at budget or mid-range cost
Not ideal: those who want the Aberdare tree lodge night experience; that requires the 14-day version
Not ideal: those with fewer than 11 days; the route needs the full duration
What This Safari Covers That Shorter Itineraries Do Not
The standard Kenya circuit, three or four parks in five to seven days, covers the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli. This 11-day version adds three destinations that most Kenya visitors never see: Lake Naivasha’s freshwater boat safari, Samburu’s northern endemic species, and Sweetwaters’ conservation experiences at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
The result is a Kenya safari that covers the full range of ecosystems in the country. Open savannah at Amboseli and the Mara. Freshwater lake at Naivasha. Dry acacia scrubland and the Ewaso Nyiro River at Samburu. Conservation wilderness at Ol Pejeta. Alkaline Rift Valley lake at Nakuru. Five genuinely different environments across 11 days, all with your private vehicle and guide.
Budget and mid-range accommodation means this is not exclusively a luxury experience. The wildlife access, guide quality, and park coverage are identical across accommodation tiers. The accommodation is where you choose your investment level.
Tipping Guide (per person): Guide: USD 10-20/day x 10 days = approx. USD 100-200 total
Camp and lodge staff (shared): USD 5-10/day x 10 days = approx. USD 50-100 total
Suggested total tip budget per person: USD 150-300
Tips are discretionary. They are meaningful to guides and camp staff and appreciated.
Medical and health note: General guidance only. This is not medical advice. Consult a travel health clinic before departure.
Kenya is a malarial zone throughout. Antimalarial medication and DEET-based repellent are recommended.
Travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation cover is required as a condition of booking with us.
Emergency medical evacuation services operate across East Africa.
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Months | Key Experience | Overall |
| Long Dry | Jun to Oct | Migration possible in Mara; Samburu predators at river; Ol Pejeta excellent | Best across all parks. Book ahead. |
| Short Dry | Jan to Mar | Best Kilimanjaro at Amboseli; Mara predators peak; Samburu and Ol Pejeta productive | Outstanding value. Most recommended. |
| Short Rains | Nov to Dec | All parks accessible; pleasant temperatures; Naivasha birding excellent | Good conditions. Lower rates. |
| Long Rains | Apr to May | Some Mara and Amboseli challenges; Samburu and Ol Pejeta accessible | Low season. Experienced travellers only. |
Accommodation Options
Amboseli (2 nights)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Sentrim Amboseli Camp / OlTukai Lodge (standard rooms)
- Mid-range: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge / Kibo Safari Camp / Tortilis Camp (standard)
- Luxury: Tortilis Camp / Elewana Tortilis Camp / andBeyond Ol Donyo Lodge / ol Donyo Lodge
Lake Naivasha (1 night)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Crayfish Camp / Camp Carnelley’s
- Mid-range: Enashipai Resort (standard) / Sawela Lodge / Naivasha Sopa Lodge
- Luxury: Enashipai Resort (luxury suites) / Great Rift Valley Lodge / Hippo Point Estate
Samburu (2 nights)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Samburu Sopa Lodge (standard)
- Mid-range: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge / Samburu Game Lodge / Sentrim Samburu
- Luxury: Saruni Samburu / Elephant Bedroom Camp / Sasaab Lodge
Ol Pejeta Sweetwaters (2 nights)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Ol Pejeta Bush Camp (budget rooms) / Sweetwaters Tented Camp (standard)
- Mid-range: Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp / Ol Pejeta Bush Camp / Ol Pejeta Tented Camp
- Luxury: Sweetwaters Serena Camp (deluxe) / Kicheche Bush Camp
Lake Nakuru (2 nights)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Milimani Guest House Nakuru / KWS Naishi Bandas (Lake Nakuru NP)
- Mid-range: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge / Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge / Lake Nakuru Lodge
- Luxury: Mbweha Camp / Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Masai Mara (1 night)
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Mara Explorers Camp / Basecamp Masai Mara (budget option)
- Mid-range: Tipilikwani Mara Camp / Fig Tree Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge
- Luxury: Angama Mara / Mahali Mzuri / Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp / andBeyond Bateleur Camp
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this compare to the 14-day grand Kenya safari?
The 14-day version adds Meru National Park and the Aberdare tree lodge, which require three additional days. If Born Free country driving in Meru and night game viewing from the Aberdare tree lodge are important to you, the 14-day is the right choice. If you want the most comprehensive Kenya circuit possible in 11 days, this itinerary covers the essential range: two major ecosystems (southern savannah and northern arid), one freshwater lake, one major private conservancy, and the Masai Mara.
Is the Masai Mara positioned at the end for a reason?
Yes. The geographic logic of this circuit moves south to north (Amboseli to Samburu) then back south and west (Sweetwaters, Nakuru, Mara). Ending at the Mara avoids doubling back and creates a natural climax to the circuit. The Masai Mara is many guests’ most anticipated destination and placing it last gives it the closing chapter weight it deserves.
Can I see the northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta at any budget tier?
Yes. Access to the Endangered Species Enclosure is available to all guests of Ol Pejeta Conservancy regardless of accommodation tier. The conservancy entry fee, which is included in all Bienvenido packages, covers this access. Budget accommodation guests have the same northern white rhino experience as luxury guests.
What if I want more time in the Masai Mara?
The Masai Mara gets one night on this route, giving two game drives. If you want more Mara time, contact us during planning and we adjust the itinerary. Adding a second Mara night by reducing another destination by one night is straightforward to arrange on a private safari.
How to Book
| Step | What Happens |
| 1 | You send your preferred date, departure time, group size, and pickup location |
| 2 | We check vehicle and driver-guide availability |
| 3 | We confirm the final safari-service quote for your group |
| 4 | You receive payment instructions to confirm the booking |
| 5 | Once payment is received, your private safari vehicle is reserved |
| 6 | We send your booking confirmation and later share driver-guide details before the tour |
Common Safari Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Not confirming the northern white rhino enclosure visit on Sweetwaters arrival day
Fix: Tell your guide on day 6 arrival that the enclosure is a day 7 morning priority. This ensures the day is structured around the visit rather than it being an afterthought late in the afternoon game drive.
Mistake 2: Underestimating what two nights in Samburu delivers
Fix: Two nights in Samburu gives four game drives across different zones: the river corridor twice and the open scrubland twice. The accumulation of these sessions delivers the full Special Five with good probability. One night would not be enough.
Mistake 3: Not using the Crescent Island walk opportunity at Naivasha
Fix: Crescent Island is one of Kenya’s most unusual wildlife experiences: walking freely among giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest without fences or a vehicle. The supplementary cost is modest. If you have never walked among large African wildlife without a vehicle, this is the day to start.
Mistake 4: Treating day 11 as a full Masai Mara day
Fix: Day 11 gives one morning game drive and then the Nairobi drive. It is a productive morning but not a full day. If the Masai Mara is your primary priority, the 6-day or 7-day private Mara itinerary with multiple Mara nights is the right choice for dedicated Mara time.
