Planning an African safari in Kenya? Check out my detailed Kenya itinerary with recommendations on best places to visit and stay for those with 2 weeks in Kenya.
Kenya is the most popular travel destination in East Africa , receiving 2 million international visitors in 2018. It’s easy to see why: the extremely diverse country is packed with adventures of all kinds, from underwater fun to spectacular wildlife encounters.
While wildlife remains the star attraction, Kenya also offers pristine Indian Ocean beaches , world-class mountain trekking, unique tribal culture, and eclectic Swahili heritage. One thing’s for sure: t here’s so much to do in Kenya it’s impossible to see it all in one trip.
On my recent trip to Kenya with my kid (which was my third trip here), I was reminded again just how big and diverse the country actually is. For first-timers, I have compiled this Kenya itinerary to pack in the best of the country with 2 weeks in Kenya.
The Perfect Kenya Itinerary
How to Get to Kenya
The main gateway to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBP), around 11 miles (18km) from Nairobi’s CBD. I found an amazing deal online: Amsterdam – Nairobi – Seychelles and return for just under € 600 ($670). I learned about the airfare promo on Fly4Free.com and booked it way in advance.
You can generally find flights from New York to Nairobi via Istanbul for around US$750 return. For those in Europe, you can fly direct from London to Nairobi (9hours) for around $550 return.
Search for Cheap Flights to Kenya
Best Time to Travel Kenya
The best time to travel in Kenya is from July to October , which are the best wildlife viewing months. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. But note that this is high season and certain parks can get crowded.
Rainy season runs from March to May, during which some lodges and camps close down. During high rainfall, it can be hard to see animals as they won’t need to go in search of water.
November to February are good times to visit Kenya, as prices are lower and showers don’t last long. We traveled Kenya in December this time and had great weather. However, we didn’t see as many animals as I did the last time in Maasai Mara , because there were torrential rains right before we arrived and they caused quite a lot of flooding.
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2 Weeks in Kenya
With two weeks in Kenya , you can experience the country’s highlights at a comfortable pace. In this Kenya itinerary, you get to spend half of your time on safari, and the other along the coast.
I recommend planning 2 nights at each national park. You won’t want to spend anything more than that. As game drives usually take place at dawn and dusk (when animals are more active), you’ll have time to relax at your lodge or explore towns.
If you have 10 days in Kenya, I would suggest removing Lake Nakuru from your Kenya itinerary. For those with only 7 days in Kenya, then it might be best to only do safari and skip the coast. At the bottom of this post, I have included all the details on how to get around and recommend Kenya safari operators.
Summary of my 2-Week Kenya Itinerary
Days 1 – 3: Nairobi
Days 4 & 5: Lake Nakuru
Days 6 & 7: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Days 8 – 10: Relax on Diani Beach
Days 11 – 13: Explore Lamu Island
Day 14: Fly home
Kenya Itinerary: 10 Days in Kenya
Days 1 – 3: Nairobi
Days 4 & 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Days 6 & 7: Relax on Diani Beach
Days 8 & 9 : Explore Lamu Island
Day 10: Fly home
Kenya Itinerary: 7 Days in Kenya
Days 1 – 3: Nairobi
Day 4: Lake Nakuru
Days 5 & 6: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 7: Fly home
Kenya Itinerary Day 1: Nairobi
Your Kenya itinerary begins in Nairobi, as the international airport is the main gateway. Some people try to avoid Nairobi because of the crime rates and chaotic traffic, but I wouldn’t recommend skipping it. There are a few attractions in the outskirts.
If you prefer to avoid the city center, what you can do is to stay in the quiet outskirts such as Karen or Langa’ta , where most of the attractions are. You’ll find the Karen Blixen Museum , Giraffe Centre , and Elephant Orphanage in the area.
Alternatively, you can stay in the Nairobi National Park , like we did. Within a 15-min drive from the international airport, you’ll be in the wide open grass plains and acacia bush of the national park. How often do you get to see wild animals in a capital city?!
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Where to Stay in Nairobi
Budget: Amelia Karen Hotel
A comfortable, affordable budget hotel in Karen, a quiet area in the outskirts of Nairobi. The hotel is a 2-min walk from Karen Shopping Center and a 5-min taxi ride from Karen Blixen Museum. It makes a great base from which to explore Nairobi’s attractions. Check the rates.
Midrange: Ole Sereni
For those who want to have the best of both worlds (both the national park and city), this beautiful safari-themed hotel is a good choice. It’s located on the rim of the park and just a 15-min drive from the airport. There’s a rooftop pool overlooking the park, but rooms are on the small end. Check the rates.
Luxury: The Emakoko
We stayed at The Emakoko, a beautiful lodge in the heart of the national park surrounded by vast savanna and secretly ensconced in a steep valley. We felt like we were deep in the wilderness, even though we were just short drive away from Nairobi. Read my full review here . Check the rates.
Kenya Itinerary Day 2: Nairobi
It’s time to head out to explore Nairobi! You can catch a taxi to get around Nairobi or book a day tour like we did. It only cost us $35 each and the driver brought us to all three places mentioned below. It was definitely great value and we enjoyed every spot we went. Book your day trip here.
Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
One of the best places to visit in Nairobi is this elephant orphanage . Elephant calves orphaned by poaching are brought here from all over the country to receive specialized treatment.
You get to learn about each of the ridiculously cute baby elephants and some of them might even get up close to you. The orphanage is only opened to the public from 11am to 12pm daily and entrance is US$7.
Feed Giraffes at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre
This Giraffe Centre , which protects the highly endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, combines serious conservation with fun activities. You can hand-feed or even kiss the giraffes from a raised wooden structure, which is quite an experience! Entrance is US$15.
See the Traditional Dances at Bomas of Kenya
Bomas of Kenya is an open-air museum celebrating the colorful tribes of Kenya.The complex has a recreated traditional village with homesteads or bomas , each one reflecting the culture of an ethnic group. There are also traditional dance performances everyday. Entrance is US$10.
Kenya Itinerary Day 3: Nairobi National Park
Head out early at dawn for your first game drive in Kenya. (Entry fee for the national park is $43 per day.) If you are not staying in the national park, you can book a day tour that will include pickup from your hotel.
Established in 1946, this is Kenya’s first national park. The colonial governments set this area aside as a game reserve in the 1910s. Today, the national park is home to four of the Big Five (except elephants). Chances of seeing them are high because of the small size of the park.
We had an excellent guide from The Emakoko Lodge , and he was incredible at spotting animals. He was a wealth of information and made the game drives fun and engaging. We saw a massive herd of buffalo, ostriches, wildebeests, rhinos, jackals, springboks and even a lion. All of us enjoyed our game drives in Nairobi National Park more so than Maasai Mara, thanks to him!
Kenya Itinerary Days 4 & 5: Lake Nakuru
Now the real fun begins! It’s time to leave the city behind and head into the bush. Around 100 miles (167km) from Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park is the best place in Kenya to see flamingos. (Entry fee for the national park is $60 per day).
Thousands of flamingos flock here to feed on the abundant blue-green algae cultivated by their own droppings. As Europe starts cooling in October, the migratory flamingos begin to arrive and remain in the area until April.
We booked a lodge at Lake Nakuru and arranged for transport and driver to pick us up from Nairobi. It is possible to take public transport to Nakuru, the main town near the lake. Catch the Prestige shuttle from the matatu terminal in Nairobi. The journey takes 4-5 hours.
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Where to Stay at Lake Nakuru
There aren’t many lodges located inside Lake Nakuru National Park and most are expensive. You will have to pay for the nights you’re staying in the park i.e. if you’re staying 2 nights, then the entrance fee is 2x the daily rate. Otherwise, there are many budget hotels in Nakuru town and they can arrange game drives for you.
Budget: Taidy’s Suites
Located in the heart of Nakuru town, this modern hotel has slick and plush rooms, with very affordable rates. Its best feature is the rooftop pool. There’s also a lively bar with jazz music. Check the rates.
Midrange: Lake Nakuru Lodge
We stayed at this lodge that was inside the national park, with unobstructed views of the lake from our balcony. The ecolodge is in need of a revamp, but rooms are still well maintained. The pool was also an excellent spot to hang out. Check the rates.
Luxury: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
The best lodge within the park is ths Sarova Lion Hill, with spectacular views of the surrounding savanna and wildlife. The chalet-style accommodation is slightly outdated, but it definitely has the atmosphere of a classic safari lodge. Check the rates.
Kenya Itinerary Day 6: Maasai Mara Reserve
You can’t travel to Kenya and not visit the famous Masai Mara National Reserve . Located 182 miles (293km) from Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara is around a 6-hour drive away. (Entrance fee for the park is $70 per day.)
Public transport only gets you to the town of Narok, which is still 93 miles (150km) from Maasai Mara. I advise arranging transport through your lodge. They usually charge $150/day for a Toyota van or $250/day for a Land Cruiser.
You should reach in time for an evening game drive. Masai Mara is world famous for the annual migration of animals, where thousands of wildebeests storm across the Mara River. The best time to see it is from July to October, but it can get crowded then.
Where to Stay in Maasai Mara
Budget: Oseki Maasai Mara Camp
This is one of the cheapest luxury tented camp, offering great mountain views of the Maasai Mara. It is located just a few minutes from the national park’s entrance. The safari tents are big, clean and comfortable, with attached bathrooms. Check the rates here.
Midrange: Sarova Mara Game Camp
We found a great deal on SnapTravel and paid around $400 in total for our 2-night stay at this hotel (half of the usual rates). The big-scale family lodge has tastefully designed luxury tents with a vintage style, teak furnishing and 4-poster beds. The lodge also has a swimming pool and good restaurant with international food. Check the rates here.
Luxury: Olare Mara Kempinski
Nestled on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River, Olare Mara Kempinski is an exclusive 5-star lodge located in the national park. Every luxury tent has parquet floors, 4-poster beds, Victorian baths and open views of the savanna. Some tents even have a private plunge pool — perfect for a honeymoon! Check the rates here.
Kenya Itinerary Day 7: Maasai Mara
Regardless of the time of the year you visit Kenya , chances of seeing wildlife are very high in the Maasai Mara. We visited in December, right after some unusually heavy rain, so sightings were less than usual. That said, we still spotted four of the Big Five, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, buffalos and many others. Check out photos from my previous safari in Maasai Mara .
It is possible to do self-driving in the Maasai Mara, but I highly recommend hiring a wildlife guide who can share all the interesting details about each animal and point out animals that you would otherwise miss if you were on your own.
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Go Hot Air Ballooning Over Maasai Mara
If you are celebrating something special, hot air ballooning over the Maasai Mara is definitely a memorable experience. I’ve been on a hot air balloon 5 times and every single time was amazing. Masai Mara, in particular, is one of the best places to hot air balloon in the world , thanks to the unique opportunity to see wildlife from above. Prepare to spend around $450 for the experience of a lifetime. Book the experience here.
Visit a Maasai Village
Maasai Mara is the land of the Maasai people , an ancient nomadic people known for their bravery. Maasai men were once expected to kill a lion to prove their strength and manhood. Arrange to visit a Maasai village through your lodge/driver. (Fee is a donation of $25 each.) The visit was definitely a humbling and fascinating experience for all of us, including our kid.
Kenya Itinerary Day 8: Diani Beach
After getting your safari fix, head to Kenya’s coast to see a different side of the country. It’s a great place to kick back, especially if you’re traveling Kenya with kids . You’ll need to drive back to Nairobi early in the morning (journey takes 6+ hours) to catch a domestic flight to Mombasa. A one-way ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa (50mins) on Skywards Express or FLY540 costs around $67. Book your flight here!
Upon arrival in Mombasa, you will have to catch the Likoni Ferry to get to Diani Beach. It’s free. A ferry ride is only 5 minutes, but the queue to get on the ferry can result in more than an hour wait. It’s chaotic but quite the experience! You can also book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Diani.
Where to Stay in Diani Beach
Budget: Villa Mandhari – Diani Beach
Located 500 m from the Indian Ocean, this property offers excellent value with its modern and spacious villas for only $60/night.We loved staying here — our 2-bedroom villa was huge, the outdoor pool was nice and big, with a lot of lounging space. Check the rates here.
Midrange: Swahili Beach
The beachfront hotel is stylish and elegant, with Moroccan-themed rooms that are huge and beautifully designed. Each room is decorated with Arabic lamps, arched walls and kilim carpets. It also has an excellent restaurant that serves traditional Moroccan tagines. Check the rates.
Luxury: Baobab Beach Resort & Spa
One of the best hotels in Diani Beach, this all-inclusive resort is right on the beach and features a 3-tiered pool. Thatch-roofed villas are designed around landscaped gardens. It also has a few restaurants and evening entertainment. Check the rates.
Kenya Itinerary Days 9 & 10: Diani Beach
With its 17 kilometers of flawless, soft white sand, Diani Beach is the most popular beach town in Kenya, for good reasons. The soft white sand and clean water definitely make this a great escape after being on safari.
There’s a whole lot to do at Diani Beach for active travelers: from snorkeling to scuba diving and skydiving. You can also choose to enjoy the beach and do nothing! Here are some activities we recommend doing at Diani Beach.
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Explore UNESCO Site Fort Jesus
It’s worth taking time off from the beach to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fort Jesus , just a few minutes’ drives from Diani beach. Fort Jesus was built in 1593 by the Portuguese and Spanish and it still remains in great condition. Another historical site worth visiting is the Kongo Mosque , built by Arab traders back in the 14th century. It is the oldest mosque in East Africa. Their architecture is a strong reminder of the coastal area history.
Sail on a Dhow to Nearby Islands
There are also lots of boat trips you can do to surrounding islands. We did a dhow tour to Wasini Island and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and had a blast! The day tour brought us on a historical walk around Wasini Island and we got to visit the Shimoni Slave Caves. Also we snorkeled in the marine park and swam next to turtles. If you’re lucky, you can even see dolphins.
Kenya Itinerary Day 11: Lamu Island
I’ve saved the best for the last! Head back to Mombasa for your flight to Lamu Island . The historical island is located in the northern part of the country and traveling by road would take too long.
A one-way flight from Mombasa to Lamu costs around $40 and takes 40 minutes. FLY540 and Skyward Express both offer great prices. Book your flight here!
Once you arrive in Lamu, you’ll find yourself swaying to the slow rhythm of life here on the Swahili coast. There are no cars on Lamu, only donkeys and pushcarts are allowed in the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed town.
Where to Stay on Lamu Island
Budget: Jannataan Hotel
Located in the heart of Shella town, the simple budget hotel is surrounded by leafy gardens, minarets and narrow alleys. It’s a great spot to stay at if you’re looking to spend all your time wandering the old town rather than relax on the beach. It also has a great swimming pool. Check the rates.
Midrange: Kizingo
Located along the sandy Kizingo Beach, this rustic property stands at the tip of Lamu island where it meets the Indian Ocean. It has simple thatched-roof chalets all looking out to the ocean. The amenities are basic, and it’s more suitable for people who want a secluded place and go unplugged. Check the rates.
Luxury: The Red Pepper House
Overlooking the beach and surrounded by forest, this exclusive, secluded villa offers upscale lodging decorated in Swahili-style and contemporary art. The spacious suites are located in traditional dwellings, called Nyumbas. They offer sea views and feature an outside living area and a veranda. Each Nyumba has a private butler. Check the rates here.
Kenya Itinerary Days 12 & 13: Lamu Island
Founded in the 14th century, Lamu is the best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa . It reminds me a little of Tanzania’s Zanzibar. With its ancient fort, its wood carved doors, bustling markets and the ubiquitous donkeys the town is charming and authentic—no wonder UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site.
It’s easy to spend days getting lost in Lamu’s Old Town . Listen to the calls of prayer everyday as you sip a cup of Arabic coffee. Dhow and donkey remain the only forms of transport around Lamu. Hiring a dhow for a leisurely cruise around the archipelago is a must-do.
Shela village is another interesting spot worth visiting. It’s a tangle of donkey-wide alleys, winding among tall stone townhouses, small thatched huts, few mosques and ruins and a spacious square ringed with some market stalls.
