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Introducing Kenya

What comes to mind when you imagine Kenya? If you think of slender giraffes, wild-maned lions, and herds of zebra and wildebeest migrating across the open savanna, you're not wrong—but there's more to Kenya than the safari vacation you've been dreaming about. Beyond being one of the best places on earth to view the "Big 5," Kenya also offers gorgeous Indian Ocean coastline to explore, cultural engagement with Masaai tribespeople and other local experiences, and the opportunity to witness incredible conservation efforts at wildlife rescues in Nairobi and beyond. 

When is the best time to visit? 
The general consensus about Kenya is that there are two seasons, dry and wet, dictated more by rainfall than by fluctuation in temperature. But in reality, weather in Kenya is more nuanced than that—and depending on altitude, seasonal monsoon winds, and proximity to Lake Victoria, you may experience rain at any time of year. All that said, the most popular travel times are December-January and July-August, typically the driest and best for viewing wildlife. Other times of year have their perks, though: wet conditions mean abundant flora, lower prices, and fewer safari groups crowding the national park roads.

How many days do I need?
Due to the unpredictability of animals in their natural habitat, patience is key: the more time you spend, the more likely it is that you'll observe a wide range of wildlife. Safari tours can range from a single day to multiple weeks, though three to five days per park is enough for most people. A popular option for travelers keen on safari is to spend a few days in the famous Masai Mara reserve and a few days in another of Kenya's parks—or combine your time with a trip to Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days · 12 days · 14 days · 21 days

Kenya Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
See lions in the wild hunt for buffalo
Map of Kenya Wildlife Safari - 10 Days
Kenya Wildlife Safari - 10 Days

This exciting 10-day itinerary allows you to truly discover Kenya's diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Your trip will start in the bustling central city, Nairobi before you depart for the countryside and visit Amboseli National Park, which is home to Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Over these 10 days, you will also see the most famous Kenyan parks, including Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, and Maasai Mara, which are home to thousands of wildlife species as well as incredible hiking trails and viewpoints.

A camel at Diani Beach
Map of Best of Kenya: Landscape, Safari, & Beach - 12 days
Best of Kenya: Landscape, Safari, & Beach - 12 days

If you want to experience all of Kenya's top destinations—while also getting the chance to lay back and relax—this exciting 12-day itinerary is for you. You'll start the trip in the bustling capital Nairobi before departing for Kenya's national parks to discover majestic landscapes, see the Big Five, spot diverse bird species, visit chimpanzees, watch an animal migration at Maasai Mara, swim in turquoise blue water, and more.

A group of feeding zebras in Serengeti National Park
Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari - 7 Days

This exciting itinerary includes unforgettable game drives in Kenya and Tanzania for travelers who like to be on the move. Start with two nights in Nairobi for an introduction to Kenyan culture and wildlife conservation. Then, fly to Kilimanjaro, where you'll visit three beautiful safari destinations, including the Serengeti and UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy the comfort of private transfers and unique all-inclusive lodgings for the ultimate African adventure.

Recharge on the sunkissed shores of Zanzibar
Map of Zanzibar Beach Holiday - 5 Days
Zanzibar Beach Holiday - 5 Days

If you're looking to escape the daily grind, five days in a tropical paradise like Zanzibar might be what the doctor ordered. More than inviting white-sand beaches and crystalline waters, the island of Zanzibar is also home to a rich culture and fascinating medieval history. You'll experience it all, plus have your pick of various optional activities—including a romantic sunset cruise.

Mt. Kenya
Ultimate Kenya: Mt. Kenya Trek & Maasai Mara Safari - 12 Days

This active, 12-day adventure includes some of Kenya's best outdoor experiences. After sightseeing in Nairobi, spend several days hiking to the top of Mt. Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa. This amazing and challenging experience is followed by several days of safari and wildlife-spotting activities, as well as cultural immersion in the Maasai Mara.

Lake Victoria from above
Kenyan Culture & Wildlife: Lake Victoria, Kisumu, & Maasai Mara - 8 Days

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world, giving you plenty to explore on this eight-day itinerary. Dive into lake life on Rusinga and Mfangano islands, stroll the streets of Kisumu city, and safari through the famous Maasai Mara reserve as you enjoy a spectrum of what Kenya has to offer.

Make the Most of Your Time in Kenya

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Elephants in Amboseli National Park, with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance
Map of How Many Days to Spend in Kenya
How Many Days to Spend in Kenya

If you have two weeks to spend in Kenya, you can visit several wildlife reserves and national parks, devote time to beaches and learn about the local people and their culture....

Elephant sightings in Masai Mara National Park
Map of 1 Week in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Kenya is an excellent place to holiday in Africa, especially for safari-goers. With an entire week, you'll experience the country's healthy national park and conservancy...

A pair of lions in the Maasai Mara, Kenya
Map of 10 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

If you have 10 days to spend in Kenya, you'll likely want to spend a few on safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve. How you organize the rest of your time is up to you: round...

A family of elephants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Map of 2 Weeks in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks is a perfect amount of time to spend in and around Kenya. There are many ways to structure your trip. Combine a wilderness safari with a cultural tour around the...

Kenya Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
Photos from top left clockwise: Elephants crossing a road in Tanzania,  Maasai people in Kenya, Giraffe in Nairobi National Park, and a lake in Ngorongoro Crater
Kenya or Tanzania Safari

Choosing between a safari in Kenya or Tanzania can be challenging, as both countries offer unique experiences and incredible wildlife diversity. To help you make the best...

Our Latest Kenya Content

Spot big cats like cheetahs as you race across Kenya's national parks on safari
Map of East Africa Safari Adventures & Gorilla Trecking: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda - 21 Days
East Africa Safari Adventures & Gorilla Trecking: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda - 21 Days

Enjoy a three-week wildlife and cultural adventure in East Africa, a region abounding with national parks, reserves, and tribal communities. The safari truck awaits as you set off into Kenya's most famous parks, like Masai Mara, to spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, and more. Then, cross into Tanzania for more thrilling game drives on the Serengeti and the volcanic crater at Ngorongoro before continuing deep into the Ugandan rainforest to witness the last remaining wild mountain gorillas in the world.

Ride a hot-air balloon over Serengeti National Park
Map of Wild East African Odyssey: Savannas & Beaches in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days
Wild East African Odyssey: Savannas & Beaches in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days

Experience the splendor of East Africa on a three-week journey to two of its most gorgeous and biodiverse countries: Kenya and Tanzania. Meet rescued animals, like elephants and giraffes, in Nairobi, then see these animals in the wild on game drives. After a hot-air balloon trip over the golden savannas of the Masai Mara Reserve, you'll cross into Tanzania for more safari fun, including at the "Cradle of Mankind," Ngorongoro, before wrapping up with snorkeling and sunset cruises in Zanzibar.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is that it is renowned for its high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs
Map of 1 Week in Kenya - 3 Safari Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Kenya - 3 Safari Itinerary Ideas

With one week to spend in Kenya, you can comfortably visit four safari destinations. Travelers wanting to hit the highlights can go on game drives to spot the Big Five in Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru, while those looking to discover lesser-traveled destinations can venture to Samburu for a cultural exchange and to see the world's last two white rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Birders will enjoy bush walks, spotting exotic species at Taita, and over 500 species like secretary birds and hornbills at Tsavo.

Kenya Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map One Week in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
One Week in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 5 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map How Many Days to Spend in Kenya
How Many Days to Spend in Kenya
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Kenya
Travel specialist Joseph Thuo
active 51 mins ago

Joseph Thuo

Born and raised in Kenya, in the land of the Maasai (Narok), I started traveling extensively around the country back in College, exploring unique destinations and cultural experiences one after...

read more...
Travel specialist Lize Enderstein
active 7 hours ago

Lize Enderstein

I work as a senior consultant for African Travel Gateway and have 18 years of experience in the travel industry. We plan, book and implement tailor-made holidays for our clients that fit within...

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Travel specialist Petru van Zyl
active 1 day ago

Petru van Zyl

I started in the travel industry in August 1998 and have 25 years experience as a travel consultant. I am a senior consultant who specializes in FIT travel, group travel, VIP clients, luxury...

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Travel specialist Melvin Mapetla
active 4 days ago

Melvin Mapetla

I believe in the transformative power of travel, seeing it as a journey that unveils a world of unforgettable moments. In my role as General Manager at Truly Swahili, we focus on creating...

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Trip Reviews for Kenya

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

I recently went on a safari tour in Kenya and...
Kenya | Aug 16 - Aug 25, 2024

K
Katherine N.
Hong Kong SAR China | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2024
I recently went on a safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania, and it was amazing! The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to see the famous “Big Five” and enjoy the stunning landscapes of both countries. Our guides were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the wildlife and local cultures, adding great value to our experience. When we expressed interest in coffee beans, Nicholas kindly arranged some for us, which was a delightful touch! The accommodations arranged by the agency... Read more

I recently went on a safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania, and it was amazing! The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to see the famous “Big Five” and enjoy the stunning landscapes of both countries. Our guides were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the wildlife and local cultures, adding great value to our experience. When we expressed interest in coffee beans, Nicholas kindly arranged some for us, which was a delightful touch!

The accommodations arranged by the agency were comfortable and authentic, making our stay memorable. Each place offered beautiful views and the staff were incredibly friendly.

Overall, Nicholas provided an unforgettable, enriching journey. I highly recommend this travel agency to anyone interested in exploring the wonders of East Africa. Thank you for making our dream safari a reality!

Local specialist: Nicholas Mwangi
Nicholas
Nicholas Mwangi
Local specialist in Nairobi | Replied on Oct 14, 2024

Thank you so much Katherine for your review.We appreciate and hope that you will be our best Kimkim Ambassador!

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing.
Kenya | Aug 19 - Aug 28, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
Our trip to Kenya was awesome! The combination of great weather, amazing wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and friendly people made it one of our top trips. Our guide, Eric, was fantastic! The three reserves/National Parks we visited were the perfect combination to see different wildlife and environments. Our stay with the Masai Mara tribe was great and a very different experience! The Hot Air balloon ride at sunrise was beautiful. I know wildlife sightings can't be controlled but we barely saw... Read more

Our trip to Kenya was awesome! The combination of great weather, amazing wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and friendly people made it one of our top trips. Our guide, Eric, was fantastic! The three reserves/National Parks we visited were the perfect combination to see different wildlife and environments. Our stay with the Masai Mara tribe was great and a very different experience! The Hot Air balloon ride at sunrise was beautiful. I know wildlife sightings can't be controlled but we barely saw anything. I likely would have passed on the ride having known that on the front end. A very enjoyable and ll of our accommodations were spot-on. We especially enjoyed the Mara Kimana Camp. Beautiful! However, the road leading to the camp is awful! They really need to improve that road.
Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience and we would definitely recommend this kind of trip/itinerary to our family and friends!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Oct 09, 2024
Hi Jennifer, Wow, it sounds like your trip was incredible! I’m so glad you had such a fantastic experience with the wildlife, scenery, and the Maasai Mara tribe. Eric is one of our great guides and we’ll pass on the good message to him, and the hot air balloon ride at sunrise must have been breathtaking, even if the wildlife sightings were a bit sparse. I appreciate your feedback about the accommodations and the road to Mara Kimana Camp—it’s great to know where the highlights are and what... Read more

Hi Jennifer,

Wow, it sounds like your trip was incredible! I’m so glad you had such a fantastic experience with the wildlife, scenery, and the Maasai Mara tribe. Eric is one of our great guides and we’ll pass on the good message to him, and the hot air balloon ride at sunrise must have been breathtaking, even if the wildlife sightings were a bit sparse.

I appreciate your feedback about the accommodations and the road to Mara Kimana Camp—it’s great to know where the highlights are and what could be improved. Your recommendation means a lot, and we’ll definitely keep this in mind for future travel plans. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Warm regards,
Joseph

Friendly travel service that treats you like family and creates unforgettable experiences
Kenya | Aug 19 - Aug 30, 2024

Scott
Scott S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Sep 01, 2024
This was the second epic trip that we booked through KimKim and could not speak higher of the knowledge, professionalism and dedicated support we received once again on this two week trip through Kenya. Both Melvin and Stephen took care of every detail of accommodations, tours, side trips and dedicated drivers. They really listened to what our goals were for the trip - both adventure and budget wise - and customized a trip that we could never have put yigether on our own. The safaris were... Read more

This was the second epic trip that we booked through KimKim and could not speak higher of the knowledge, professionalism and dedicated support we received once again on this two week trip through Kenya. Both Melvin and Stephen took care of every detail of accommodations, tours, side trips and dedicated drivers. They really listened to what our goals were for the trip - both adventure and budget wise - and customized a trip that we could never have put yigether on our own.

The safaris were all memorable as were the hotels and provided meals. They were also wonderful to work with in terms of answering questions and really picking our brains to find things to see that were attuned to our ideals of fun stuff to do.

Most impressive was their availability while on the trip. Whenever we had a question or perhaps hit a small snag, they were immediately available to right any wrong or perhaps instant ways to make quick changes to the itinerary. When we wanted to add a visit to a museum that wasn’t on the original plan, they immediately made it happen.

It was also clutch to have our own driver, Peter, for the entirety of the trip who was friendly and always open to our whims of stopping at a roadside attraction or taking us to a specific spot for lunch. He was so nice and so pleasant to let us just wallow in the beauty of the countryside without always feeling the need to create conversation.

Can’t speak highly enough about KimKim’s partners that they chose to work with. They take the headache out of travel and let you just sit back and enjoy the wonders of your trek.

Can’t wait for our next adventure and working with another top notch team!

Hotel Reviews
Rhino Watch Safari Lodge

A charming retreat hotel conveniently located in Aberdare between several national parks. The staff is wonderfully friendly and the food was above average with a nice variety of selections. The individual cottages differ in size and style. If you don’t want to be too earthy, then stay away from the tent cabins as they are just that…tents. The problem with all the different rooms is none have heat. So if the weather is chilly, the rooms are a cold bummer. The WiFi is also really weak throughout the property and especially in the rooms. There is also no tv in the rooms, so know what you’re getting here. If more of a rustic feel without the modern benefits if what you want, this is the place. Oh, and the piped in muzak into the dining and bar area was terrible covers of American pop standards played over and over again. How about some local, Swahili stylings or something to put the guest in the mood of being in central Africa. Big miss.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heat in rooms
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa
Mombasa

Beautiful property right on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean. Super friendly staff and an endlessly diverse buffet makes this a jewel. Ask for a room with an ocean view. The swim up pool bar is also a joy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Sep 02, 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to work with you and to help create a memorable trip through Kenya. Stephen, Peter, and I are thrilled that you enjoyed the safaris, accommodations, and personalized touches. We’re so glad we could make your experience seamless and enjoyable. Looking forward to planning your next adventure!