Best of Nairobi

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Nairobi

Gateway to the wonders of East Africa, Nairobi is a cosmopolitan capital that’s home to Kenya’s best museums, restaurants and nightlife. Though most visitors are in a hurry to reach the national parks and reserves, the city is a great place for cultural encounters, from seeing craft makers at work (and buying right from the source) to taking in impressive architectural icons like the Jamia Mosque. Nairobi also offers some memorable wilderness encounters right in its backyard.

A top day trip takes you to Nairobi National Park, located less than 6 miles (9.7 km) from the city. It’s home to one of the world’s densest concentrations of black rhinos. You can spend the day looking for the rare rhinos as well as lions, giraffes and other species - sometimes against the surprising backdrop of distant skyscrapers - then be back in the city for a first-rate meal in Westlands or Karen. For a different perspective of Nairobi, book an excursion to Kibera, a shantytown that’s home to one million residents. There you can visit the famous Toi open-air market, a school and a family home.

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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.

Mount Kenya Multi-Day Trek - 7 Days

Experienced hikers and active travelers will scale Africa's 2nd-highest peak on this weeklong itinerary. Start with two days in bustling Nairobi, where you will go on a safari drive and learn about vital wildlife conservation efforts. Then, meet your private guide and set off on a 5-day trek in Mount Kenya National Park, adorned with tropical forests and breathtaking scenery, before returning to Nairobi to finish the trip.

Share beach space with camels at Diani Beach

Kenya Safari & Beach Honeymoon - 7 Days

This weeklong romantic adventure in Kenya is perfect for couples seeking a mix of beach, culture, and wildlife. Kick off the trip in Nairobi, where you'll meet baby elephants and charming giraffes. Then head to a national park on the Tanzanian border to glimpse 'Big Five' wildlife from an open-top Landcruiser. Finish with three nights on a gorgeous white sand beach, close to sacred jungles and monkey sanctuaries.

Wildlife and Culture in Kenya: Nairobi, Maasai, Mara River - 5 Days

Perfect for those looking to combine cultural experiences with wildlife safaris, this trip starts in the bustling city of Nairobi where you'll visit a women's cooperative pottery factory, a giraffe conservation center, and an elephant rescue. Next you'll head out into the African bush and stay in luxury tents near the Mara River where you can witness the annual Great Migration under the guidance of the Maasai tribe. Enjoy daily safaris and game drives, viewing animals such as lion, cheetah, antelope, giraffe, hippo, and more.

Visit Lake Nakuru to see the flocks of flamingoes

Epic Wildlife Adventure in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days

Dive into Kenya and Tanzania's cultural and natural wonders on this three-week itinerary, starting with a tour of Nairobi led by a former street kid. Visit elephants and giraffes at two sanctuaries before embarking on thrilling game rides in three national parks. Transfer to Arusha in Tanzania, where more wildlife adventures, a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti, and a Maasai cultural experience await. Finish back in Nairobi for a bean-to-cup coffee experience at a nearby estate.

Kenya Wildlife Safari & Cultural Immersion - 7 Days

Enjoy the best natural and cultural experiences that Kenya has to offer in a quick but comprehensive seven-day tour. After a day exploring the attractions of Nairobi, hit the ground running at the Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the finest wildlife areas in the country. Get a close-up experience of local Maasai culture and the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp, an authentic example of how the Maasai people live and work these days. End with a bang, at the world-renowned Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve, where you'll enjoy several morning and afternoon safari expeditions, for the greatest chances of seeing the Big Five, and much more.

South Africa Adventure & Kenya Safari - 14 Days

You can see South Africa and Kenya on this wide-ranging two-week tour around both countries. Start in Cape Town, where you'll hike to the top of Table Mountain, taste locally produced wines, and see whales and penguins in their natural habitats. Then cross the border to Kenya, where national parks and lakes rich with wildlife await. You'll enjoy multiple safari days, spotting elephants, giraffes, and lions in the wild. You'll also have the chance to interact with local people during a visit to the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

Luxury Safari in Kenya - 12 Days

Travelers who enjoy the finer things in life while getting out into nature will love this 12-day luxury safari tour in Kenya. Stay in some of the country's most beautiful and distinctive safari lodges and city accommodation, including the unique Giraffe Manor, where you can get up (very!) close to the beautiful creatures. Meet Maasai people and learn about their lives at the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. Spot a wide variety of animals and birds at numerous wildlife reserves, including buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, lions, and much more.

Best of Kenya: Wildlife & Beaches - 9 Days

No need to choose between wildlife safari or beach vacation—on this diverse 9-day Kenyan itinerary you'll get the best of both worlds. After landing in Nairobi, you'll spot hippos and flamingos on a boat tour of Lake Naivasha, embark on an unforgettable safari into the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and experience life in a traditional Maasai village. End your adventure by heading to the coast, where you can relax and recharge on the white sands of Diani Beach.

Discover the Great Migration at Maasai Mara - 6 Days

Explore the wildlife of Kenya at the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve on the Mara River by spending three days following expert guides and observing the wildebeest, zebra, and crocodiles that make the Great Migration so fascinating. You'll explore different vantage points and take incredible photos and videos of the migration in action. To end the trip, you'll discover Lake Naivasha by bike, boat, or hot air balloon, and view its hippo population.

Meet Rothschild's giraffes and learn about Kenya's conservation efforts

Kenya Coffee, Culture & Wildlife Tour - 5 Days

This exciting 5-day adventure combines a unique range of experiences for a Kenyan trip to remember. It kicks off with two nights in the capital, where you'll visit Nairobi National Park and centers dedicated to elephants and giraffes. From here, a private driver will take you to a notable coffee estate for a farm tour and tasting. Then, continue to Lake Naivasha for more wildlife in Hell's Gate National Park, not to mention a boat tour among hippos and rare birds.

Wildlife and Beaches of Kenya - 10 Days

Offering a mix of active adventures, cultural sightseeing, and relaxation, this 10-day tour of Kenya has something for everyone. Enjoy a safari experience in Maasai Mara National Reserve, interact with baby elephants at an elephant orphanage, and learn about Maasai traditions at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. Wrap up with a few days on the white sands of Diani Beach before heading back to Nairobi.

Kenya Family Safari: Nairobi, Nakuru, Maji Moto, Masai Mara - 8 Days

This eight-day safari tour of Kenya includes a range of wildlife and cultural activities that will appeal to both kids and adults. The itinerary fits a lot into a little more than a week, but you have enough time in each place to take it easy and not exhaust the younger members of the family (or the older ones!) Enjoy game drives in the unparalleled Maasai Mara Reserve, spend time with Maasai people in their villages to better understand their way of life, and have close encounters with a wide range of wildlife.

Experience the remarkable diversity of species in the Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya Safari Highlights: Nairobi, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha - 10 Days

Journey to East Africa and experience the natural and cultural highlights of the continent in one of the best places for it: Kenya. Perfect first-timers, this safari adventure will take you both on and off the beaten path, starting with game drives around the capital city of Nairobi, followed by a deeper dive into the legendary Masai Mara, ancestral home of the Maasai people. Then venture to the wetland ecosystem of Lake Naivasha, where boat tours get you up close to hippos, crocs, and more.

Glimpse a lilac-breasted roller in flight on this wildlife and bird-watching safari

Kenya Wildlife & Bird-Watching Safari - 14 Days

Embark on a two-week adventure to uncover Kenya's dual allure as a premier safari and birding destination. As you travel across renowned national parks like Tsavo and Amboseli, you'll spot many of the country's 1,000-plus bird species alongside the magnificent Big Five on game drives and bush walks. Round out your vacation with a luxury stay on the white sands of the Diani coast and a mouthwatering food tour in Mombasa.

You're sure to spot lions on game drives through Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya National Parks & Wildlife Safari - 7 Days

This one-week adventure celebrates the best of Kenya, from its rich culture to its dramatic landscapes and exotic wildlife. After a night in the dynamic capital of Nairobi, a private driver will take you to some of the country's star locales, including Lake Nakuru National Park, the Great Rift Valley, and the legendary Masai Mara Reserve. At each, you'll spot Big Five safari animals, flocks of flamingoes, wildebeests, and much more— plus soar over the African savanna in a hot-air balloon!

Explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve - 5 Days

Explore the rich ecosystem of the Masai Mara Game Reserve with daily safaris and the option for hot air balloon rides above the river valley. You'll start in Nairobi with a quick tour of the city, then head to the park where you'll enjoy observing the Great Migration across the Mara River. Along with expert guides, you'll look for the Big Five populations, spotting giraffe, lion, hippo, and zebra from game drives, and elephants from the comfort of your camp's viewing lounge.

A couple of wild elephants on the slopes of Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya Hike & Wildlife Tour - 5 Days

This active Kenyan trip covers a lot of ground in under a week. After a night in the bustling capital, a private driver will take you on a scenic drive to Mount Kenya National Park. This is where you'll hike to a camp situated above 10,000 feet, with views of the country's highest peak. Then, descend to Nanyuki—a traveler hub with international cuisine—before heading to a renowned wildlife conservancy for a day of adventures. Finish with a morning game drive before returning to Nairobi.

Colorful Maasai beads for sale in a marketplace

Cultural Kenya: Wildlife, History & Art - 14 Days

While many tours of Kenya focus on the country's spectacular wildlife, few offer a deep dive into East African culture. This lively two-week tour does both. Learn about the history behind the so-called "cradle of humankind" by visiting Kenya's top museums and cultural sites, including the Nairobi National Museum, the Karen Blixen House, and the Baden-Powell Museum. Then get out and explore the country's famous landscapes, including the Great Rift Valley, Amboseli National Park, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Flocks of flamingoes are common on lakes Nakuru, Naivasha, and Bogoria

Kenya Birdwatching Safari - 5 Days

Nature enthusiasts will love this 5-day adventure that visits four different Kenyan lakes known for birds and wildlife. A private driver will first take you to Lake Naivasha for a boat tour and island walk, where you'll get up close to a range of bird species, as well as zebras and giraffes. Next is Lake Nakuru where you'll join a safari in a vast wildlife preserve. Finish the trip on Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria for quality time to experience the Rift Valley by car, boat, foot, and bicycle.

Meet the last wild white rhinos in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Kenya Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari: Nairobi, Aberdare, Samburu & Ol Pejeta - 7 Days

Buckle up for a once-in-a-lifetime safari through some of Kenya's lesser-visited natural highlights. This week of wildlife adventures starts in Nairobi, where you'll learn about conservation efforts and meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes at a local sanctuary. Then, it's off to spot elephants in the wild mountains of Aberdare and seek out the"Special Five" species of Samburu. Later, travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to marvel at the rarest specimens of all: the critically endangered northern white rhino.

Kenya Wildlife & Culture Adventure - 10 Days

Kenya offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, and you can experience them both on this 10-day tour. Have the chance to spot a huge range of wildlife by visiting the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the unparalleled Maasai Mara, and beautiful Lake Naivasha. Spend time with the local Maasai people at a special camp, where you can learn about their lifestyle and camp out with them the traditional way. In 10 days you'll get an exciting taste of the best of Kenya.

This epic two-week safari features some of Kenya's best elephant-spotting locales, including Amboseli National Park

Kenya Safari Highlights: Nakuru, Masai Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo — 14 Days

For culture, natural beauty, and exotic wildlife, you can't do better than Kenya. It's home to ancient ethnic cultures, like the Maasai people, plus many national parks and reserves—one of which runs right up to Nairobi's city limits. This ultimate two-week itinerary is packed full of adventures, including safaris in Nairobi National Park, Masai Mara, and Amboseli, hand-feeding giraffes, marveling at the red elephants of Tsavo, traveling to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and much more.

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.

Kenya Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek - 2 Weeks

This two-week itinerary includes some of the best wildlife encounters and safari experiences that East Africa offers. In Kenya, you'll spend time at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the only remaining northern white rhinos in the world, and experience cultural immersion with Maasai people while staying in a camp near the Maasai Mara. Then fly across the border to Uganda to spend an incredible day hiking and looking for gentle mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

See exotic birds like the great hornbill as you hop between some of Kenya's greatest parks and reserves

Kenya Wildlife & Bird-Watching Safari: Nairobi, Amboseli, Tsavo & Taita- 10 Days

With over 1,000 avian species, Kenya is a birder's dream. This 10-day safari adventure takes you through some of the country's greatest bird-watching destinations, from the foothills of Kilimanjaro to the volcanic landscapes of Tsavo—as you hop from lodge to lodge and embark on a packed itinerary of game drives and bush walks. Alongside spectacular feathered specimens like secretary birds and hornbills, you'll have plenty of chances to spot iconic African wildlife like lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more.

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.

Kenya Birdwatching & Safari Trip - 14 Days

With more than 1,100 species of birds, Kenya is a paradise for birdwatchers. This 14-day itinerary will take you through some of the country's most beautiful landscapes to see a wide variety of birds in their natural habitats. Begin with a free day in Nairobi before transferring to Samburu Reserve for your first guided safari. Then you'll take a birdwatching hike up Mount Kenya, tour the Elsamere Conservation Center, and see hundreds of flamingoes at Lake Elmenteita. End your trip with multiple days in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Wildlife & Culture in Kenya - 14 Days

Explore nature and wildlife in Kenya with safaris and visits to Maasai villages in several national parks, starting with the famous pink flamingos at Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru. Watch Maasai Mara's Great Migration from land and air in an optional hot air balloon ride, then visit the giraffes of Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha. Search for the Big Five and enjoy scenes of elephants grazing below Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park before returning to Nairobi to visit the Giraffe Center and Kazuri bead workshop.

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.

See Big Five wildlife plus rare species on game drives in Samburu Reserve

Kenya Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari: Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta & Elmenteita - 10 Days

Brace yourself for a once-in-a-lifetime African experience that is almost too good to be true. The itinerary is packed with safari adventures at hidden-gem national parks like Aberdare and Samburu, where you'll spot Big Five animals like lions, plus marvel at elephant herds right from the terrace of your lodge. But that's just the start—the apex of this journey is a visit to a rare wildlife sanctuary to spend time with rescued chimps and the world's last remaining northern white rhinos.

Marathoner Catherine Ndereba looking out over Iten

Running Experience in Kenya - 10 Days

Runners will delight in this active tour of Kenya. The itinerary features three nights in the small town of Iten, known as the "Home of Champions," a safari in the country's best wildlife reserve, and a few days to relax on Diani Beach. You'll spend an afternoon watching Olympic athletes and elite marathoners train at Kamariny Stadium, enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the Mara River, and swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Rhinos in Kenya, one of the so-called "Big Five"

"Big Five" Safari Experience - 10 Days

Explore Kenya's wildlife, landscapes, and native culture on this diverse 10-day itinerary. After taking in sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, you'll go on safari tours in Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Then you'll have the chance to tour a Maasai village, visit a pair of national parks, hike to the summit of Mt. Longonot, and see elephants in the wild at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Spot Big Five wildlife and rare specimens in off-the-beaten-track national parks like Samburu

Kenya Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari: Aberdare, Samburu, Loisaba & More - 14 Days

See a side of Kenya that most travelers miss on a two-week hop around its most exotic parks, reserves, and conservancies. The rewards for your intrepid exploration are many and include visits to flamingo-filled saline lakes and romantic waterfalls. In parks and reserves like Aberdare and Samburu, you'll marvel at rare animals like Grévy's zebras and Somali ostriches, plus stop in at rescue centers that look after everything from chimpanzees to the last remaining white rhinos in the world.

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.

Kenya Wildlife Photography Safari - 21 Days

This 21-day trip is a wonderful fit for photographers looking to see the African landscape and its impressive wildlife. Visit 10 different parks and conservations to find the big five–lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards. Bask in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa, and Mt. Kenya, the second-highest in Africa. Along the way you'll also see the Great Rift Valley and meet local people, making the entire itinerary a "photographer's paradise" and an incredibly memorable trip to Africa.

Other popular travel destinations in Kenya
Masai Mara · Nakuru · Maji Moto · Amboseli National Park · Samburu Reserve · Diani Beach · Nanyuki · Lake Naivasha · Laikipia · Tsavo National Park · Mombasa

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