Make the Most of Your Time in Kenya

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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. Most travelers come to Kenya to go on safari, and this can be done comfortably, however, in as few as five days by sticking to the places closest to Nairobi. With longer in Kenya, you can visit a great range of parks or fit in other activities.

A giraffe at sunset in the Masai Mara National Park
Map of 5 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Kenya - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With less than a week in Kenya, you can make the most of your time by visiting the vast landscapes within a three-hour radius of Nairobi. While it may be tempting to cover more ground, sticking to this geographical area gets you out of the car frequently for many activities and wildlife. Below are several expertly crafted itineraries loaded with iconic Kenyan experiences.

Witness the Big Five on a game drive in Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya
5 Days in Kenya - 3 Safari Itinerary Ideas

Even with a short five-day trip to Kenya, you can experience the area's best wildlife at two to three safari destinations. Venture a few hours outside of Nairobi for a fast-paced highlights tour of Nakuru, Masai Mara, and Lake Naivasha, visit the hidden gems of Aberdare National Park and Samburu National Reserve to see "Special Five" animals, or focus on game drives and bird-watching adventures in Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is that it is renowned for its high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs
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.

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 presence with loads of wildlife, mixed with possible cultural experiences, beach relaxation, and active excursions, including a multi-day trek. Below, are several expertly crafted itineraries packed with iconic Kenyan adventures (and even one with neighboring Tanzania)—all with cool overnight options in eco-lodges and safari camps.

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 out your adventure with more wildlife viewing in the country's top national parks, or opt for a relaxing trip to the white sandy coastline of Diani Beach. You could even add Uganda into the mix, crossing the border to enjoy a one-of-a-kind gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the prime destinations to witness the Great Migration
10 Days in Kenya - 3 Safari Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days to experience Kenya's safari scene, you can visit up to five destinations. Highlights like Lake Nakuru's wetlands and Masai Mara near Nairobi are perfect for spotting Africa's famous Big Five. Travelers wanting to go off the beaten path will enjoy game drives at hidden gems like Samburu National Reserve and tracking white rhinos and lions at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, while birders will delight in discovering some of Kenya's over 1,000 avian species at wildlife havens like Amboseli and Tsavo.

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 country, focus on birdwatching as you travel around Kenya's top national parks, or cross the border and add in a few days in Uganda for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure. Learn more about your options with the itineraries below.

Spend a whole day on safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve, hopefully spotting lions and cheetahs in the park's vast grasslands
2 Weeks in Kenya - 3 Safari Itinerary Ideas

With two weeks in Kenya, you can spend ample time at six to seven wildlife-rich destinations. Travelers wanting to see the highlights can go on game drives at Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Reserve, while those preferring lesser-known destinations can experience flamingoes at Lake Elmenteita and hike to the "hippo pools" at Thompson Falls. Bird-watchers will enjoy seeing endemic African species during bushwalks at Taita and Tsavo East.