12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya – Overview

12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya. Wildlife Tour Kenya. Safari in Kenya. Kenya safari Tour. Enjoy a grand Kenya tour of her major parks for wildlife safari game drives, sight seeing, cultural and mount hiking.

The 12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya is one of the extended Kenya safari packages that features a range of destinations including Samburu Game Reserve with its rolling semi-arid landscapes, the Mount Kenya landscape, the Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park with its counts of flamingos, Maasai Mara National Park- the Kenya’s prime game destination, Lake Naivasha with its unique crescent Island, the rolling plains of Amboseli National Park pardoned by the Kilimanjaro mountain not forgetting the savannah woodland of Tsavo west National Park dotted with counts of wildlife.  Though the safari starts and ends in Nairobi, the option of finishing it on the coastal beaches of Mombasa, Watamu, Diani and Malindi can be considered.

12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve

Day 2: Whole day exploration in Samburu Game Reserve

Day 3: Transfer from Samburu Game Reserve to Mount Kenya

Day 4: Morning exploration of the Mount Kenya area and transfer to Aberdare National Park

Day 5: Morning game drive in Aberdare National Park & transfer to Lake Nakuru

Day 6: Morning drive in Lake Nakuru National Park and transfer to Maasai Mara National Park

Day 7: Do a morning game drive in Maasai Mara National Park and an afternoon tour to the Maasai Village

Day 8: Do a morning balloon Safari and transfer to Lake Naivasha in the afternoon

Day 9: Explore the impressive landscapes of Lake Naivasha and transfer to Amboseli National Park

Day 10: Whole day exploration of Amboseli National Park

Day 11: Transfer to Tsavo West National Park & do an evening game drive

Day 12: Do a morning make the drive in Tsavo National Park and transfer to Nairobi

12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer From Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve

After breakfast, embark on the transfer from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve 340km about 5 hour’s drive passing through impressive landscapes of rural Kenya to the north of Nairobi.

The drive takes you to the famous Kenyan Highlands where magical sights of coffee, tea, cattle and other farmlands derive remarkable journey memories.

You will arrive in the park during the lunch time and have a short relaxation. In the evening, you have a simple drive through the park for sight-seeing. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Samburu Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Samburu Sopa Lodge (Budget/ Basic)

Day 2: Whole-day Exploration in Samburu Game Reserve

After an early breakfast, embark on the whole day exploration of Samburu National Park. The park presenting its arid landscapes which are watered by the Uaso Nyiro River is a habitat to some of the wildlife species that are found north of the equator including the Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryxes and long necked gerenuk along with the elusive Kenya leopard which is recorded to pay evening visits to the park.

The park is also a home to other wild game including the lions, cheetah, Buffalo, elephants and Hippos. Samburu is also a birder’s haven and shelters over 350 species among which include the Kingfishers, vultures, bateleurs, marabous, Somali ostriches among others. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Samburu Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Samburu Sopa Lodge (Budget/ Basic)

Day 3: Transfer From Samburu Game Reserve to Mount Kenya

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Mount Kenya National Park 180km about 3 hours’ drive. You will be welcomed by the remarkable sights of Africa’s second-highest mountain which is 16 ½ km from the Equator.

It presents magical sightseeing opportunity which can interest you to undertake a nature walk in the evening exploring its foot hills. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Serena Mountain Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mount Kenya Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Castle Forest Cottage (Budget / Basic)

Day 4: Morning Exploration of Mount Kenya Area And Transfer to Aberdare National Park

After breakfast, drive through the Mount Kenya landscapes and take a walk where applicable to explore the range of wildlife that inhabits the area including the Zebras, the elephants, the giant forest hogs among others after which you will embark on the transfer to Aberdare National Park 80km around 1 hour drive. Arrive in Aberdare in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Aberdare Country Club (Upmarket / Luxury). Tree Top Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or the Ark (Budget / Basic)

Day 5: Morning Game Drive in Aberdare National Park & Transfer to Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, embark on the game drive exploring the Aberdare’s moorland dotted with counts of animals including African elephant, leopard, African hunting dog, bushbuck, giant forest hog, mountain reedbuck, Cape buffalo, waterbuck, side-striped jackal, duikers, eland, black and white colobus monkey, olive baboon not forgetting the sykes monkey.

The park also contains elusive animals like the golden cat along with the bongo which is a rare forest antelope thriving in the bamboo forest.

The park is also a rich habitat for the black Rhino populations. Besides wildlife, Aberdare National Park contains over 250 species of birds including the endangered Aberdare cisticola, sparry hawk, Jackson’s francolin, goshawks, sunbirds, plovers and eagles.

Listening to the traditional stories of the Kikuyu as they believe that the mountain range of the Aberdare is a home to their god Ngai is also impressive.

Retire from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park 240 km about 4 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Jarika Country Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Sunbird Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Maili Saba Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 6: Morning Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park And Transfer to Maasai Mara National Park

After breakfast, embark on a game drive in the Nakuru National Park well known for its count of flamingoes that are spread on the shores of Lake Nakuru forming one of the beautiful sights in the world.

Besides flamingoes, the park also contains some wild game including the Rhinos, Cape Buffaloes, Giraffes and Baboons among others which combine to make your drive in the park rewarding.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Maasai Mara National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Budget Camp (Budget / Basic), Olmoran Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Mara sarova Camp (Upmarket / Luxury).

Day 7: Do A Morning Game Drive in Maasai Mara National Park And An Afternoon Tour to the Maasai Village

Wake up for an early morning cup of coffee before heading to the park for a rewarding game-viewing encounter.

The drive gives you possibilities of encountering other counts of wild game including the Cheetah, the Zebra, the Thomson Gazelle, Topi, elephants along with other Big five, the Maasai Giraffe, the Roan Antelope, Impala and a range of birds where 470 species thrive in the park with possibilities of viewing the vultures, secretary birds, crowned cranes, African pygmy falcons, long crested eagles among others.

Retreat from the activity and embark to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.

In the afternoon, you embark on the tour of the Maasai Village. The Maasai people are the indigenous inhabitants of the rangeland where the current Maasai Mara National Park is located which actually inspired its naming.

These people have inhabited this rangeland for centuries past and despite the intrusion of the western values into the Kenyan society, the Maasai have maintained their traditions against all odds.

The life of the Maasai is centered on cattle rearing, have unique dressing code, ornaments and body decorations, which are worthy exploring. Retreat in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget Camp (Budget / Basic), Olmoran Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Mara sarova Camp (Upmarket / Luxury).

Day 8: Do A Morning Balloon Safari And Transfer to Lake Naivasha in The Afternoon

The morning is dedicated to viewing wild game and scenery on top in a hot air balloon. You are picked from the lodge as early as 4am to catch up with the flight to the sky at least before the sunrise.

You get amazed by the counts of wildlife that are spread on the plains of Maasai Mara including the resident and migratory animals.

The encounter offers you possibilities of encountering the prides of lion, Rothschild Giraffes, the Hyena, countless Wildebeests, elephants and Zebras.

The views of the Mara River are impressing too as it is fronted by Wildebeest and other game willing to cross it. The Hippos might also be seen taking bath in the waters.

The rolling landscapes of Serengeti National Park are also viewed across. You are treated to a champagne breakfast amidst great populations of wildlife.

Retreat from the activity and embark in the transfer to Lake Naivasha 240 km about 4 ½ hours’ drive for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sawela Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Naivasha Resort (Midrange / Standard) or Cray Fish Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 9: Explore The Impressive Landscapes of Lake Naivasha – Guided Walk On The Crescent Island And Transfer to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, embark on the boat transfer to connect to the Crescent Island which offers you an opportunity to walk in the animals.

The Naivasha which is perched on the floor of the eastern arm of the East African rift valley itself presents a memorable cruise while complement of the walk on the Island exploring the counts of wildlife and birds such as pelicans, fish-eagles and cormorants among others.

Wildlife that can be explored on a guided walk include; Wildebeest, Zebra, Waterbuck and Gazelle. The Giraffes also make a visit to the Island.

The sights of the python may also not be missed. The experience of taking a guided game walk on the island is rewarding.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Amboseli National Park 340 km about 5 ½ hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Serena Lodge Amboseli (Luxury / Upmarket), Porini Amboseli Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Kibo Safari Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 10: Whole-day Exploration of Amboseli National Park

You have a whole day encounter in Amboseli National Park. You drive through the park exploring a wide range of game including elephants, the Giraffes, Buffalo, Zebra, Black Rhino, and Wildebeest along with other plain animals.

The park is also a home to 40 raptor Species and over 400 species of birds including hammerkops, kingfishers, crakes and pelicans.

Translating in to an open plain, the Amboseli’s stretching landscape is a remain of a lake basin that date back to the Pleistocene era resulting from the lava flow that emanated from the Kilimanjaro Mountain when it was still erupting.

The lava blocked the River Pangani forming a lake which is apparently the Amboseli basin. Though it dried up with time, the seasonal flooding that characterizes the basin still affirm this occurrence.

In the south of the park, there lies the towering Kilimanjaro Mountain which is the highest in Africa which present remarkable views to any visiting travelers.

Exploring this combines to make your whole day encounter in Amboseli National Park rewarding. Retreat for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Serena Lodge Amboseli (Luxury / Upmarket), Porini Amboseli Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Kibo Safari Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 11: Transfer to Tsavo West National Park & Do An Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Tsavo West National Park 110km about 2 hours’ drive. You will drive through impressive scenic landscapes of southern Kenya before entering the savannah woodland of Tsavo West.

You will arrive early for check in, relaxation and lunch at the lodge after which you embark on an evening game drive exploring the wild game thriving in the woodlands of Tsavo.

There are surprise encounters with the elephants, lions, black Rhinos, Giraffe, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra among others.

Tsavo west is also a rich habitat for counts of birds including the white headed buffalo weaver featuring its impressive bright red rump.

The drive also exposes to the history of the area especially the man eaters of Tsavo. Retreat for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Kilalinda Safari Camp (Upmarket / Luxury), Lions Buff Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Red Elephants (Budget / Basic)

Day 12: Do Morning Make Drive in Tsavo National Park And Transfer to Nairobi

After breakfast, embark on another thrilling game encounter in the same park gaining chances of sighting more game and others that you might have missed in the previous evening.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Nairobi to mark the end of the safari.

End of The 12 Days Wildlife Safari Kenya.