Kenya offers a varied and captivating experience that satisfies every traveller’s desire, from the renowned savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the pristine beaches of the Indian Ocean shoreline. In this detailed 2-week Kenya itinerary I’ll outline all the must-do activities which include unforgettable safari adventures, awesome beach destinations as well as an exciting city break in the capital, Nairobi.
Kenya is the birthplace of safari, and hospitality here is an art. We work with small-scale, eco-friendly lodges that offer good value and a warm welcome.
Nature, atmosphere and hospitality: From tented camps in the Maasai Mara to boutique lodges on the Indian Ocean, every stay combines comfort with nature and local craftsmanship. And then there’s the food. What our travellers love most? The diversity, the atmosphere and the famously warm Kenyan hospitality.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Amazing one week itinerary for Kenya 🇰🇪 Nairobi - Masai Mara - Diani beach
Best Time to Visit Kenya
Kenya is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you’re after. Depending on your interests and travel goals, there is no one optimum time to visit Kenya. The two main rainy seasons and two dry seasons that Kenya experiences might affect outdoor activities, wildlife viewing and the overall tourism experience.
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- 1st dry season (January to March): Between the light rains in November and the heavy rains in April and May, there is a brief dry period. It’s an excellent time to see wildlife because the weather is generally dry and mild at this time. In national parks and reserves, it’s simpler to see animals because the foliage is less dense.
- 2nd dry season (June to October): This is the long dry season and basically Kenyan “winter” as the locals would describe it. It’s regarded as the ideal time to go on safari and see the wildlife because of the pleasant climate. Furthermore, between July and August, the Maasai Mara experiences the famous wildebeest migration, which draws tourists from all over the world.
Getting Around Kenya
Road conditions between the national parks are good - you'll find smooth tarmac here all the way. The roads inside the parks vary and can be rough after heavy rain. Want to know more? Check out our Driving in Kenya blog for more tips and advice.
For short trips around Nairobi, Uber will definitely be your best bet. It’s the safest and most cost-effective option. The only thing you’ll need is a sim card, which you can either get at the airport or you can visit one of the many shopping malls in Nairobi. If you feel adventurous, you can also use motorbikes, or locally known as boda bodas. They are in abundance here in Nairobi and quite cheap, however, it’s not the safest option to get around.
For day trips around Nairobi, hiring a private driver is the most practical option. Once you agree a daily rate with them, the driver can pretty much stay with you, wait for you while you’re doing various activities, and then take you back to your hotel/Airbnb.
Definitely go with a professional safari company. The guides and drivers who work for these companies are highly knowledgeable, take care of all the practical things like paying park fees, have lots of experience and know exactly how to get you from A to B, while maximising your chance of wildlife encounters and providing a comfortable travel experience. There are lots of safari companies out there, so a simple Google search will provide you with lots of info. Companies are usually very flexible and you can either create your own custom itinerary or join a group tour.
Top tip: If you’ve got more time up your sleeve, why not tack on some more time in East Africa?
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2-Week Kenya Itinerary
Days 1-2: Nairobi - The Green City in the Sun
Nairobi is known as the Green City in the Sun. It’s a lively place where modern Africa meets safari tradition. You’ll find green neighbourhoods here, but also busy markets and plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants.
Most people fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as it provides the best connections and also the most flights. Once you arrive at JKIA to begin your amazing 2 weeks in Kenya, it’s usually a good idea to take it easy the first day and get used to the city. If you arrive in the morning, you can even start exploring right away.
There are plenty of great accommodation options in Nairobi, so it just depends on your budget.
Day 1: I’d recommend visiting the Giraffe Center, one of the most popular things to do in Kenya. It’s quite easy to get there and not very time consuming, so it’s the perfect light activity for your first day in Kenya.
Day 2: If you are interested in the lesser-known, more “real” aspects of Nairobi life, I’d recommend starting this Kenya trip by joining an authentic Nairobi city street tour hosted by former street kids. The social enterprise is called Nai Nami and empowers former street kids to tell their stories about growing up on the streets of Nairobi.
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David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is another place that should be on your list. It’s a very popular tourist destination where you can watch baby elephants get nursed and taken care of - these are babies whose mothers have been killed by poachers.
If you’re a history buff then I’d definitely add the Nairobi National Museum to your list. The Nairobi National Museum, one of the most well-known museums in the country, exhibits Kenya’s enormous cultural and natural history. Another museum you should visit is the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum focuses on the renowned Danish author Karen Blixen and provides information about Karen Blixen’s life as a coffee plantation owner here in Kenya.
Days 3-4: Lake Naivasha - A Slice of Paradise
Start: Nairobi
Destination: Lake Naivasha
Drive: 120 km | approx.
Your road trip adventure begins! The short drive to Lake Naivasha is a gentle introduction to driving in Kenya. Once you arrive, settle in and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the lake. I added Lake Naivasha to this Kenya travel itinerary because it’s a personal favourite. Some like to head straight to the major national parks, however, I find Naivasha to be a little bit underappreciated as you can have an amazing time there and see great wildlife.
On the east shore of Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island is a tiny slice of paradise. It’s frequently referred to as “Naivasha’s best-kept secret”. The island is ideal for nature walks, wildlife viewing and bird watching. A close-up view of the island and views of local wild species including hippos, zebras and giraffes can be seen on boat trips on Lake Naivasha.
Nearby, Hell’s Gate National Park offers dramatic landscapes and a chance to get active. Cycle among giraffes, zebras, and gazelles, or hike through the scenic gorge. If you appreciate hiking as much as I do, then this should be on your list. It takes roughly five hours to complete the well-marked track. The trek to the mountaintop and along the crater’s rim is the park’s main draw.
A picture of stunning scenery and riding among wildlife comes to mind when you think of Hell’s Gate. That and so much more can be found in this national park. I went to the park almost every weekend for the three months I lived in Naivasha. I was drawn to it because of its distinctiveness, and writing this piece makes me want to go back. Although a game drive is an option, cycling through the park is highly advised.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru - A Small but Scenic Park
Start: Lake Naivasha
Destination: Lake Nakuru
Drive: 80 km | approx.
Head to Lake Nakuru, where your park ticket is valid for 24 hours, ideal for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is a small but scenic park. You’ll find most of the big safari animals here, except elephants, including black and white rhinos and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe.
Day 6: Laikipia - A Charming Working Cattle Ranch
Start: Lake Nakuru
Destination: Laikipia
Drive: 140 km | approx.
Start your day with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, then continue north to Laikipia. You’ll be staying at Ol Maisor Farm, a charming, working cattle ranch that’s full of character and wildlife. Life on this ranch is anything but ordinary. Join the crew for a morning run, cool off with a swim in the dam (no crocs here!), or head out on a guided walking safari. What makes Ol Maisor truly special are the people. For something different, we recommend joining a tracking dog training session.
Day 7: Nanyuki - Gateway to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mount Kenya.
Start: Laikipia
Destination: Nanyuki
Drive: 100 km | approx.
Continue your journey to Nanyuki, the gateway to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mount Kenya. This lively town has a well-stocked supermarket, several good restaurants, and comfortable hotels.
Day 8: Ol Pejeta Conservancy - Home to the Big Five
Start: Nanyuki
Destination: Ol Pejeta - Rongai Gate
Drive: 15 km | approx.
Once a colonial cattle ranch, Ol Pejeta is now one of Africa’s most successful private conservancies. Home to the Big Five and much more, it offers excellent year-round game viewing on well-marked tracks.
Day 9: Samburu - A Semi-Desert Landscape
Start: Nanyuki
Destination: Samburu (via Ngare Ndare Forest)
Drive: 130 km | approx.
At the foothills of Mount Kenya lies Ngare Ndare Forest - an ancient, lush forest and a true hidden gem. Few tourists make it here, but it’s well worth the detour. Branch off the A2 at Timau and follow a 15 km rough road (about 45 minutes each way).
Samburu is a semi-desert landscape and home to the Samburu people, traditional pastoralists who thrive in these harsh conditions. The protected area includes three compact reserves: Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba. Samburu offers the best game drives, with rich wildlife sightings.
Day 10: Meru National Park - A True Wilderness Experience
Start: Samburu
Destination: Meru National Park
Drive: 120 km | approx.
Leave the semi-desert of Samburu behind and head toward the fertile slopes of Mount Meru. Far less crowded than Kenya’s better-known parks, Meru National Park offers a true wilderness experience. All of the Big Five live here, with elephants and buffalo especially common.
Day 11: Sagana - Outdoor Activities
Start: Meru National Park
Destination: Sagana - Rapids Camp
Drive: 230 km | approx.
Today you’re heading to Sagana. The town is named after Kenya's longest river and is known as a centre for outdoor activities. At Rapids Camps, you can go rafting, kayaking, or ziplining, and try out other exciting water activities.
Day 12: Nairobi - Return to the City
Start: Sagana
Destination: Nairobi
Drive: 135 km | approx.
It’s time to return to Nairobi! Late flight? Enjoy a relaxed morning by the river before continuing to Nairobi Airport to meet our colleagues for the car handover. No flight today? We’ll arrange your stay in a comfortable hotel in one of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs.
Days 13-14: Diani Beach or Lamu - Coastal Paradise
You can’t have 2 weeks in Kenya without some beach time.
Diani Beach:
Daini Beach has won various awards in the last couple of years for being the best beach destination in Africa. Due to its pristine beach and abundant marine life, it serves as both a getaway and a hotspot for water activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, kite surfing and deep-sea fishing. Sometimes doing nothing is just as good as doing something, especially if you’ve just come back from a week of safari.
If you are into some adventure, then I’d definitely recommend scuba diving in Diani Beach. I obtained my PADI Open Water Diver certification earlier in the year and had an absolute blast doing it. The place I’d recommend is Diving the Crab.
The Salty Squid is a popular beach restaurant and personally my go-to place when in Diani. Their food is delicious and they also have great outdoor seating right by the beach where you can spend a day working and enjoying the views of the ocean.
Ali Barbours Cave Restaurant is a must-do when in Diani. The setting is quite unique as you’re having dinner in an actual cave.
Diani offers a wide range of accommodation options such as luxury resorts, boutique hotels and beachfront cottages.
Lamu:
Lamu is a lovely island off the coast of Kenya where ancient traditions and stunning nature combine to create an exceptional vacation destination. Lamu is a place where time seems to have stopped in the midst of stunning natural scenery.
One thing I’d definitely recommend is to visit the Lamu Museum. The museum houses a collection of the island’s extensive history, cultural legacy and maritime customs.
The other must-do in Lamu is to take a dhow ride around the Lamu archipelago. There are various tour operators who offer such rides, which are quite amazing! You’ll set sail early in the morning and spend a couple of hours on a dhow taking in all the beauty that Lamu has to offer.
The people working on the boat will also prepare fresh seafood, which is absolutely delicious!
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