Kenya Safari Planning Hub
Discover the best safari destinations you can reach from Nairobi by road or air. Compare travel times, costs, wildlife and trip lengths, then find the safari that fits your schedule.
Answer three quick questions and we will suggest the destinations that fit your time, travel style and interests. Then view a matching itinerary or ask us to tailor one.
Tell us roughly when you land in Nairobi and we will tell you whether you can usually connect to your safari the same day, or whether an overnight in Nairobi makes more sense.
This is a general indication only and flight availability is not guaranteed. We confirm your specific connection and book domestic flights as part of your safari package.
Nairobi is East Africa’s safari gateway, and it is where almost every Kenya adventure begins. The city connects to the country’s finest parks by a good road network and a busy web of domestic flights, so you can be watching elephants within hours of landing.
Most international flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), while light aircraft to the parks depart from Wilson Airport a short transfer away. On the city’s southern edge, Nairobi National Park offers lions and rhino against a skyline backdrop, a rare half-day option for travellers who are short on time.
From here the classic destinations fan out: Amboseli and Ol Pejeta within about four hours, Lake Nakuru a little closer, and the Maasai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo within easy reach by road or a short flight. Whatever your schedule, there is a rewarding safari that starts in Nairobi.
A quick side-by-side look at drive and fly times, the minimum days we suggest, and what each destination does best. Travel times are typical and vary with traffic, season and road conditions.
| Destination | Drive | Fly | Min Days | Big Five | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara | 5 to 6 hrs | 45 min | 3 | Yes | First safari & the Migration |
| Amboseli | 4 hrs | 40 min | 2 | Yes | Elephants & Kilimanjaro views |
| Ol Pejeta | 4 hrs | Charter | 2 | Yes | Rhino & families |
| Samburu | 6 hrs | 1 hr | 3 | Special Five | Photography & the north |
| Lake Nakuru | 3 hrs | Rare | 2 | Rhino | Weekend & short breaks |
| Tsavo | 5 hrs | 1 hr | 3 | Yes | Red elephants & big landscapes |
The right destination depends on how long you have. Here is how we tend to guide travellers by the number of days available from Nairobi.
A taste of the wild without leaving the city behind.
The classic circuits and unhurried luxury.
Options shown in plain text are regional day trips we arrange on request. Tap any of these to enquire and we will build the details around your dates.
Both have their place, and many of our guests happily combine them. Here is how we weigh up the choice.
Best for shorter transfers and travellers who love the journey.
Best for saving time and reaching remote parks quickly.
A popular approach is to drive out and fly back, or the reverse, so you enjoy the scenery once and save time on the return. We will suggest the mix that suits your itinerary.
A snapshot drawn from our own operations rather than generic figures. These patterns help us plan smoother trips.
How we source this: these figures are indicative, drawn from our booking records and guides’ field notes across recent seasons. They describe general patterns, not guarantees.
Rather than a single price, it helps to think in ranges. Cost depends on trip length, season, how you travel and the level of accommodation you choose.
| Trip | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days Amboseli | $ | $$ | $$$ |
| 2 days Nakuru | $ | $$ | $$$ |
| 3 days Maasai Mara | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| 5 days Mara & Nakuru | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
Our quotes typically include park fees, a private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as specified. Flights, premium drinks and optional activities are itemised separately, so you always see what you are paying for.
Each of these parks is within comfortable reach of Nairobi by road or a short flight. Follow any link for our full guide to that destination.
The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most celebrated reserve and the stage for the Great Migration from July to October. Big cats are a highlight all year, and the open plains make for classic first-safari game viewing. Best for first-time safari-goers and anyone hoping to witness the Migration.
Explore Maasai Mara
Famous for great herds of elephants set against the snows of Kilimanjaro, Amboseli offers some of Kenya’s most photogenic scenes. Its compact size and short transfer make it ideal for a rewarding two-day trip. Best for elephants, photography and shorter breaks.
Explore Amboseli
A leading conservancy on the Laikipia plateau, Ol Pejeta is home to both black and white rhino and pioneering conservation. Flexible activities and family-friendly lodges make it a favourite for younger travellers. Best for rhino, conservation and families.
Explore Ol Pejeta
The arid north has a character all its own, with the Special Five species you will not see further south, including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Best for photographers and travellers seeking somewhere different and remote.
Explore Samburu
The closest of the major parks, Nakuru is a Rift Valley gem with rhino, tree-climbing lions and, in the right seasons, flamingos along the shore. Best for a weekend escape or a short first taste of the wild.
Explore Lake Nakuru
Kenya’s largest wilderness spans two contrasting parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, known for dust-red elephants, big landscapes and fewer vehicles. It combines beautifully with the coast. Best for wide open country and a wilder feel.
Explore Tsavo
The Mount Kenya region blends alpine scenery, mountain forest wildlife and luxury lodges with trekking for those who want it. Best for travellers who want highland landscapes alongside their game viewing.
Explore Mount KenyaKenya is a year-round destination, but the drier months of January to March and June to October generally offer the finest game viewing. July to October brings the Great Migration to the Maasai Mara. The green season of April, May and November has its own quiet beauty, fewer visitors and lower rates.
For a detailed month-by-month view, see our when to go guide.
Rather than a long list of products, here are trips grouped by what you are looking for. Each one departs from Nairobi and can be tailored to your dates.
Gentle pace, flexible drives and lodges that suit children.
Time and space for the best light and sightings.
Timed for the river crossings and great herds.
Romantic settings and unhurried, private travel.
A quick escape close to Nairobi.
Combine the wild with the Kenyan coast.
Helpful guides and safari styles to shape your trip before you enquire.
Yes. Many of our guests begin their safari the moment they land. We can collect you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and drive straight to your first park, or connect you to a domestic flight from Wilson Airport. If you arrive late, we usually suggest one night in Nairobi so you start the drive fresh the next morning.
Yes. Complimentary pick-up from any Nairobi hotel or from JKIA is included on our private safaris. We agree a departure time in advance so your day is unhurried.
Lake Nakuru (about 3 hours) and Amboseli and Ol Pejeta (about 4 hours) are the closest for a road safari. Nairobi National Park sits on the city edge for a half-day option. The Maasai Mara is 5 to 6 hours by road or a 45 minute flight.
It depends on your time and comfort. Driving lets you see the landscape and costs less, and suits Nakuru, Amboseli and Ol Pejeta. Flying saves hours and suits the Maasai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo, especially on shorter trips. We are happy to mix the two.
Nairobi National Park is on the city outskirts. For a full wilderness experience with the shortest transfer, Lake Nakuru at around 3 hours is the closest of the major parks.
Two days is enough for a focused trip to Amboseli, Nakuru or Ol Pejeta. Three days lets you enjoy the Maasai Mara, Samburu or Tsavo properly. Five days or more opens up rewarding combinations such as Mara and Nakuru or Amboseli and Tsavo.
Yes, and many guests do. A common choice is to drive out to enjoy the scenery and fly back to save time, or the reverse. We will build the transfers around your schedule.
Yes. Our vehicles are serviced regularly, our driver-guides are professional and experienced, and we plan routes and rest stops with your comfort in mind. Road conditions vary by park and season, which we explain before you travel.
If you arrive in the evening or after a long flight, one night in Nairobi is a good idea so you begin rested. If you land in the morning, you can often head straight out. We will advise based on your arrival time.
Yes. A safari and beach combination is one of our most popular trips. You can finish in Tsavo and continue to Diani or Mombasa, or fly from your last park to the coast.
Yes. We arrange family safaris with suitable lodges, flexible game drives and shorter transfers. Amboseli, Ol Pejeta and Nakuru work particularly well for families with younger children.
Absolutely. Every safari we run is private and tailor-made. You choose the parks, pace, accommodation level and travel style, and we build the itinerary around you.
January to March and June to October are generally the finest months, with drier conditions and excellent wildlife viewing. July to October brings the Great Migration to the Maasai Mara. We can advise on the best month for what you want to see.
Costs vary with length, season, accommodation level and whether you fly or drive. As a guide, short two to three day trips start at the lower end, while longer luxury combinations sit higher. We share transparent, itemised quotes with no hidden extras.
Our private safaris typically include Nairobi or airport pick-up, park entry fees, a private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation, and meals as specified. Flights, premium drinks and optional activities are quoted separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
That depends on your time, interests and travel style. Use our planner above for an instant suggestion, or tell us your dates and interests and our Kenya specialists will recommend the safari that fits you best.
We are a Kenya-based team who arrange private, tailor-made safaris. Here is what that means for your trip from Nairobi.
Every trip is exclusively yours, never a shared group departure.
A team based in Kenya who know the parks, roads and lodges first-hand.
We build each safari around your dates, pace and interests.
Travel when it suits you, with adjustable timings and routes.
Clear, itemised quotes with no hidden extras.
Professional driver-guides with a deep knowledge of Kenya’s wildlife.
Transfers and stops refined over hundreds of departures.
Reachable before and during your trip whenever you need us.
Share your dates, days available, group size, budget and interests, and our Kenya specialists will craft a personalised itinerary just for you.