An elephant walks towards the camera | Go2Africa

10 Best Kenya Safari Tours: Our Top Picks

Kenya is a safari destination that offers incredible natural beauty, soul-stirring cultural encounters, sensational game viewing and, of course, the thrills and spills of the Wildebeest Migration. No wonder it's the birthplace of safari travel!

From seeing the wildebeest mega-herds in the Masai Mara and Amboseli's legendary elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro to cultural encounters in Samburu, a Kenya safari will not disappoint. Plus, you can effortlessly combine our Kenya safari tours with gorilla-trekking adventures in Uganda or Rwanda, or even a tropical beach holiday overlooking the turquoise waters and fluttering palm trees of the warm Indian Ocean.

Over the last 25 years (and counting) of operating in the safari space, we have tried and tested many Kenya safaris. Here are our top 10 Kenya safari tours to serve as inspiration for your next adventure, all completely customisable to meet your travel wishes.

Classic Safaris

Classic Kenya Safari Tours

1. A Lion King Adventure for Kids in Kenya

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 5 | Price: from USD 6,305 pps

Spot your favourite big cats on game drives | Porini Lion Camp

Immerse yourself in a 10-day Kenya safari tour that will transport you to the world of a live-action Lion King. Scenes from the 2019 version of The Lion King features shots of Kenya, while the 1994 animated film draws inspiration from the Masai Mara's landscape. Start in the capital of Nairobi before winding your way through some of Kenya's top safari spots.

Amboseli National Park, one of the best places in the world to get up close to elephants, is first on the list before moving to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia to visit the endangered black rhino sanctuary. Then, it's off to Meru National Park, best known for being the setting for Joy Adamson's book, Born Free. Your safari in Kenya ends in the Masai Mara, a wildlife-rich region boasting picturesque views of an unspoiled landscape – and, of course, plenty of cheetah, leopard and lion sightings.

Tour Highlights:

  • Stay at award-winning tented camps that blend authentic safari accommodation with modern luxury
  • Up-close encounters with endangered black rhino
  • See the Big 5 (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard)
  • Cultural visit to a Maasai village & bush walks with Maasai warriors
  • Stunning views in untouched natural landscapes

Best Suited For:

  • Families with kids ages 8 and older

2. Adventure Safari in Laikipia, Samburu & Masai Mara

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 4 | Price: from USD 15,790 pps

Explore Africa’s untamed nature on camelback | SaSaab Camp

This 10-day trip is the best safari in Kenya for those with an adventurous spirit. The tour starts off with a bang in Nairobi at the famous Giraffe Manor, where you'll have the pleasure of mingling with its local residents – the endangered Rothschild's giraffes. From here, you venture into rhino territory. Solio Lodge is one of the first private rhino conservancies in Kenya and is offers sensational scenery of Mount Kenya and its surrounds, as well as easy access to Aberdare National Park.

Venture further into Kenya for your next stop at SaSaab Camp in Samburu National Reserve, a destination that promises exceptional game viewing and the chance to seek out the rare and endemic Samburu Special 5 (Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra and gerenuk). Last, but far from least, is a stay at Sala's Camp, located in the incomparable Masai Mara – the perfect place to catch all the drama of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Tour Highlights:

  • Have breakfast with Rothschild's giraffes at Giraffe Manor
  • Get up close to rhino in Laikipia
  • Enjoy safari walks, horse riding and mountain biking near Mount Kenya
  • Camel trekking, fly camping and stargazing in Samburu
  • Front-row seats to the Great Migration (in season)

Best Suited For:

  • Adventurous travellers

3. Immersive Safari Experience in Samburu & Mara

Duration: 8 Days | Destinations: 3 | Price: from USD 4,695 pps

Discover a renowned rhino sanctuary | Sirikoi

Spend 8 days on a Kenya safari that boasts an immersive itinerary that takes you off the beaten path to see a special part of Africa only accessible to a privileged few. Start in Nairobi and ease into your new surroundings with a night at Ololo Safari Lodge before venturing further into Kenya's safari destinations.

Samburu National Reserve is first on the list, providing the opportunity to enjoy a variety of experiences – from game viewing and exploring caves to gaining insights into the Samburu people's way of life from traditional warriors. The last few nights of your safari in Kenya are spent in the world-famous Masai Mara. Enjoy a secluded valley in Mara North Conservancy, exploring the seemingly never-ending plains and encountering its wildlife, guided by a passionate and knowledgeable Maasai warrior.

Tour Highlights:

  • Stay in luxury accommodation throughout
  • Game drive through Nairobi National Park
  • Explore 2 of Kenya's game-rich regions – Samburu & Masai Mara
  • Kids enjoy age-appropriate activities in the Warriors Academy programme
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari & helicopter excursions
  • Seek out the Samburu ‘Special 5' on game drives
  • Cultural interactions with Maasai & Samburu tribes
  • Guided walks, hiking & visits to local villages and markets

Best Suited For:

Multi-generational families

4. Dive Into Kenya’s Mara & Rhino Tracking Experience

Duration: 8 Days | Destinations: 2 | Price: from USD 5,505 pps

Saruni rhino in an effort to conserve the species | Go2Africa
Track rhino on foot | Saruni Rhino

First-timers and serial safari-goers alike will delight in this 8-day itinerary that takes you through two of Kenya's top wildlife destination gems. Your first stop is Samburu – a region well-known for its first-class, year-round game viewing – particularly of big cats, wild dog, elephant and the Samburu Big 5. Impeccable game viewing isn't the only exciting experience on offer. Adventure and cultural activities abound in this reserve – from hikes and mountain biking to visiting the nearby Samburu villages. But the cherry on top is undoubtedly the incredible opportunity to track endangered black rhinos – an activity offered by Samburu Rhino, your home away from home.

From one thrilling adventure to the next, you're whisked off to the Masai Mara for even more spectacular game viewing and the chance to see the Wildebeest Migration. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, buffalo, zebra, giraffes, hyenas and the famous big cats – lion, leopard and cheetah. And depending on your time of visit, you'll get to witness nature's grandest show. Between August and November each year, the Mara plays host to the unending masses of wildebeest and zebra following the rains.

Tour Highlights:

  • Authentic yet comfortable & luxurious accommodation throughout
  • Explore two of Kenya's most popular destinations
  • Track endangered black rhino
  • Incredible game viewing in both Samburu & Masai Mara
  • See the Great Wildebeest Migration (in season)
  • Visit the Retiti Elephant Sanctuary
  • Cultural experiences with traditional Maasai & Samburu tribes

Best Suited For:

First-timers & serial safari-goers

Trips With A Purpose

Kenya Safaris With A Positive Impact

5. Conservation, Community and Wildlife in Amboseli & the Mara

Duration: 9 Days  | Destinations: 3 | Price: from USD 5,030 pps

Cultural encounters with the Maasai | Porini Amboseli Camp

This 9-day safari in Kenya takes you on an authentic experience through three of Kenya's biggest wildlife destinations – Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara. Exceptional game viewing, incredible views of nature and Porini's award-winning luxury eco-camps are par the course throughout this tour.

And while you're enjoying the spoils of an authentic African safari, your trip will have a positive impact on the local community and wildlife conservation efforts in the conservancies you visit. This tour ensures that your visit to Africa is a trip with a purpose that leaves a lasting impact long after your return home.

Tour Highlights:

  • Stay in private conservancies for an exclusive & private safari experience
  • Game drives, night drives & nature walks with Maasai guides
  • See the Wildebeest Migration (in season)
  • Eco-friendly camps throughout ensure a reduced carbon footprint
  • Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
  • Stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari
  • Visit the Amboseli Elephant Research Project

Best Suited For:

Travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-track safari

Ready to Plan Your Kenya Safari? 

Get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts.

6. Fly-In Cultural Safari in Amboseli, Samburu & Masai Mara

Duration: 6 Days | Destinations: 4 | Price: from USD 5,565 pps

Game drives in Nairobi National Park with the city as your background | Nairobi Tented Camp

This is one of those Kenya safari tours that hit the ground running from the moment you land in Africa. Light aircraft flights take you between destinations to maximise your time on safari, so you don't miss a single second experiencing all that Nairobi, Amboseli, Samburu and Masai Mara have to offer.

Spotting your favourite African animals while on game drives in these wildlife-rich regions is an unforgettable experience, but you'll be surprised to find the human encounters just as spectacular. This 6-day trip provides the opportunity for guests to gain in-depth insight into traditional Samburu and Maasai culture.

Tour Highlights:

  • Cultural encounters with the Samburu & Maasai tribes
  • Exceptional Big 5 game viewing throughout
  • Stay in luxury safari accommodation throughout
  • Optional spa treatments, helicopter flips & hot-air balloon safaris
  • Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
  • Breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro
  • See the Wildebeest Migration (in season)

Best Suited For:

Travellers seeking to learn about traditional cultures in Africa

7. Conservation, Community & Wildlife in Kenya’s Top Parks

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 5 | Price: from USD 6,800 pps

Stay in eco-friendly camps | Rhino River Camp

Kick-off this grand 10-day Kenya safari in Nairobi National Park before making your way through the country's top wildlife spots – Selenkay, Amboseli, Ol Pejeta, Meru and Ol Kinyei – before ending your trip in one of Africa's gems: the Masai Mara.

This trip promises several incredible experiences, like visiting the rescued primates at the chimpanzee sanctuary, and popping in at the Endangered Species Boma to see the world's last remaining northern white rhinos and hand-feeding Baraka, the blind black rhino.

Tour Highlights:

  • Stay in luxury eco-friendly accommodation throughout
  • Visit rescued primates at a chimpanzee sanctuary
  • See endangered rhino at sanctuaries in Laikipia & Meru National Park
  • Fantastic game viewing in all destinations
  • Game drives, night drives, nature walks & hikes up a small extinct volcano
  • See the Great Wildebeest Migration (in season)
  • Hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara
  • Hand-feed Baraka, the blind black rhino
  • Insightful cultural interactions with a traditional Maasai tribe
  • Optional lion tracking excursion
  • Ride alongside rhino on horseback

Best Suited For:

Families, couples, and groups with an adventurous spirit

8. Conservation and Community Experience in Samburu & Mara

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 2 | Price: from USD 7,270 pps

Immerse yourself in traditional Samburu culture | Saruni Samburu

The best safari in Kenya is one that offers a trip with a purpose, which this 10-day itinerary delivers and more. Perfectly blending an authentic safari with unique experiences, this African getaway sees you enjoying meaningful cultural interactions, rewarding conservation programmes and incredible game viewing in Kenya's top reserves. From rhino tracking and the Singing Wells of the Samburu to transformative time spent with the Maasai and Samburu people.

Tour Highlights:

  • Spectacular game viewing in Samburu & Masai Mara
  • Stay in luxury under-canvas camps throughout
  • Track rhino on foot & experience the Singing Wells cattle waterhole
  • Contribute to rhino conservation in East Africa
  • Fascinating cultural interactions with traditional Samburu & Maasai tribes
  • Visit the Reteti Elephant Orphanage
  • Spa treatments and massages at Saruni's Wellness Space
  • See the Great Migration (in season)

Best Suited For:

  • Seasoned safari-goers
Bush & Beach Tours

Bush & Beach Safari in Kenya

9. Family Bonding in Kenya & Seychelles

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 3 | Price: from USD 7,970 pps

Explore the coastline on a stand-up paddle board or kayak | Constance Ephelia Resort

Embark on a 12-day odyssey through Africa that perfectly balances exhilarating adventure with plenty of rest and relaxation. This classic safari and island combination begins in Nairobi before continuing in the Masai Mara, ending off on the pristine white sand beaches of Seychelles.

Expect game drives through Nairobi National Parks with the city's skyscrapers as your background; incredible wildlife encounters, including the Great Migration, in the Mara; and barefoot luxury on a tropical paradise – all perfectly suited to luxury Kenya safari tours for families.

Tour Highlights:

  • High-end luxury accommodation throughout trip
  • Enjoy a safari from above with a hot-air balloon ride
  • Excellent year-round game viewing
  • Witness the Great Migration (in season)
  • Water-based activities, like snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing and diving
  • Kids Club at Seychelles resort
  • Ziplining, climbing, tennis, squash, gym & spa

Best Suited For:

Families of all ages

10. Romantic Trip Through the Mara & Kenya’s Coast

Duration: 11 Days | Destinations: 3 | Price: from USD 11,300 pps

alfajiri_beach_villa-pool-and-beach
Pool with a view of the beach | Alfajiri Beach Villa

This 11-day vacation is perfect for honeymooners who want the ultimate bush-beach break. Staying at extremely luxurious accommodation throughout, you start off with a night in vibrant Nairobi before winding your way to the iconic Masai Mara and ending it all off with five nights on Kenya's beautiful white-sand coast.

Hassle-free and seamless, every aspect of this journey has been carefully designed to offer a full selection of Kenya's best experiences, from classic game viewing and sundowners overlooking the endless golden plains to excellent snorkelling and balmy evenings on a pristine tropical beach.

Tour Highlights:

  • Incredible views of the Masai Mara & Indian Ocean
  • Great Wildebeest Migration viewing (in season)
  • Private beach bliss at Alfajiri Beach Villa
  • Ideal for bush & beach honeymoon
  • Optional hot-air balloon ride over the Mara
  • Wide range of water-based activities to enjoy in Diani Beach

Best Suited For:

Discerning travellers, couples & honeymooners

More Kenya Safari Tours

Kenya is a pretty big country – almost double the size of Italy – and although we've mentioned a notable amount of our favourite trips above, there are still many fantastic Kenya safari tours available.

View more of our top Kenya tour packages.

Ready to Start Planning Your Kenya Safari Tour?

Take inspiration from our list above and start crafting your ideal safari in Kenya with the help of one of our Africa Safari Experts. Get in touch and we'll help tailor-make a Kenya safari that's right for you:

Louis Nel
Written By