The Best Safaris From Nairobi: Our Top Picks

1. Good Value Kenya And Livingstone

Duration: 9 Days | Locations: 4 | Price: From $4,050 pps

Spend 9 days exploring the best of Kenya and enjoy a brief stopover at the iconic Victoria Falls. One night at Nairobi Tented Camp starts your adventure, which is then taken to the Masaai Mara in a classic, down-to-earth safari camp. Explore the area with guided walks, twice daily game drives through this stunning private conservancy, and even the odd night drive. Discover the region’s rich wildlife, including a thriving predator population, and spend evenings sharing stories around a crackling fire and a bright, star-lit sky.

A short stop back in Nairobi sets you up for the second leg of your journey to Zambia. Your next home-away-from-home sits on the vast Zambezi River and offers a wonderful base for your adventures – take a tour of the Falls and explore local markets or embrace your inner adrenaline junkie with the ‘Flight of Angels’, a stint in Devil’s Pool, or the bridge swing. Back at Chundukwa River Camp, saddle up for a horse ride around the area, sit peacefully with a pair of binoculars, and enjoy sunset cruises down the river for a different perspective.

Highlights:

• Discover Kenya’s lauded Masaai Mara
• Tour the iconic Victoria Falls
• Experience exciting wildlife sightings on day and night drives
• Opt to embark on some of the adrenaline inducing activities in Zambia
• Saddle up for horse rides
• Enjoy sunset cruises along the river
• Make a positive impact with a $30 donation to a local school per booking

Best for:

First-time safari goers, couples & budget conscious travellers

2. Kenya's Masai Mara Safari

Duration: 8 Days | Locations: 3 | Price: From $7,560 pps

The safari stage is set at Nairobi Tented Camp on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park for a single night designed to whet your appetite. From there, the magic of Masai Mara National Reserve awaits at your next home-away-from-home, Rekero Camp. Spend days witnessing one of nature's greatest spectacles, The Great Migration; watch as mega herds of wildebeest run the gauntlet across the Mara plains, avoiding predators and tackling river crossings.

Take a step back from fast-paced migration as you head to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy and embrace an intimate safari experience. Immerse yourself in this exquisite wilderness on guided walking safaris, discovering every nuance and small detail led by your expert guide. Explore with daily game drives, watch as wildlife walk past the camp, and absorb the unique sights and sounds of the area. Enrich your stay with a cultural visit to a local village.

Highlights:

• Witness the Great Migration (season dependent)
• Explore the world-renowned Masai Mara
• Enriching cultural visit opportunities at Naboisho Camp
• Evening game drives in Mara Naboisho Conservancy
• Walking safaris
• Wonderful wildlife sightings, even from the comfort of your accommodations

Best for:

Couples, adventurous travellers & first-time safari goers

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3. Kenya's Community & Conservation Safari

Duration: 9 Days | Locations: 3 | Price: From $5,030 pps

Combine the best of Kenya's heavyweight safari destinations, Amboseli National Park and the Masai Mara, on this Trip With A Purpose. The adventure begins in Nairobi National Park, the perfect acclimation stop with leisurely game drives, explorative nature walks, and even a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage.

This safari from Nairobi to Amboseli requires a short transfer to your next destination, Porini Amboseli Camp with its trademark view of Mount Kilimanjaro. With a vast array of wildlife from elephants and big cats to around 420 bird species, sightings are not in short supply during your stay. Venture out on foot with knowledgeable Maasai guides, embark on endless game drives, and end the day watching the sun set over panoramic views.

Arrive at Porini Mara Camp and settle into an acacia-shaded armchair to watch the wildlife wander by. Head out on both day and night game drives for the best chance at spotting the area's safari giants and the native nocturnal species. Here, you'll have a chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration and to float above the seemingly endless plains in a hot air balloon.

As a Trip With A Purpose, guests who embark on this tour are supporting local communities, conservation, and conservancies. Click the link below to discover all the supported entities.

Highlights:

• Gorgeous views of Mount Kilimanjaro
• Combination of two incredible safari destinations
• A chance to see the Great Migration (season dependent)
• Diverse wildlife and aviary species throughout
• Visits to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage
• Incredibly knowledgeable Maasai guides
• Both day and night drives
• Leave a positive impact on communities and conservation efforts
• One of the best Kenya safari tours from Nairobi for eco-conscious guests

Best for: 

Adventure travellers & first-time safari goers

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4. Family Kenya & Seychelles

Duration: 12 | Locations: 3 | Price: From $7,970 pps

Experience the best of both worlds on this safari from Nairobi combining the lauded Masai Mara and blissful Seychelles. The African part of your journey begins overlooking the Nairobi River at Ololo Safari Lodge. Its unique combination of city and safari offer a mere sample of what's to come. Explore Nairobi National Park, relax in the lounge, and enjoy a classic sundowner out on the terrace.

Next, allow yourself to relax into the hypnotic rhythm of the Mara. Your home, an immersive canvas camp, offers a welcoming blend of luxury, hospitality, and a great location. Embark on nature walks and exciting twice-daily game drives to spot the area's diverse wildlife and even the Great Migration, timing dependent. Gourmet cuisine, evening campfires, and awe-inspiring star gazing round out your experience here.

Bid farewell to the Mara and say hello to barefoot luxury for the next part of your journey on Mahé Island. Expect kids to be endlessly entertained by a host of water sports or explore local nature reserves as a family on guided hikes or quiet walks. A variety of restaurants and bars are on hand to delight your tastebuds while indulgent visits to the spa focus on true relaxation.

Highlights: 

• A blissful safari and beach holiday
• Excellent game viewing year round
• Potential for seeing the Great Migration (season dependent)
• Game drives and nature walks
• Gourmet dining
• Ideal family-friendly itinerary
• Indulgent spa treatments in Seychelles

Best for:

Families, couples

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5. Kenya’s Big 5 Conservancy Safari (Fly-In)

Duration: 7 Days | Locations: 3 | Price: From $3,450 pps

As safaris from Nairobi go, this is one of the best, combining three of Kenya's top wildlife destinations – Nairobi National Park, the Laikipia Plateau, and the lauded Masai Mara. The adventure begins right from your arrival with your first game drive being part of your transfer from the airport to your first night's accommodation, Nairobi Tented Camp. Settle in, enjoy a delicious lunch, and spend some time relaxing before a proper game drive in the afternoon.

The very next morning, a charter flight takes you the wildlife-rich Ol Pejeta Conservancy, an area Africa's iconic Big 5 call home. This intimate lodge enjoys views of Mount Kenya and is an ideal spot to explore the conservancy as well as visit the local chimp sanctuary. Indulge in delicious high teas and spot an array of incredible wildlife, from dozing lions, herds of antelope, towering giraffes, and exquisitely plumed birds.

Finally, venture to the famed Masai Mara in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy where eco-friendly luxury and comfort await. Spacious tented suites enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. At the right time of year, bear witness to the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration, while other big game can be seen year-round. Your private conservancy location also means access to some incredible, exclusive activities.

As part of a Trips With A Purpose tour, guests embarking on this trip will leave a positive impact, in this case, a $5 donation to the Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara, supporting two students annually.

Highlights:

• Part of the Trips With A Purpose Initiative
• Excellent Big 5 viewing opportunities
• Day and night game drives
• A chance to visit Kenya's chimp sanctuary
• Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration seasonally
• Stay in a private conservancy
• Bush walks with experienced Maasai guides

Best for:

First-time safari goers, second-time safari savants & couples

6. Remote Laikipia, Amboseli & Island Adventure

Duration: 12 Days | Locations: 4 | Price: From $5,620 pps

Dip your toe into safari life with a night at Nairobi Tented Camp within Nairobi National Park, one of Kenya's pioneering rhino sanctuary reserves. Venture out on a game drive or visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage before relaxing back at camp in your comfortably appointed canvas tent.

Selenkay Conservancy beckons with eco-friendly luxury at Porini Amboseli Camp where predators and big game abound. Exceptional wildlife sightings await within this intimate conservancy, where just 18 visitors are permitted each day. Next, it's time to visit Kenya's Laikipia region within the glorious Ol Pejeta Conservancy, your home-away-from-home, Porini Rhino Camp, supports habitat preservation as well as wildlife and community development.

Hang up your safari hat for idyllic island bliss on Funzi Island off the southern coast of Kenya. Try your hand at an array of water sports in Kisite Marine Park, relax and pristine beaches, picnic on an exquisite sandbar, and indulge in opulent spa treatments.

Highlights:

• Optional visit to Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
• Exclusive wildlife encounters in the Selenkay Conservancy
• Eco-friendly accommodation
• Fantastic wildlife sightings throughout
• Intimate safari experiences
• The best of both worlds; a safari and beach adventure
• Island bliss off the coast of Kenya
• Enjoy romantic picnics and fantastic water sports

Best for:

Couples, honeymooners & first-time safari goers

7. Kenya’s Four Parks Conservation, Community & Wildlife Safari

Duration: 10 Days | Locations: 5 | Price: $6,800 pps

Visit some of Kenya’s bucket-list destinations and tick off a few of its top experiences on this safari from Nairobi to Amboseli and beyond. Following an overnight at Nairobi Tented Camp, transfer to Porini Amboseli Camp in the Selenkay Conservancy an enjoy both day and night game drives, visits to local villages, and picnics in the Mara. From there, a short flight sees you arrive in the lauded Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the eco-conscious Porini Rhino Camp for some exceptional game viewing. Spend days seeking out the Big 5, visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, and visit the Endangered Species Boma where rhinos roam. Take the opportunity to embark on lion tracking excursions and outings on horseback.

Bid farewell to the Laikipia Plateau and say hello to Meru National Park for another Porini property, River Camp. Relax and unwind overlooking the river and indulge in spa treatments while also venturing out on scintillating game viewing outings. Meru is often referred to as a ‘complete wilderness’ as it features so many of Africa’s ‘classic’ species, as well as their Rhino Sanctuary. Finally, visit the world-renowned Masai Mara and the Ol Kinyei Conservancy for some of the best wildlife sightings – including the Great Wildebeest Migration. Here, you have the opportunity to enjoy an iconic hot air balloon safari and glide across the far-reaching Mara Plains.

Highlights:

• Opportunity to witness the Great Migration (seasonal)
• See endangered rhinos
• Optional lion tracking excursion and horseback outing
• Hot air balloon ride over the Mara
• Cultural visits to local villages
• Intimate, exclusive camps offering an authentic experience
• Fantastic game viewing throughout
• Stay in private conservancies

Best for: 

Couples, adventure travellers, first-time safari goers

8. Luxury Kenya & Livingstone

Duration: 8 Days | Locations: 3 | Price: From $8,370 pps

Settle into the safari groove with an overnight in a quiet suburb of Nairobi for gourmet cuisine, spa sessions, and local attractions. The true adventure begins in Naboisho Conservancy, a spectacular Big 5 reserve brimming with diverse wildlife and fascinating landscapes. Keep your camera at hand on game drives and enjoy sharing stories around the campfire under the unspoilt night sky.

The second leg of your journey takes you to World Wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls. Stay in one of the area's top lodges, located right on the edge of the mighty Zambezi River. Its position within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park ensures scintillating game drives, while river cruises offer a different perspective. Opt to get an aerial perspective on the ‘Flight of Angels' above the Falls or get your adrenaline pumping while white water rafting.

While this is one of the best safaris from Nairobi, it is also one of Go2Africa's Positive Impact tours. Each booking of this tour donates $30 to the local Maunga Village Primary School near Livingstone.

Highlights:

• Explore two top destinations
• Enjoy a chance to spot the infamous Big 5
• Fantastic game viewing in one of Kenya's best reserves
• Wonderful views of the Zambezi River
• Optional activities around Victoria Falls
• Great photographic opportunities
• Make a positive impact with your travels

Best for:

Honeymooners, couples & adventure travellers

9. East Africa's Migration, Safari & Highlands

Duration: 13 Days | Locations: 4 | Price: From $12,010 pps

If there were ever a safari heavy hitter itinerary, this is it; spend just shy of 2 weeks exploring two top destinations, Kenya and Tanzania, and their awe-inspiring reserves and parks. Ololo Safari Lodge is your first stop, a place that perfectly balances safari and city – access the fantastic Nairobi National Park from here to begin your greatest adventure. From there, it's time to take your safari from Nairobi to Masai Mara.

Immerse yourself in eco-friendly magic at Porini Lion Camp where guided nature walks, game drives, and sundowners await. Given its position in the Masai Mara National Reserve, spot-lit game drives are also possible. Enjoy sightings of resident game present year-round, or visit between August and November to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. From there, take flight and land in Tanzania's Serengeti where classic under-canvas accommodation awaits. Here, you'll have the chance to witness another leg of the Great Migration (seasonally) and enjoy excellent year-round game viewing, including safari staples as well as a healthy predator population.

Venture further into Tanzania for your final stop at Gibb's Farm, a working farm on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera with one of the densest populations of wildlife in the world, including the Big 5. A single game drive here can result in hundreds of sightings as the wildlife are ‘contained' within the crater walls. Its fascinating landscapes and wildlife make for wonderful photo opportunities. Back at the farm, indulge in a massage or simply sit back and relax to the symphony of birdsong.

Highlights:

• Visit two top safari destinations; Kenya and Tanzania
• Witness the Great Migration (season dependent)
• Explore Big 5 country
• Excellent wildlife sighting opportunities throughout
• Fantastic guides
• Wonderful diversity in landscapes and game viewing

Best for:

First-time safari goers, couples, honeymooners & adventure travellers

10. Kenya's Wilderness, Farmlands & Wildlife

Duration: 11 Days | Locations: 4 | Price: From $8,205 pps

Discover private concession magic in Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Known as eco-tourism havens, these two lauded locations offer guests highly sought-after sightings, including Africa’s infamous rhinos. Following an overnight in Nairobi, board an air transfer to your first home-away-from-home, Lewa Wilderness Lodge. Explore this vast wilderness on foot, by 4×4, or even on an aerial tour for a new perspective. Dine al fresco and luxuriate by the salt-water infinity pool during your down time, marvelling at the untouched beauty of your surroundings.

Olepangi Farm beckons for the second part of your safari sojourns where daily yoga, horse riding, cooking classes, and farm-based activities are the order of the day. Take this time to relax, unwind, and embrace a simpler way of life. Finally, discover the endless plains of the Mara, where wildlife roam free. Both day and night game drives see you discover your surroundings and its inhabitants as well as intimate guided walking safaris. Keep an eye out for the area’s prolific predator population and admire the striking night sky. From July to November, witness nature’s gauntlet, the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Highlights:

• Witness the Great Migration (season dependent)
• Day and night game drive opportunities
• Enjoy private concessions throughout
• Incredible game viewing, including the Big 5
• Stay on a working farm
• Al fresco dining
• Support wildlife conservation with your stay
• Guided walking safaris

Best for:

Couples, adventure travellers & second time safari savants

 Ready to Embark On Your Own Safari From Nairobi?

If one, or several, of these itineraries have inspired you to start the safari planning process, speak to one of our Africa Safari Experts. Choose to customise one of the existing itineraries or design your own, it's up to you.