The 10 Days Ultimate Kenya Big Five and Wildlife Safari is an exciting journey through some of Kenya’s most renowned wildlife destinations, offering you an opportunity to experience spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife and authentic African safari experiences. From the wildlife-rich plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the scenic wilderness of Lake Nakuru National Park, the vast savannahs of Amboseli National Park and the wildlife habitats of the Lake Naivasha region, this safari combines some of Kenya’s most rewarding destinations. You can expect memorable game drives in search of lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos, alongside encounters with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and numerous bird species. With carefully selected accommodation, professional guiding and comfortable safari transport, Silverback Tour gives you an opportunity to explore Kenya’s wildlife at a relaxed and rewarding pace.
Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Your 10 Days Kenya Big Five Safari begins with collection from your hotel or arrival point in Nairobi, followed by a scenic drive towards the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you through the changing landscapes of the Kenyan countryside, including sections of the Great Rift Valley, before continuing towards the Mara ecosystem. After arrival and lunch at your lodge, you can relax briefly before heading out for your first afternoon game drive. The Maasai Mara is famous for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with large populations of lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and other plains game. You may also encounter cheetahs, hyenas and, with some luck, leopards during your exploration. The evening is spent returning to your lodge for dinner and relaxation as you prepare for the exciting wildlife experiences ahead.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Full-Day Maasai Mara Big Five Game Drive
After breakfast, you spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve on an extensive game drive. The reserve is one of Kenya’s premier safari destinations and provides excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of wildlife within open grassland and riverine habitats. Your experienced safari guide will take you through different sections of the reserve while looking for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and other wildlife. You may also see cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, topis and numerous bird species. A packed picnic lunch can be enjoyed at a designated location within the wider safari area, allowing you to spend more time in the wilderness. As the day progresses, you continue exploring the Mara plains before returning to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
You enjoy an early breakfast before departing the Maasai Mara and travelling towards Lake Nakuru National Park. The journey provides an opportunity to appreciate Kenya’s changing scenery as you move from the Mara grasslands towards the Great Rift Valley. After arriving in the Lake Nakuru area and enjoying lunch, you embark on an afternoon game drive through the national park. Lake Nakuru is known for its rhino conservation efforts and offers opportunities to see both black and white rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes and other wildlife. The park’s lake and surrounding woodland also support a variety of bird species, making it an interesting destination for both wildlife and birdwatching. After your afternoon exploration, you return to your lodge for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Your day begins with breakfast followed by a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, giving you another opportunity to explore the park when wildlife is active. You continue searching for rhinos, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras and other species while enjoying the scenic surroundings of the Rift Valley. After the game drive, you depart for the nearby Lake Naivasha region, where you can enjoy lunch before settling into your accommodation. Depending on the safari programme and local conditions, you can take a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha to experience the lake from the water and look for hippos and waterbirds. The lake is surrounded by attractive landscapes and is particularly interesting for birdwatching. You later return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening.
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Naivasha Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, you leave the Lake Naivasha region and begin the journey towards Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations. The route takes you across diverse landscapes before reaching the Amboseli ecosystem, which is renowned for its large elephant herds and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. After arrival and lunch, you embark on an afternoon game drive across the park’s open plains, wetlands and woodland areas. Amboseli supports elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and many other species. The park’s scenery provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, particularly when Mount Kilimanjaro is visible in the background. After your game drive, you return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Full-Day Amboseli National Park Wildlife Safari
You spend a full day exploring Amboseli National Park with morning and afternoon game drives designed to maximise your wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is particularly famous for its elephants, which are often encountered moving across the open plains and around the park’s wetland areas. Your guide will also help you search for lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas and other wildlife. Birdwatching is another rewarding activity, with a variety of waterbirds and other species found around the park’s wetlands. You enjoy lunch at your lodge or a suitable picnic location before continuing with your safari. As the afternoon light creates beautiful views across the Amboseli landscape, you complete your final game drive and return to your accommodation for dinner.
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
You have breakfast at your lodge before departing Amboseli and travelling towards Tsavo West National Park, one of Kenya’s major wilderness areas. The journey introduces you to a different landscape characterised by volcanic scenery, woodland, open plains and rugged wilderness. After entering the Tsavo ecosystem and enjoying lunch, you begin an afternoon game drive in search of the park’s diverse wildlife. Tsavo West is home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippos and numerous antelope species. You may also visit scenic areas such as Mzima Springs, depending on the safari programme and prevailing conditions. The park’s varied terrain provides a different safari experience from the open plains of the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. After the day’s exploration, you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight relaxation.
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Full-Day Tsavo West National Park Safari
Today is dedicated to discovering more of Tsavo West National Park through morning and afternoon game drives. You set out after breakfast when wildlife activity is often rewarding, exploring different habitats in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes and other species. Tsavo is also known for its striking red soil, volcanic landscapes and expansive wilderness, creating excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. You may explore areas around water sources and other wildlife-rich locations where animals gather, while your guide explains the ecology and conservation of the park. After lunch, you continue with another game drive before returning to the lodge in the evening. The day gives you additional time to appreciate one of Kenya’s largest and most diverse wildlife ecosystems.
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Tsavo West to Nairobi
You enjoy an early breakfast before beginning your journey from Tsavo West towards Nairobi. Depending on the agreed safari schedule, you may have a short morning game drive before leaving the park, giving you one final opportunity to observe wildlife in the Tsavo ecosystem. The drive towards Nairobi takes you through changing Kenyan landscapes and provides a chance to reflect on the many wildlife experiences encountered during your safari. You arrive in Nairobi later in the day and have lunch before checking into your accommodation. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent relaxing, exploring selected attractions or enjoying your final evening in Kenya, depending on your flight schedule. Your final night provides an opportunity to prepare for departure while reflecting on your Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo experiences.
Accommodation: Eka Hotel, Ole Sereni Hotel, Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Nairobi Departure
Your final day is reserved for departure from Kenya, bringing your 10 Days Ultimate Kenya Big Five and Wildlife Safari to an end. After breakfast, you have time to relax at your hotel or enjoy a short optional activity depending on your departure flight schedule. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or another agreed departure point in Nairobi. Your safari guide can assist with the transfer and ensure that you reach the airport in good time for your onward journey. This marks the conclusion of your Kenya Big Five safari, after experiencing several of the country’s most recognised wildlife destinations. You depart Kenya with memories of game drives, African landscapes, elephants, big cats, rhinos and the diverse wildlife encountered during your journey.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Private safari transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of a professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Kenya national park and reserve entry fees as specified
- Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Lake Naivasha boat excursion where included in the agreed package
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers where applicable
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- Driver-guide allowances and vehicle expenses
- Safari planning and assistance from Silverback Tour
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Kenya visa and entry requirements where applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Additional meals and drinks outside the stated meal plan
- Photography and video equipment
- Emergency medical expenses or evacuation
- Any increase in park fees, government taxes or service charges introduced after confirmation, where applicable
- Any other service not specifically listed under inclusions.