14 days in Kenya - 3 travel itineraries

Offering opportunities to enjoy exhilarating safaris and immersive cultural experiences, touring Kenya is hard to beat. But with so much to see and do, planning your perfect trip takes time to research. With that in mind, each 14 day itinerary in Kenya presented below will help you make the most of your time in this diverse land.

Is 14 days enough for Kenya?

While you could spend months in Kenya and still not experience everything, devoting fourteen days to the country can amount to an incredible trip. That’s especially so if you do your research, figure out what you most want to see and do, and plan wisely. 

With two weeks at your disposal, you can certainly plot an itinerary that takes in a rich array of destinations and experiences. 

These might include iconic national parks and natural wonders like the Maasai Mara and Mount Kilimanjaro, along with blissing out on beautiful beaches and cultural excursions. Don't forget — Kenya has plenty to see and do after your safaris.

Want to make your planning experience easier? Read on for a run-down of three 14-day itineraries in Kenya, and browse our customisable Kenya itineraries.

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Kenyan Adventure

This Ultimate Kenyan Adventure itinerary will see you kick off said adventure when you arrive in Nairobi on day one. If you’re feeling energetic, check out some of the best things to do in Nairobi before leaving the city for Amboseli National Park on day two.

Located near the Tanzanian border, Amboseli offers spectacular safari experiences with breath-taking scenery dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro. Highlights here include seeing huge herds of elephants and 400+ species of bird. 

We suggest taking a game drive on the late afternoon of your arrival, followed by a second drive on the morning of day three — the views of Mount Kilimanjaro at dawn are breath-taking. 

From day four, you’ll explore Tsavo East and West National Parks for three days. On arrival at Tsavo East, be sure to visit the Galana River and Lugard Falls, and enjoy a game drive on day five. 

Next, spend day six in Tsavo West, where the wonders of Mzima Springs (home to hippos and crocodiles) and otherworldly volcanic landscapes await, alongside incredible wildlife-watching experiences. 

On that subject, Tsavo West is home to a large elephant population, a notable rhino sanctuary, and 600+ species of bird. In addition, buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras are commonly sighted here. And – though they can be elusive — lions, leopards, and cheetahs also all this place home.

After all that exploring, you can look forward to some r&r on day seven, when you move to Diani Beach for three days. 

Alongside chilling on the sublime white sand, we suggest taking a day trip to the Shimba Hills Reserve. For example, head there on day eight to see beautiful, rare sable antelopes and an abundance of bush babies, along with elephants, leopards, and giraffes. 

Next on the agenda is spending day nine swimming and snorkelling Diani Beach before moving to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park on day ten. Here you can spot dolphins and take a spectacular snorkelling trip.

The remainder of this 14 day itinerary in Kenya sees you back on dry land when you transfer to the Massai Mara National Reserve for three days of adventure and cultural immersion.

After arriving on day eleven, take a dusk game drive, and do the same at dawn on day twelve. For an alternate perspective on an incredible landscape — and the wildlife it plays host to  — take to the skies on a hot air balloon safari.

Of course, this area isn’t only notable for its wildlife, and we suggest spending day thirteen on a cultural trip to a Maasai village.

Come day fourteen 14, it’s time to head back to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 14 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Transfer to Amboseli National Park for game drives against a Kilimanjaro backdrop.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 3

• Amboseli National Park.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 4

• Transfer to Tsvavo East National Park 
• Overnight near Tsvavo East National Park.

Day 5

• Explore Tsvavo East National Park
• Overnight near Tsvavo East National Park.

Day 6

• Explore Tsvavo West National Park 
• Overnight Tsvavo West National Park.

Day 7

• Transfer to Diani Beach.
• Overnight near Diani Beach.

Day 8

• Visit the Shimba Hills Reserve.
• Overnight near Diani Beach, or stay in the Shimba Hills.

Day 9

• Snorkel and relax on Diani Beach.
• Overnight near Diani Beach.

Day 10

• Transfer to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park.
• Overnight near Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park.

Day 11

• Transfer to the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 12

• Explore the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 13

• Explore the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 14

• Return to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Thinking of visiting for a week? Discover five 7-day itineraries in Kenya.

Itinerary #2: Best Kenyan Highlights

From city safaris and conservation projects, to epic lakes and iconic national parks, this trip packs incredible punch as a diversely rewarding 14 day itinerary in Kenya.

After arriving in Nairobi, day one of your trip could see you heading to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, part of the Animal Orphanage in Nairobi National Park. Being an important centre for rehabilitation, this will set you up well for the wildlife experiences that are to come.

On that subject, on day two you’ll move to Amboseli National Park for a couple of days of game drives overlooked by majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Especially known for its elephants, this is also a dream destination for bird lovers — consider booking a specialist guided birding trip on day three.

On day four, transfer to Tsavo East National Park and enjoy an afternoon game drive. We also suggest exploring around the Galana River on day five before you move to Tsavo West on day six.

Among Tsavo West’s many highlights are opportunities to see hippos and crocs in Mzima Springs, its rhino sanctuary, and 600+ species of bird.

You might want to devote the whole of day seven to a Tsavo West game drive to see huge numbers of buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras. Get lucky, and you might glimpse a lion, leopard or cheetah.

On day eight, the magic of Lake Nakuru National Park awaits. Located in the Great Rift Valley, it’s a great place to spot black and white rhinos, baboons, leopards and lions. It’s also a prime flamingo territory.

For maximum immersion in this stunning place, book yourself more game drive action here on day nine before moving to Lake Naivasha on day ten, where a guided boat safari will reveal a host of hippos and water birds. 

While near Lake Naivasha, we also suggest visiting Crescent Island Sanctuary. Love hiking? Head to Hell’s Gate National Park. Just a short drive from Lake Naivasha, its towering cliffs, gorges, and geothermal steam vents are an adventurer’s dream.

Talking of adventure, the last leg of this 14-day itinerary in Kenya will see you immerse yourself in the Maasai Mara National Reserve for three days. Spend day eleven settling into your lodge before enjoying a dusk game drive.

On the morning of day twelve, you could opt to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride, followed by more game drive action — including seeing dramatic wildebeest crossings during the Great Migration, at the right time of year. More on that below.

That said, even outside the July-October migration period, the river is an incredible place to see crocodiles and hippos.

After visiting a Maasai village on day thirteen, or you’ll head back to Nairobi for your flight home on day fourteen.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 14 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi; visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Transfer to Amboseli National Park for game drives against a Kilimanjaro backdrop.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 3

• Amboseli National Park.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 4

• Transfer to Tsvavo East National Park 
• Overnight near Tsvavo East National Park.

Day 5

• Explore Tsvavo East National Park
• Overnight near Tsvavo East National Park.

Day 6

• Explore Tsvavo West National Park.
• Overnight Tsvavo West National Park.

Day 7

• Explore Tsvavo West National Park.
• Overnight Tsvavo West National Park.

Day 8

• Lake Nakuru National Park.
• Overnight near Lake Nakuru National Park.

Day 9 

• Lake Nakuru National Park.
• Overnight near Lake Nakuru National Park.

Day 10

• Transfer to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari and visit to Crescent Island.
• Overnight near Lake Naivasha.

Day 11

• Transfer to the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 12

• Explore the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 13

• Explore the Massai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight near the Massai Mara National Reserve.

Day 14

• Return to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Can’t quite take a two-week trip? No problem – browse our suggested 10-day Kenya itineraries.

Itinerary #3: The Great Migration Experience

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, witnessing the Great Migration may well sit near the top of your travel bucket list. To experience this incredible event in Kenya, you’ll need to focus your trip on the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

July and August usually see the first herds arrive here from the Serengeti. At this time, river crossings — especially over the Mara River — are common.

Although the exact timings vary, visiting the Maasai Mara in September and October usually still offers excellent opportunities to see large numbers of wildebeest and zebra.

As for how to plan your perfect Great Migration experience in Kenya, we suggest spending day one on a relaxed city tour of Nairobi before heading to Amboseli National Park on day two.

After enjoying an early game drive to see huge herds of elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, take an evening flight to Maasai Mara on day three of your trip.

While this itinerary will see you move bases to experience the Great Migration to the max, the Maasai Mara will be your home for the next ten days of your trip.

On days 4-7, stay in a camp in the north-eastern part of the reserve, where you’ll be able to witness the initial river crossings. Alongside the mass movement of millions of wildebeest, you can also expect to see huge numbers of zebras and gazelles.

On day eight, move to a more central campsite for three nights in order to observe large herds, with predator interactions also on the cards. 

Once the migration is underway, the likes of lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas are more visible and active as they seek to take advantage of the huge numbers of potential prey. This offers unapparelled opportunities to observe predator-prey interactions up close.

For days 11-13, relocate to the western border near the Mara River for more views of crossings, and to explore less-crowded areas of the reserve. 

Look out for enormous Nile crocodiles lying in wait for the migrating herds, adding further peril to the crossings.

This undeniable trip of a lifetime ends on day fourteen, when you return to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 14-day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi; 
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Transfer to Amboseli National Park for game drives against a Kilimanjaro backdrop.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 3

• Amboseli National Park.
• Fly to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and camp in the north-eastern area.

Day 4

• Explore the north-eastern area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 5

• Explore the north-eastern area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 6

• Explore the north-eastern area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 7

• Explore the north-eastern area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 8

• Transfer to a central campsite in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 9

• Explore from a central campsite in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 10

• Explore from a central campsite in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 11

• Relocate to the western border near the Mara River.

Day 12

• Explore from the western border near the Mara River.

Day 13

• Explore from the western border near the Mara River.

Day 14

• Return to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Keen to visit Kenya? Read up on some of the best things to do in Kenya, and browse our customisable Kenya itineraries.

With a local expert on hand to take care of all the details, they take the hassle out of planning, leaving you to focus on counting down to your trip of a lifetime