7 days in Kenya — 5 travel itineraries

From bucket-list-level safaris and outdoor adventures to unforgettable cultural experiences, Kenya is a one-of-a-kind destination. But with so much to see and do, planning a trip sure ain’t easy. So, here we're presenting five 7-day itineraries in Kenya that’ll help you plan and make the most of your trip.

Is 7 days enough for Kenya?

With careful planning, 7 days will allow you to enjoy plenty of Kenya’s top experiences and attractions. Of course, whether it's enough time depends on your personal preferences and what you hope to see and do during your trip.

Given the country’s diversity (for example, there’s plenty to see and do after your safaris), you’ll definitely need to make tough decisions about how to prioritize your time. 

It sure won’t be easy to decide what you most want to see and do, whether that’s exploring Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and visiting Mount Kilimanjaro, or lounging on the beautiful beaches.

Want to make your planning experience easier? Read on for a run-down of five 7-day itineraries in Kenya, and check out our customizable Kenya itineraries.

Have more time? Be inspired by 10-day itineraries and 14-day itineraries in Kenya.

Itinerary #1: Family Safari in Kenya

If you’re traveling with kids and want to take in a whole lot of wildlife and adventure in 7 days, this suggested family safari in Kenya has you covered.

Day one will see you visit the Animal Orphanage in Nairobi National Park — an important center for rehabilitation. Highlights include the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. After lunch, you’ll visit Mamba Village to see crocodiles and ostriches.

Come day two, you’ll leave Nairobi for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy (AKA Sweet Waters), where game-drive wonders await. With opportunities to see the Big Five, and learn about conservation and anti-poaching efforts, this is exhilarating and educational.

On your third day, you could either opt to do another game drive as a family, or the kids could stay at Sweetwaters to go horse-riding and swimming.

Day four will see you head to Lake Naivasha. Located on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, here you’ll take a guided boat safari to see hippos and water birds. As a bonus, you can visit Crescent Island Sanctuary for the chance to walk alongside zebras, giraffes — and more. 

Next, you’ll journey to the Maasai Mara, where a day-five game drive offers the chance to see lions, leopards, elephants, wildebeest, and cheetahs.

Come day six, get up early to see the sunrise as huge predators hunt in the cooler temperatures. You could opt to add a dawn hot air balloon safari to your morning experience, with the afternoon spent on another game drive in the reserve.

On day seven, there might just be time for one more game drive before you return to Nairobi for your flight home. Book this trip.

Planning a family trip to Kenya? Our tips for visiting Kenya with kids will help you navigate some important nuances and ensure a more carefree and enjoyable journey.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 7 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi and visit the Animal Orphanage in Nairobi National Park.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy for a game drive.
• Overnight in Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Day 3

• Take a game drive from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, or enjoy kids’ activities at camp.
• Overnight in Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Day 4

• Travel to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari and visit Crescent Island Sanctuary.
• Overnight in Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.

Day 5

• Transfer to the Maasai Mari and enjoy a game drive (or two).
• Overnight in Mara Leisure Camp.

Day 6

• Dawn and afternoon safaris in the Maasai Mari.
• Overnight in Mara Leisure Camp.

Day 7

• Last Maasai Mari game drive before heading to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Book this trip.

Itinerary #2: Classic Kenya Safari

This Classic Kenya Explorer itinerary takes in a rich mix of culture and wildlife.

You’ll spend day one and day two of your trip in Nairobi, where visiting the Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum are among the best things to do.

On day three, transfer to Amboseli National Park and spend the rest of the day on game drives that deliver epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

On day four of your adventure, you’ll move to Lake Naivasha and enjoy a guided boat safari to see hippos and water birds. Here you can also visit Crescent Island Sanctuary to walk in the footsteps of zebras, giraffes, and many others.

Finally, day five, day six, and day seven will be spent exploring the majesty of Maasai Mara. For example, we suggest enjoying game drives at different times of the day and visiting a Maasai village. Book this trip.

It's safe to say that Kenya is the safari capital of Africa. To have a chance of having the best experience explore our guide to the best time to go on safari in Kenya.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 7 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi, and explore the city. 
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Visit Nairobi’s museums.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 3

• Transfer to Amboseli National Park and go on a game drive.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 4

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

Day 5

• Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
• Overnight in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 6

• Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 7

• Go on your last game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve before returning to Nairobi.

Itinerary #3: Ultimate Kenya Safari Adventure

Ultimate in name and nature, this 7 day Kenya itinerary offers unforgettable immersion in wildlife and culture.

On arriving in Nairobi, you’ll spend day one visiting the Nairobi Safari Walk. Located at the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters, this unique conservation-based recreational facility offers a glimpse into Kenya's diverse wildlife and landscapes.

That’s thanks to an elevated boardwalk that affords opportunities to see rare animals, including the albino zebra, the bongo (an endangered forest antelope), white rhinos, and big cats. You could also visit the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.

On day two, journey to Tsavo East National Park to enjoy game drives in one of Kenya's largest and oldest parks. Be sure to keep watch for its famed red elephants. On day three, visit Aruba Dam and Lugard Falls.

The wonders of Amboseli National Park await on day four. Located near the Tanzanian border, it offers spectacular safari experiences with breathtaking scenery dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro. Highlights here include seeing huge herds of elephants and a bounty of bird life — it's home to 400+ species.

On day five, head to Lake Nakuru National Park. Famous for its flamingos, it’s home to 450+ species of bird, and an unmissable rhino sanctuary.

For the last leg of your trip, spend day six and day seven in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you can enjoy unforgettable game drives, explore the Mara River, enjoy a hot air balloon safari, and learn about Maasai culture. 

At the right time of year, you’ll also get to witness the Great Migration. Book this trip. 

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 7 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi and visit Nairobi Safari Walk and Nairobi Animal Orphanage.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Travel to Tsavo East National Park and go on a game drive.
• Overnight near Tsavo East National Park.

Day 3

• Visit Aruba Dam and Lugard Falls in Tsavo East National Park.
• Overnight near Tsavo East National Park.

Day 4

• Travel to Amboseli National Park and go on a game drive.
• Overnight near Amboseli National Park.

Day 5

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

Day 6

• Transfer to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
• Overnight in the reserve.

Day 7

• Explore Maasai Mara National Reserve before returning to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Itinerary #4: Cultural and Wildlife Highlights of Kenya

From safaris near the city to the wild magic of the Maasai Mara, this itinerary packs plenty of natural and cultural punch into just seven days.

Your experience kicks off with visits to Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park on day one.

Day two will see you delve deep into Samburu National Reserve. Forget the Big Five — this lesser-visited park is known for its “Special Five” i.e. unique species that are adapted to the arid environment. These include the Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe, and the Somali ostrich (look out for its blue legs). the gerenuk, and the Beisa oryx. 

On day three, visit a Samburu village before enjoying incredible wildlife-watching in Lake Nakuru National Park on day four. Located in the Great Rift Valley, you might just get to see black and white rhinos, baboons, leopards, and lions on a guided game drive. It’s also a prime place to see flamingos.

Your trip will wind up with three days in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Might we suggest taking a sunset game drive to see big cats, elephants, giraffes (and more) on day five, followed by a hot air balloon safari on the morning of day six?

Come day seven, get up early to witness a subline sunrise and jam in one last game drive before heading to Nairobi for your return flight. Book this trip. 

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 7 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Arrive in Nairobi and visit the Animal Orphanage in Nairobi National Park.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Transfer to Samburu National Reserve; go n a game drive to see the “Special Five”.
• Overnight near Samburu National Reserve.

Day 3

• Visit a Samburu village.
• Overnight near Samburu National Reserve.

Day 4

• Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park for game drives.
• Overnight near Lake Nakuru National Park.

Day 5

• Transfer to the Masai Mara National Reserve and take a sunset game drive.
• Overnight in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 6

• Experience an early morning hot air balloon safari, and afternoon game drives.
• Overnight in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 7

• Enjoy a last early morning game drive before returning to Nairobi for your flight home. 

Itinerary #5: Kenya's Hidden Gems

If you’re looking to see a different side of Kenya, this Hidden Gems itinerary will suit you down to the ground. 

For example, day one could see you visit Nairobi’s art galleries. Or how about booking a street art tour to see beyond the usual tourist attractions?

On day two, transfer to Meru National Park. Boasting rolling hills, lush forests, winding rivers, and 400+ species of birds, this really is a hidden gem among Kenya’s national parks.

On day three, explore some of Meru’s top sites, among them Adamson’s Falls, and go on a game drive.

Come day four, head to Aberdare National Park, where you can walk forested trails, be wowed by waterfalls, and take a night-time nature tour.

Lake Bogoria beckons on day five. Tucked in Kenya's Rift Valley, it’s known for its hot springs and massive flamingo population.

Next, spend day six in Kakamega Forest, western Kenya — a lush, equatorial jungle that’s home to 300+ species of bird species and a haven for primates.

In addition, Kakamega offers a network of trails you can explore at your own pace — don’t miss seeing Isiukhu Falls and Lirhanda Hill.

On day seven, rise early for one last forest walk before transferring back to Nairobi. Book this trip. 

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 7 day Kenya itinerary.

Day 1

• Take a street art tour in Nairobi.
• Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 2

• Transfer to Meru National Park and visit Adamson's Falls.
• Overnight near Meru National Park.

Day 3

• Go on a game drive in Meru National Park.
• Overnight near Meru National Park.

Day 4

• Transfer to Aberdare National Park to hike trails and take a night-time nature tour.
• Overnight in Treetops Lodge.

Day 5

• Transfer to Lake Bogoria to visit the geysers and hot springs, and see flamingos.
• Overnight near Lake Bogoria.

Day 6

• Transfer to Kakamega Forest for nature walks and excellent bird-watching.
• Overnight near Kakamega Forest.

Day 7

• Return to Nairobi for your flight home.

Want to visit Kenya? Read up on some of the best things to do in Kenya, and browse our customizable 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.