14 Days Kenya Self-drive Wildlife & Birding Safari

14 DAYS: TSAVO EAST | TSAVO WEST | AMBOSELI | NAIVASHA | MASAI MARA | L. VICTORIA | MT. ELGON | L. BARINGO | L. NAKURU | SAMBURU.

This 14-day itinerary offers the best of   Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park,  Lake Naivahsa, Masai Mara National Reserve. Lake Victoria Kakamega Forest Reserve ecosystems, combining ultimate wildlife tours, bird-watching opportunities, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re a safari lover or a first-time traveller, this self-drive tour promises an incredible journey.

Itinerary Details of 14 Days Wildlife & Birding self drive Kenya Safari

Day 1: Journey to Tsavo East National Park
Embark on your adventure with a scenic drive to Tsavo East National Park, renowned as Kenya’s largest wildlife reserve. Pause for lunch along the way before arriving at the park, celebrated for its iconic red elephants. Tsavo East is also home to lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and an array of other wildlife species. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive as you make your way to your campsite. Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay immersed in the park’s untamed beauty.

Day 2: Explore Tsavo on Game Drives
Spend the day discovering Tsavo’s incredible landscapes and wildlife during exciting game drives. Highlights include the fascinating Shetani Lava Flow, the legendary Crying Stones, and an impressive diversity of bird species. As evening approaches, you might catch a glimpse of the towering mountain breaking through its veil of clouds, offering breathtaking panoramic views—a perfect way to conclude a fulfilling day of exploration. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your campsite.

Day 3: Travel to Amboseli National Park
Begin your day with breakfast before departing for Amboseli National Park, a land of dramatic landscapes and contrasts. The park’s most captivating feature is its large elephant herds, roaming freely against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.

As the day winds down, enjoy a delightful dinner at your mobile camp, surrounded by the park’s serene beauty.

Day 4: Immersive Game Drives in Amboseli
Start your day with a thrilling early morning game drive, followed by another in the late evening, both offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and the enchanting ambiance of Africa’s wilderness. The stunning Mount Kilimanjaro serves as a picturesque backdrop throughout your adventures. Enjoy delicious meals at your mobile camp and spend the night soaking in the tranquility of the campsite.

Day 5: Journey to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, depart for Lake Naivasha, with a lunch stop along the way. Upon arrival, check into your campsite and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat ride on the lake or visit Crescent Island, one of the rare spots in Africa where you can walk among herds of zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and giraffes. The lake is also a haven for bird watching, home to a wide variety of species, and is known for its large population of hippos. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at your mobile tents.

Day 6: Journey to Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast, depart from Lake Naivasha and drive towards Masai Mara Game Reserve. Cross the valley floor and pass through Narok, eventually arriving at your semi-permanent campsite by late afternoon.

Once settled, enjoy an exciting game drive, immersing yourself in the reserve’s vast wildlife before a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay.

Day 7: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive in the Masai Mara, giving you ample time to explore the incredible wildlife that this expansive reserve has to offer. Look out for zebras, giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, and many other species that call this area home. With over 95 mammal species and more than 350 bird species, Masai Mara promises an unforgettable wildlife experience. Return to the campsite for dinner and an overnight rest, reflecting on the day’s adventures.

Day 8: Journey to Lake Victoria
After a hearty breakfast, depart for Lake Victoria, with lunch served along the way. Upon arrival in the afternoon, you’ll have the option to take a boat ride on the lake, which spans across three countries—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Later, continue to Kakamega Rain Forest Game Reserve for dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 9: Bird Walk in Kakamega Forest and Travel to Mount Elgon
Start your day with a bird walk in Kakamega Forest, the last remaining rainforest in Kenya, a vital sanctuary for rare bird species. Afterward, return to the campsite for an early lunch before traveling to Mount Elgon National Park. Upon arrival, embark on a game drive within the park, which includes a hike to the Kitum Caves, where elephants are often seen. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your campsite.

Day 10: Explore Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo
After breakfast, depart for Lake Bogoria Game Reserve, with a lunch stop en route. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive that will take you to the famous hot springs of the area. The lake is also home to large populations of flamingos. Continue to Lake Baringo for dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite. Boat rides at Lake Baringo can be arranged for an additional cost.

Day 11: Visit Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its flamingo populations, though also home to a wide variety of other birds and small game like waterbuck, impala, gazelle, and buffalo. The park is also a sanctuary for both white and black rhinos. Overnight at Lake Nakuru.

Day 12: Travel to Samburu Game Reserve
After breakfast, begin your journey to Samburu Game Reserve, crossing the equator where you will celebrate with an ‘Equator ceremony.’ Continue through Kenya’s semi-arid region to the Samburu National Reserve. Lunch will be served along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive to the campsite. Dinner and overnight will be spent at the campsite.

Day 13: Game Drives in Samburu
Enjoy an early morning game drive at Samburu Reserve, home to the unique “Samburu Special Five“—the Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the long-necked gerenuk antelope. Other wildlife includes lions, leopards, elephants, and cheetahs, among others. Return to the campsite for meals and an overnight stay.

Day 14: Return to Nairobi
Start the day with an early morning game drive before returning to the campsite for breakfast at 9:00 AM. After breakfast, depart for Nairobi to conclude your adventure.