10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari: Samburu, Solio, Nakuru & Masai Mara

A 10 day luxury Kenya safari through Samburu, Solio, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara is the most complete way to see the country in comfort: rare northern wildlife, two of Kenya’s best rhino sanctuaries, the Rift Valley lakes and a grand finale among the big cats.

Ready for the ultimate Kenya safari? Our 10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari takes you from the rare wildlife of Samburu to the rhinos of Solio, the flamingos of Lake Nakuru and the big cats of the Masai Mara, all in premium camps with expert private guiding. Get Started →

This journey is our flagship trip for travellers who want it all: northern Kenya’s rare “Special Five”, world-class rhino conservation, the lakes of the Great Rift Valley, and an unforgettable finish in the Masai Mara, at the highest level of comfort. Below you will find the day-by-day plan, the wildlife highlights, the best time to travel, what to expect from the camps, and answers to the questions our guests ask most.

Why Choose a 10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari?

• The Big Five and the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich).
• Solio Game Reserve: one of the best places in Africa to see both black and white rhino.
• Premium lodges and tented camps with pools, spas and private verandas.
• Unhurried pacing across five very different landscapes.
• Private guide and vehicle throughout, so every day runs at your pace.

Prefer a shorter classic? See the 7 Day Kenya Safari.

Most shorter trips focus on the Masai Mara and one or two other parks in the south. Ten days gives you time to head north to Samburu’s dry, rugged country, where many animals are different from those further south, and still finish in the Mara with three full nights. You see more of Kenya’s variety without feeling rushed.

Discover the Five Stages

• Samburu National Reserve: rugged northern beauty, the Ewaso Nyiro River and rare species; read our Samburu safari guide.
• Solio Game Reserve: exceptional rhino density on private land between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya; see our Solio conservancy safari.
• Lake Nakuru: a fenced rhino sanctuary with flamingos, pelicans and tree-climbing lions; explore the Lake Nakuru guide.
• Lake Naivasha: a freshwater lake with hippos, fish eagles and walking safaris on Crescent Island.
• Masai Mara: big cats and the Great Migration. Compare our Masai Mara safari packages for shorter options.

10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari Itinerary

Here is the route at a glance, followed by more detail on each stage.

• Day 1: Nairobi → Samburu; afternoon game drive.
• Days 2–3: Samburu: Special Five, river wildlife and a cultural visit.
• Day 4: Samburu → Solio/Ol Pejeta; rhino tracking.
• Day 5: Solio → Lake Nakuru; flamingos and rhino.
• Day 6: Lake Naivasha: boat safari and relaxation.
• Days 7–9: Masai Mara: big cats, balloon safari and Maasai culture.
• Day 10: Masai Mara → Nairobi.

Days 1–3: Samburu

Leave Nairobi in the morning and drive north past Mount Kenya, or take a short flight. The landscape changes from green farmland to dry acacia country, with red earth and doum palms along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Game drives here focus on the northern species found in few other parks, as well as elephants, lions and leopards. You can also visit a Samburu community to learn about their culture, beadwork and way of life.

Day 4: Solio or Ol Pejeta

Head south to the Laikipia plateau for rhino tracking. Solio is a private reserve that has bred rhinos for decades and supplied animals to other parks across Kenya. Depending on camp availability, the night may be at Solio or at nearby Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the last two northern white rhinos and a chimpanzee sanctuary.

Days 5–6: Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha

Descend into the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, where rhinos graze close to the lakeshore and flamingos gather in varying numbers. The next day continues to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari among hippos, and a relaxed afternoon by the water. This is a lovely pause before the excitement of the Mara.

Days 7–9: Masai Mara

Three full days in the Mara give you time for sunrise and sunset game drives, a full-day picnic drive and an optional dawn hot air balloon safari. Luxury camps here are often in private conservancies, where vehicle numbers are limited and walking safaris and night drives are possible.

Day 10: Return to Nairobi

Enjoy a last morning game drive, then fly or drive back to Nairobi in time for an evening flight home or an extension to the coast.

Wildlife Highlights

The Big Five, the Samburu Special Five, big cats and, in season, the migration. This route offers one of the widest ranges of species you can see in a single Kenya trip.

The Samburu Special Five

These five species are adapted to the dry north and are rarely seen in the southern parks. The Grevy’s zebra is the largest and most endangered zebra. The reticulated giraffe has a bold, net-like pattern. The gerenuk stands on its hind legs to browse. The Beisa oryx has long, straight horns, and the Somali ostrich has blue-grey legs and neck.

Rhinos, flamingos and big cats

Solio, Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru give you some of the best rhino viewing in East Africa. Lake Nakuru also has large numbers of water birds. In the Mara, lions, cheetahs and leopards are the stars, and between July and October the plains fill with migrating wildebeest and zebra.

Best Time for a 10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari

• July–October: migration in the Mara and peak game viewing.
• December–March: warm, dry and excellent across all parks.
• June and November: quieter and better value. See the weather guide.

April and May bring the long rains, when some luxury camps close for maintenance. Samburu is drier than the south and can be visited for much of the year. The Magical Kenya tourism board has more information on the regions and their seasons.

Luxury Accommodation

Expect premium tented camps and lodges with pools, fine dining, spa treatments and spacious tents or suites with private verandas. See our Luxury Kenya Safari Lodges Guide and Samburu Intrepids Camp review, or read about Marriott Solio Lodge.

What sets luxury camps apart is not only comfort but location and guiding. The best camps sit in prime wildlife areas or private conservancies, keep guest numbers low, and employ highly experienced guides. Many include activities such as guided walks, night drives and sundowners in the price. Learn more on our luxury Kenya safari page.

Who Is This Safari For?

A 10 day luxury Kenya safari suits travellers who want depth as well as comfort. Returning visitors who have already seen the Masai Mara often choose it to discover the north. Keen photographers value the range of species and landscapes. Couples celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon enjoy the romantic camps, while families with older children appreciate the variety, which keeps every day fresh.

If you have less time, you can shorten the route by dropping Lake Naivasha or spending two rather than three nights in the Mara. If you have more, a 10 day luxury Kenya safari combines beautifully with a few nights on the coast at Diani or Lamu, or with a gorilla trek in Rwanda. We are happy to suggest the best extension for your interests.

Accessibility and pace

The pace is relaxed, with no more than one long transfer in a row and plenty of time to rest in camp. Let us know about any mobility needs when you book, and we will choose camps with easy access paths and ground-floor rooms where possible.

Road or Fly-In?

The route can be done entirely by road in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, which lets you stop for photos and see how the landscape changes. Some legs, especially Nairobi to Samburu and the Rift Valley to the Mara, can be long. Light aircraft fly between Nairobi, Samburu, Laikipia and the Mara, and many guests mix road and air to save time. Remember that light aircraft usually limit luggage to around 15 kg per person in soft bags.

A private safari means the vehicle and guide are yours alone. Read how a private Kenya safari works, or browse more routes on our Kenya safari from Nairobi page.

Travel Tips

Pack neutral safari clothing, a warm layer for cool mornings, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a good camera. Samburu is hot and dry, while Laikipia and the Mara can be cold at dawn, so layers are essential. Internal flights can shorten transfers; ask us to include them.

Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation before arrival, applied for through the official eTA Kenya portal. Check the latest entry and health advice for your nationality, for example on the UK government’s Kenya travel advice page. Park fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and other authorities and are included in our quotes.

Getting the most from a 10 day luxury Kenya safari

• Plan one rest afternoon in the middle of the trip, ideally at Lake Naivasha.
• Tell us your priorities, such as photography, rhinos or walking, so we can choose the right camps.
• Bring a beanbag or support for long lenses if you are a keen photographer.
• Consider a beach extension to Diani or Lamu at the end of the trip.

FAQs: 10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari

Why choose 10 days?

Ten days lets you reach northern Kenya and the rhino sanctuaries of Laikipia as well as the classic Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara. It is one of the most complete Kenya safaris, with enough time in each area to enjoy relaxed game drives rather than rushing between parks.

How much does a 10 day luxury Kenya safari cost?

As a tailor-made luxury journey, the price depends on your choice of camps, the season and whether you fly between parks. Peak-season dates and private conservancy camps cost more. Contact us for a bespoke quote that lists exactly what is included.

What are the “Special Five”?

The Samburu Special Five are Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. They are adapted to the dry north of Kenya and are rarely seen in the southern parks, which is why Samburu is such a valuable addition to a longer safari.

Can we fly between parks?

Yes. Scheduled light aircraft link Nairobi, Samburu, Laikipia and the Masai Mara, and flights are easy to add. Many guests fly for the longest legs and drive the shorter ones, which saves time while still letting them enjoy the scenery of the Rift Valley.

Is it good for photographers?

It is outstanding. The route covers dry northern bush, open rhino grassland, lakes full of birds and the Mara’s plains, so the range of species and landscapes is hard to match. A private vehicle lets you wait for the right light and stay with a sighting as long as you like.

When should we book?

Book four to six months ahead, or earlier for July to October and the Christmas holidays, because the best luxury camps have only a few tents and sell out quickly. Booking early also gives you a better choice of flights and balloon slots.

Travel in Style

View the 10 Day Luxury Safari & book → or browse all Kenya safari packages. Call +254 799 160 081 or message us on WhatsApp to plan your 10 day luxury Kenya safari.