The 18 day Kenya safari and beach holiday is our most complete journey through the country. Over two and a half weeks you explore Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Solio, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, float over the Mara in a sunrise balloon, then finish with four nights on Diani Beach. Prices start from USD 5,900 per person sharing.
Why Book an 18 Day Kenya Safari?
An 18 day trip is for guests who want a once-in-a-lifetime holiday without compromise. You never rush, you see every major wildlife region and you end with real rest by the sea. It is a popular choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays and retirement trips.
- Eight wildlife regions in one journey, from arid Samburu to green Naivasha.
- A sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Masai Mara, with a bush breakfast.
- Rhinos at Ol Pejeta, Solio and Lake Nakuru.
- Elephants in Samburu, Amboseli and Tsavo.
- Four nights on Diani Beach to finish, with white sand and warm sea.
18 Day Kenya Safari Route at a Glance
- Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
- Days 2 to 3: Samburu National Reserve
- Days 4 to 5: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Day 6: Solio and Lake Nakuru
- Days 7 to 9: Masai Mara, with the balloon safari
- Day 10: Lake Naivasha
- Days 11 to 12: Amboseli National Park
- Days 13 to 14: Tsavo West and Tsavo East
- Days 15 to 18: Diani Beach and departure
Day-by-Day 18 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary
Days 1 to 6: Nairobi, Samburu, Ol Pejeta and Nakuru
Day 1, arrive in Nairobi. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your Nairobi hotel to rest after your flight.
Day 2, Nairobi to Samburu. Drive north past Mount Kenya to Samburu National Reserve for an afternoon game drive.
Day 3, a full day in Samburu. Morning and afternoon game drives for Samburu’s northern specialties, including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, with elephants and big cats along the river. See our Samburu safari page for more.
Day 4, Samburu to Ol Pejeta. Drive south through Laikipia to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and an afternoon game drive.
Day 5, Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Game drives, the northern white rhinos and the chimpanzee sanctuary.
Day 6, Solio and Lake Nakuru. Visit Solio Game Reserve for rhinos, then continue to Lake Nakuru for an evening game drive. Read our Lake Nakuru safari guide.
Days 7 to 10: The Masai Mara and Naivasha
Day 7, Lake Nakuru to the Masai Mara. A morning game drive at Lake Nakuru, then drive to the Masai Mara for an afternoon game drive.
Day 8, balloon and game drives. A sunrise hot-air balloon flight with a champagne bush breakfast, then game drives across the plains. Our Masai Mara safari page explains the best seasons.
Day 9, a full day in the Masai Mara. Game drives with a picnic lunch and a visit to the Mara River, a good place to look for crocodiles, hippos and, in season, the Great Migration.
Day 10, Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha. An early game drive, then drive to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride among hippos.
Days 11 to 14: Amboseli and Tsavo
Day 11, Lake Naivasha to Amboseli. Drive south to Amboseli National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Day 12, a full day in Amboseli. Sunrise views of Mount Kilimanjaro and a full day among Amboseli’s elephant herds. Learn more on our Amboseli safari page.
Day 13, Amboseli to Tsavo West. Drive to Tsavo West for an afternoon game drive and Mzima Springs.
Day 14, Tsavo West to Tsavo East. Cross to Tsavo East to look for red-dust elephants and lions. Our Tsavo safari guide has the details.
Days 15 to 18: Diani Beach
Day 15, Tsavo East to Diani Beach. A morning game drive, then continue to the coast and your beach resort on Diani Beach.
Days 16 and 17, Diani Beach. Free days to relax, swim or add an optional snorkelling trip, dhow cruise or Shimba Hills excursion. See our Kenya beach holidays page for ideas.
Day 18, departure. Breakfast and transfer to Mombasa airport for your flight home or onward journey.
The Sunrise Balloon Safari in the Masai Mara
The balloon flight is the highlight for many guests. You rise before dawn, drift over the plains as the sun comes up and look down on herds, rivers and distant hills, then land for a champagne bush breakfast. Flights depend on the weather and are subject to the operator’s conditions, and your guide will meet you at the landing site to continue with a game drive.
Wildlife on an 18 Day Kenya Safari
With so many regions on one route, you will see far more variety than on a short trip. Samburu offers rare northern species and riverside elephants. Ol Pejeta, Solio and Lake Nakuru are among Kenya’s best places for rhinos. The Masai Mara has lions, cheetahs, leopards and, between July and October, the Great Migration. Amboseli adds large elephant herds against Mount Kilimanjaro, and Tsavo offers its famous red-dust elephants and wide landscapes.
Birdwatchers will find the route equally rewarding. Rift Valley lakes bring pelicans and flamingos, riverside forest and acacia woodland hold colourful species, and the coast adds shorebirds and sunbirds. Your driver-guide will point out birds and help you build a list over the 18 days.
Accommodation and Pace on This Trip
You stay in handpicked lodges and tented camps across 17 nights, on a full-board basis on safari and half board at the beach. The route is paced with two-night stays at the best parks, and the beach stay at the end gives you proper time to rest. We can add domestic flights from the Mara or Tsavo to shorten the longest road days. Browse our Kenya lodges and camps to see the style of accommodation we use.
Best Time for an 18 Day Kenya Safari
July to October and January to March are the best months for an 18 day Kenya safari, with dry roads, good game viewing and calm seas on the coast. The Great Migration reaches the Mara from July to October, which makes it the busiest period.
- January to March: hot and dry with calm seas and fewer visitors.
- April to May: the long rains, with green scenery, lower prices and some muddy roads.
- June to October: the dry season, with the Great Migration and the best game viewing.
- November to December: short rains, fresh landscapes and good birding, then busy festive weeks.
How Much Does an 18 Day Kenya Safari Cost?
This 18 day Kenya safari starts from USD 5,900 per person sharing. The final price depends on the season, accommodation level, group size and any flights you add. Because the trip includes the balloon safari and 17 nights of accommodation, it offers good value compared with booking the pieces separately. For a wider budgeting guide, see how much an African safari costs.
What Is Included and Not Included
- Private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a window seat for every guest
- Senior English-speaking driver-guide
- 17 nights’ accommodation, full board on safari and half board at the beach
- All park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
- Sunrise hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara
- Airport and hotel transfers and bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Not included: international flights, the Kenya eTA (from USD 30 per person, depending on the application type), travel insurance, tips, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities not listed as included.
What to Pack for an 18 Day Kenya Safari
- Lightweight neutral safari clothing and a warm layer for early mornings and the balloon flight.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards.
- Swimwear, a light cover-up and reef-safe sunscreen for Diani Beach.
- Comfortable closed shoes and sandals.
- Insect repellent and any malaria prevention advised by your doctor.
Visas, Health and Travel Tips
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA before arrival, so apply online and check current requirements for your nationality. Malaria is present in parts of Kenya, including the coast, so speak to your doctor about prevention and take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
18 Day Kenya Safari FAQs
Is an 18 day Kenya safari too long?
Not if you like variety. The route changes scenery almost every two nights, and the beach stay at the end gives you time to rest.
Is the balloon safari included?
Yes, one sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara with a bush breakfast is included.
How do we get to Diani Beach?
By a short domestic flight from Tsavo or Nairobi, or by road from Tsavo East, depending on your preference and budget.
Can the trip be shortened?
Yes. See our 15 day Kenya safari and beach trip, or ask us to tailor a shorter version.
Book Your 18 Day Kenya Safari
Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email and we will reply with a written, itemised quote. A deposit secures your lodges and vehicle, and we send final documents and packing advice before you travel. You can also browse our luxury Kenya safari collection or compare more routes on our Kenya safari packages page.
Travelling from abroad? See our packages for travellers from India, Malaysia, the USA, the UK and Australia.
Overview
The 18 day Kenya safari is our most complete journey. You explore Kenya’s wildlife regions over two weeks of private game drives, from Samburu in the north to the Masai Mara, Amboseli and the Tsavo parks, then fly or drive to the coast for four nights on Diani Beach.
Everything is done at an unhurried pace in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a senior driver-guide and handpicked lodges, including a sunrise balloon flight over the Mara. It is the right trip for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, an anniversary or a milestone birthday.
Best for: Couples, anniversaries and guests with time to spare. Best time: July to October and January to March.
Price is from USD 5,900 per adult sharing; the final cost depends on season, accommodation and group size.
Ready to go? Book this trip on WhatsApp and we’ll take it from there.
Highlights
- Eight wildlife regions in one journey
- Sunrise hot-air balloon over the Masai Mara
- Rhinos at Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru
- Tsavo and Amboseli elephants
- Four nights on Diani Beach