Safaris and beaches in Kenya | 3-week roadtrip

Start: Nairobi
Destination: Maij Moto Eco Camp
Drive: 200 km | 5 hours

The journey from Nairobi to Narok town (your first stop) takes approximately 4 hours, depending on the traffic at Mai Mahiu (slow-moving trucks driving up the escarpment). You'll climb up and down the escarpment, with endless views across the low-laying Masai plains. It's a tarmac road and in good condition. In Narok, you can fuel up your car.

After Narok, follow the C12 leading to Sekanani gate and branch left where you'll see the signpost to Maji Moto Eco Camp. Google Maps will lead you to the C11 but don't take that road. It’s a very rough road, bad for the car, and will take much longer. 

Explore: Maji Moto Eco Camp

Maji Moto is a natural hot spring about 1-hour drive from Masai Mara's Sekenani gate. The hot springs provide the lifeline for the Masai communities and their cattle. Over and over again, road trippers mention that the stay at Maji Moto Eco Camp was a highlight of their trip. 

We selected this camp, because it boasts a breathtaking location on the Loita Hills, is very well managed by real Masai warriors, and the great attention to detail provides for a real barefoot luxury experience. A stay includes a full day of guided activities (nature walks, warrior training, fire making, beading, hot-spring visit). 

Start: Majio Moto
Destination: Masai Mara
Drive: 1 hour to Sekenani entrance gate

If you are visiting the Masai Mara, it can be difficult to understand how the Mara ''works'' - which entrance gates to use, which roads to avoid, and what fees to pay. We have written a travel blog about the Masai Mara. Feel free to check it out. 

Explore: Masai Mara

In the Mara, it's great fun to keep track of all the wildlife you have spotted and note it in your journal. We also recommend having a bush breakfast or bush picnic. Turn off that engine and 'listen' to the silence.  

Start: Masai Mara
Destination: Lake Nakuru
Drive: 200 km | 5 hours

Drive to Lake Nakuru, where your park ticket is valid for 24 hours - perfect for an afternoon game drive. En route, stop at Lake Elementaita to spot flamingos (June - August; check with a nearby lodge for their presence).

Start: Lake Nakuru
Destination: Laikipia
Drive: 140 km | 3,5 hours

Enjoy a morning game drive before heading to Laikipia. We recommend camping at charming Ol Maisor Farm, a working cattle ranch, rattling with wildlife. 

Explore: Laikipia

A stay at this ranch is anything but ordinary. Start your day with a morning run alongside the farm crew, take a refreshing swim in the dam (don’t worry—no crocs here!), or set off on an unforgettable guided walking safari. And yes, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and even lions are all present here.

What makes this place truly special is the people. Watching the ranch workers move effortlessly through the wilderness is just as fascinating as the wildlife itself.

For something unique, hop on a trained camel for a safari - getting so close to other animals from this vantage point is both peaceful and extraordinary. In the afternoon, we advise you to join a training session with the ranch’s tracking dogs, used in the fight against wildlife poaching. 

Start: Laikipia 
Destination: Nanyuki
Drive: 100 km | 3 hours

It's time to move on to your next safari destination! Nanyuki is the gateway town to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mount Kenya. It has a well-stocked supermarket, a few nice restaurants and hotels. 

Start: Nanyuki 
Destination: Ol Pejeta - Rongai Gate
Drive: 15 km | 15 min

Back in the colonial days, Ol Pejeta was a cattle ranch. Nowadays, Ol Pejeta is praised for being one of the most successful private conservancies. The conservancy is home to a variety of animals including the Big Five. The game-viewing tracks are well-marked, easy and accessible year-round.

You can participate in various conservation experiences, such as lion tracking, night game drives, horse riding amongst the rhinos, or running in the wild - making this a fun and family-friendly safari destination. You can book all activities online through the excellent conservancy website.

Start: Nanyuki
Destination: Sagana - Rapids Camp
Drive: 100 km | 3 hours

Today you're heading out for 2 days of fun water activities. Before you go, send the camp in Sagana a WhatsApp message to check water levels and activity availability.

Explore: Sagana

Rapids Camp is a great spot to stay for one or two nights. You can go rafting, ziplining, kayaking, and try other water activities - perfect for adventure lovers! 

Start: Sagana
Destination: Nairobi (Athi River) 
Drive: 120 km | 4 hours

We don’t recommend driving to Amboseli in one day, as it’s a long 10-hour journey. Instead, break up the trip with an overnight just outside Nairobi in Athi River for a more relaxed drive the next day.

Start: Athi River
Destination: Amboseli
Drive: 205 km | 4,5 hours

For today's trip, Google Maps gives you two options: either from Athi River, following the road towards the Namanga - the Tanzania border - and taking the C103, entering Amboseli from the west. Don't take this route. The C103 is in a very bad state. It damages the car and greatly increases your travel time.

Instead, continue on the Nairobi - Mombasa highway and branch off at Emali town. Then follow the C102 to Kimana town and Kimana gate. This route is the fastest, and the entire road is tarmacked and in good condition. 

Explore: Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is often called the ‘Land of Giants’ due to the impressive elephants with their massive tusks. The animals are set against breathtaking Mount Kilimanjaro vistas, forming an iconic backdrop to the small park. 

Aside from big herds of elephants, many plains animals are easy to spot. Buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and lions are common. 

Start: Amboseli
Destination: Tsavo East
Drive: 310 km | 7 hours

Today you'll have a long driving day ahead. The quickest and most comfortable route is to drive to Emali town and join the Nairobi - Mombasa highway. You stay on this highway until Voi, where you branch off to Tsavo East National Park. Voi is a good town to stock up on supplies again and refuel your car. 

Explore: Tsavo East

Vast landscapes, iconic red-dust elephants, and majestic baobab trees - Tsavo East offers a true wilderness experience.

Start: Tsavo East
Destination: Watamu
Drive: 115 km | 3 hours

Exciting day ahead- we're going to the coast!

We’ll collect your car in Watamu, a well-developed resort town with a range of excellent restaurants and accommodations for every budget. Watamu is known for its stunning white sandy beaches spread across several bays, making it a perfect spot to unwind after your road trip.

You can choose to end your journey in Watamu or explore more of the coast by visiting Kilifi and Diani. Each town has its own unique charm and is worth a visit. Travel between them is easy by taxi or tuk-tuk.

For more details, check out our travel blog on Kenya’s best beaches. If you’re flying out, the drive from Watamu to Moi International Airport in Mombasa takes approximately 3 hours (130 km).