Discover Kenya's safari highlights

Experience the freedom of a roadtrip with the ease of a well-planned itinerary. This Kenya self-drive trip is perfect for first-time visitors who are primarily interested in safari, the country's highlights, and minimal driving hours per day.

Experience first-class game drives and wildlife spotting in Nakuru and Masai Mara.
Get active or utterly relax at Naivasha and Hell's Gate.
Enjoy a memorable stay at an authentic Masaai Camp.

Scroll below to see our day-to-day itinerary with realistic driving times, route directions, and travel tips for Kenya.

8 car rental days Rent your 4x4 in Kenya

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This itinerary is for you if...

...this is your first time in Kenya
...you have limited time

You'll also love this if...

...you're a safari enthusiast
...you're looking for an authentic stay at a Masai Camp

Day-to-day safari itinerary | Taste of Kenya

Day 1 of 8

Start: Nairobi
Destination: Nakuru
Drive: 160 km | appr. 4 hours

It's a lovely drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park. You'll climb up and down the escarpment, with endless views across the low-laying Masai plains.

Nakuru is a small but scenic park and provides a gentle introduction to self-driving in Kenya. Most big safari animals - except elephants - are present in Lake Nakuru. The park is known for its populations of black and white rhinos and the rare Rothschild's giraffe. If you’re lucky enough, you can spot tree-climbing lions – Lake Nakuru is the best place in Kenya to see them.

We find that one afternoon- and one morning game drive is sufficient to explore the park.

Day 8 Day 2

Day 2 of 8

Start: Nakuru
Destination: Maji Moto Eco Camp
Drive: 180 km | appr. 4 hours

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Nakuru and continue your journey to Maji Moto.

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.

Day 1 Day 3

Day 3 of 8

Explore: Maji Moto

The camp is nestled on a hilltop overlooking the vast savannah plains and is professionally run by Masaai. A stay at Maji Moto includes guided nature walks, a walk to the Maji Moto hot springs and the communities, a fun and informative Masai warrior training, sundowner drinks and campfire stories.

Day 2 Day 4

Day 4 of 8

Start: Maji Moto Eco Camp
Destination: Masai Mara
Drive: 65 km | 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 understanding the fees. We have written a travel blog about the Masai Mara. Feel free to check it out.

Day 3 Day 5

Day 5 of 8

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.

Day 4 Day 6

Day 6 of 8

Start: Masai Mara
Destination: Lake Naivasha & Hells Gate
Drive: 230km | From Sekanani gate appr. 4,5 hours.

Lake Naivasha and Hells Gate National Parks border each other. Foremost, Lake Naivasha is a great place to relax and unwind. After a few days of game driving, it's nice to be in another environment.

Hells Gate National Park is not a big wildlife destination. You go there for the scenery and the ability to get active. You can go mountain biking amidst the giraffes, zebras, and gazelles and do a scenic hike through the gorge. For more info, check our travel blog on the most beautiful parks in Kenya.

Day 5 Day 7

Day 7 of 8

Explore: Lake Naivasha

We recommend a 2-night stay at Lake Naivasha so you also have time to explore nearby Hells Gate National Park and simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

If time is not on your side, then you can stay 1 night and return to Nairobi the following day.

Day 6 Day 8

Day 8 of 8

Start: Lake Naivasha
Destination: Nairobi
Drive: 120 km | 2-3 hours, depending on traffic at Maai Mahiu (slow-moving trucks up the escarpment)

After a good rest at Lake Naivasha, head back to Nairobi. Hand over the car at the lodge you're staying at, or we'll meet you directly at the airport.

Day 7 Day 1

Rent a reliable 4x4 for your safari trip

Your Kenyan adventure starts here!

Hit the road with confidence in one of our sturdy 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers—perfect for exploring Kenya’s safari parks! Do you prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride? We'll help you hire a local driver-guide to show you the way.

At Roadtrip Africa, we own and service all our cars. No middlemen, just well-maintained vehicles you can trust. Need help on the road? Our 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide workshop network have got you covered.

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Experiences from fellow Roadtrippers

Very nice selfdrive trip with Roadtrip's reliable Landcruisers

Leander from Germany

The car and the rooftop tent plus camping gear served very well on the safaris. The booking process was very smooth and the office in the Netherlands responds quickly to your requests. Peter, Rueben and the guys at the HQ in Ngong Town do a super...

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Highly recommend for reliable self-drive vehicles!!

Victoire from France

Second time using RTA after a trip in Uganda and amazing experiene! Great car, good customer service and communication.

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Excellent driver, guide and company

Ida from Denmark

Our five stars reflect the good drive and give, guidance from the company and the rent of the car. There are for sure better and newer cars but most likely at a different price. The company has from the beginning been a great support in planning o...

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Tips for your Kenya safari itinerary

Best time to visit Kenya

Kenya is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you’re after. The dry seasons (June to October & January to February) offer prime wildlife viewing, while the rains (March to May & November) bring lush landscapes and fewer tourists. Check out our blog 'The best time to visit Kenya' for more details.

Masai Mara: when to go?
The Masai Mara delivers incredible wildlife viewing all year. Your choice comes down to migration spectacle vs. a quieter safari:

June–Sept: The wildebeest migration is in full swing, an unforgettable sight but expect crowds and pricey camps.
Oct–Feb: abundant wildlife and a steady flow of visitors.
March-May: The wettest months mean muddy roads, but also lush scenery, fewer tourists, and lower lodge rates.

It's also good to know that the Masai Mara adopts a low-season rate from January to June and a high-season rate from July to December. For more tips, check out our Masai Mara - travel blog!

Travel time and road conditions

We recommend 8 car rental days for this Kenya safari itinerary. Do you want to combine your roadtrip with a beach holiday add-on? Daily comfort express trains are available from Nairobi to Mombasa and several cheap charter flights fly to Diani, Watamu, Malindi and Lamu Island.

Road conditions between the national parks are good - you'll find smooth tarmac here all the way. The roads inside the parks vary, depending on weather and heavy rainfall. Want to know more? Check out our Driving in Kenya blog for more tips and advice.

The Taste of Kenya itinerary is possible to travel year-round.

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This 3-week bush-to-beach safari is the ultimate one-way Kenya roadtrip! Start in Nairobi and return your car in the beautiful beach town of Watumu.

This itinerary lets you sample the best Kenya has to offer; safari, culture ánd beach. Go on a self-drive safari in Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo National Park, savour excellent Swahili cuisine, and enjoy picture-perfect palm-fringed white beaches.

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