1 Week Kenya Self Drive (7 Days Itinerary): An Honest Optional
Kenya is a prominent tourism destination distinguished by diverse scenery, abundant animals, and a multitude of cultures. From conventional safari encounters in the Maasai Mara to tranquil beaches along the Indian Oceans’ coastline. Kenya, characterised by its national parks, vibrant cities, and picturesque coasts, continues to be a preferred destination for nature enthusiasts, explorers, and cultural tourists.
A one-week Self Drive (7 Days Itinerary) schedule is optimal for exploring Kenya, encompassing the nation’s essential locations without haste. This period enables travellers to engage in exhilarating safaris, admire breathtaking lakes, behold magnificent mountains, and enjoy tranquil beach getaways. With meticulously scheduled pauses, travellers can experience a harmonious blend of wildlife excursions, cultural interactions, and relaxation, resulting in an indelible Kenyan expedition.
A Detailed 1 Week Kenya Self Drive (7 Days Itinerary)
KENYA 1 Week SAFARI | Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Activities
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO):
- Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the warm Kenyan hospitality. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and a quick refresh before starting your adventure.
Visit the Giraffe Centre:
- Get up close with endangered Rothschild giraffes at this renowned conservation center. Learn about giraffe conservation efforts and even feed these gentle giants from a raised platform—a perfect photo opportunity!
Tour the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
- Be a part of the touching moments when orphaned baby elephants are fed and looked after. The sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and provides a special look into elephant conservation efforts.
Karen Blixen Museum:
- Enter Kenya’s colonial past at the former home of Danish author Karen Blixen, best known for her memoir Out of Africa. The museum features personal belongings, historical artifacts, and beautiful gardens with views of the Ngong Hills.
Day 2-3: Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is among Africa’s premier safari locales, abundant in species and stunning scenery. It serves as a habitat for the yearly Great Migration, a remarkable natural phenomenon in which millions of wildebeests and zebras across the Mara River. Experience the opportunity to observe the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo—during remarkable game drives and distinctive cultural encounters.
Day 2 Activities:
By Air: Convenient 1-hour flight from Nairobi for great views of aerial vistas.
By Road: 6 to 7-hour scenic drive with breathtaking landscapes and a cross over through the Great Rift Valley
Arrive in your Safari Lodge/Camp: Check-in at your Safari lodge for some relaxing time ahead of the evening game run.
Afternoon Game Drive: Enjoy your first game drive viewing action-packed iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants, and wildebeests, during sunset over the savannah. Take pictures against a backdrop of endless plains with golden light.
Day 3 Activities:
Full-Day Game Drive: Embark on a thrilling game drive through the expansive Maasai Mara plains. Pay a visit to key places like the Mara River, a well-known place for spotting crocodiles and hippos, and watch predators in their action. Have a picnic lunch in the wild for an authentic safari experience.
Optional Activities:
Hot Air Balloon Safari: Soar above the Maasai Mara on a hot air balloon, watching the magic of an early sunrise to a bush breakfast in the wilderness.
Maasai Village Visit: Learn about Maasai culture and customs by guided village tours, traditional dances, and demonstrations in their various crafts.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island
Lake Naivasha is a picturesque freshwater lake situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The serene environment, coupled with abundant biodiversity and breathtaking vistas, renders it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. It is renowned for its substantial population of hippos, diverse avian species, and the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, which notably permits tourists to traverse among wild creatures.
Activities
Drive from Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha (5-6 Hours):
Take a scenic drive through Kenya’s beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, local villages, and extensive plains to arrive at the destination of Lake Naivasha in the afternoon, feeling ready for adventure and rest.
Check-in into a Lakeside Lodge:
Retire to a serene lake-side lodge with a stunning view of the lake and its surrounds teeming with wildlife. Savor a delicious lunch amid the serenity of the surroundings.
Boat Safari on Lake Naivasha: Take a guided boat safari over the calm waters of the lake.
See hippos lazing in the water, waterbucks grazing by the shores, and hundreds of bird species, including fish eagles, cormorants, and pelicans.
Crescent Island Game Sanctuary:
Take a walking safari on Crescent Island, a private sanctuary reached by a boat.
Walk alongside the zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and gazelles. Have some close encounters with animals in this peaceful, predator-free environment.
Day 5: Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is renowned for its stunning vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. It is renowned for its extensive populations of elephants and a variety of other species, including lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. Amboseli boasts breathtaking landscapes, including expansive grasslands, acacia woods, and wetlands that support wildlife year-round, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Activities
Drive or Fly to Amboseli
Drive Option: Enjoy a scenic 6-7 hour drive from Lake Naivasha through Kenya’s beautiful countryside.
Flight Option: Enjoy a domestic flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Amboseli Airstrip and cut the travel time way down.
Check-in at a Safari Lodge or Camp: Check into a safari lodge or camp within or near the park. Enjoy a refreshing drink while soaking in views of the vast plains and distant Kilimanjaro.
Afternoon Game Drive:
– Go on an afternoon game drive through the iconic Amboseli plains.
– View large herds of elephants, lions with their manes, cheetahs, and giraffes towering above trees.
– End the day with views of Mount Kilimanjaro at sunset for perfect photos.
Day 6-7: Diani Beach (Indian Ocean Coast)
Diani Beach is Kenya’s premier coastal resort, characterised by its stunning white-sand beaches, azure waters, and coral reefs abundant with various marine life. The relaxed ambiance, opulent resorts, and aquatic activities render it an ideal location to unwind following a safari expedition.
Day 6 Activities
Diani Beach
Fly from Amboseli or Nairobi into Ukunda Airport, which is a few minutes away from Diani Beach. Take in the breathtaking aerial view of Kenya’s contrasting topography during the flight.
Arrive at a Beachfront Resort:
Relax in style in your luxury or economy class hotel overlooking the ocean. After freshening up, take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or lounge under a palm tree.
Beach Relaxation or Sunset Dhow Cruise:
Take leisurely walks on the beach, bask in the sun, or relax in a beachfront cabana. Have a sunset romantic dhow cruise with the gentle Indian Ocean waves.
Day 7 Activities
Snorkeling and Diving at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park:
View colorful coral reefs and enjoy swimming with tropical fish on your snorkeling or scuba diving trip.
See dolphins, sea turtles, and even humpback whales if visiting between July and October.
Explore Shimba Hills National Reserve:
– Take a half-day forest safari in this nearby reserve, renowned for its verdant vegetation and rare wild animals, including sable antelopes.
– Nature walks and guided wild animal tours.
Water Sports and Dolphin Watching:
Go kite surfing, windsurfing, or paddleboarding along the calm shores of Diani.
Take a boat excursion to swim with dolphins or deep-sea fish.