Kenya is a storied crossroads of wildlife, cultures, and landscapes—from the Rift Valley’s escarpments to the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara. It’s the cradle of safari, where lion prides doze in acacia shade and elephants wander in matriarchal herds. In the capital, Nairobi, a national park borders the skyline—nowhere else in the world will you see giraffes pacing against a city backdrop.

Modern Kenya blends Swahili coastal trade legacies, Maasai traditions, and a cosmopolitan tech-and-art scene. You’ll taste East Africa on the plate: fiery pili-pili sauces, nyama choma (grilled meats), tilapia from Lake Victoria, and rich Kenyan coffee. Practical notes: the currency is KES; contactless cards and M-Pesa mobile money are ubiquitous; plan malaria precautions for safari zones; and pack soft-sided bags (15 kg allowance is common) for bush flights.

Wildlife peaks during the dry season and the Great Migration (typically July–October), but phenomenal sightings occur year-round. Book the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage well in advance (viewing is strictly 11:00–12:00). For national parks, have a card ready for Kenya Wildlife Service entry fees. As ever, follow current travel advisories and lodge guidance.

Nairobi

Nairobi is energetic, creative, and surprisingly green—its forest reserves and city-adjacent savannah make it a unique launchpad for your Kenya trip. Expect coffee roasters, contemporary Kenyan cuisine, bustling markets, and galleries alongside rhinos and lions in the famed Nairobi National Park.

• Top sights: Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Karura Forest, Railway Museum.
• Good to know: The only national park bordering a major capital; traffic is real—plan early starts for game drives and cross-town moves.
• Stay: From boutique garden hotels to classic addresses near Uhuru Park and leafy Karen.

Where to stay (Nairobi): Browse stays on VRBO Nairobi or compare hotels on Hotels.com Nairobi. For vetted picks: Fairview Hotel (garden oasis, central), Sarova Panafric (classic city stay with a lively pool terrace), budget-friendly Kahama Hotel Nairobi, or splurge-worthy Hemingways Nairobi in Karen.

Getting there: Fly into Nairobi (NBO). Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical roundtrip fares range ~USD 900–1,500 from North America and ~USD 700–1,200 from Europe, depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, garden vibes, and Kenyan flavors

Afternoon: Touch down at NBO and transfer to your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle wander in Karura Forest—choose the 5 km waterfall loop and breathe in eucalyptus and indigenous fig. If you prefer a caffeine boost, Spring Valley Coffee’s roastery counter or Connect Coffee (Riverside) pour excellent Kenyan single-origin brews.

Evening: Dinner in Karen at The Talisman—order the samosa trio and wasabi fillet, a longtime city favorite—or go old-school at Carnivore for nyama choma, ostrich meatballs, and the famous dawa cocktail. Nightcap at Hero (comic-book themed) for inventive, low-proof cocktails or a simple Tusker at K1 Klub House’s garden bar on a mellow night.

Day 2: Nairobi National Park, baby elephants, and giraffes

Morning: Pre-dawn pickup for a 5-hour game drive—watch the city pink up behind zebras, giraffe, and (with luck) lions. Book: 5Hrs Nairobi National Park Morning/Evening Game Drive (4x4). Expect ~4–5 hours; KWS fees are paid by card at the gate.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Boho Eatery (Langata) for seasonal, colorful bowls and slow-fermented breads. Then the 11:00–12:00 viewing at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage—tickets must be secured in advance; many tours handle this—and a stop at the Giraffe Centre to hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes.

Book a combined visit here: Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour.

Evening: Shop Kenyan crafts at Utamaduni (Karen) or Kazuri Beads (handmade ceramic beads supporting local artisans). Dinner at Hashmi BBQ (Westlands) for legendary chicken tikka and seekh kebabs with tamarind chutney, or Pallet Café (Lavington) where the team is primarily deaf—great burgers and a brilliant mission.

Day 3: Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha day adventure

Day tour: Head into the Great Rift Valley for cycling past zebras in Hell’s Gate National Park and a Lake Naivasha boat ride to spot hippos and fish eagles. It’s an active, scenic counterpoint to city and safari days. Book: 1 Day trip to Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha From Nairobi.

Lunch is often at Ranch House Bistro on the lakeshore (think wood-fired pizzas and lake views). Back in Nairobi, dine at CJ’s (Jamia) for generous portions and an all-ages vibe, or at J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen (Karen) for excellent burgers and live music nights.

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara is the stage for East Africa’s most iconic wildlife drama. Big skies and endless plains host lion coalitions, cheetahs scouting termite mounds, and elephant families tracing age-old paths. From July to October, the Great Migration often surges through, but predator action thrills year-round.

• Top experiences: Dawn and dusk game drives, bush breakfasts, Maasai village visits, sundowners on a kopje, and—if you wish—hot air ballooning at sunrise.
• Wildlife: Big Five, elegant topi, hyena clans, and the Mara River’s crocodiles and hippos.
• Culture: Learn about Maasai beadwork, herding traditions, and community-led conservation.

Where to stay (Masai Mara): Compare options on VRBO Masai Mara or Hotels.com Masai Mara. Favorite camps: Angama Mara (clifftop views and refined guiding) and Basecamp Masai Mara (community-forward, shaded by riverine trees).

Getting from Nairobi to the Mara: Morning departures are best. Fly from Wilson Airport (45 minutes; ~USD 150–250 one-way) on small bush planes—search routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. By road, allow 5–6 hours via Narok on a mix of highway and park tracks.

Day 4: Nairobi to the Masai Mara, first game drive

Morning: Depart Nairobi after breakfast. Fly from Wilson to your Mara airstrip (45 minutes), with a short game drive-style transfer to camp. If driving, leave by 7:00 a.m.; grab coffee and pastries from Artcaffé or Java House for the road.

Afternoon: Settle into camp, lunch overlooking the savannah, and a brief siesta. Your first afternoon game drive eases you into the Mara’s rhythms—watch for elephants, topi on termite mounds, and bat-eared foxes as the light turns gold.

Evening: Sundowner G&Ts on a kopje, then a fireside dinner. Many camps serve Swahili-inflected menus—grilled tilapia with coconut sauce, spiced pilau rice, and chapati. Early night to prep for dawn.

Day 5: Dawn patrols and a Maasai village visit

Morning: Pre-sunrise roll-out—predators are active and the light is sublime. Lion prides often reassemble after night hunts; cheetah scans are best now. Enjoy a bush breakfast with fresh fruit and mandazi as the plains warm.

Afternoon: Rest at camp, then visit a nearby Maasai village (arranged by your lodge) to learn about beadwork, homestead design, and age-set traditions. It’s a respectful, guided exchange that supports communities.

Evening: Back to camp for a short golden-hour drive. Dinner under lanterns; stargazing is spectacular—ask for a constellation talk if your guides offer one.

Day 6: Full-day safari to the Mara River

Morning: Optional hot air balloon at sunrise (book ahead via your camp; includes champagne breakfast upon landing). Otherwise, set off toward the Mara River for a full-day drive with picnic hampers—hippos wallow, crocs sun on sandbanks, and raptors wheel overhead.

Afternoon: Track wildlife along riverine forests and open grasslands, tuning into your guide’s reading of tracks and calls. With luck, you’ll catch a cheetah on a hunt or a leopard draped in a sausage tree.

Evening: Return dusty and happy; swap sightings at the fire. Dinner might feature grilled goat ribs, sukuma wiki (braised greens), and sticky date pudding with Kenyan coffee.

Day 7: Back to Nairobi, markets and a memorable final dinner

Morning: Morning flight from the Mara back to Wilson (45 minutes) or road transfer (5–6 hours). Arrange flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; camps coordinate airstrip transfers.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mama Oliech (Kilimani) for crispy deep-fried tilapia with ugali and kachumbari—a Nairobi institution. Shop for last gifts at The Banana Box or Village Market’s curated stalls.

Evening: Final dinner: Tuck into modern Kenyan plates at Shamba Café & Shop (Loresho farm setting), or book The Talisman if you missed it earlier. For a laid-back toast, try Tusker or a Dawa and live music at J’s (Westlands).

Day 8: Easy morning and departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast—try Pallet Café’s pancakes or Connect Coffee’s pour-over with cinnamon buns. If time allows, visit the Railway Museum for a dash of colonial rail history and vintage rolling stock.

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your onward flight. If you have a long layover, a flexible city highlights run is handy: Nairobi Stopover & Layover Tour.

Optional cultural add-on (Nairobi)

If you’d like a deeper dive into Maasai culture while based in Nairobi, consider: Masai village Day Tour Experience.

Dining cheat sheet (Nairobi)

• Breakfast/coffee: Spring Valley Coffee (roastery-quality beans), Connect Coffee (Riverside), Pallet Café (Lavington, social enterprise), Artcaffé (citywide pastries and egg plates).
• Lunch: Boho Eatery (seasonal plates), Roadhouse Grill (classic nyama choma), Mama Oliech (lake fish and ugali).
• Dinner: The Talisman (Karen icon), Hashmi BBQ (beloved grills), Carnivore (the Nairobi original), Shamba Café (farm-to-table in leafy surrounds).

Practical tips

• Payments: Cards and M-Pesa widely accepted; carry some KES for tips and small purchases.
• Park fees: KWS gates take card only; bring ID. Elephant Orphanage requires advance booking.
• Baggage: Soft-sided duffels under 15 kg for bush flights; keep camera gear handy in a daypack.
• Health: Sun protection, malaria prophylaxis for safari zones, and plenty of water; lodges provide safe drinking water.

Alternative way to see the Mara (group package): Prefer a bundled safari from Nairobi with transport and guiding included? Consider this join-in option: 3 Days Maasai Mara Guided Safari.

In eight days, you’ll sip world-class Kenyan coffee, pedal through a Rift Valley gorge, and watch lions stir as light spills over the Mara—an elegant arc from city to savannah. Kenya rewards the curious; go early, look long, and let the guides tell the land’s stories.