This 15-day grand Kenya fly-in safari is the full journey: three nights in Samburu, four in the Masai Mara, three in Amboseli and four on the Lamu archipelago. Light aircraft link every stop, so the time goes to wildlife and not the road, and Dexter Kariuki guides you privately through the whole safari.
Each landscape tells a different story. Samburu is the wild north, all red earth and doum palms, with species found only in its dry country. The Masai Mara is the classic plains safari, home to Kenya’s great cat populations and, from around July to October, the migration. Amboseli is elephant country, its relaxed family herds crossing the swamps beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro.
The journey ends somewhere completely different. Lamu is an island of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and dhows under sail, its old town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After nearly two weeks of early starts in the bush, it is the perfect place to slow right down.
Dexter meets you in Nairobi and a light aircraft carries you north over Mount Kenya’s shoulders into the arid frontier. Your first drive follows the Ewaso Ng’iro river, where the elephants gather in the late afternoon.
Two full days to find Samburu’s Special Five and the leopards of the riverine forest. Early drives, slow afternoons, and a dry-country quiet you won’t find further south.
A morning in Samburu, then a flight south-west across the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara, and an afternoon drive out onto the open plains.
Three full days on the Mara’s grasslands: lion prides and cheetah, leopard in the river trees and, in season, the herds at the river. With four nights here, Dexter has time to wait for the moment worth waiting for.
One last Mara sunrise, then the flight to Amboseli. By afternoon you are watching elephant families move across the plains with Kilimanjaro rising behind them.
Two full days with Amboseli’s famously relaxed elephants. Early mornings for the clearest views of the mountain, the swamps alive with buffalo, hippo and waterbirds, and long, close sightings you’ll remember for years.
A final drive with Dexter, then a flight to the coast and a short boat ride across the channel to the Lamu archipelago.
Three full days to sail by dhow at sunset, wander Lamu Old Town’s lanes and carved doorways, swim from empty beaches and eat fresh seafood under the stars. No cars, no hurry.
A last morning by the water, then the flight from Manda to Nairobi for your international connection.
14 days Samburu's wild north and the Masai Mara's big-cat plains with Dexter, then six barefoot nights on Diani's white sand. A slow, two-week Kenya safari and beach holiday with no rushing anywhere.
7 days Two of Kenya's great wildernesses in one unhurried week: the wild north of Samburu, then the big-cat country of the Masai Mara. Three nights in each, light aircraft between them, and Dexter at the wheel.
Tell Dexter when you'd like to go. He'll plan the order of the parks around the season and the herds.
It's in Nairobi Dexter replies usually within a day