13-Day Classic Luxury Safari in Kenya

A premium Kenya luxury safari tour staying exclusively at four of the country's most celebrated camps — Kempinski Villa Rosa in Nairobi, Finch Hattons in Tsavo, Loisaba Tented Camp in Laikipia, and Mahali Mzuri in the Masai Mara — connected by scheduled bush flights across 13 days.

Overview

This 13-day Kenya luxury safari is built around four destinations that together cover the full range of the country’s most compelling wildlife environments — the vast red-earth wilderness of Tsavo, the conservation success story of the Laikipia Plateau, and the iconic game-rich plains of the Masai Mara — with Nairobi as both gateway and orientation point.

What distinguishes this itinerary from standard Kenya circuits is the deliberate quality of the camp selection. Finch Hattons in Tsavo is one of the most architecturally and historically distinctive luxury camps in East Africa — named for Denys Finch Hatton, the hunter-adventurer of Out of Africa fame, and set beside natural springs with views to Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills. Loisaba Tented Camp on the Laikipia escarpment adds a conservation dimension — black rhino, Grevy’s zebra, and the landscape-level rewilding of former ranch land — alongside horseback safaris, camel-back game viewing, and Samburu cultural encounters. Mahali Mzuri, Richard Branson’s camp in the private Olare Orok Conservancy on the Mara’s eastern boundary, closes the trip with some of the most sought-after safari real estate in Kenya.

The pace is relaxed throughout — two nights at each destination is the minimum to get proper game drive coverage without feeling rushed, and the bush flights between camps keep the transfers short and scenic.

It suits luxury travellers making their first or second visit to Kenya, couples, and anyone wanting the classic Kenya experience delivered at the highest quality tier.

Key Information:

Duration: 13 days
Departure Location: Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)
Trip Type: Personalized / Relaxed

The combination of Tsavo, Laikipia, and the Mara gives you three completely different Kenya experiences. Most people only do the Mara — adding Tsavo and Laikipia changes the whole picture.

Highlights

Finch Hattons Camp in Tsavo — natural springs, Kilimanjaro views, and colonial-era luxury
Endangered black rhino and Grevy’s zebra in the Laikipia Conservancy
Horseback safaris, camel-back game viewing, and Samburu cultural encounters at Loisaba
Great Migration viewing from Mahali Mzuri in the private Olare Orok Conservancy
Hot air balloon safari at dawn over the Masai Mara (optional, additional cost)
Nairobi’s Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre
Seamless bush flights connecting Nairobi, Tsavo, Laikipia, and the Mara

What's Included?

Accommodation in luxury camps throughout, meals as indicated
Park entrance fees and conservancy fees
All activities and excursions as listed in the itinerary
Professional English-speaking guide throughout
Scheduled bush flights: Nairobi to Tsavo, Tsavo to Laikipia, Laikipia to Masai Mara, Masai Mara to Nairobi (Wilson Airport)
Ground transport in a 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
AMREF emergency evacuation insurance cover
Government taxes

International flights to/from Nairobi
Travel insurance (required — not provided)
Kenya tourist visa costs and processing
Hot air balloon safari (available at additional cost, strongly recommended)
Extra activities and meals not listed in the itinerary
Service tips, gratuities, souvenirs, and snacks
Accommodation after the end of the trip

Detailed

Itinerary

This 13-day itinerary moves south then north then southwest from Nairobi — a routing that takes full advantage of Kenya’s bush flight network and avoids any backtracking. Each destination has been given enough time to do it justice: two nights in Tsavo, two nights in Laikipia, and five nights in the Mara — weighted appropriately toward the destination with the most game drive potential.

The pace is relaxed by design. This is a luxury itinerary where the quality of each moment — a sundowner on the Loisaba escarpment, a morning game drive at Finch Hattons with Kilimanjaro behind — matters as much as the number of species ticked. Activities beyond standard game drives (horseback safaris, camel-back game viewing, the Nairobi city experiences) are built into each destination’s days without forcing the schedule.

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, your private guide meets you and transfers you to the Kempinski Villa Rosa — one of Nairobi’s most elegant city hotels, with a heated outdoor pool, spa, and the calm of a well-managed luxury property in the middle of the city’s energy.

The afternoon offers two worthwhile Nairobi experiences. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, on the edge of Nairobi National Park, runs daily public visits to its orphaned elephant nursery — young elephants rescued from across Kenya, each with a story, being rehabilitated toward eventual wild release. The Giraffe Centre, nearby, is a Rothschild’s giraffe conservation project where close contact with the animals is part of the visit. Both are brief (an hour each) and well worth the time on a first Nairobi stop.

Accommodation: Kempinski Villa Rosa, Nairobi (Luxury) Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

A morning flight south from Wilson Airport to Tsavo, arriving at Finch Hattons Camp — set beside natural springs in the heart of Tsavo East and West National Parks. The camp is named for Denys Finch Hatton, the hunter-adventurer and pilot immortalised in Out of Africa, and delivers on its heritage with colonial-era decor, exceptional food, and an atmosphere of unhurried elegance.

Two full days of game drives cover Tsavo’s diverse habitats — the red-earth savannahs, volcanic hills, and riverine forest that hold lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, and Tsavo’s famously large-tusked elephant bulls. The views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Tsavo’s southern reaches and the distinctive silhouette of the Chyulu Hills to the north are a consistent backdrop.

Accommodation: Finch Hattons Camp, Tsavo (Luxury) Meal plan: Full board

A bush flight north from Tsavo to Loisaba Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau. Loisaba Tented Camp sits on a dramatic escarpment with views reaching to Mount Kenya — spacious tents with large windows, minimalist African-inspired interiors, and one of the most striking arrival moments of any camp in Kenya.

Laikipia offers activities unavailable anywhere else on this circuit. Horseback safaris bring you silently alongside wildlife at ground level. Camel-back game viewing offers a similarly quiet approach to the bush. A visit to a local Samburu community adds genuine cultural context. Standard game drives cover the conservancy’s black rhino and Grevy’s zebra populations alongside the full Laikipia plains game.

Accommodation: Loisaba Tented Camp, Laikipia (Luxury) Meal plan: Full board

A bush flight south from Laikipia to the Masai Mara National Reserve and Mahali Mzuri — Richard Branson’s twelve-tent camp in the private Olare Orok Conservancy on the Mara’s eastern boundary. The conservancy setting gives access to the Mara’s wildlife in a more exclusive context than the main reserve, with fewer vehicles and the ability to do activities (walking safaris, night drives) unavailable inside the national reserve itself.

Five nights in the Mara allows proper, unhurried coverage of everything the reserve offers. Morning and afternoon game drives across the Mara plains target the resident lion prides, cheetah families, leopard, elephant, and the full range of antelope species year-round. Between July and October, the Mara River crossings of the Great Migration add the most dramatic wildlife spectacle in Africa. The optional hot air balloon safari at dawn — flying east over the plains and river with a bush breakfast on landing — is the itinerary’s standout optional extra and strongly recommended.

A Maasai village visit is included, giving direct engagement with the community whose land and traditions form the human dimension of the Mara landscape.

Accommodation: Mahali Mzuri, Olare Orok Conservancy, Masai Mara (Luxury) Meal plan: Full board

A final sunrise game drive before the bush flight from the Mara back to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. Ground transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for international departures.

If your flight schedule allows a longer Nairobi stay, the team can arrange additional accommodation, a city lunch, or a farewell dinner — all on request.

Accommodation: None included unless requested Meal plan: Breakfast

Testimonials

What Our Travellers Say

My son and I spent two weeks experiencing African magic with Nkuringo Safaris, and we will never forget our time there. Truly a priceless experience. I could talk about those experiences for pages — the friendly people, the beautiful Nile River where we did whitewater rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees, and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven Susser

In November 2020, we travelled to Uganda as a couple in a 4×4 Safari Jeep. Considering the difficult time we are all in, we were especially happy about the level of service we experienced. You can travel to Uganda with no problem. During our travel, we felt safer than in Europe – everybody cared about our health and happiness.

Sarah B

Don’t miss out on this unique experience. Our guide, Richard, was excellent. We had an informative and unique walk down the mountain from Kisoro to Lake Mutanda. We walked through villages and saw families actively working their farms. The walk is easy. The dugout canoe was very comfortable, with padded seats. We highly recommend the adventure.

Kwa Alaska

My husband and I had a week’s vacation, which is not a lot given everything we wanted to do/see. Nkuringo organized our trip to make the most of this week. The trip was flawlessly organized. Time management was perfect. They were flexible and accommodating, all our needs were met, and we felt listened to; it was a truly customized experience.

Victoria V

The most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. The welcome from a gorgeous team was lovely… hot water bottles in the bed and a fire lit in our room each night made it such a special place.

David Q, UK

My son and I spent two weeks experiencing magic in Africa… the friendly people, the Nile where we did white-water rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven S, USA

Travelling Uganda as a couple… our guide knew so much about animals, plants and the country’s history. He was funny and friendly and looked after us incredibly well.

Tom R, USA

We are a travel company ourselves and this company over-delivered for us… The whole thing ran like clockwork, even while making sure everyone was happy with the amount of time spent in each place.

Jeannie E, USA