Discover Kenya's safari highlights in a 4x4

Combine the freedom of an adventurous road trip with the ease of a well-planned itinerary! This Kenya self-drive tour is perfect for first-time visitors interested in safaris, the country's highlights, and minimal driving hours per day.

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

This Kenya self-drive tour includes airport pick-up & drop-off, 4x4 car rental, a practical roadbook and hand-picked accommodations. Please scroll below to see our day-to-day itinerary with realistic driving times, route directions, and travel tips for Kenya.

8 days | 720 km From €1,760 pp View rates & book your adventure

View route on map

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

Welcome to Kenya!

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be brought to your hotel. Nairobi is known as the Green City in the Sun. It’s a lively place where modern Africa meets safari tradition. You’ll find green neighbourhoods here, but also busy markets and plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants. The city is full of excitement, and a great starting point for your self-drive adventure!

Day 8 Day 2

Day 2 of 8

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

It's a lovely drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park. The route takes you up and down the escarpment, with sweeping views over the Masai plains.

Lake Nakuru is a small but scenic park, making it an ideal introduction to self-driving in Kenya. You’ll find most of the big safari animals here, except elephants, including black and white rhinos and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. With some luck, you may even spot tree-climbing lions, as Nakuru is the best place in Kenya to see them.

In our experience, one afternoon - and one morning game drive is enough to explore the park.

Day 1 Day 3

Day 3 of 8

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

After an early morning game drive in Nakuru, continue to Maji Moto, a natural hot spring about an hour from the Masai Mara’s Sekenani Gate. The springs are a lifeline for local Maasai communities and their cattle.

Over and over again, travellers tell us their stay at Maji Moto Eco Camp was a highlight of their trip.

Day 2 Day 4

Day 4 of 8

Explore: Maji Moto

Located on a hilltop with stunning views across the savannah, the Maji Moto camp is run by Maasai hosts. Your stay includes guided nature walks, a visit to the hot springs and nearby communities, an engaging Maasai warrior training, and evenings with sundowners and stories by the campfire.

Day 3 Day 5

Day 5 of 8

Start: Maji Moto Eco Camp
Destination: Masai Mara
Drive: 65 km | 1 hour to Sekenani entrance gate

Today is your first day in the Masai Mara! The Mara’s vast plains are alive with wildlife, so chances are high you’ll spot elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and even one of the big cats. Return to your lodge in time for sunset and enjoy a quiet night under the starry African sky.

Day 4 Day 6

Day 6 of 8

Explore: Masai Mara

In the Mara, every game drive brings new surprises. Keep a wildlife journal to note your sightings; it makes the experience even more fun. We also recommend a bush breakfast or picnic. Switch off the engine, take it all in, and enjoy the tranquillity of the wilderness.

Day 5 Day 7

Day 7 of 8

Start: Masai Mara
Destination: Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate
Drive: 230km | approx. 4,5 hours from Sekanani gate

Lake Naivasha is the perfect place to slow down after the excitement of the Mara. It’s a peaceful setting to relax and recharge.

In nearby Hell’s Gate National Park, you can cycle among giraffes, zebras, and gazelles or hike through the scenic gorge. For more inspiration, see our blog on the most beautiful parks in Kenya.

Day 6 Day 8

Day 8 of 8

Start: Lake Naivasha
Destination: Nairobi
Drive: 120 km | around 3 hours, depending on traffic at Maai Mahiu

If your flight departs in the late afternoon or evening, you can spend a relaxed morning at Lake Naivasha and continue to Nairobi Airport to drop off the vehicle. No flight today? We’ll arrange your stay in a comfortable hotel in one of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs. The next day, the hotel’s taxi service will take you to the airport.

Day 7 Day 1

Taste of Kenya | Indicative prices

The prices below are per person, based on two people sharing a car. Our Taste of Kenya tour includes 7 hotel nights with a meal plan and 7 car rental days.

	Rest of year	Peak*
Luxury	€2,780	€3,450
Mid-range	€1,850	€2,410
Combo - campsites & lodges	€1,760	€1,910

*Peak season: July – September.

Easy & secure payment
You can safely pay through our Roadtrip Africa Bookings office in the Netherlands.

Prefer a private guided road trip?
Add a professional driver-guide to your booking. Simply select this option in the online booking form.

Included in your Kenya itinerary

Included

Handpicked lodges (a mix of full board and bed & breakfast)
4x4 car rental with unlimited mileage
Electrical fridge
2x airport transfers
Car delivery to and pick up from your hotel
Car insurance
24/7 roadside assistance
Kenya roadbook and day-to-day travel notes

Optional

Driver - guide

Plan your 8-day adventure in Kenya

Book your 4x4 self-drive tour with stays in campsites, mid-range lodges or luxury retreats - or tailor the trip completely to your wishes.

Let's go!

Experiences from fellow Roadtrippers

Very nice selfdrive trip with Roadtrip's reliable Land Cruisers

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. Peter, Rueben and the guys at the HQ do a super job as well, explaining the car...

Read all reviews

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.

Read all reviews

Excellent driver, guide and company

Ida from Denmark

Our five stars reflect the good drive, guidance from the company and 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 our trip - I can only...

Read all reviews

8 days in Kenya | This is what you need to know

Travel time and road conditions

We recommend 8 days for this Kenya safari itinerary. Want to add a beach holiday? It’s easy! Take the daily Madaraka Express train from Nairobi to Mombasa, or book one of the many affordable charter flights to Diani, Watamu or Lamu Island.

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

The Taste of Kenya itinerary can be travelled year-round.

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 from 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?
Wildlife viewing in the Mara is excellent all year. Your choice depends on the experience you want:

June–Sept: The wildebeest migration is in full swing. An unforgettable sight, but expect crowds and pricey camps.
Oct–Feb: Plenty of wildlife and a steady flow of visitors.
Mar–May: The wettest months. Roads can be muddy, but the scenery is lush, with fewer tourists and better lodge rates.

Tip: The Mara uses seasonal pricing. From January to June, rates are about USD100 per person per day. From July to December, rates rise to USD200 per person per day.

Where do I sleep?

Kenya is the birthplace of safari, and hospitality here is an art. We work with small-scale, eco-friendly lodges that offer good value and a warm welcome. Our team knows Kenya well - we’ve worked and travelled here for years, so we make sure you’ll stay in places we genuinely recommend.

Nature, atmosphere and hospitality
From tented camps in the Maasai Mara to boutique lodges on the Indian Ocean, every stay combines comfort with nature and local craftsmanship. And then there’s the food. Bush breakfasts, sundowners, and dinners by the campfire; meals here are just as memorable as any game drive.

What our travellers love most? The diversity, the atmosphere and the famously warm Kenyan hospitality. Many lodges are community-run, so your stay directly supports conservation and local people.

Curious? Click the orange arrow to browse photos of some of the lodges you’ll stay in.

Find your budget and travel style

The Taste of Kenya tour is available in three styles and price ranges:

Luxury
Stay in barefoot luxury resorts offering intimacy, top-notch service, and great attention to detail.
Mid-range
Enjoy comfortable, en-suite accommodations in beautiful locations. Great value without breaking the bank.
Combo: Campsites & lodges
Get the best of both worlds. Switch between camping in the bush (with provided rooftop tent and gear) and relaxing in charming, comfortable lodges.

Book your self-drive in Kenya

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Check out our other self-drive tours in Kenya

Roads, Rails & Waves

This one-way trip is short, sweet, and full of highlights. Experience world-class game drives and unwind at Kenya’s most beautiful beach resorts.

Enjoy a combination of exciting safaris and laid-back beach life
Explore the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli National Park
Hop on the iconic Madaraka Express from Emali to Mombasa. The route passes right through Tsavo National Park, where you spot elephants, giraffes or zebras right from your window!

Off the Beaten Track

Set out on a self-drive adventure through Kenya’s wild side, packed with safaris, cultural encounters and hidden gems.

Spot wildlife in Laikipia, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Meru National Park
Meet the Samburu people and learn about their traditions
Hike to waterfalls, swim in crystal clear pools, and cross East Africa’s longest canopy walkway in Ngare Ndare Forest
Cycle among zebras in Hell’s Gate National Park
Go rafting, kayaking or ziplining in Sagana

Bush to Beach

Our classic one-way itinerary takes you from Nairobi to the white-sand beaches of Watamu. It’s the perfect mix of classic safaris, cultural encounters and Kenyan beach life.

Enjoy unforgettable game drives in the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Laikipia, Amboseli and Tsavo
Spend a night at an authentic Maasai Camp
Feel the adrenaline in Sagana with activities like rafting, kayaking or ziplining