These are Kenya’s best self-drive travel itineraries
Ready for an adventurous road trip in Kenya? Even if you have just 1 week to spare, prefer to go off the beaten track, or want to mix safari with beaches, there’s plenty to choose from in Kenya.
The routes below are ideal if you like the freedom of a road trip, without the stress of figuring it all out on the go. Scroll down, pick your self-drive itinerary and start experiencing the real Kenya!
Kenya 1-week itinerary | Discover the country’s highlights
Short on time but big on safaris? This 8-day itinerary has modest daily drives and well-paced stops. Ideal for first-time visitors with limited time or plans to combine a safari with a beach holiday.
You’ll go on game drives in Lake Nakuru and the legendary Masai Mara, explore the dramatic landscapes around Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, and spend a night in a genuine Maasai camp; a highlight for many of our travellers.
Day-to-day | 1-week self-drive itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Land in the Green City in the Sun. Settle in and get a first taste of modern Africa before hitting the road. - Day 2 – Drive to Lake Nakuru
Your self-drive starts today! Head to Lake Nakuru for your first safari. Expect to see rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes and possibly even tree-climbing lions. - Day 3 & 4 – Maji Moto Eco Camp
After a morning game drive, drive south to Maji Moto – a hilltop eco-camp run by Maasai hosts. You’ll explore the surroundings of Maji Moto on foot with local guides, visit hot springs, and enjoy sundowners by the fire. This is a Roadtripper favourite! - Day 5 & 6 – Explore the Masai Mara
Drive into the Mara for classic savannah scenery and some of Kenya’s best wildlife viewing. Go on game drives, spot the Big Five, and soak up the park’s magic. - Day 7 – Relax at Lake Naivasha
After the wildness of the Mara, slow down by the lake or cycle through nearby Hell’s Gate. - Day 8 – Return to Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi and drop off your vehicle. Your 1-week road trip has come to an end!
Excited about this 1-week itinerary?
We’re here to help you book the full trip. Choose to stay in comfortable lodges, go for the full adventure with camping, or mix both! We’ll tailor the route to match your travel style, time and budget.
Check out the full 8-day self-drive itinerary here for all details, pricing and next steps.
Kenya 2-week itinerary | Safari and beaches
Looking for a classic Kenya road trip? During this 13-day one-way route, you’ll discover the country’s safari highlights ánd end with a few days of sun, sand and sea.
You’ll go on game drives in the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli National Park, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Then, you’ll ride the scenic Madaraka Express train to Mombasa and then Diani Beach – spotting wildlife from the window as you cross Tsavo National Park.
This itinerary is perfect if you want to experience Kenya’s best safari parks, love the combination of bush and beach, and have no more than 2 weeks to spare.
Day-to-day | 2-week self-drive itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! Settle into the capital and get ready for the adventure ahead. - Day 2 – Safari at Lake Nakuru
Drive to Lake Nakuru for your first game drives. Think rhinos, giraffes, and rare tree-climbing lions. - Days 3 & 4 – Masai Mara magic
Spend two days exploring Kenya’s most iconic reserve. Big cats, open plains, and endless wildlife await. - Days 5 & 6 – Relax at Lake Naivasha & cycle Hell’s Gate
Unwind by the lake, go for a boat ride, or cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park alongside zebras and giraffes. - Days 7 & 8 – Amboseli National Park
Head south to the land of elephants and spot wildlife with Kilimanjaro as your backdrop. - Day 9 – Train to the coast
Board the Madaraka Express for a scenic ride through Tsavo to Mombasa. Watch for wildlife right from your window! - Days 10, 11 & 12 – Beach time in Diani
Feet in the sand, drink in hand. Enjoy Diani’s laid-back vibe, white-sand beaches, and warm Indian Ocean. - Day 13 – Departure
Either your journey ends by the coast, or you can hop on a flight or train back to Nairobi.
See yourself driving this 2-week route in Kenya?
We can help you book everything, from the car to the lodges (or campsites, if that’s more your thing). You can follow the itinerary exactly, or we’ll tweak it to match your plans.
Take a look at the full self-drive trip here to see how it all comes together.
Kenya 2-week itinerary | Off the beaten track
Want to explore Kenya beyond the usual safari tracks? This 2-week self-drive itinerary takes you deep into the country’s wild north, with a range of diverse landscapes and untouched private conservancies and parks.
You’ll go on game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia and Meru National Park, meet the Samburu people, hike through waterfalls and pools in Ngare Ndare Forest, and cycle alongside wildlife in Hell’s Gate National Park. Want more action? Head to Sagana for rafting, ziplining, or just unwinding by the river.
This trip is for travellers who like to get off the tourist trail, mix wildlife with culture, and experience a different side of Kenya.
Day-to-day | 2-week off the beaten track self-drive itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Nairobi is full of energy and contrast; a mix of leafy suburbs, lively markets, and cosy cafés. A great place to settle in before hitting the road. - Days 2 & 3 – Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate
Start your road trip with a relaxed drive to Lake Naivasha. It’s the perfect place to unwind and ease into the rhythm of travel. On day three, explore nearby Hell’s Gate National Park on foot or by bike, spotting zebras and giraffes as you go. - Day 4 – Lake Nakuru National Park
Enjoy an afternoon and morning game drive in one of Kenya’s most scenic small parks. Lake Nakuru is home to rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes and tree-climbing lions. - Days 5 & 6 – Laikipia farm stay
Head north to Laikipia for a unique stay on a working ranch. Go on guided walks, swim in a wild dam, and join the team in daily farm life. It’s off-grid, full of wildlife, and always a highlight for our travellers. - Day 7 – Overnight in Nanyuki
Take a short drive to the lively town of Nanyuki – perfect for a break before your next safari. Stock up, enjoy a good meal, and rest up. - Day 8 – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Just outside Nanyuki lies Ol Pejeta, a private conservancy with excellent game viewing and unique activities like lion tracking and horse riding among rhinos. - Day 9 – Ngare Ndare Forest & drive to Samburu
Take a detour through the lush Ngare Ndare Forest. Hike to waterfalls, swim in clear blue pools and walk the canopy bridge before heading into Samburu’s drier, wilder landscapes. - Days 10 & 11 – Explore Samburu
Dive into the culture and nature of northern Kenya. Visit remote reserves, meet the Samburu people, and discover dramatic scenery far from the tourist trail. Add in a hike up Mount Ololokwe or visit a community project for something truly meaningful. - Days 12 & 13 – Meru NationalPark
Travel southeast to Meru National Park, a lush and quiet reserve with all of the Big Five. It’s one of Kenya’s hidden gems; less visited, but stunning and full of life. - Days 14 & 15 – Adventure in Sagana
Wrap up your trip in Sagana, Kenya’s hub for outdoor adventure. Go rafting, ziplining, or simply relax by the river. - Day 16 – Return to Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi for your flight or a final night in the city. Your road trip has come to an end!
Like the sound of this 2-week itinerary?
We’re happy to help you book it as is, or tweak the trip to fit your plans. Whether you prefer charming lodges, wild camping, or a mix of both: we’ll sort it.
Take a look at the full self-drive itinerary here and start planning your own Kenyan road trip.
Kenya 3-week itinerary | The full experience
Got the time? Starting in Nairobi and ending on the white-sand beaches of Watamu, this one-way road trip gives you a deep, varied experience of the country.
You’ll explore legendary parks like the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia, and Tsavo, spend a night at an authentic Maasai camp, and feel the thrill of rafting or ziplining in Sagana. There’s room to slow down, meet people, take the backroads, and still catch the big highlights.
This itinerary is for those who want it all: wildlife, culture, beaches, and time to enjoy it properly.
Day-to-day | 3-week self-drive itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Touch down in Kenya’s lively capital. Settle in, adjust to the pace, and get ready for the road trip of a lifetime. - Days 2 & 3 – Maji Moto Maasai Camp
Drive out to the hills near the Masai Mara for a special stay at Maji Moto Eco Camp. Walk with Maasai guides, visit hot springs, and enjoy sundowners by the fire. - Days 4 & 5 – Masai Mara safari
Spend two days exploring Kenya’s most famous reserve. The Mara really delivers on wildlife, open plains, and unforgettable game drives. - Day 6 – Lake Nakuru National Park
Head north to Lake Nakuru. Rhinos, giraffes, and rare tree-climbing lions make this a small but very rewarding park. - Days 7 & 8 – Laikipia farm stay
Live the off-grid ranch life at Ol Maisor Farm. Walk, track wildlife, or just take in the wide-open landscapes. - Day 9 – Stopover in Nanyuki
Take a short break in Nanyuki to rest, restock, and recharge before your next safari stop. - Day 10 – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Go on a self-drive safari, then try lion tracking, night drives, or horseback safaris in this top-tier private reserve. - Days 11 & 12 – Outdoor adventures in Sagana
Raft, kayak or zipline in Sagana, Kenya’s outdoor playground. A fun change of pace before heading south. - Days 13 & 14 – Amboseli National Park
Iconic views of Kilimanjaro and massive elephant herds await. Amboseli is small, but packed with wildlife. - Days 15 & 16 – Tsavo East National Park
At Tsavo, you discover Kenya’s wild side: dusty tracks, baobab trees, red elephants, and a real sense of space and remoteness. - Days 17, 18 & 19 – Beach time in Watamu
Trade safari boots for flip-flops. Watamu offers soft sand, crystal-clear water, great food, and easy-going days. - Day 20 – Departure
Wrap up your trip with a coastal transfer or hop on a flight or train back to Nairobi. Your epic road trip has come to an end!
Experience this 3-week Kenya road trip
We’re here to help you book it just as it is, or customise it to match your travel plans. From comfortable lodges to wild camping, or a mix of both: you choose what fits best.
Take a look at our full self-drive itinerary here to see how it all comes together.
Is there a single ‘best’ itinerary to explore Kenya?
No, there is not one 'best' self-drive route. There's just too much to choose from! But with a bit of planning and a sense of adventure, you’ll find the one that’s just right for you. Need more information or help with planning your trip? Reach out to us, we’re happy to help!
Your self-drive adventure in Kenya starts with us.