Two Weeks in Kenya: 14-Day Safari and Diani Beach Itinerary

Entice Africa October 9, 2026Safari Packages | Booking | Entice Business Insights

A classic 14-day Kenya safari is a loop through the Maasai Mara, the Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli and Tsavo, finishing with three nights on Diani Beach. That is the route of our private 14-day Kenya Safari & Diani Beach Holiday, from USD 4,860 per person, with your own Land Cruiser and driver-guide from Nairobi to the coast.

Treat that price as a starting point, because it depends on the season you travel, the lodge level you choose and how many of you share the vehicle. The route is steady rather than slow, with roughly 32 to 37 hours of transfer driving, so the pace section shows where you can fly or add nights.

Planning this trip? Get a free quote in 6 hours →

The 14-day Kenya safari at a glance

Two weeks in Kenya, day by day

Distances and drive times are our estimates and vary with traffic and road conditions.

Days 1 to 4: Nairobi and the Maasai Mara

The Mara gets three nights because it rewards time. Day 3 is a full day with a picnic lunch, so you follow the animals instead of the clock. Day 4 is the morning for the optional hot-air balloon at USD 550 per person, which needs booking in advance, ideally when you confirm the trip. Kenya’s embassy in Rome puts the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara from July to October, but no river crossing can be promised.

Days 5 and 6: Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha

Lake Nakuru is small and full of life. The Kenya Wildlife Service describes it as Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, with one of the country’s largest black rhino populations and white rhinos too. Your guide takes you up to Baboon Cliff for the view. Flamingo numbers follow the lake’s water level, so we tell you what visitors are seeing before you travel. At Naivasha, an optional boat trip on the freshwater lake gets you close to hippos, followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island.

Days 7 and 8: Amboseli

Day 7 is the longest drive of the trip, about 7 hours, and Amboseli is the reward. Kilimanjaro is usually clearest in the first hour after sunrise, which is when a line of elephants crossing the plain makes the classic photograph.

Days 9 and 10: Tsavo West and Tsavo East

Tsavo East covers about 13,747 square kilometers (roughly 5,300 square miles), which the Kenya Wildlife Service describes as Kenya’s largest national park. Its elephants dust themselves red, and dry-country animals such as gerenuk and oryx are possible. In Tsavo West, Mzima Springs is the highlight: clear pools where hippos and fish can be watched.

Days 11 to 14: Diani Beach

A coral reef offshore keeps Diani’s lagoon calm and warm. The classic day out is a dhow trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park: a drive of about 90 minutes each way to Shimoni, then snorkeling and a seafood lunch on Wasini Island. On Day 14 you fly from Ukunda airstrip to Nairobi, so pack soft bags because luggage space on that flight is limited.

How the pace works, and what to change

Add up the road legs and the loop is about 1,465 kilometers (roughly 910 miles), spread over seven transfer days. Only the Mara, Amboseli and the beach get more than one night, so you pack and unpack at Nakuru, Naivasha and both Tsavo stops. That suits first-timers who want range. If you would rather stay longer in fewer places, the trip is easy to reshape:

• Fly the long legs: scheduled flights from Nairobi to the Mara or to Amboseli replace the 5 to 7 hour drives.
• Split the 7-hour day: add a night in Nairobi between Naivasha and Amboseli.
• Trim the route: drop Nakuru or one Tsavo stop and the trip becomes 12 or 13 days.
• Add nights: a fourth night in the Mara in migration season, or a longer beach stay.
• Change the beach: Watamu, Lamu or Zanzibar instead of Diani, or fly home from Mombasa and skip the domestic flight.

The best time for a 2-week Kenya itinerary

This route crosses grassland, mountain and coast, so timing matters. Our guidance by season:

The Government of Canada describes Kenya’s two rainy seasons as roughly October to November and March to mid-June, and warns that flooding can hamper overland travel, which matters with seven road transfers. Dates shift from year to year; for a month-by-month view, see our guide to the best time to visit Kenya for safari.

Safaris that fit this guide

14-Day Kenya Safari and Diani BeachMara, lakes, Amboseli, Tsavo, then the beach14 days · from $4,860 ppView trip →10-Day Best of Kenya by AirAmboseli, Lumo and Diani Beach10 days · from $4,375 ppView trip →13-Day Kenya Bush and BeachSafari circuit plus the coast13 days · from $3,948 ppView trip →

Every trip is private and can be changed to suit you. Get a free, tailor-made quote in 6 hours →

What the 14-day Kenya safari costs and includes

The trip is priced from USD 4,860 per person: Midrange lodges, April to June, two people sharing a room. Budget lodges start at USD 4,100. Where you land above that depends on three things: the season (April to June is low, November to March is mid, July to October is peak), the comfort level you choose (Budget, Midrange or Luxury), and your group size. Larger groups sharing a vehicle pay less per person, and solo travelers usually pay a single supplement.

Included in the price:

• A private 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own English-speaking driver-guide, from Nairobi to Diani
• 13 nights of accommodation, with full board on safari and the meal plan at your Diani resort
• Park, reserve and conservancy fees, and all the game drives in the itinerary
• Airport meet-and-greet, plus the scheduled flight from Diani to Nairobi with transfers

Not included:

• International flights and your Kenya eTA
• Travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover
• The balloon flight (USD 550 per person) and other optional activities
• Tips, laundry and drinks outside your meal plan

Is two weeks the right length? Comparing your options

Two weeks is enough for the Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo and the beach. If your priorities differ, these are the closest alternatives:

Only have a week? The Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara circuit in our 7-day Kenya safari itinerary covers the savannah side without Tsavo or the beach. Prices on every trip depend on season, group size and lodge choice.

Related safari guides

• 10 Days in Kenya: Samburu to the Mara Itinerary and Cost
• 8-Day Kenya Safari by Road: Itinerary and Price
• Kenya Safari Package Prices 2027: Our Trips and What They Cost

Frequently asked questions

Is two weeks too long for a Kenya safari?

No. Two weeks lets you spend three nights in the Mara, see Amboseli and Tsavo, and still have three nights on the coast. The real limit is driving, not interest, and flying one or two legs cuts the road time.

Do I need a visa for Kenya?

Most visitors need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a visa, and each person traveling needs their own, so a family applies once per traveler. Apply only through the official eTA site, where the fee starts at USD 30 and applications are generally processed within about three business days. The UK government says the local authorities recommend applying at least two weeks before departure. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival. Check the current rules for your nationality.

How much driving is there, and can we fly some legs?

The road legs total about 1,465 kilometers, with the longest day at about 7 hours between Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. You can replace that day, or the first leg to the Mara, with a scheduled flight, or add a night in Nairobi to split it.

Is this trip suitable for children and older travelers?

Yes, with a few adjustments. The vehicle is private, so you stop when anyone needs a break, but most driving days run from four to seven hours, so ask about flying a leg or adding a night. We choose family rooms and, where possible, pools. Some small camps and balloon operators set minimum ages, so tell us your children’s ages when you ask for a quote. For older travelers we can fly the long legs and choose rooms with easy access.

What health precautions should we take?

See a travel clinic or doctor well before you fly; the UK government advises checking vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks ahead. The Government of Canada notes a malaria risk in certain areas, says antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary, and says Kenya requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from a country where the disease occurs. Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.

Can we swap Diani for another beach?

Yes. Watamu, Lamu and Zanzibar are common swaps, and the trip can start on any day you choose. Tell us your dates and what matters most, and we will redraw the route and the price.