10-Day Kenya Grand Circuit

Because it is a different Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro country is semi-arid, and five species there Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich are effectively absent from the southern circuit. Most visitors never go north, which is precisely the argument for it.

The largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and the last two northern white rhinos alive both female, both under permanent armed guard. It is a sobering place and a genuinely important one. The conservancy also runs a sanctuary for chimpanzees rescued from central Africa.

It depends entirely on water levels. Nakuru is a soda lake, and when levels rise the algae the flamingos feed on thins and the birds move to Bogoria or Elmenteita. Numbers have been far lower than historic peaks in recent years. The rhino and Rothschild's giraffe, however, are reliable.

Roughly July to October, though it varies with the rains and no operator can promise crossings on specific dates. This itinerary gives you three Mara nights, which materially improves your chances in season.

The longest transfer is the first, five to six hours to Samburu. After that nothing exceeds five hours, and Days 6 and 9 are deliberately gentle. The circuit is built as a loop so you never retrace a leg.

Kenya has replaced visas with an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel. Most nationalities are eligible.