2-Day Kenya Safari Tours

4.6/5 – 1,629 Kenya Reviews

A 2-day safari in Kenya is possible in a lot of the country’s parks and reserves. It’ll be a short safari, but it can be done. You’ll be amazed at how much you can experience and see in just an overnight trip. It will take some careful planning though. With only 2 days available it is important not to get overambitious or you risk spending most of your time driving between destinations. For ideas, have a look at safaris offered on SafariBookings.com and check out the travelers’ reviews as well. Whether you’re looking for a budget camping trip or an all-inclusive fly-in break to one of Kenya’s top lodges, there is something here for everybody. Here are answers to some of the questions you might have.

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6 Questions About 2-Day Kenya Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She first visited Kenya 25 years ago. Since then she has been back many times to explore the country’s parks and reserves.
› More about Ariadne

Is a 2-day Kenya tour too short?

“A 2-day/1-night safari in Kenya is short, but if that’s all the time you have, it is definitely worthwhile. If at all possible, I would recommend adding a few extra days though. You need at least a couple of nights to settle in and get into the rhythm of the bush. However, if time or budget constraints push toward a short trip, you should go and make the most of it. You’ll be surprised at how much you can see on a 2-day safari in Kenya, and you’ll get a taste of what it is all about. Who knows, you might be able to return one day for a longer safari. You should never try to cram too much into your itinerary. With only 2 days available, settle on one park you would like to visit and spend some quality time there. As long as you are realistic about what you can achieve on a 2-day safari, it is surely worth going.”

What are the options for a 2-day safari in Kenya?

“There are multiple options for a 2-day safari in Kenya. Many 2-day packages include an overnight stay in the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Timed right, you might see one of Africa’s most exciting wildlife spectacles here, the wildebeest migration. The bumpy drive takes about five hours from Nairobi, so the return trip takes up a lot of valuable time. A return flight may be a better option. Amboseli National Park offers a different kind of experience. While the Mara is famous for its big cats, you can count on excellent elephant sightings here. Views of Mt Kilimanjaro are a bonus on a clear day. Lake Nakuru National Park is very suitable for a 2-day road safari from Nairobi. The drive only takes about three hours on an easy tar road. This scenic national park is centered around a shallow lake supporting flocks of pelican, flamingo and other birdlife. You should see several rhino here and, if you’re lucky, a pride of tree-climbing lion. If you’re based in Mombasa or any of the beach resorts south of the city, your best bet is an overnight visit to Tsavo East National Park. This extensive wilderness area is home to all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino). Large herds of elephant covered in red dust and graceful giraffe are especially noticeable. For a low-key bush experience, you could leave the beach to stay a night in the nearby coastal forest of Shimba Hills National Reserve. Forest elephant are regular visitors to the waterhole, and you’ll be charmed by the red squirrel and bush baby that visit the lodge.”

What accommodations can I expect?

“There are lots of different accommodations in most parks and reserves in Kenya for a 2-day safari. Camping is always a good budget option. It adds a sense of adventure to your trip, and the campsites are often in prime locations. Note though, that for 1 night only, a lodge safari might be more practical. Other budget options are mostly guesthouses and basic tented camps just outside the parks. No-frills mid-range hotels or lodges offer more comfort and are usually in better locations inside the parks or reserves. If you decide to splurge, you can choose a luxury lodge or tented camp. These can be conventionally luxurious, offering all mod cons, or they can be stylish rustic establishments focusing on exclusivity, excellent service and food. Lodgings on the luxury end of the scale are usually fully inclusive fly-in destinations that take care of your activities as well.”

Which animals am I likely to see?

“The animals you’re likely to see on a 2-day Kenyan safari depend on where you choose to go. To see the wildebeest migration, you should aim to be in the Masai Mara any time from August to October. There is lots of wildlife to be seen in the Mara at any time though. Big cats are particularly prolific. Amboseli NP is a more scenic destination. Early morning is often the best time to see Mt Kilimanjaro. With or without views of the mountain, you’ll have some incredible elephant sightings here. Some of the old bulls carry impressive tusks. Rhino is difficult to spot in the Mara (your best chance is the Mara Triangle) and absent in Amboseli NP, but Lake Nakuru NP and many of the Laikipia Plateau reserves offer great opportunities to see both white and black rhino. When visiting Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks on a 2-day safari, you may not be able to tick off the Big Five. Wildlife is a bit more spread out here, but you might well see some very rare antelope, such as the fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk, in an incredibly wild setting.”

How much will this safari cost?

“The price of a 2-day safari in Kenya varies. Expect a starting price of US$220 per person for a 2-day budget camping tour, going up to US$350 per person for a mid-range lodge tour. Luxury tours start at around US$450 per person. The level of accommodations influences the overall cost. Most budget-friendly is a camping safari. Lodges range from budget to mid-range to high-end luxury. A road safari is usually cheaper than a fly-in safari. And you can save some money by joining a group safari as opposed to booking your own private safari. If your timing is flexible, you can economize on good safari deals in the low season. It’s always a good idea to get a few quotations before making a final decision on your safari operator.”

What activities are available on a 2-day safari in Kenya?

“While game drives are usually included in your safari package, some extra activities can add variety and interest to your 2-day Kenyan trip. A balloon safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience offered in many popular parks and reserves. Floating above the bush at sunrise offers an amazing bird’s-eye perspective. The champagne breakfast after landing completes a memorable morning out. The Masai Mara and Amboseli areas are the homeland of the proud Maasai people. A visit to a traditional manyatta (group of huts) is both educational and a lot of fun. Lastly, a guided nature walk offers a chance to slow down and marvel at the small wonders of the bush. The aim is not to get close to potentially dangerous animals, but to learn about tracks, insects and plants.”

Kenya Reviews

4.6/5 1,629 Reviews

Expert

Mark Eveleigh –

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

Containing ‘The Greatest Wildlife Real Estate on Earth’

5/5

The Masai Mara has been called ‘the greatest wildlife real estate on Earth’ and for the sheer density of its wildlife it probably has no competition anywhere in the world. For a first-time safari these days you probably still can’t...

Full Review

Carina Nielsen –

Reviewed: Oct 10, 2025

6 out of 5 stars - amazing trip!

5/5

We were picked up at our hotel by Ernest right on time and started the drive to Amboseli. We had a short stop at a souvenir shop where it was also possible to go to the washroom. We arrived at Sopa Lodge for lunch and after lunch we went...

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David D –

Reviewed: Oct 9, 2025

We only saw a small portion but really liked what we did see

5/5

We visited 2 areas after crossing in from Tanzania at the Namanga border - Amboseli and Nairobi. Amboseli was spectacular. So very dry but this added to the vibe and feeling, particularly at sunset where we watched elephant herds walking...

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Chuck Ankney –

Reviewed: Oct 2, 2025

The Maasai Mara was as Advertised!

5/5

We visited the Maasai for three nights. We stayed at the Mara Engai Lodge. It is a tented lodge with about 24 tents. The lodge itself and everybody that work there was great! The temp was very spacious and had everything we needed. We...

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John from Arizona –

Reviewed: Sep 30, 2025

The Trip of a Lifetime, But There are Some Things to Know Before You Go

4/5

The Good: My wife and I had an amazing time in the Maasai Mara and surrounding area. The wildlife was abundant, the landscape beautiful, and the local Masai people are very friendly. It was the trip of a lifetime, and as a photographer I...

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Bn Brown –

Reviewed: Sep 27, 2025

An Absolutely Amazing Experience!!

5/5

Our trip to Kenya was amazing and exceeded my wildest expectations! The safari at the Masai Mari did not disappoint as we saw all of the Big Five. It was stunning to see a pride of lions, who had just taken down a buffalo, devour the beast...

Full Review

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2-Day Kenya Safari Tours

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2-Day Tsavo East & Taita Hills Safari

2-Day Crescent Island & Lake Nakuru Private Tour

2-Day Safari to Amboseli

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2-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park

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2-Day Nairobi - Nakuru National Park - over Night

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2-Day Safari to Tsavo East from Mombasa/Diani

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6 Questions About 2-Day Kenya Safaris

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

6 Questions About 2-Day Kenya Safaris

Is a 2-day Kenya tour too short?

What are the options for a 2-day safari in Kenya?

What accommodations can I expect?

Which animals am I likely to see?

How much will this safari cost?

What activities are available on a 2-day safari in Kenya?

Kenya Reviews

Containing ‘The Greatest Wildlife Real Estate on Earth’

6 out of 5 stars - amazing trip!

We only saw a small portion but really liked what we did see

The Maasai Mara was as Advertised!

The Trip of a Lifetime, But There are Some Things to Know Before You Go

An Absolutely Amazing Experience!!