Kenya Wildlife Safari
Nairobi, then 9 game drives in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara; Stay in superior Nairobi hotels & safari lodges. Also available with Victoria Falls.
Overview
Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | July – November 2021 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | Active, Nature & Wildlife | ||
Activity Level | Recreational | ||
What to Expect | This fast-paced, partially escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations, sometimes on bumpy unpaved roads and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Savvy travelers and novices alike include Kenya on their list of dream destinations, and for very good reason. Kenya is blessed with an abundance of spectacular wildlife and lavishly gorgeous, incredibly photogenic landscapes. Everywhere you go, from the teeming cities to the plains of the Masai Mara, the people are friendly and welcoming. Tourist infrastructure is amazing, often offering white glove service where the basics of running water and electricity appear impossible to find. Game reserves are magnificent, filled with all manner of wildlife, beautiful lakes and beaches, and sweeping vistas that seem to go on forever.
With more than 50 parks to choose from in Kenya alone, it's hard to decide where to go. But everyone agrees that the Masai Mara and Samburu parks are must-visit sites. Our Kenya Wildlife Safari includes them both plus a lot more! And like all Friendly Planet tours, you'll enjoy the best of Kenya at prices that are as amazing as the country itself.
If you want even more iconic Africa see our Kenya Wildlife Express with Victoria Falls!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip airfare from New York to Nairobi, including taxes & fees
- All intra-Africa land transportation and transfers
- 8 nights' accommodations at superior Nairobi hotels and safari lodges plus day-use room on day 10
- 22 meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, including a welcome dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and game-viewing drives by local English-speaking guides
- All-wheel drive (4x4) safari vehicles with guaranteed window seat and access to roof hatch, maximum 6 guests per vehicle
- Experienced driver/guide
Optional add-ons
- Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast
Why you'll love it
- Set out on nine incredible game drives in search of the “Big 5” and more.
- Fall in love with the orphaned elephant babies of Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphans' Nursery and learn how these adorable creatures are cared for before being released back into the wild.
- Learn about the production of handmade beads at the Kazuri Bead Factory, which employs local women and single mothers.
- Tour the Karen Blixen Museum, previously home to the author whose memoir inspired the Oscar-winning film, Out of Africa.
- Hand-feed endangered giraffes at the Langata Giraffe Center.
- See the efforts to save chimpanzees from extinction at the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary.
- Indulge in an array of exotic meats at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
Itinerary at a Glance

- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Arrive Nairobi
- 3 Nairobi
- 4 Samburu Game Reserve
- 5 Samburu Game Reserve
- 6 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- 7 Lake Nakuru National Park
- 8 Masai Mara National Reserve
- 9 Masai Mara National Reserve
- Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari and Champagne Breakfast, $430
- 10 Masai Mara & Nairobi/Depart Kenya
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Nairobi, Kenya
Day 2 Arrive Nairobi
- Upon arrival in Nairobi, following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.
- This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
Tamarind Tree Hotel or similar Dinner
Day 3 Nairobi
- Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- Discover how local women make handmade beads at the Kazuri workshop
- Visit the Karen Blixen Museum
- See the endangered Rothschild's giraffe at the Langata Giraffe Center
Tamarind Tree Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphans' Nursery, where young orphaned elephant babies are hand-raised until they are released back to their natural habitat in the Tsavo National Park. Here they are able to mingle freely with the wild community.
After a lunch break, continue to the Kazuri Bead Factory Store, where the guide will explain the hand-making process. Founded in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood, the factory started as a tiny workshop experimenting in making handmade beads, only employing two Kenyan women and today has grown to employ many other women, most of them single mothers. Then, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, which is the former home of "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen and served as the farm house for her 4500 acre farm from 1917-1931.
Later, visit The Langata Giraffe Center, established to protect the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. There are also several warthogs which roam freely with the giraffes. Guests may feed the giraffes from a raised feeding platform. Return to the hotel for remainder of the day at leisureDay 4 Samburu Game Reserve
- Travel north to the remote Samburu Reserve arriving at the lodge for lunch
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive and dinner at the lodge
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, travel north to the remote Samburu Reserve. This is the homeland of the nomadic Samburu people, whose culture attaches great value to tending their livestock of cattle, sheep, goats and camels as their main economic activity. The Samburu peoples' dress is dramatic with bright reds, braided hair and skin daubed in red ochre.
Samburu is rich in species not seen in southern Kenya's more famous parks, such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and gerenuk. You'll also have a good chance of spotting lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. The semiarid landscape is dramatic, with the rugged outcrop known as Mt. Ololokwe a prominent feature. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon, depart on a game drive returning to the camp as the sun sets.Day 5 Samburu Game Reserve
- Morning game drive
- Lunch, followed by some free time to relax
- Early evening game drive
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy another day of game viewing drives in the Samburu Game Reserve during two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography. Guided by your expert driver, search for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area.
Day 6 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at your camp
- In the afternoon, visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary followed by a game drive
- This evening, sit by the lit waterhole to view the animals
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, depart for the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy is situated on the equator, in Kenya’s Laikipia District, between the foothills of the Aberdares and the snow-capped Mount Kenya. The conservancy hosts a large variety of animals, including Grevy’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, cheetah and more. After lunch, visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary followed by a game drive. In the evening sit by the lit waterhole to view the animals.
Day 7 Lake Nakuru National Park
- Early this morning, travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Once in the park, there will be a game drive
- In the afternoon, there will be another game drive prior to check-in and dinner
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryLeaving Sweetwaters and Mount Kenya behind, you'll head west to Nyahururu, still known to many as Thomson's Falls for its 237-foot cascade. Continue south to your next destination, Lake Nakuru. This park is a rhino sanctuary, offering the opportunity to see these endangered animals. It's also home to rare Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo, leopards and lions. Once in the park, there will be a game drive. After lunch, enjoy afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Then, continue to Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, arriving as the sun sets.
Day 8 Masai Mara National Reserve
- After breakfast, head out for the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Enjoy lunch en route to the Masai Mara
- Take your first game drive in the Masai Mara on the way to your camp
Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, head out to the Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Every year, between July and September, millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate into the Mara in search of water. The timing of this phenomenon varies, depending on the rains, but they usually start heading back to the Serengeti in October.
Whether you see the migration or not, the grassy plains and lush landscape offer a huge variety of game including lions, cheetahs, buffalo and abundant bird life such as ostriches, cranes and storks. Stop for lunch at a lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive through this haven of wildlife, arriving at the Mara Intrepids Camp as the sun sets.Day 9 Masai Mara National Reserve
- Morning game drive, or take an optional hot air balloon safari
- Lunch at the lodge, followed by some free time to relax
- Late afternoon game drive
Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryToday you will take two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography.
You'll have the choice for an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon safari, which provides a thrilling opportunity to soar high over the plains for animal viewing from above. Whether you go by air or land, you will enjoy searching for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area accompanied by your expert guide, who will amaze you with his ability to spot game hidden in the bush.Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari and Champagne Breakfast, $430Take to the sky over herds of wildlife in the Masai Mara game reserve, flying in a hot air balloon. The balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the reserve and offers a bird's eye view of the plains below. After an hour or so in the air, your safari finishes with a champagne breakfast in the bush. This is certain to become a once in a lifetime experience you will remember long after returning from Kenya! Flight may not operate if weather conditions are not suitable. ($450 if purchased locally)
Day 10 Masai Mara & Nairobi/Depart Kenya
- Depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi
- Enjoy a farewell lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight
- Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning
Hilton Garden Inn or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, transfer to your day-use room to relax and freshen up before your return flight. Finally, bid farewell to Kenya as you transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning.
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Reviews & Photos
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Kenya? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.