Kenya Wildlife Safari

Overview

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!

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Dates & Prices

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.

Accommodations:Tamarind Tree Hotel Included meals: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

Accommodations:Tamarind Tree Hotel Included meals:Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After 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 leisure

Day 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

Accommodations:Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After 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

Accommodations:Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy 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

Accommodations:Sweetwaters Tented Camp Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After 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

Accommodations:Sarova Lion Hill Lodge Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Leaving 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

Accommodations:Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After 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

Accommodations:Mara Intrepids Tented Camp Included meals:Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today 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, +$430

Take 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

Accommodations:Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport, Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport or similar Included meals:Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After 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

Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport

First Class

Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport is the only official hotel located at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, designed to offer a luxurious and elegant experience with unmatched security within the most protected zone in Nairobi. With its convenient location, less than 3 minutes from the terminals, the hotel caters to transiting passengers adding tranquility and comfort to their travel experience.Designed with the world traveler in mind, all of Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport’s 144 guest rooms have contemporary chic designs, plus interiors and amenities that exude luxury and comfort. These spacious units take you to a world of regal splendor with lavish furnishings, unique lighting fixtures and indulgent amenities, for a warm and relaxed feel. Standard features include air conditioning , tea/coffee maker, minibar, safe, telephone, hairdryer, alarm clock, bathrobes, slippers, complimentary toiletries, and flat-screen TV with international cable channels.

More information

Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport

First Class

The Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport is a 175 room hotel with a convenient location close to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The hotel features complimentary Wi-Fi, a 24 hour business center, a heated rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, complimentary self-operated laundry.

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Mara Intrepids Tented Camp

Mara Intrepids Camp is located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camp is a short drive to the Mara River, home of the iconic wildebeest migration. The camp’s outdoor pool is surrounded by sun-loungers. There is a library with board games and a playground for children. Hot air balloon rides can be organised at Mara Camp. 

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Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

First Class

Located 345 kilometers north of Nairobi, this tented lodge offers 28 modern and newly refurbished tents with a private view over the wildlife-rich riverbanks. All the tents are large and spacious under palm-thatched roofs with netted screens. This allows for the river breeze to keep them cool and give you stunning views of Samburu. The main dining room has a seating capacity of 60, and opens onto an outdoor terrace where buffet breakfasts and lunches are served overlooking the river. Meals can also be enjoyed on your private veranda or at one of a series of specially selected 'bush sites' close to camp.Intrepids also boasts a spacious lounge and bar area, where our naturalists deliver fascinating slideshows on most evenings, and an intimate conference room with a television for viewing wildlife documentaries.Behind the bar, surrounded by a shady sunbathing area, is our freeform swimming pool - a soothing drop of blue in this otherwise arid land

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Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

First Class

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is nestled along the Lion Hill overlooking the spectacular flamingo pink rimmed Lake Nakuru. Its location affords panoramic views of the lake and the picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park. A short two-hour drive from Nairobi, it is cleverly laid out in such a way that most rooms and sitting areas afford stunning views of the lake and the park. The Lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and greens dotted with bird feeds.

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Sweetwaters Tented Camp

First Class

The exclusive Sweetwaters Serena Camp is located in a private conservancy with a higher wildlife-to-area ration than any of Keny'a national parks. The camp lies in the center of the Ol Peejeta Conservancy which is host to elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, and leopard.

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Tamarind Tree Hotel

First Class

Tamarind Tree Hotel is ideally located just 5 kms to the southwest of Nairobi near iconic Carnivore Restaurant. The hotel offers easy access to all parts of the city, its national park, as well as to the country’s many diverse attractions via the neighbouring Wilson Airport and Southern Bypass. The nearby Langata and Karen suburbs are among the liveliest and most popular in Nairobi with world-class shopping malls and excellent restaurants.Tamarind Tree Hotel's outstanding leisure facilities and genuine service ensures that all our guests experience the very best of Tamarind hospitality.

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In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

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