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Kenya Highlights
8 Days
Overview:
Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! Kenya is legendary around the world for being the birthplace of civilization and home to endless varieties of wildlife and the iconic Masai people. As you leave the bustling capital of Nairobi for the countryside you will begin to spot wildlife and stunning views all around you. Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these extraordinary animals. The Great Rift Valley offers up a wonderful assortment of hippos, elephants, and incredible bird life. Next up head to the Masai Mara Game Preserve to explore thousands of acres of savannah teeming with wildlife. Explore grassy plains and spend hours at watering holes where lions, elephants, cape buffalo and endless varieties of gazelle and land mammals co-exist. Your trip will offer you luxury accommodations set in one of the world's most iconic natural areas. Unparalleled game viewing and excellent cuisine all add up to an unforgettable trip.
2 days Nairobi
2 days Ol Pejeta Conservancy
1 day Naivasha
3 days Masai Mara
The Plan:
Day 1 Arrive Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! Prepare to be overwhelmed with the vast savannahs and amazing wildlife you will encounter for the next week. You will be escorted to your hotel and receive a welcome packet including travel documents and a map.
Day 2 Nairobi – Ol Pejeta Conservancy (3hour drive)
You are bound to be awake early in anticipation of the excitement ahead as you head to Laikipia. Leaving urban Nairobi leads you to fertile highlands with breathtaking views along the way. This afternoon enjoy your first game drive around the region which includes many of Kenya's most endangered mammals such as the black rhino, reticulated giraffe and silver backed jackal along with others!
Day 3 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Today's game drive brings you to the world-renowned Ol Pejeta. This conservancy is home to the ‘Big 5’ of African wildlife along with some rare species of African wild dog, Oryx, and others. After searching for Grey's zebra and servals before enjoying the optional visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these remarkable primates. Perhaps even sponsor a chimp.
Day 4 Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Naivasha (5hour drive)
Drive through the stunning Rift Valley on your way to Lake Naivasha. Upon arrival head to the Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy a boat trip to see wildlife at a relaxed pace. With no outside threat from predators, the wildlife and birds offer great photo opportunities. See zebras, giraffes, hippos and a large variety of birdlife such as herons, cranes, and osprey.
Day 5 Naivasha – Masai Mara (5-6hour drive)
Today head to the iconic Masai Mara. Stop for refreshments and souvenirs at roadside stands and enjoy the culture of Africa. The game drive will have you searching for the elusive leopard. As you travel to various watering holes you will be amazed by the diversity of mammals and birdlife at these popular 'meeting' spots. This evening you will enjoy a delicious safari dinner.
Day 6 Masai Mara
Head out early to discover the amazing Masai Mara Reserve. Home to all the Big 5 along with an astonishing variety of wildlife such as hyenas, impalas, ostriches, and gazelles. The term ‘Big 5’was originally coined by big-game hunters but has now become an industry key phrase to describe some of the most impressive African mammals and now photo safaris are king.
Day 7 Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is famous for more than wildlife and no trip to Kenya is complete without visiting a local village and experiencing first-hand the day-to-day lifestyle of the Masai. These indigenous inhabitants whose warriors are brightly attired make for an unforgettable day. Enjoy more wildlife viewing, especially the numerous elephants and hippos that spend time in the shallow waters of the Mara River.
Day 8 Masai Mara – Nairobi – Return home (6hour drive)
A final Kenyan country drive today as you head back to Nairobi. Stops for refreshments and souvenirs along the way help break up what is often a bumpy, challenging drive. These stops present you with time to interact with local vendors and find the perfect souvenir to bring home as a memory of your unforgettable trip into the wilds of Kenya. Return home later tonight.
Must See:
Kenya:
Visit Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru
Memory Makers:
Kenya
Ride the New Nairobi-Mombasa Train
Dubbed the Lunatic Express when it first opened in 1901 -- because it seemed like such a crazy idea to build a railroad through the African bush -- the legendary line was totally modernized in 2017 with completion of a US$2.3-billion-dollar upgrade of both the tracks and passengers’ trains.The Madaraka Express makes the journey in 4.5 hours with daily 9 a.m. departures from both Nairobi and Mombasa.
Sail the Lamu Archipelago by Dhow
A throwback to the golden age of Swahili culture, Lamu island on the north Kenya coast is one of the last great outposts of traditional dhows -- lateen-rigged sailing vessels that were once the main form of transport between East Africa, India and the Middle East.
Weather and climate
Kenya
There are two dominant influences that affect Kenya; the onshore monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and altitude. Kenya has two rainy seasons with the hot monsoon from November to March and the warm, moist monsoon from April to October. The climate ranges dramatically even in the course of a day with early morning safaris creating more than one very chilly unprepared traveler. Set in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter brings the long, hot season with spring and fall proving the most appealing overall. The relatively cooler season running from late June into early fall gets less rain and some spectacular wildlife viewing.
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