A note from Carolyn: I lived in Kenya for my graduate research - mostly Nairobi, but I also spent time in Machakos, Embu, and Makueni. This itinerary reflects the country I came to know and love, beyond safari. You'll spend real time in Nairobi, which most itineraries rush you through, see the wildlife in the country's best parks, and end with a quieter Rift Valley moment before flying home. It's the trip I'd plan for a friend.
Nine days experiencing iconic savannahs in search of wildlife and natural wonders, with more comfort than you imagined possible. Experience Kenya's traditional tribal cultures, without missing out on modern life in Nairobi.
Your Kenyan adventure begins with a private transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to your historic manor house, where resident Rothschild giraffes wander the manicured grounds. After settling into your garden-view suite, enjoy lunch on the terrace while these gentle giants graze just steps away.
Use the afternoon to enjoy a spa treatment, then gather for dinner in an elegant dining room where curious giraffes may poke their heads through the windows.
Wake to breakfast with Rothschild giraffes joining you at the dining room windows, reaching for treats. Visit the adjacent conservation center to learn about giraffe protection efforts, and meet resident warthogs and peacocks. The afternoon offers flexibility for jet lag - perhaps tour the Out of Africa author's former home, venture into bustling Nairobi for local coffee culture, or relax by the pool. End with sundowner cocktails in the gardens, as giraffes silhouette against the golden African sky.
Your safari begins with a short private flight to Amboseli National Park, world-renowned for its herds of elephants and stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Check into your luxury lodge with private deck overlooking the savanna, then rest during midday heat. Your first game drive takes you among Amboseli's famous elephants with Kili's snow-capped peak as backdrop. Return to the lodge for sunset cocktails as you listen to the African bush awakening.
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, which encompasses 150 square miles of wilderness. You'll likely see elephants up close, as well as ostriches, zebras, lions, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and giraffes. After a mid-day lunch back at the lodge, you'll head out again to seek more wildlife, including hundreds of species of birds that call the park home. End the day with a candlelit dinner under the stars, or a sumptuous night swim overlooking the water hole.
Today you'll see why Maasai Mara remains one of East Africa's most quintessential safari destinations. On your game drives, you'll witness one of the true wonders of the world: The Great Migration. Experience millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope moving towards new grazing lands while their natural predators wait to strike. You'll watch the drama unfold as some of the Big 5 take their pick from this moving feast. In the evening, unwind in your serene lodge in a prime viewing position on the Mara River, watching resident hippos as the sun sets.
Get an early start on your first game drive of the day, with your coffee in hand. You'll watch quietly as the animals begin stirring to wake up and begin their day. Return to your lodge mid-morning for a gourmet breakfast and some time to relax in the warm wood, sheer curtains, and native fabrics of your well-appointed suite. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy a spa treatment, cooking class, or cocktails by the pool. At golden hour, you'll join your guide for a game drive to try and catch the elusive leopard, culminating in a majestic savanna sunset.
Relish in the stunning landscape of the Maasai Mara today, as you explore all it has to offer. Perhaps you'll take a hot air balloon early in the morning to view the migration from above. Or, you could visit a traditional Maasai village, and learn from the people who have lived in harmony with this landscape for millennia. Whatever you choose, you'll come back to an evening game drive to spot hungry lionesses hunting as the light fades.
Today you'll say goodbye to the drama and grandeur of Maasai Mara, but Kenya still has more to offer. Traverse savannas and woodlands with your guide to arrive at Lake Nakuru, where over a million flamingos wade in shallow waters. After a lakeside picnic lunch, visit a rhinocerous conservation area nearby to get a glimpse of both white rhinos and the very rare black rhinos. In the afternoon, you'll head back to your hotel in Nairobi for a farewell dinner with your guide.
Don't leave Nairobi without doing some local shopping. Before your flight home, visit the Maasai Market and the Nairobi Handicrafts Society to pick up some amazing goods. Handmade art, beaded Maasai jewelry, carved wooden sculptures, and colorful fabrics await you there. Take time to chat with artisans, who will be delighted to show you their wares. Afterwards, visit the Westgate Shopping Mall to experience a slice of modern life in Nairobi. Or, explore Nairobi's thriving art scene at several high-end galleries, where you can choose a piece to take home.
Let's turn your travel vision into the perfect journey.