Perfect 3-Week Kenya Safari Itinerary & Costs

Day 1: Nairobi

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): Dependent on the activities you choose

Welcome to Nairobi! Kenya’s bustling capital is the gateway to some of the world’s top safari reserves. With many tour operators based here, your tour package will probably include an airport pick-up service that will bring you straight to your accommodation.

Depending on your arrival time (and energy levels!), you can arrange some activities for the day or simply grab a bite and relax at the hotel before getting an early night – after all, you have an action-packed three weeks ahead!

Itinerary

If your flight arrives at a suitable time, you may have the chance to explore Nairobi. Below, you’ll find some suggestions on how best to plan your day if this is the case.

About Nairobi

Home to over 4 million people, Nairobi is a colourful, busy city. It takes its name from the Maasai phrase ‘Enkare Nairobi’, meaning ‘place of cool waters’, reflecting the fact that the original settlement was built on a swamp.

As one of Africa’s largest cities, Nairobi boasts a hugely varied food scene and offers a wealth of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Nairobi has some very affluent areas, such as Karen. Often dubbed the Beverly Hills of Kenya, this leafy suburb is characterised by tree-lined avenues backed by gated mansions and exquisite, landscaped gardens.

Things to Do in Nairobi

Nairobi is a city that offers some truly unforgettable experiences, from seeing baby elephants up close to hand-feeding giraffes. And how many cities can you go on safari in? Here are my recommendations for things to do while visiting this city like no other.

1. Visit the Elephant Orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a Nairobi-based conservation initiative doing wonderful work for wildlife. The organisation rescues baby elephants from all over Kenya that have been orphaned, often due to poaching or human-wildlife conflict.

The aim is to raise them before releasing them back into the wild, and the sanctuary has succeeded in doing just that for numerous elephants since its inception.

In addition to its work with elephants, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues black rhinos and giraffes, too. It has also helped to fund many anti-poaching units across Kenya in addition to establishing permanent water sources for wildlife in national parks to help combat droughts.

Visitors to the elephant orphanage in Nairobi National Park can view the daily feeding of the baby elephants between 11am and 12pm each day. Please note that you must book your visit in advance. You can find all the information you’ll need on how to book on the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s website or leave it up to your safari company.

As I’ve already mentioned, I never recommend sanctuaries that allow animals to be harmed. To limit the impact on its resident animals, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust strictly prohibits contact with the animals and only allows one hour-long visit per day.

2. Go on Safari in Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is an area of untouched nature located just below the city’s central business district, a wild oasis that coexists peacefully with the bustling metropolis that surrounds it.

One of the only national parks in the world that exists within a capital city, its compact area of just 117 sq km in size makes it one of Africa’s smallest parks and means you can easily tour it within a day.

For me, Nairobi National Park is well worth a visit for the striking contrast of observing wildlife against a background of towering skyscrapers.

The park is home to all the Big Five (elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos) as well as giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas and many others.

3. Hand-Feed Giraffes at the Giraffe Centre

If you’re a regular on Instagram, you’re sure to have seen dazzling photos and videos of Giraffe Manor, a fabulous luxury hotel where guests get to feed giraffes from their balconies. But did you know you can enjoy a similar experience with the very same giraffes that visit Giraffe Manor for a fraction of the price?

Just 20 kilometres outside Nairobi city centre is the Giraffe Centre, a sanctuary that supports the conservation of the rare Rothschild giraffe and belongs to the same organisation as the world-famous Giraffe Manor.

Generally, I am very cautious about endorsing wildlife sanctuaries as many establishments claiming to be sanctuaries are far from it in reality, instead devoting themselves solely to human entertainment and profit.

The Giraffe Centre is a sanctuary in the truest sense of the word, however, and has really helped to boost the population of Rothschild giraffes in Kenya, introducing breeding pairs into various parks across the country, among them Lake Nakuru National Park, Mwea National Reserve, Ruma National Park and Nasalot National Reserve.

Indeed, the sanctuary’s efforts have helped to grow the number of Rothschild giraffes in Kenya from 120 to over 300.

Visiting the Giraffe Centre will not only give you the satisfaction of supporting a wonderful cause, it’s also lots of fun!

When you arrive, you’ll receive a coconut shell full of food pellets that the giraffes really love. You’ll then be able to feed the pellets to some of the resident giraffes, some of whom are more polite than others! Be prepared for some giraffe drool and beware of Daisy the headbutting giraffe!

I would say that 1-2 hours is plenty of time to spend at the Giraffe Centre. If you want to stay a little longer, there’s also a nature trail across the road.

4. Dine in one of Nairobi’s Delicious Restaurants

Nairobi is packed with wonderful restaurants for you to try.

My top pick is ‘Talisman Restaurant’ in Karen. Serving both lunch and dinner, this eatery offers a selection of Asian-inspired dishes including sushi (my favourite)!

The world-renowned ‘Carnivore Restaurant’ is one of Nairobi’s most unique places to eat. Food is served on an all-you-can-eat basis and each table is equipped with a white flag that you lower to indicate when you can’t eat any more. While the flag is raised, you’ll be presented with various kinds of meat (including crocodile and ox balls), served on Maasai swords.

While it is undoubtedly a special experience, I’d only recommend eating here for true meat lovers with huge appetites. I love meat but can’t eat that much, so the fixed price you pay to dine here didn’t really feel like the best value for me.

I would also recommend eating at  ‘The Wine Shop’ and ‘Wasp and Sprout’, both in Loresho.

Tips for Visiting Nairobi

I had a fantastic time in Nairobi! Here are some quick tips to make sure you do, too!

• The city is extremely easy to get around, with reasonably-priced Ubers available everywhere.
• Like every other major city, you have to take reasonable care while out and about. Don’t have any jewellery or other valuables on display – a bum bag/fanny pack is a great way to store your phone and passport safely on your person.
• As most crime and car accidents occur at night, it’s best to plan your days so you don’t need to go out after dark. Food delivery on Uber Eats works great and will save you going out at night to eat.
• Nairobi has a number of neighbourhoods that are better avoided, such as Eastleigh and Kibera. This really shouldn’t be an issue, however, as taxi and Uber drivers are well aware of which areas to avoid.
• I tend to stay in the leafy suburbs such as Karen which I find more relaxing compared to staying in the city centre.

Where to Spend the Night

If you book your safari through a local tour operator, your hotel in Nairobi will often be included in your package.

If not, my recommendation is to book an Airbnb in Nairobi. There’s a good selection to choose from, both in the centre and slightly further out. The green, tranquil suburb of Karen in the south is my personal favourite place to stay, and it has several highly-rated properties.

My Experience Visiting Nairobi

Given Nairobi’s rough-around-the-edges reputation, I was somewhat apprehensive about visiting the city, but I ended up loving it!

Hand feeding the resident giraffes at the Giraffe Centre was amazing and the baby elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage were adorable. I was so inspired to hear about the work both organisations do to support Kenya’s wildlife and even ended up adopting a female baby elephant called Nyambeni.

Nairobi has some excellent eateries and I felt very safe dining at them as they were all secured behind manned gates. My top three are Talisman Restaurant, Carnivore Restaurant and The Wine Shop. Talisman was my firm favourite – I went twice and would highly recommend the sushi and lamb koftas.

Carnivore was a fun, unique experience, but I simply couldn’t eat enough to make their fairly pricey all-you-can-eat service feel like value for money! Lastly, the Wine Shop served delicious pizza! I also used Uber Eats for pizza deliveries and found it great.

Karen was my favourite district as it was very safe and had the best restaurants and shopping centres. The main shopping centre, The Hub, is modern and clean and I had a pleasant, safe, hassle-free experience there. Loresho is also very nice and has some really good restaurants and cafes.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by Nairobi and would say it is well worth visiting!

You can watch a video of my experience visiting Nairobi National Park below.

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Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Ol Pejeta

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 4 hours

Today’s destination is Ol Pejeta Conservancy, about 4 hours’ drive northeast of Lake Nakuru. After lunching at the lodge, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring this unique conservancy – be sure to look out for the black and white rhinos that call this sanctuary home. The conservancy boasts all of the Big Five amid a wealth of other species, so you can be sure this will be an experience to remember!

Itinerary

Ol Pejeta is about 4 hours’ drive from Lake Nakuru, so you’ll be starting out in the morning to arrive in time for lunch at the lodge. Once you’ve eaten, you can take the afternoon to have a look around Ol Pejeta and discover all this unique conservancy has to offer – which includes all of the Big Five.

As you cross the rolling expanse of the savannah, the jagged outline of Mount Kenya in the distance provides a stunning backdrop. Have your camera at the ready and keep an eye out for the rhinos, zebras, antelope and black and white rhinos that graze here.

Ol Pejeta has one of the highest predator densities in Kenya, so you should also see plenty of action depending on the time of day. In addition to no fewer than six prides of lions (numbering 72 individuals), leopards, hyenas, black-backed jackals and caracals as well as ostriches and Martial Eagles all hunt here. 

Beyond the grasslands, keep a sharp watch for giraffes, elephants, leopards, olive baboons and vervet monkeys in the acacia woodlands, particularly along the water. Numerous nesting birds also live among the trees, including multiple species of weaver, lapwing, cuckoos and colourful Superb Starlings. The Ewaso Nyiro River sparkles like silver in the sun and attracts elephants, hippos and water birds in particular.

About Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Currently the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, Ol Pejeta is also home to the world’s last two surviving northern white rhinos, a mother and daughter named Najin and Fatu which have been living at the facility since December 2009.

At Ol Pejeta, livestock and wildlife live side by side, reflecting its colonial origins as a working cattle ranch before it became a conservancy that has set new standards for innovative conservation.

Ol Pejeta’s boundary fence includes specially designed wildlife corridors that allow elephants, wild dogs and most other species to move freely between the conservancy and neighbouring ranches and conservancies, helping maintain regional migration routes while keeping rhinos safely inside.

Although they are not native to this part of Africa, Ol Pejeta also has some 40 resident chimpanzees, which were moved here in the early 90s as part of a joint initiative with the Jane Goodall Institute when the Burundi rescue centre they lived in was forced to close due to the civil war.

Tips for Visiting Ol Pejeta Conservancy

• No visit to Ol Pejeta would be complete without seeing Najin and Fatu, the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. Daily from 8:30-9:30am, 11am-12pm, 3:00-4:00pm and 4:30-5:30pm, cost $70 per adult and $35 per child, advance booking recommended.
• Ol Pejeta’s Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. Access is included with your Ol Pejeta entry fee, opening hours 8:30am-12:30pm and 2:00-4:30pm.
• The conservancy offers an amazing lion tracking experience from 6:30-8:30am or 3:30-5:30pm, cost $70 per adult and $35 per child.
• Ol Pejeta also offers an anti-poaching dog tracking display, allowing guests to witness the fascinating work of its specialised K9 dog unit firsthand. Daily at 8:30am, cost $70 per adult, $35 per child.
• Other activities include rhino monitoring, conservation talks, wildlife photography safaris, night game drives, kayaking, abseiling, mountain biking, guided bird and bush walks, guided walking safaris, horseback safaris and even trail runs.

Where to Spend the Night

During your visit to Ol Pejeta, you can stay at a lodge or tented camp either inside or just outside the grounds of the conservancy.

Accommodation at the conservancy itself ranges from luxury lodges to budget cottages and campsites, with prices from US $100–600 per person per night. Most options include ensuite bathrooms, solar power and views of Mount Kenya.

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Day 5: Ol Pejeta to Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 3 hours

Today, you’ll be taking advantage of your last opportunity to explore Ol Pejeta with a morning game drive.

Then you’ll be making the 3-hour trip to Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy, which is another conservancy within Laikipia. Once there, you’ll have lunch and head out on an afternoon game drive.

Itinerary

You’ll be starting your day off with a morning game drive.

Alongside the buffalo, zebras, wildebeests and elephants that graze here, you should also see Masai giraffe – one of the two giraffe species that live at the conservancy.

These are recognisable by their jagged, irregular spots, contrasting with the smoother, more regular patterns of the endangered Rothschild giraffe, which tends to stick to the more wooded areas.

Lined with trees and shrubs, the glittering Ewaso Nyiro River meanders through the terrain. The lush, marshy ground either side of it is teeming with all manner of birds and mammals, drawn by the promise of water, shelter and soft greenery to munch on.

All the while, the breathtaking Mount Kenya looms in the background. Standing some 5,199 metres tall, this extinct volcano is Africa’s second-highest peak and its craggy silhouette certainly makes an impression even at this considerable distance (well over 200km).

As the sun climbs higher in the sky, it’s time to return to the lodge to collect your bags and set off for Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy. The journey takes about 3 hours – ample time to digest and rest before lunch and then an afternoon game drive.

Ol Donyo Lomboro is a place of spectacular contrasts, from the low-lying lands around the Ewaso Narok River with their border of ridgelines and forest remnants to its western plateaus, perched on the edge of the great Rift Valley and offering unforgettable views.

The wildlife here is just as diverse as the terrain, with lion, dik-dik, warthog and striped hyena, to name but a few, plus 350 bird species among the 545 recorded across Laikipia County, all waiting for you to discover!

About Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy

Nestled amid Kenya’s volcanic Chyulu Hills, Ol Donyo Conservancy covers 20,000 acres of richly varied landscape. The land here is largely wild and untouched and home to a staggering diversity of mammal and bird life.

Large permanent herds of elephant, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, common zebra, warthog, hippo and buffalo roam freely here, along with numerous different species of antelope.

As well as the Big Five, the conservancy boasts a flourishing wild dog population, which have been monitored by conservationists since 2001

Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy has become a haven for a number of rare species, housing a small population of some of the remaining 3,000 Grevy’s zebra along with reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, zorilla, striped hyena and aardwolf.

But the animal for which the conservancy is most famous is the black leopard (or melanistic leopard), also known as the black panther. Giza as she is known, was first photographed in the region in 2019 and born and raised right on the doorstep.

Though very rare, in the wider Laikipia region, there are reports of a handful of black leopards making this the best place in Africa to see them.

Tips for Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy

• To dramatically increase your chances of a black leopard sighting, you can book a Black Leopard Priority Vehicle during your stay at Laikipia Wilderness Camp: simply ask your tour company to reserve a dedicated or shared Black Leopard Vehicle for you. These vehicles are granted first priority at any confirmed sighting, making viewing and photographing the black leopard much more likely, though sightings still depend on luck and conditions.
• Plan night drives during full or near-full moons if possible: the dim natural light combined with the guides’ red-filtered spotlights minimizes disturbance and creates ideal conditions for observing and photographing Laikipia’s famed black leopard Giza as she hunts.
• If you have your heart set on a black leopard sighting, you should extend your visit to 4-5 nights in the area to maximise your chances. You can always skip Loisaba and Samburu if you want to keep your total itinerary to 3 weeks.
• The denning season, which occurs roughly every 12 months, is the best time to see wild dogs. Denning lasts about 10–12 weeks, during which the pack’s movements contract around the den.

Where to Spend the Night

In Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy, the main options are the Laikipia Wilderness camps.

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Day 7: Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy to Loisaba Conservancy

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 2 hours

You’ll start today with a morning game drive – your last at Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy. Afterwards, you’ll have some lunch at the lodge and then get going on the 2-hour drive to Loisaba Conservancy. Once there, you’ll be heading straight out on an afternoon game drive.

Itinerary

This morning begins with your final game drive at Ol Donyo Lomboro Conservancy. You may be fortunate enough to sight a black leopard or two in the early hours as they return from a night’s hunting.

Other predators should also be in evidence. By now, you will have learned a little more about the resident animals and their behaviours, which may help you piece together some details of their activities the night before from tracks and other signs in true Sherlock style!

Then, it’s back to the lodge for some lunch, prepared by expert chefs using local produce and even herbs and vegetables from the Conservancy’s own gardens.

Ol Donyo prides itself on its small carbon footprint, and the delicious fare served here is cooked using eco-friendly wood stoves or over open fires using wood damaged by elephants.

Once you’ve eaten your fill, it’s time to get on the road as you journey to Loisaba Conservancy, where you’ll embark on an afternoon game drive. With extensive grass plains, river valleys, steep escarpments and acacia-rich forests not to mention views of Mount Kenya, this 57,000-acre site is a feast for the eyes before you even get to the wildlife.

But the animals that call this place home are even more spectacular. Loisaba acts as a key wildlife corridor connecting the Laikipia Plateau with Samburu and Isiolo counties and allowing elephants and large predators to pass through safely. You’ll see these and many more as you navigate the terrain in the pleasant afternoon sun.

About Loisaba Conservancy

Perched on the northern edge of the Laikipia Plateau about 100 kilometres north of Mount Kenya, Loisaba Conservancy is a wildlife and community conservancy that blends conservation with luxury ecotourism and cultural engagement.

The conservancy’s lands encompass a wildlife corridor that connects the Laikipia Plateau with Samburu and Isiolo counties, offering vital access for elephants and large predators.

Loisaba is something of a poster child for what can be achieved through active collaboration: the Nature Conservancy, Space for Giants, and local Samburu and Maasai communities all work together here to combine wildlife protection with sustainable ranching and tourism – and to great success.

With wide grass plains, escarpments, river valleys and acacia forests plus the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro River, the site supports a rich variety of wildlife including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and various rare species including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuks (giraffe antelopes) and the endangered African wild dog.

All of the Big Five call this place home, and it became an official rhino sanctuary in 2024 when critically endangered black rhinos were reintroduced after 50 years. Twenty-one black rhinos were translocated from overcrowded sanctuaries in early 2024, and the conservancy has already welcomed two calves in early 2025—a promising sign that the new sanctuary is thriving.

Loisaba is home to Kenya’s second-largest elephant population. These amazing creatures use the conservancy as a migration corridor, helping them stay connected with other herds across the region. In addition, it is a haven for big cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards, with growing numbers of rare melanistic leopards (black leopards) a particular draw for both researchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Visitors to the conservancy can choose from both traditional and more adventurous safari experiences. Offering day and night game drives as well as walking safaris, horse and camel rides, mountain biking, and authentic Samburu cultural visits, Loisaba truly has something for everyone.

Tips for Loisaba Conservancy

I strongly recommend booking a guided bush walk outside the camp through your safari company during your time at Loisaba. The experienced guides and armed rangers who will accompany you can teach you so much about analysing animal tracks, scents and sounds.

This is a truly personalised experience that allows you to take a much closer look at the flora and fauna of the conservancy than the faster-paced game drives allow.

Indeed, Loisaba is one of only a small number of conservancies that offer a range of alternatives to game drives. Choose from horseback, camel and mountain bike safaris, all of which will bring you closer to the site’s incredible wildlife. Advance booking is recommended as group sizes for these activities are limited.

As part of an essential migratory corridor for multiple birds of prey, Loisaba is also one of the best places in Laikipia for birding, particularly from February to April. Be sure to bring your binoculars and try to spot a raptor or two!

You should also do your best to take in a night drive or patrol during your visit. Loisaba becomes a different place at night as its leopard and lion populations prowl the terrain.

Normally reclusive during the daytime, these creatures are much more active under cover of dark. Guests can enjoy night safaris or shadow the reserve’s anti-poaching canine units – both unique experiences that are not offered by many other Kenyan conservancies.

If your visit falls between July and October, you will be able to observe the elephant migration through the wildlife corridor. With over 800 elephants passing through, it is certainly a memorable sight! The drier weather during this season also attracts animals to water sources, making them easier to find on game drives.

Where to Spend the Night

With tourism forming a core pillar of Loisaba’s community-owned conservation model, most accommodation for visitors to Loisaba Conservancy is found inside the conservancy itself.

While the camps in many other parks in Kenya are concentrated around the boundaries, Loisaba has opted to disperse its accommodation facilities throughout a 230 km² area of private wilderness. As a result, guests are given unparalleled privacy, with exceptional views of the Ewaso Ng’iro Valley and Mount Kenya.

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Day 9: Loisaba Conservancy to Samburu National Reserve

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 5 hours

Today, you’ll be making the 5-hour drive from Loisaba Conservancy to Samburu National Reserve. On arrival, you’ll have some lunch at the lodge and then enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Itinerary

It will be an early start this morning – you have a long drive ahead of you! Today, you’ll be making the 5-hour journey from Loisaba to the amazing Samburu National Reserve. When you arrive, you can look forward to a hearty lunch before you set out on an afternoon game drive.

Samburu has a unique mix of terrains and vegetation, from the thick forests of towering acacia trees along the Ewaso Ng’iro River to the hardy, drought-resistant grasses on the savannahs. The grasslands here stretch as far as the eye can see, with grazers such as antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, hippos and the scarce reticulated giraffe to be admired as you drive along.

North of the river, where the land is drier, look out for elephants and oryx. Predators, on the other hand, tend to prefer the wetter land south of the water. The thicker vegetation here also provides better shelter for a variety of birds and other smaller animals.

The reserve is best known for a number of species that can be seen in few if any other places, such as the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra as well as the Somali ostrich. Your guide should be able to help you track these rare creatures if you let them know you particularly want to see them.

About Samburu National Reserve

Named after the nomadic Samburu tribe who live in the region, farming sheep and cattle, Samburu National Reserve is famous for what are known as its ‘Special Five’, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the Beisa oryx including the endangered Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.

It is also one of a very small number of Kenyan reserves where you can encounter the endangered African wild dog, and is known as an excellent site for spotting leopards (pardon the pun!).

The African elephant is particularly abundant here, with over 900 individuals monitored by Save the Elephants using GPS collars. Samburu has become a safe haven in which these gentle giants can thrive.

Tips for Samburu National Reserve

• I would recommend wearing light clothing for your visit to Samburu, as the temperatures there can get pretty high due to its northerly location. However, mornings can be chilly: your best bet is to go for layers. I would generally wear a vest top under a linen shirt with a fleece or jumper on top.
• High-factor sunscreen and insect repellent are non-negotiable for your safari! If you bring both along with you on your game drive, you can then top up as needed throughout the day.
• Be sure to tell your guide you want to spot the unique species that inhabit the arid lands of this region: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk – otherwise known as the “Samburu Special Five”. The best place to spot them is on the open acacia plains to the north of the Ewaso Ng’iro River and chances are greatest during early morning drives.
• You should also ask your guide to help you explore both sides of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. This body of water cuts the reserve into north and south halves, which harbour very different habitats. These in turn shelter different kinds of wildlife: the drier land to the north is best for elephants and oryx, while vegetation and predators thrive in the southern section.
• If you would like to, you can always choose to extend your trip to take in the nearby Buffalo Springs or Shaba National Reserve, which are also part of the same northerly ecosystem as Samburu. Taking in multiple parks often ensures you get to see more diverse scenery while having fewer other vehicles to contend with as you explore.

Where to Spend the Night

While there are a number of lodges within Samburu National Reserve or nearby, you should be aware that there are few budget options to choose from when booking your accommodation.

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Day 11: Lake Naivasha

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 7 hours

It’s a long drive today from Samburu to Lake Naivasha, so you’ll be getting on the road early to make good time. Once there, you’ll have lunch at the lake before embarking on an evening boat cruise to Crescent Island.

Itinerary

Buckle up, because today’s drive will be a bit of a marathon! You’ll be rising early to start on the 7-hour journey that will bring you to Lake Naivasha in the southern Rift Valley.

As you will be having lunch at the lake, you may have the opportunity to admire some of its resident wildlife while you eat. The lake itself is very picturesque, surrounded by swamps and forests that are a haven for all kinds of creatures, from antelopes to warthogs.

After lunch, you’ll be boarding a boat for an evening cruise to Crescent Island, where you will be able to explore on foot! Thanks to the absence of lions or elephants, the island is a perfectly safe place for visitors to walk around. The animals here roam freely and are calm and approachable, so you’ll be able to walk among zebras, antelopes and giraffes without fear for an unforgettable experience.

The flat landscape of the island makes it easy to hike, and there are an abundance of animals, birds and plants to discover. You might even spot a leopard tortoise, ostrich or silver-backed jackal! Then, as the sun sets, you’ll make your way back to the shores of the lake to settle down for the night.

About Lake Naivasha

Standing some 1884 metres above sea level, the 139km² Lake Naivasha is the highest lake in the Rift Valley. It gets its name from the Maasai word meaning “that which heaves” which reflects the frequent storms that batter the locality.

This freshwater lake is known for its flamingo and hippo populations and is one of the best birding spots in Africa, with over 400 distinct bird species in residence. It boasts what may well be the densest concentration of African fish eagles in Africa and is also a haven for cormorants, pelicans, Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher and African Spoonbill.

With a large hippo population in residence here, it would probably be difficult to avoid seeing one wallowing in the cool waters or grazing along the shore! Birders will also be in their element here, with a jaw-dropping number of species recorded here – over 400, in fact!

The privately managed game sanctuary of Crescent Island located in the middle of this tranquil lake is best known for its walking safaris among wildlife that are free to roam as they please.

There are no fences or vehicles here, and visitor numbers are low, which makes for an exceptionally intimate experience and ensures spectacular photos. What’s more, the absence of large predators means this is a family-friendly destination that is safe for anyone of any age to explore.

Crescent Island has also been used as a filming location for the movies “Out of Africa” and “Living Free”. A number of the animals brought here for filming were subsequently left behind, which is why the island today hosts such a diverse array of wildlife including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks, and antelopes.

Tips for Lake Naivasha

• I would strongly recommend going on a boat trip at Lake Naivasha – and if you are planning one, you should go in the afternoon so you can enjoy sundowners on Crescent Island in the evening.
• Most boat trips will bring you to Crescent Island for a walking safari, so come prepared: wear closed toe shoes, preferably with ankle support, so you can walk comfortably through the island’s vegetation. Be sure to bring a full water bottle per person, too, as you can end up walking for an hour or more.
• Although the island’s resident wildlife are comfortable around humans, it’s important to remember that they are still wild animals and must be treated with respect. Give them space and don’t be too noisy as you may startle them.

Where to Spend the Night

Guests can choose from a selection of lodges located on the southern banks of the lake.

My Experience Visiting Lake Naivasha

During my visit to Lake Naivasha, we went on a morning boat ride to Crescent Island for a fantastic walking safari. We saw so many hippos on the boat ride over to the island and lots of birds as well – pelicans, Egyptian geese, hamerkops, storks and herons.

A guide met us on the island and brought us on our walking safari. He explained that the island is very safe to walk around because there are no large predators. It was so unusual being able to wander about without a second thought about safety from predators. The island is pretty flat for the most part, so it was relatively easy going, too.

As we walked, we saw waterbucks, impalas, zebras and ostriches. I particularly remember spotting an adorable little zebra foal galloping excitedly around its mother. What a cutie! But for me, the absolute highlight was when we found a python.

Our guide had told us that they could sometimes be seen peeking out of burrows when it was hot and sure enough, I eventually saw one sticking its head out of a burrow. It was a fleeting encounter, as the snake soon got spooked and retreated inside, but I’ll never forget it!

After our safari, we had some lovely cool drinks on a hill in the middle of the island. But we couldn’t hang on there too long as we soon saw the storm clouds rolling in and decided to beat a hasty retreat back to the mainland. We didn’t quite make it before the heavens opened, but that didn’t ruin our enjoyment of the experience a bit!

You can watch a video of my experience visiting Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha below.

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Days 13-14: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 0 hours

You’ll be happy to know that there’ll be no long drives today or tomorrow, leaving you two full days to appreciate the utterly spectacular Maasai Mara National Reserve. Get ready for some of the most unforgettable wildlife sightings of your life!

Itinerary

Welcome to the Maasai Mara! This world-renowned safari destination needs no introduction: anyone with the faintest interest in African wildlife will know it is one of the premier locations for sightings of the Big Five along with a host of other animals and birds.

You’ll be spending all day today and tomorrow exploring the reserve, including a picnic lunch each day to maximise your safari time – and avoid being charged again for re-entry if you leave to go back and lunch at the lodge!

You will be starting out as early as possible, as the wildlife is at its most active early in the morning and after sunset. As you enter the park, the immense savannah sprawls out ahead of you in the purplish early dawn light.

The sheer expanse of it is dizzying, and as the sun climbs into the sky, its warming rays seem to set the golden grass on fire. The endlessness of the grassland here is one of the reasons the Maasai Mara is such an excellent destination for those in search of wildlife, offering unimpeded views of grazers and predator chases alike.

But the Maasai Mara is more than just savannah. The renowned reserve also has lush green riverine forests along the banks of large rivers such as the Mara River. The sheer rock wall of the Olooloo Escarpment towers to the west and the Ngama Hills, a favourite haunt for rhinos, lie to the east.

As you navigate the Mara plains, you’ll be wowed by sightings of multiple species. Elephants are one of the most common animals seen here, along with lions, leopards and Cape buffalos. Large herds of plains zebra wander by as you look on. These usually consist of a single male with a harem of females, but there are also a number of all-male bachelor groups.

Cheetahs hunt in the early morning and again in the late afternoon, preying mainly on small antelopes but also other species such as kudu, warthog, hartebeest, oryx, sable, rabbits and various game birds. Watching a cheetah in hot pursuit of its quarry is such an exciting experience – their speed and agility are simply unrivalled.

When you break for lunch, nobody stands on ceremony – you’ll just find a convenient tree for a bit of shade where you can enjoy a bite without missing out on the spectacular sights around you. Fortunately, the animals don’t take a break even when you do!

Giraffes, another common sight on the plains, can also be found grazing on the acacia trees along the river. The river is also a prime viewing location for hippos, which spend the hot days keeping cool in the water and mud, emerging at dusk to graze.

While the reserve has a healthy rhino population (especially white rhinos), they’re notoriously difficult to spot here. They tend to stick to the Mara Triangle near the rivers, so keep your eyes peeled for them when you’re close to the water but don’t be disappointed if you don’t see one. There are plenty of other species to watch out for!

As the sun sinks out of sight, it’s time to head back to the lodge for some dinner and a well-earned sleep. You’ll need your rest – tomorrow’s sure to be another action-packed day!

About Maasai Mara National Reserve

Forming part of the wider Serengeti ecosystem, the Maasai Mara is well known as one of world’s top safari destinations and is home to an unbelievable abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalos).

However, the park is probably most famous as the location of the Great Wildebeest Migration between July and October every year. As the wildebeest cross in their millions from the Serengeti National Park to the south into the Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing, they are forced to navigate the treacherous crocodile-filled Mara River – a journey to remember!

With healthy lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena populations, the Maasai Mara is also known for its high predator density. It is one of the best places on the planet for spotting these animals, drawing large numbers of enthusiasts yearly.

Animals are free to move between the reserve and other parts of the larger Serengeti wilderness area because there are no boundaries around the Maasai Mara to block them. This helps to facilitate the Great Migration, but also supports the reserve’s renowned species diversity.

Tips for Maasai Mara National Reserve

Visiting the Maasai Mara is guaranteed to be amazing, but here are a few tips to help you make it even more enjoyable!

• Firstly, layer up: the savannah can be rather chilly in the early hours of the morning, but temperatures skyrocket in the late morning and afternoon. If you wear plenty of layers, you’ll be able to adjust to whatever weather the Maasai Mara throws at you!
• Make sure you bring along a sweatshirt or jacket, too – you’ll be glad of it once your vehicle picks up speed and the wind hits you.
• Speaking of clothing, light neutral colours are best as these reflect the sun and also discourage tsetse flies. Dark clothing tends to attract these pesky little insects, and they give a pretty nasty bite that’s best avoided.
• Try to stay covered as much as possible and apply insect repellent before venturing out on an afternoon or evening trip in Kenya.

Where to Spend the Night

While visiting Maasai Mara, you’ll be sleeping at a lodge or tented camp near the reserve.

My Experience Visiting Maasai Mara National Reserve

I absolutely loved my time at Maasai Mara – it is hands down my favourite safari destination in Kenya! We stayed at Little Zebra River Camp in the Talek region and also at Enkorok Mara Camp, near Ololaimutiek Village in the south.

While at the reserve, we went on full-day game drives to maximise our chances of sighting wildlife – the animals are most active in the early morning and evening, when temperatures are cooler. We even brought a packed breakfast some days to get an earlier start.

I had so many incredible wildlife sightings at the reserve – some of the best I’ve ever had. One of the most memorable was when we spotted a mother cheetah with her four adorable little cubs playing and wrestling with each other. We later saw another female called Nora (the oldest cheetah in the Mara) and a male in the Keekorok area of the Mara. His name is Mwanga.

The Maasai Mara was also where I had one of my best ever leopard sightings – a female in a tree with a gazelle kill. As we watched, she climbed down the tree with her kill and brought it right over to our car to eat it!

We saw lots of lions here, too, but for me, the best sighting was when we came across a huge male lion with a buffalo kill right beside the road, guarding it under the jealous gaze of some vultures as the rest of the pride slept.

Our visit was in November, which meant we saw lots of baby animals as many herbivores are born during the short rainy season: gazelles, topis, giraffes, zebras and more. This was also where I saw my first baby giraffe and it was so cute! We encountered a breeding herd of elephants one day (one of many elephant sightings) with several young calves grazing contentedly and completely unbothered by our presence.

One other unforgettable sighting was when I saw a black rhino, which our guide said was extremely rare because there are only about 60 individuals in the Maasai Mara and these often move to the Serengeti. I felt so fortunate to have spotted it! We also saw hyenas and jackals and there were lots of crocodiles (including some surprisingly cute babies) along the river.

You can watch a video of my experience visiting the Maasai Mara below.

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Day 16: Amboseli

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 0 hours

Today is all about exploring Amboseli National Park. You’ll go on a morning and an afternoon game drive to maximise your chances of seeing the park’s famous elephant herds and other wildlife.

Itinerary

Today, you’ll be exploring Amboseli National Park with a morning and an afternoon game drive. This gives you the best chance of witnessing the famous elephant processions as they march to and from the swamps.

In the early morning, you’ll head out to catch the elephants as they begin their daily journey to the swamps. The sight of hundreds of elephants walking in procession across the plains, with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop on a clear day, is truly unforgettable.

Besides elephants, keep your eyes peeled for lions, cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and hippos. The park is also home to over 400 bird species, so birdwatchers will be in their element here.

After lunch at your lodge, you’ll head out again in the afternoon to catch the elephants returning from the swamps. The golden afternoon light makes for spectacular photographs.

My Experience Visiting Amboseli National Park

Amboseli really exceeded my expectations! We stayed at Tulia Amboseli Camp and absolutely loved it. They grow their own fruit and vegetables and the chefs are amazing.

Although I knew Amboseli was an elephant hotspot, I wasn’t prepared for the scale of the herds I saw – hundreds of them marching across the plains and some of them with tusks that reached almost to the ground! We also saw a teeny tiny baby elephant that our guide said was probably only a couple of months old.

Strangely enough, Amboseli was also where I had some of my best ever big cat sightings, although it isn’t known as a predator hotspot. We saw a cheetah with two cubs hunting, and on another occasion we watched a lioness and her cubs resting under a bush. We also spotted hippos out of the water, which is quite rare!

You can watch a video of my experience visiting Amboseli National Park below.

Where to Spend the Night

Tonight, you’ll be staying at the same accommodation as before.

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Day 18: Tsavo West

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 0 hours

Today you’ll spend a full day exploring Tsavo West National Park with morning and afternoon game drives. Be sure to visit the famous Mzima Springs and keep an eye out for the park’s distinctive red elephants.

Itinerary

Rise early for your morning game drive through Tsavo West. The landscape here is rugged and dramatic, with volcanic hills, lava flows and thick bushland. This is a great time to spot the park’s wildlife before the heat of the day sets in.

A visit to Mzima Springs should be on your agenda today. These crystal-clear freshwater pools are fed by underground streams from Mount Kilimanjaro and are home to hippos, crocodiles and various fish species. The underwater viewing chamber offers a unique perspective on these animals.

After lunch at your lodge, head out on an afternoon game drive. The elephants in Tsavo West are famous for their reddish appearance, caused by dust-bathing in the park’s red volcanic soil. You may also spot lions, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and if you’re lucky, the elusive leopard.

As the sun begins to set, the volcanic landscape takes on a golden glow, providing spectacular photo opportunities.

Where to Spend the Night

Tonight, you’ll stay at the same accommodation as the previous night.

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Day 20: Diani Beach

Drive Time (Excluding Game Drives): 0 hours

Today is all about relaxation and enjoying the beautiful Kenyan coast. Spend the day lounging on the beach, swimming in the ocean, or trying some of the water activities on offer.

Itinerary

After nearly three weeks of early mornings and action-packed safari days, today is your chance to sleep in and take things easy. Wake up whenever you like and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before deciding how to spend your day.

If you’re feeling active, there are plenty of water sports to try: snorkelling on the coral reef, diving, kite surfing, or jet skiing. You could also take a boat trip to Wasini Island to see dolphins and enjoy a seafood lunch.

If relaxation is more your style, simply spend the day on the beach, alternating between sunbathing and cooling off in the turquoise water. Most hotels have beach loungers and umbrellas set up for guests.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset dinner at one of Diani’s beachfront restaurants. The fresh seafood here is excellent!

Where to Spend the Night

Tonight, you’ll stay at the same accommodation as the previous night.

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