15-Days “Surprising Kenya”

Depending on your flight, you will arrive in Kenya in the course of the day. Upon arrival at Nairobi's international airport, there are several options for withdrawing money. Bringing local currency from your country is not necessarily essential. After withdrawing money, you will meet an English-speaking local colleague from Nala Trails & Safaris and undergo a brief transfer to theJacaranda Hotel.

After a delightful breakfast, you'll depart towards the dry north, namely the Samburu Reserve. Upon arrival at Samburu, you'll acquaint yourself with the habitat of this tribe. Like the Masai, the Samburu are originally a nomadic tribe of pastoralists. Apart from the numerous cattle they keep, they also rear sheep, goats, and camels. Around lunchtime, you'll arrive at the Samburu Simba Lodge, where you'll spend two nights in charming cottages, decorated in African style, each with its own bathroom and veranda. After lunch, you'll have time to enjoy this lovely location or relax by the pool. At four o'clock in the afternoon, you'll embark on a game drive in this, one of Kenya's most beautiful safari parks in terms of natural beauty. In the early evening, you'll return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Simba Lodge.

Today, you'll rise early, and after a cup of coffee/tea, you'll venture out for the morning game drive. Long game drives aren't customary in this park, as wildlife seeks shade during the hottest part of the day. In the mornings, you'll witness large herds of elephants heading to the river for food and their daily bathing ritual. It's a spectacular sight, especially watching the younger elephants enjoy their splash in the water. The landscape is dry, characterized by small rocky hills covered with Acacia trees and dry shrubs. This is the habitat of unique species that you'll only encounter in this northern part of Kenya. You'll come across the rare Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and the Somali ostrich, which is why visiting this park is an absolute must for its unique flora and fauna. Both reserves are connected by a bridge, making it possible to visit the other part during a game drive. After the early morning game drive, you'll return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. As the animals seek shelter in the shade, you'll have time to cool off by the pool until the afternoon game drive at four o'clock. Due to the softer light, this is often the most beautiful time of the day to capture stunning photos. You'll return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and your overnight stay at the Samburu Simba Lodge.

After breakfast, you'll depart the park, heading towards Ngare Ndare, an indigenous forest at the foot of Mount Kenya. Here, you'll have the opportunity to stretch your legs with a beautiful hike in this unique area. You'll also have the chance to take a refreshing dip in a stunning natural spring (note: a walk precedes this, approximately 2 to 3 hours of walking in hilly terrain). For those keen on swimming, we recommend bringing an extra pair of socks and a towel. During this hike, a local ranger will guide you through the area, teaching you about its features and, with a bit of luck, showing you fresh tracks of one of the Big Five that inhabit this area. Upon returning, you'll have the opportunity to experience a Canopy Walk. You'll be able to walk across the 40-meter-high rope bridges between the treetops, offering a fantastic view of the forested area below. It's advised to be as quiet as possible to avoid startling the animals and increase your chances of spotting them from above! At the end of the walk, you'll arrive at a platform where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy the view of the river/waterholes. Elephants and buffaloes frequently visit here to bathe and drink. You can also enjoy the picnic lunches brought along for the occasion. After this remarkable experience, you'll continue with your guides to the nearby Solio area, where you'll spend the next two nights at the beautiful Rhino Watch Safari Lodge, an undiscovered gem nestled between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountain Range. The lodge boasts stunning views, excellent facilities, and beautiful cottages and tents. However, please note that due to its elevation, it can get quite chilly here, especially during the early or late hours of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at the Rhino Watch Safari Lodge.

After breakfast, you'll embark on an exciting safari day in the beautiful nearby Solio Game Reserve. The park is completely fenced and privately owned, primarily focused on the conservation of white and black rhinos. During the game drive, you might also spot buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, lions, and countless bird species. Towards the end of the afternoon/beginning of the evening, you'll exit the park and return to the Rhino Watch Lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at the Rhino Watch Safari Lodge.

Today, you'll embark on a scenic journey to Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo. Along the way, you'll experience the beauty of the area with picturesque views of coffee and tea plantations, as well as numerous sisal plantations. Upon arrival at Lake Bogoria in this fascinating area, you'll embark on a game drive along the shores of this soda lake. Often filled with thousands of flamingos, this lake is situated in the volcanic mountain range of the Great Rift Valley, featuring hot springs, termite mounds in 'chimney' shapes, and of course, numerous flamingos. In the park, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the stunning and unique nature. The grasslands surrounding the lake are adorned with acacia trees, providing an ideal habitat for zebras, baboons, various antelope species, and hyenas. In the afternoon, you'll proceed to the final destination for the day, the dry desert area near Lake Baringo, sparsely populated by the Pokot and Nandi tribes. Towards the end of the afternoon, you'll arrive at the lake, at the Tumbili Cliff Lodge. It's a beautiful lodge where you can soak in the beauty of the surroundings. After settling in, you can enjoy the breathtaking sunset (weather permitting, of course!). With a bit of luck, you may spot the African fish eagle, which reigns supreme in this area. Dinner and overnight stay at the Tumbili Cliff Lodge.

In the morning, you'll be awakened with a cup of coffee, allowing you to savor an unforgettable sunrise and the serene tranquility. After breakfast, you'll embark on a boat trip on the crater lake. This beautiful lake has been a source of food for the tribes living around it for years. You'll scan the shores for the many (water) birds inhabiting this area, with the African fish eagle being a highlight. With a bit of luck, the "captain" will spot a fish eagle and lure it with a freshly caught fish. By lunchtime, you'll return to the lodge to enjoy a well-deserved meal. In the afternoon, if there is sufficient interest, you can visit the local Pokot tribe. These fascinating people live deep in the African bush in a location that can rightfully be described as rugged. Experience these unique and traditional people and get a glimpse into their daily lives. A visit to the Pokot tribe is difficult to plan in advance, as they are virtually cut off from the outside world. Therefore, we can never guarantee or arrange a visit in advance. If desired, you can also visit a local school (subject to the day you're there or if the school is open). Dinner and overnight stay at the Tumbili Cliff Lodge.

You can use this day to simply enjoy the beauty of this wonderful location. If necessary or desired, you can also undertake one of the activities mentioned on day 7 on this day, allowing you to pace your days more leisurely. You can coordinate this locally with your guide. On this day as well, you'll have your own guide at your disposal, and all meals and the overnight stay at Tumbili Cliff Lodge are included.

After breakfast and check-out, you'll depart from this beautiful area and head towards Nakuru. Along the way, you'll witness the landscape changing once again, and by late morning, you'll arrive at the remarkable wildlife park near the city of Nakuru. Embarking on a game drive, you'll explore the park and search for the remaining flamingos and, of course, the many rhinos that inhabit this area. By lunchtime, you'll check in at the cozy Lake Nakuru Lodge, where you can immediately enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, accompanied by your guide, you'll once again try your luck in this beautiful wildlife park, seeking out the tree-climbing lions, rhinos, and the numerous other animals that call this place home. By sunset, you'll return to the lodge, where you can enjoy the magnificent view over the lake and the wildlife park. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

This day starts early! After breakfast, you'll set off on the varied journey to Kenya's most famous reserve, the unparalleled Masai Mara, the land of the Big Five! Along the way, you'll experience the diversity of Kenya, from beautiful plantations to scenic viewpoints over the Great Rift Valley. You'll make a stop to stretch your legs in the Masai trading town of Narok, where the colorful red attire of the Masai people will provide stunning imagery. However, do remember to ask your guide where and when you can take photos, as this nomadic tribe may not always appreciate it. The final stretch to the Mara is an adventure in itself, as the bumpy road indicates that you're getting closer, and soon you'll see the vast plains before you. Once you arrive in the Masai Mara, you'll head towards your accommodation, the cozy Oloshaiki Tented Camp, located in a beautiful setting. The tented camp features simple yet elegantly furnished tents with private bathrooms in typical safari style. There's usually plenty of wildlife to be found directly around the camp, which you should certainly be mindful of during your stay. After check-in, you can explore the grounds and enjoy the surrounding nature before lunch. In the afternoon, if desired, you may embark on a short game drive in the immediate vicinity. As the sun begins to set, you'll return to the camp to enjoy the sunset with a refreshing drink. This will be followed by dinner and overnight stay in the African bush at the Oloshaiki Tented Camp.

Full days of wildlife exploration awaits you! A perfect safari day begins with a good (early) breakfast before you head out with your guide. You'll be provided with delicious picnic lunches, allowing you to enjoy all the beauty that the Masai Mara has to offer throughout the day. The game drives will take you through hills with vast savannas and deep, water-filled gorges. The presence of water is a primary reason why wildlife thrives here. In the Masai Mara, you have the best chance of encountering the 'Big Five': buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, and rhinoceros. With the skilled tracking of your guide, you have a good chance of witnessing the enormous herds of the "great migration". This is the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebras between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. With a bit of luck, you may find yourself surrounded by hundreds of thousands of wildebeests, providing you with the most beautiful sights and experiences. Additionally, the large herds attract numerous other animal species, including predators. Besides the enormous herds, the Masai Mara is abundant with various other animal species, which is why it remains one of the best safari areas in the world! At the end of the day, as the sun slowly sets, it's time to return to the camp and reflect on a day filled with adventures. Dinner and overnight stays at the Oloshaiki Tented Camp.

Up early for a beautiful drive to Naivasha. You'll arrive at Naivasha Crescent Camp in time for lunch. This lodge boasts a stunning garden, bordering the lake. From your terrace or balcony, you can observe the comings and goings of (non-threatening) wildlife in the garden, such as giraffes, zebras, and waterbucks. Upon arrival, take some time to relax and unwind from the bumpy journey from the Mara. In the late afternoon, as the sun begins to lower, you'll embark on a boat excursion to explore the vast lake. Lake Naivasha is particularly renowned for its fascinating flora and fauna, as well as its numerous hippos. With a bit of luck, you may also spot many (water) birds, including the African fish eagle. Upon returning to the lodge, you can enjoy a delightful dinner. Perhaps during the walk back to your room (accompanied), you'll catch sight of the hippos coming ashore from the lake to graze in the expansive grassland! Overnight stay at Naivasha Crescent Camp.

After breakfast, you'll embark on an active morning adventure to Hell’s Gate National Park. Here, you can hike or cycle across the plains (simple and easy terrain) of this beautiful natural area with fascinating vistas. Your guide will drive at a suitable distance with the van behind you, allowing you to stop your walk at any desired moment. You'll find yourself amidst zebras, antelopes, and other (non-threatening) wildlife. Around lunchtime, the guide will take you to a very special location for a delightful high tea/lunch at the Elsamere Conservation Center. This is the former home of Joy Adamson, famous for the book "Born Free" and the movie of the same name. Her house is situated on the lakeshore, where sizable groups of Colobus monkeys are regularly spotted. We chose this beautiful lunch location for its incredibly charming way of taking you back in time. While you leisurely stroll through the creaky wooden floors of the museum, the lodge's friendly staff will prepare lunch/high tea for you. You'll feel transported back to the era of early wildlife conservation and gain a unique impression of how people used to advocate for African wildlife in a special way. After lunch, you'll return to the lodge and have the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Naivasha Crescent Camp.

On this final day of your journey, you can relax and enjoy a delicious breakfast. In the late morning, the last drive is scheduled, taking you back to Nairobi. By the afternoon, you'll arrive in Nairobi, where a delightful late lunch awaits you. Towards the end of the afternoon, you'll leave the lunch location and head to the airport with your guide and bid farewell. You'll depart Kenya on this day with a suitcase full of new memories, and from now on, Africa will forever hold a special place in your heart!