16- Day Adventure -Explore the Wild Heart of Kenya

Day 1: Airport pick up in Nairobi

You will be picked up from the airport and driven to your hotel. If you arrive on an early flight, we will get you lunch and do some sightseeing in Nairobi. We may visit the Nairobi National Museum, which is always a good introduction to the country.

Day 2: Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve

You will check out after breakfast and depart for the Mara. You'll have a stopover and lunch in Narok town. Approximately 6 hours travel time. You will check into Sentrim Mara Camp which is located in a prime and scenic area within the Masai Mara National Reserve. The lodge is situated on a hillside with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding savannah plains and is just a short distance from the Mara River. There will be a late afternoon game drive depending on the time you get to the camp.

Day 3: Maasai Mara National Reserve

You'll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives. Elephants and Maasai giraffes are common here. If you’re lucky, you might see a leopard or black rhino.

Day 4: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Morning and afternoon game drives. The Mara has Kenya’s largest population of lions with prides numbering over 20 individuals. The open country is also ideal for cheetahs, hyenas, hunting dogs, jackals and many species of antelope.

Day 5: Drive to Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, you will check out of the Sentrim Mara camp and say goodbye to Masai Mara. You will retrace your route back to Narok town where you will break for lunch before proceeding on to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru is one of the most famous lakes in Kenya, located within the Great Rift Valley. It is part of Lake Nakuru National Park, which is renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. The national park is home to a variety of wildlife, including black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and a range of antelope species. The park also offers opportunities for bird watching, with over 400 bird species recorded. You will spend one night here and do afternoon and morning game drives.

Day 6: Drive to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast in Lake Nakuru, you will break camp and do a morning game drive as you leave the park. The day's destination is Crater Lake Camp, a beautiful and serene camp located near Crater Lake, in the Mau Escarpment area, just outside of Naivasha. The camp is set within a game sanctuary, offering you a chance to experience nature in a peaceful and tranquil environment, far from the more crowded tourist spots. The camp offers guided nature walks through the surrounding area, which is rich in both flora and fauna.

Day 7: Hell's Gate National Park

On this day after breakfast, you will leave the lodge and head to Hell's Gate National Park which is a unique and stunning park located near Lake Naivasha. It was established in 1984 and is notable for its dramatic scenery, including deep ravines, towering cliffs, and geothermal activity. The park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs that resembles a gate, which early explorers referred to as "Hell's Gate." Unlike many other parks in Kenya, you can explore the park on foot or by bicycle, allowing for a more intimate experience with nature. Here, you will hopefully spot buffalos, zebras, giraffes, and various bird species during your exploration. The hike will end at the geothermal spa where you will take a swim and enjoy some lunch before taking a ride back to Crater Lake Camp.

Day 8: Drive to Naro Moru

After breakfast we will drive to Naro Moru town located at the foot of Mount Kenya. The town serves as a gateway for tourists looking to climb Mount Kenya. Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for hiking and outdoor activities. We will be spending the next two nights at Naro Moru River Lodge. This is a great place to relax, get some laundry done and enjoy the wildlife that may visit the compound such as acrobatic colobus monkeys, bush buck and a variety of birds.

Day 9: Nanyuki and Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After, we take the short drive north, crossing the equator to Nanyuki. We can visit the local market if you need to pick up a few items. We'll then continue west of the town to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains. It has most of the big game as many of the other parks and reserves as well as reticulated giraffes and Grevy’s zebra. It has a large number of southern white rhinos and East Africa’s largest population of black rhinos with about 100 individuals. It also is home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos. These two females are kept in their own encloser where they are closely guarded. An extra fee is charged to see them, and an appointment must be made in advance. Ol Pejeta is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It provides a haven for orphaned, abandoned and chimps rescued from the exotic pet trade.

Day 10: Drive to Samburu National Reserve

You will depart after breakfast heading north through the towns of Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archer's post on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River. It is a three-hour drive, arriving there early afternoon. After checking into the lodge, you will head out for an afternoon game drive.

Day 11: Samburu National Reserve

The Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves are situated in an arid and semi-arid environment, and the days can be quite hot while the nights can be cool. The practice is to go on early morning and late afternoon game drives to catch the animals when they are at their most active. Several large dry-country mammal species common to Kenya’s northern plains can be found here. These include gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, oryx, gerenuk and reticulated giraffes. Birdlife is abundant here with over 450 species having been identified. The reserve is also home to elephants, buffalos, and all three of Africa’s large cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

Day 12: Drive to Nairobi

The drive from Samburu National Reserve to Nairobi is a scenic journey that transitions from Kenya’s remote, rugged north into the vibrant central highlands—rich in culture, wildlife, and ever-changing landscapes. As you continue toward central Kenya, you’ll pass vibrant roadside markets, small towns, and farms. The shift from tranquil wilderness to urban energy is striking, marking the end of a journey that captures Kenya’s incredible geographic and cultural diversity. it’s a cross-section of Kenya itself, from wild frontier landscapes to cultivated highlands and finally to a dynamic capital city. Overnight at Westwood hotel.

Day 13: Drive to Amboseli

After a very early breakfast, we will set out for Amboseli National Park located in southern Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. It's a popular destination for safari enthusiasts and nature lovers. Amboseli is situated approximately 240 kilometers (about 150 miles) southeast of Nairobi. The park is known for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, abundant wildlife, and large herds of elephants and some of the world's largest "tuskers", bulls with tusks weighing over one hundred pounds each. Many of these bulls, like the recently deceased Craig, have become popular on social media.

Day 14: Amboseli National Park

On this day, you will do both morning and late afternoon game drives. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds. You'll also have the chance to see lions, cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and numerous bird species. The park is an excellent place for photographers, especially with the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 15: Train Ride to Nairobi

After breakfast and an early morning game drive, we will break camp, and drive to Emali town. Here, you will be dropped off at the train station. Traveling on the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) in Kenya is quite an experience, blending modern transportation with scenic views and cultural interactions.

Day 16: Airport drop off

You will pack and be dropped off at the airport on time to catch your flight. There might be time to visit the Giraffe Center and animal orphanage depending on your departure time.