Day 1: Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Your Kenya Safari Trip begins in Nairobi. After meeting your professional guide at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, embark on a three-hour scenic drive north toward Ol Pejeta Conservancy, nestled against the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya.
Arrive at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, a luxury tented camp overlooking a waterhole frequented by elephants, antelope, and buffalo. After a warm welcome and a delicious lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive. Ol Pejeta is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and over 100 black rhinos.
A highlight of the day is visiting the enclosure of the last two northern white rhinos in the world, an emotional encounter that underscores the importance of global conservation. Later in the evening, enjoy a rare night game drive, offering the chance to spot nocturnal animals such as hyenas, aardvarks, and elusive leopards.
Return to camp for dinner and overnight under a star-studded African sky.
Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 2: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
Wake early to the sounds of birdsong and enjoy a guided walking safari in Ol Pejeta. This unique experience allows you to appreciate the conservancy from a different perspective—on foot. With an armed ranger, you’ll learn about animal tracks, native plants, and the intricate balance of the ecosystem.
After breakfast, check out and begin your three-hour drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most beautiful Rift Valley lakes. Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, where you’ll be welcomed with refreshments before enjoying lunch with sweeping views of the park.
In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through Lake Nakuru’s acacia woodlands and open grasslands. The park is renowned for its flamingos, which paint the shoreline pink, though their numbers shift with water levels. Visit the Rhino Sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos, before ascending to Baboon Cliff, a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the park and the shimmering lake.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, when animals such as giraffes, zebras, and predators like lions and leopards are most active. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting some of the park’s 450+ bird species, from pelicans to storks.
Optional: Visit Makalia Falls, a scenic waterfall tucked within the park, before checking out.
Begin the five-hour drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination. Arrive at Sarova Mara Game Camp, a luxury tented lodge that blends modern comfort with authentic safari ambiance. After lunch, embark on your first game drive in the Mara, where the savannah stretches endlessly and wildlife abounds.
Depending on the season, you may witness the legendary Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains in search of greener pastures. Even outside migration season, the Mara offers incredible opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more.
Return to camp for dinner, with Maasai cultural dances and storytelling around the campfire enhancing the experience.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Day 4: Full Day in Masai Mara
Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the wonders of the Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, set off for a full-day game drive, carrying packed lunches to maximize your time in the wild.
Optional: Begin your day with a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon safari ($450 per person), floating above the savannah at sunrise as herds of wildebeest and elephants roam below. After landing, enjoy a champagne bush breakfast in the heart of the reserve.
Throughout the day, you’ll traverse different sections of the Mara, from the rolling plains to the riverbanks where crocodiles and hippos dwell. The chances of spotting the Big Five are high here, along with hyenas, jackals, and more than 450 bird species.
Return to camp for dinner. In the evening, gather around the campfire for Maasai cultural performances and share stories of the day’s sightings under the vast African sky.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Day 5: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Rise early for a final sunrise game drive, when the golden light of dawn creates a magical setting for photography and wildlife activity is at its peak. Capture your last moments with elephants grazing, lions returning from a night hunt, or giraffes silhouetted against the morning sky.
Return to camp for breakfast before checking out. On your way back to Nairobi, stop at a Masai village (optional, $30 per person) for a cultural encounter. Here, you’ll learn about traditional Masai customs, their warrior culture, and their deep connection to the land.
Continue your journey, arriving in Nairobi by late afternoon. Depending on your plans, you will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
This marks the conclusion of your unforgettable Kenya Safari Trip, a journey filled with wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural immersion.
