Tour Overview

This 23-day itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of Kenya’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. From the bustling city of Nairobi to the stunning national parks and reserves, including Sweetwaters, Samburu, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East, travelers will have ample opportunities to witness Africa’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitats. Cultural experiences are woven into the itinerary, with visits to local communities and attractions like Kibera slums, Daphne Sheldrick’s elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, and Kazuri beads Women factory. The journey concludes with a leisurely beach stay in Lamu Island before returning to Nairobi. With a mix of game drives, outdoor activities, and cultural immersions, this itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure in Kenya.

23 Days Best of Kenya Wildlife Safari & Beach Holiday @ Lamu Island (Nairobi - Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary - Samburu National Reserve - Aberdare National Park - Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara National Reserve - Lake Naivasha - Amboseli National Park - Tsavo West National Park Tsavo East National Park - Lamu Island - Nairobi)

Day 1: Arrive Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Upon arrival, meet & greet will be conducted by a Pal-Davis Adventures Kenya Representative. Thereafter, be transferred to Nairobi Sarova Stanley hotel where you are booked for 2 nights stay on Bed & Breakfast meals plan.

Day 2: Full day excursion in Nairobi & its environs

OUT OF AFRICA excursions;

1) 9 am, after breakfast drive to Langata/Southern bypass for an aerial view of Nairobi Kibera slums. Kibera slum is currently the largest in Sub Sahara Africa.
10:15 am, drive to Daphne Sheldrick “baby rhinos & elephants’ orphanage” The show is from 11 am to 12 noon.

2) 12 noon proceed to Utamaduni Craft Centre for lunch.

3) After lunch, visit Giraffe Centre Sanctuary and feed the Giraffes.

4) Around 3:30 pm, visit Karen Blixen Museum & Kazuri beads Women factory,

6 pm, drive to The Sarova Stanley Hotel for rest as you prepare to start your safari adventure the following day. Meals plan Bed & Breakfast.

Day 3: Nairobi to Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary 250 kms “4 hrs drive

7:30 am, after breakfast start journey by road to Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary arriving in time for lunch at Comfort Gardens Sweetwater’s built next to the heart of Ol Pejeta Ranch and Rhino reserve. 3.30 pm, embark for a 2.5 hours’ game drive. The sanctuary boasts an astounding variety of animals including all the “Big Five” (the endangered black rhino) elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetah’s amongst others. This is Africa as Teddy Roosevelt saw it years ago when he led one of the first safaris to tour Africa in comfort and splendor. All meals & accommodation at Comfort Gardens Sweetwater’s.

Day 4: Sweetwater’s to Samburu National Reserve 150 kms 3 hrs drive

8 am, after breakfast, drive to Samburu National Reserve a dramatic semi-arid scrub-land of the Northern Frontier district in the north of Equator. After lunch, an afternoon game drive to sight resident wildlife species like the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Baisy Oryx and the blue-necked Somali Ostrich that are rare elsewhere in the country. All meals & accommodation at Samburu Simba Lodge.

Day 5: full day in Samburu National Reserve

Further exploration of this fascinating reserve awaits you. Early morning and afternoon game drives give a chance to travel over some of the world’s most spectacular and exciting terrain. All meals & accommodation at Samburu Simba Lodge.

Day 6: Samburu Game Reserve to Aberdare National Park “170 kms 3.5 hrs drive”

8 am, after breakfast depart from Samburu National Reserve to Mt Kenya region at Aberdare Country Club arriving in time for lunch. After lunch be transferred to the tree lodge THE ARK LIMITED. Enjoy the unique experience of all night and unlimited game viewing. Dinner and overnight at THE ARK LIMITED surrounded by forest and overlooking an illuminated waterhole and salt lick.

Day 7: Aberdare National Park to Lake Nakuru National Park “200 kms 4 hrs drive”

After breakfast, transfer to base hotel for onward journey to Lake Nakuru National Park located in the Great Rift Valley arrive in time for lunch at Lake Nakuru lodge. After lunch an exciting game run is planned for the afternoon. The game in this park is plentiful and once known for lesser and Greater flamingos. The bird life here is world renowned and over 400 bird’s species exist here, White Pelicans, Plovers, Egrets and Marabou Stork. It is also one of the very few places in Africa to see the white Rhino and rare Rothschild Giraffe. The contrast and apparent dislocation between the shallow soda lake with its primeval birds and the animated woods all around it give Lake Nakuru National Park a very distinctive appeal. Dinner & accommodation at Lake Nakuru lodge.

Day 8: Lake Nakuru National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve (6 hrs drive) 285 kms

7 am, after breakfast, depart for Masai Mara – the land of vast migrating herds. Arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive to get a closer look at the Mara. Return to an archetypal Mara Simba Lodge for sun-downers. All meals & accommodation at Mara Simba Lodge.

Day 9: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve AM & PM game drives

Morning and afternoon game drives, from the comfortable base of the camp, explore the park amazingly with high concentration of game. Also NOTE, the famous Maasai tribesmen live within the dispersal area of the national reserve and a visit to a local village can be arranged at an extra cost. All meals & accommodation at Mara Simba Lodge.

Day 10: Another full day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve

Awaken to the sounds of the big game country and venture out to absorb the enormity of the Mara. In this country of breathtaking vistas, view its vast assemblages of plains game together with their associated predators: Buffalo, Black Rhino, Hippopotamus, Leopard, Cheetah, Common Zebra, Coke’s Hartebeest, White bearded Gnu, Oribi, Warthog, and Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelles. July, August & September are the months when the Mara plains are filled with migrating wildebeests and zebras. Therefore, a full day game drive is recommended, this gives you a chance to track the wildebeests crossing the famous Mara River. Depart from Mara Simba Lodge with picnic lunch boxes and explore this World-famous game reserve. All meals & accommodation at Mara Simba Lodge.

Day 11: Masai Mara National Reserve to Lake Naivasha 255 kms (5.5 hrs drive)

Cycling expedition at Hell’s Gate National Park” 7 am, after breakfast depart by road to Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge. After checking in at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge, proceed for a one-hour boat ride along the shores of Lake Naivasha followed by lunch at the lodge. 2 pm, proceed to Hells Gate National Park for cycling expedition: The Park is located between beautiful Lake Naivasha and the twin Longonot and Suswa Volcanoes; Hell’s Gate is one of Africa’s most visually stunning parks. While Hell’s Gate is known primarily for its landscape, there is still game to be spotted within the park. Buffalo and antelopes are especially common sights, and the park is also home to a variety of birds. There are no predators or dangerous large game in the park. Your tour includes bicycle cycling, and you’ll trade your safari vehicle for a bike to begin your journey through the park. Don’t worry! Your car will drive behind you to ensure you’ve got a place to rest if you get too tired. Your first stop will be the spectacular Fisher’s Tower, where the adventurous can choose to ascend the 45mts tower. Equipment can be rented on the spot, and all climbs are guided by local professionals. From here, you’ve got a long but scenic ride to the famous Hell’s Gate Gorge – where you can walk and climb your way through the distinctive terrain that helped inspire Disney’s famous The Lion King. After a fun and tiring exploration, you’ll return to Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park (320 kms 7 hrs.)

8 am, this morning start journey to Amboseli National Park driving through Nairobi Southern bypass and across Athi plains to Emali town. Stop for lunch break at Eden Rock Restaurant. After lunch, continue with a journey to the home of the proud Maasai community in Amboseli Wildlife Conservation. At 3:30 pm, check in at Ilemito Park Gate and proceed via game drive to Amboseli Kilima Safari Camp. Wildlife is abundant here and in addition to elephant, antelope, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and elusive Cheetahs, nearly every vista within the park is framed by majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. All meals & accommodation at Amboseli Kilima Safari Camp.

Day 13: Explore Amboseli National Park; Amboseli is a big game country

Elephant, Antelopes, Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo and Giraffe. Full day game drive is planned today with picnic lunch boxes, we will introduce you to the intense beauty and drama that fill each day here. Predators stalk the herds of grazing animals, recreating the age-old drama of life and death under the African sun, in a setting so lushly beautiful. Return to the lodge for steaming bath, cocktails, sumptuous dinner & overnight at Amboseli Kilima Safari Camp.

Day 14: Amboseli National Park to Tsavo West National Park: 130 kms 3.5 hrs drive

8 am, after breakfast depart with picnic lunch boxes to Tsavo West National Park. Travel through the famous Shetani lava flows along Chyulu hills and make a stopover for photography of this great landscape. Thereafter proceed to Mzima Springs for picnic lunch and nature walk. Mzima is one of Tsavo’s most popular wildlife attractions owing to its resident populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Mzima’s isolation makes both species dependent on its waters: other sources are too distant for them to reach by overland travel. The hippos also sustain an entire food chain. They browse the surrounding Savannah by night and return to Mzima’s pools by day, where their dung fertilizes the water. After lunch, drive to Ngulia Safari lodge for check-in followed by an afternoon game drive in this vast National Park. Tsavo West National Park covers an estimate of approximately 9,065 square kilometers. The Park comprises a diversity of habitats, open plains alternating with Savannah bush and semi-desert scrub; acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops. With a permanent water source, the park is virtually guaranteed enormous herds and excellent game viewing including cheetah, lion, leopard, hyena and a herd of over 3,500 Elephants. All meals & accommodation at Ngulia Safari lodge.

Day 15: Explore Tsavo West National Park

Two game drives are scheduled for this day. The extensive diverse habitats offer an ideal area to search for pride of lions, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos and wildebeests. The Park is a vast expansion of African savanna with a more diverse array of habitats which include open plains, semi desert scrub, woodland, Chyulu Hills and rock outcrops. It’s famous for the Red Elephants, Oryx, and Gerenuk among other mammal’s species and bird life. Other notable features include Mzima Springs which are water source for Mombasa Town, Shetani Lava Flow and Ash cones, which is an example of recent volcanic eruption. Movie the Ghost and the Darkness was shot here. All meals & accommodation at Ngulia Safari lodge.

Day 16: Tsavo West National Park to Tsavo East National Park: 100 kms 3 hrs drive

6:30 am, pre-breakfast game drive at Tsavo West National Park. Thereafter, return for full breakfast. 10:30 am, start the journey by road to Tsavo East National Park with picnic lunch boxes. After picnic lunch proceed to Voi Safari lodge for a short rest followed by a 4 pm game drive to enjoy the wonders of Tsavo East National Park. All meals & overnight at Voi Safari lodge.

Day 17: Tsavo East National Park to Malindi Airstrip for flight to Lamu Island ” 3 pm flight

6:30 am, a morning game drive to savour the beauty of the park. After a 2 hours game drive, return to the lodge for a full breakfast. At 10 am check out from the lodge and start the journey to Malindi North Coast of Kenya for a late evening flight to Lamu Shela Beach at Kijani Resort. Meals plan BB only.

Day 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22: Leisure stay at Lamu Shela Beach

@ Kijani Beach Resort. Meals plan BB only.

Day 23: Lamu Island to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Park “10.30 am

8.30 am, after breakfast you will be transferred to Mada Airport for 1.5 hours’ flight to Nairobi J. K. I. A. Upon arrival be transferred to Nairobi City Centre for African lunch at G & R Annex Restaurant along Biashara Street, this will be an opportunity to try a local eatery. After lunch drive to Nairobi National Museum

Early evening drive to Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant for dinner. https://tamarind.co.ke/carnivore/ 8 pm, we will transfer you to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international flight home.

Ready to go? We got you!