9 Days Kenya Adventure from Rift Valley to the Highlands

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you’ll be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short walk through Karura Forest or the Nairobi Arboretum to shake off the jet lag. In the evening, enjoy a briefing and dinner at a local restaurant featuring Swahili and continental cuisine.

Depart Nairobi after breakfast and drive to Lake Naivasha (approx. 2.5 hours), surrounded by wildlife and volcanic landscapes. Check into your lakeside lodge and head out for a boat ride, spotting hippos, African fish eagles, and a variety of waterbirds. Enjoy a relaxing evening by the lake.

Set off early for a guided hike up Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano with a rugged crater rim. The 3–4-hour hike offers panoramic views over the Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. After the descent, enjoy lunch and a scenic drive back to your lodge for rest or optional activities like horse riding or swimming.

Head to Hell’s Gate, one of the few parks in Kenya where cycling among wildlife is allowed. Ride through canyons and past grazing zebras and giraffes. After lunch, go on a guided hike into the Hell’s Gate Gorge, known for its dramatic cliffs and geothermal features. Optional beginner rock climbing available with guides. Return to your lodge in the evening.

Start the day with a walking safari on Crescent Island, a sanctuary with no predators where you can safely walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. Afterward, transfer to Lake Elementaita (approx. 1.5 hours), a quieter Rift Valley lake known for flamingos and natural hot springs. Settle in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening by the lake.

Begin with a nature walk along the lakeshore, spotting birds and learning about the lake’s geology and history. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Maasai community for a cultural exchange — learn about beadwork, dance, and daily life. Participate in an interactive workshop and return to the lodge for a peaceful night under the stars.

Leave the Rift Valley behind and head to the Aberdare Highlands (approx. 3.5 hours). The cool climate and misty forests provide a refreshing contrast. Upon arrival, take a short forest walk near your lodge and enjoy an evening around a bonfire with views over the mountain ranges.

Today is all about nature and movement. Choose a moderate forest hike with a naturalist guide to explore waterfalls, bamboo groves, and rare birdlife. Alternatively, opt for a waterfall trail to scenic spots like Karuru or Chania Falls. After the hike, return to your lodge and enjoy a final celebratory dinner surrounded by nature.

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Nairobi (approx. 3.5 hours). Depending on your flight schedule, stop at local craft centers or markets for souvenirs before your drop-off at the airport or hotel.