7 Days Kenya Adventure Through the Rift Valley, Lakes & Hills

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, your guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi. Depending on your time of arrival, enjoy a light walking tour around the Karen neighborhood or visit the Nairobi Arboretum to stretch your legs after the flight. Evening briefing and welcome dinner at a local restaurant serving Kenyan fusion cuisine.

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and drive to Mount Longonot National Park (approx. 2 hours). Begin your guided hike up Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano rising dramatically from the Rift Valley floor. Trek around the crater rim for panoramic views of Lake Naivasha and the Rift Escarpment. Descend and transfer to a lakeside lodge near Lake Naivasha for overnight. Optional evening boat ride available.

Spend the day in Hell’s Gate National Park, one of Kenya’s few parks where you can walk or cycle freely among wildlife like zebras and giraffes. Cycle through the volcanic landscape, hike through scenic gorges, and opt for beginner-friendly rock climbing with local guides. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before returning to your lodge to relax by the lake.

After breakfast, enjoy a boat ride across Lake Naivasha to Crescent Island, where you’ll walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes — with no predators around. It’s a unique, up-close wildlife experience without a vehicle. In the afternoon, visit nearby Elsamere Conservation Centre (former home of Joy Adamson of “Born Free”) or simply enjoy downtime at the lodge with lake views and birdwatching.

Depart Naivasha for Aberdare Highlands (approx. 3.5 hours). En route, pass tea and coffee farms and stop for scenic photography. On arrival, go for a guided nature walk in the forested Aberdare ranges, known for their waterfalls and cool misty climate. Visit Chania or Karuru Falls depending on accessibility. Overnight at a cozy eco-lodge or tree lodge surrounded by nature.

Enjoy an optional morning forest hike with a naturalist guide to discover more of the Aberdares’ flora and fauna. For a slower pace, relax at the lodge and do birdwatching or visit a nearby tea estate for a cultural tour and tasting session. Later, enjoy a bonfire dinner and reflect on your adventurous week in Kenya.

After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi (approx. 3.5 hours). Depending on your flight time, visit a local market or craft center before being dropped off at the airport for your departure or hotel for onward plans.