12 Days Kenya Wildlife & Eco Adventure: From Rhino Sanctuaries to the Great Migration

Touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and meet your friendly guide who will transfer you to your Nairobi hotel. If time permits, explore the Nairobi National Museum or take a short visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a renowned elephant orphanage dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating baby elephants. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Kenyan cuisine, preparing you for the adventures ahead.

Travel about 3.5 hours north to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a world-leading conservation area famous for protecting endangered northern white rhinos. Embark on an afternoon game drive spotting rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards — the Big Five. Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where rescued chimps thrive in a protected environment. Overnight at an eco-lodge nestled amidst savannah and views of Mount Kenya.

Spend the day immersed in the wild with morning and afternoon game drives, including a guided walking safari led by an armed ranger. Walk alongside elephants and learn animal tracking, bush survival skills, and the ecological significance of native plants. Hear firsthand about Ol Pejeta’s community programs that balance wildlife protection and local livelihoods. Relax at the lodge and savor meals made with local produce.

Journey 2.5 hours to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its vast flamingo populations that paint the lake pink during migration seasons. Enjoy an afternoon game drive to spot rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, baboons, and lions. The park’s diverse habitats include acacia woodlands and dense forests, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Overnight at a lodge with scenic views overlooking the lake.

Begin with an early morning game drive to maximize wildlife sightings before a scenic 5-hour drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve. On arrival, check into your tented camp or lodge and unwind. If time allows, take an afternoon game drive, spotting wildebeest, zebras, elephants, and possibly elusive leopards.

Spend two full days exploring Maasai Mara’s vast savannahs on game drives led by expert guides. Witness predator-prey dynamics, birdlife, and the seasonal Great Migration if visiting between July and October. Take a guided walking safari to experience the bush at ground level and learn about Maasai traditions from local community members during a cultural visit. Enjoy sundowners overlooking the plains and sleep under canvas tents blending luxury and wilderness.

Depart Maasai Mara and fly or drive to Samburu National Reserve, situated in northern Kenya’s rugged landscape (approx. 5 hours by road). This arid reserve hosts rare species like the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Embark on an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, home to hippos and crocodiles. Overnight at a comfortable lodge or camp.

Spend the day discovering Samburu’s unique wildlife and dramatic scenery on morning and afternoon game drives. Learn about local conservation efforts and spot elusive predators such as lions and cheetahs. Visit a Samburu village to engage with the community and gain insight into their pastoralist lifestyle. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening.

Travel to the Mount Kenya region (approx. 3–4 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its alpine forests and diverse ecosystems. Enjoy a gentle nature walk in indigenous forest trails, spotting birds and monkeys. Stay overnight at a lodge offering stunning views of Mount Kenya’s snow-capped peaks.

Choose to hike the lower slopes of Mount Kenya accompanied by a knowledgeable guide or spend a day relaxing at your lodge, enjoying amenities like birdwatching, spa treatments, or cultural experiences with local communities.

After breakfast, drive or fly back to Nairobi (approx. 3–4 hours). Visit local craft markets or the Maasai Market for souvenirs. Your guide will assist with airport transfer or hotel check-in depending on your travel plans, concluding your unforgettable Kenyan wildlife and eco-adventure.