Samburu, Kikuyu, Nakuru & palm beaches

Private Kenya Safari Holiday

Route: Nairobi - Nanyuki - Samburu National Park - Thomson Falls - Lake Baringo - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara - Nairobi - Mombasa (domestic flight) - Diani Beach - Mombasa - (see map)

This 13 day independent safari holiday in Kenya will allow you to experience a very complete and unforgettable experience. You'll start out in Nairobi and travel north, across the equator, further into the interior of Kenya. You'll travel through the land of the Kikuyu towards one of Kenya's most beautiful wildlife parks: Samburu National Park.

On this safari holiday in Kenya you'll spend the night in a variety of different types of accommodation from small-scale hotels to traditional manyattas and bandas, from safari tents to our beach resort. You'll see flamingos at Lake Nakuru and travel on to the most famous National Park in Kenya: the Masai Mara. Together with our english speaking, certified guide you'll keep a lookout for the Big 5 and other animals. After a domestic flight you will be greeted by the tall palm trees and radiant white sands of Diani beach.

Your safari holiday in Kenya is totally private, so you'll travel only with your companions and your english-speaking driver/guide.

Duration	13 days, 12 nights	Accommodation	In modest, typical Kenyan style bandas and manyattas. At a resort directly on the beach at Diani Beach. Comfort-level 2/3 (see accommodation)
Price	From £2112 per person - based on 2 people sharing From £1683 per person - based on 4 people sharing	Includes	Accommodation for 13 nights - all meals, except during your stay at Diani Beach (half board) - transport - park entrance fees - game drives - English speaking driver/ guide - airport transfers
Transport	Safari vehicle with convertible roof	Excludes	International flights

Day 1 – Nairobi

Travel time approximately 20 minutes

After you arrive and you've picked up your luggage you'll be greeted by our driver in the arrival hall. You may want to find an ATM and make a withdrawal for any small amounts you may need along the way. The drive to your quiet, small-scale hotel should take approximately 20 minutes. The hotel for this safari holiday in Kenya is located just outside of the hectic city centre. It has recently been renovated and you can expect to be welcomed with a big African smile by the friendly staff. The rooms each have a bathroom with shower, toilet and warm running water (a luxury in Kenya). There is fun bar and restaurant at the hotel that takes orders all day long. If you feel a bit peckish after arrival, you're sure to find something you like on the menu; from ostrich steak and tiger shrimp to vegetarian meals. Later on you can sit back and relax with, perhaps your very first, African beer on the veranda. Enjoy the first evening of your safari holiday in Kenya, before you call it a night and fall into a deep sleep.

Day 2 – Nairobi - Sweetwaters Game Reserve - Nanyuki

Travel time approximately 3.5 hours

Day 2 of your safari holiday in Kenya and our driver will pick you up at your hotel in the morning. Together you'll drive north straight through fertile farmland and the valleys of the Kikuyi, one of the many Kenyan tribes. As you look out beyond the roads, you'll see what life is like for the locals. After about 3 hours you'll start to see the peaks of Mount Kenya. Once you reach the town of Nanyuki you'll change directions and head into the bush. Here you'll find several genuine manyattas, typical Kenyan homes made out of branches and straw.

After lunch you'll head for the first game drive of your safari holiday in Kenya, to Sweetwaters National Park. Soon after you pass through the park gates, you'll start to see zebras and all kinds of antelopes. After a while you'll stop at Jane Goodall's Chimpanzee Sanctuary where chimpanzees that were once abandoned or abused as pets are cared for and released back into the wild. You'll also walk through the woods where the chimpanzees are released. Later on, your driver will take you deeper into the park in search of elephants, lions and other wild animals. As the sun sets, you'll drive back to your manyatta where Susan, the chef, will have prepared a delicious meal for you.

You'll spend the night in a traditional manyatta in Nanyuki.

Day 3 - Nanyuki Camel Camp - Samburu National Park

Travel time approximately 4 hours

It's not everyday that you wake up in a hut made of branches and straw and when you crawl out of this hut you can see Mount Kenya. After breakfast you'll climb onto one of the camels for a ride through the surrounding area, before travelling on deeper into Kenya on route to one of the most beautiful natural parks. You'll leave the Kikuyu area behind you and you'll drive over the open plains on to Samburu. The landscape will become more rugged and more arid. From time to time you'll see small hut villages and Samburu wearing beautiful jewellery and bright red cloths.

After two hours of driving on uneven roads you'll end up at a small village with several bandas, local homes made of stone. They were built by several local women who will also be here when you arrive to give you a warm welcome. After lunch you'll become acquainted with the lifestyle of the Samburu tribe. You'll be able to take a look in their manyattas and see how they make fire. Proudly, they'll tell you stories about their rugged life in the bush. In the evening there will be dancing by the campfire and, with a little luck, you'll hear one of the many beautiful stories about the tribe.

You'll spend the third night of your safari holiday in Kenya in a simple banda hut in Samburu.

Day 4 – Samburu Safari

Even before the sun peaks out above the horizon, you'll head out to Samburu National Park after a light breakfast. We consider this to be one of the most beautiful wildlife parks in Kenya, in particular just after sunrise, and a real highlight of your safari holiday experience. The park's rugged landscape is surrounded by mysterious hills and mountains. Acacia trees are scattered around the park and rivers are lined by tall palm trees. Once you arrive in the park, your driver will roll back the roof and your search for wild animals can begin.

During your visit to Kenya's Samburu National Park on the safari holiday, you may actually get to see the big five; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. As the sun reaches its highest point in the heavens, most animals will head towards the shadows to escape the heat and you'll also leave the park for lunch and perhaps even a siesta. Late in the afternoon, you'll head back to the park for an afternoon game drive and at the end of the day you'll sleep in your banda once again.

Tonight you'll spend another night of your safari holiday in your banda in Samburu.

Day 5 – Samburu - Lake Baringo

Travel time approximately 8 hours

Today you'll have an early start on the Kenya safari holiday as your driver has quite some distance to cross. First, you'll drive back over a bumpy road to Nanyuki where you'll continue on to Thomson falls. At the waterfalls, you'll stop for a while to stretch your legs before continuing on to Lake Baringo. You'll drive straight through the interior of the country, all the while catching a glimpse of everyday life in the villages along the way.

In the distance you'll begin to see Lake Baringo looming. You'll spend the night at a charming campsite in a comfortable safari tent at the edge of the lake. After dinner you can go for a night cap at The Thirsty Goat, the campsite's bar, and reflect on day five of your safari holiday.

You'll spend the night in a comfortable safari tent at the edge of Lake Baringo.

Day 6 – Lake Baringo

Early birds can participate in an optional nature walk in the area surrounding the lake. Together with a guide you can try to spot interesting birds, spiders and snakes. After breakfast you'll be picked up for a boat ride on the lake, a real highlight of your safari holiday in Kenya module. You'll glide through the waters, past crocodiles sunbathing. In the middle of the lake you'll might see curious hippos keeping an eye out for anything interesting.

After circling the island, where you're likely to see large lizards, you'll sail back to the campsite for a drink at the bar. With a little luck, after dinner you may see hippos walking onto land in the distance.

You'll spend another night in your safari tent at the edge of Lake Baringo.

Day 7 – Lake Baringo – Lake Nakuru

Travel time approximately 3 hours

After breakfast on the safari holiday you'll drive towards Kenya's Lake Nakuru, where you'll spend the night in your own luxury safari tent on the edge of an immense crater. After lunch, you and your guide will drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park. One of the most impressive things you'll see here are the thousands of pink flamingos that make up a pink carpet on the edge of the lake. You'll be able to take incredible pictures from the scenic view area, a great mememto of your safari holiday.

You'll spend the night at our safari lodge in Lake Nakuru.

Day 8 - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

Travel time approximately 6 hours

On Day 8 of this safari holiday in Kenya you'll leave Lake Nakuru and travel south towards the most famous reserve in Kenya, the Masai Mara. During the first two to three hours you'll drive on a well maintained asphalt road towards the south. Once the roads begin to become bumpy, you'll have become acquainted with the famous 'excellent' quality Kenyan roads.

After lunch, you'll head out for a game drive in search of wild animals. Once the sun sets, you'll experience the beauty of a genuine African sunset. Once you return to the tented camp you'll be able to relax and unwind with a cold drink and a background of bush sounds. This is what your safari holiday in Kenya is all about.

You'll spend the night at our Masai Mara tented camp.

Day 9 - Game drives in the Masai Mara

After an early morning wake-up call, a cup of coffee and some biscuits in the land cruiser, you'll set out for an early morning game drive. You'll travel straight through the endless plains and towards the Masai. In the distance you may see one or two lonely acacia braving the elements. It's as if you've walked onto a National Geographic documentary.

After driving for a few hours, straight through rugged terrain and endless plains, your stomach may start to growl. Slowly, you'll drive back to camp for breakfast and a nap. Afternoon temperatures can soar and most animals will seek shelter in the shadows. Once the temperatures drop somewhat you'll head out for the afternoon game drive. At dusk you'll return to camp for dinner. In the distance you'll hear lions roaring and above you you'll see and endless starry sky. If you can afford to, you don't want to miss an early morning hot air balloon ride. The view of the Masai Mara from high in the sky is spectacular. The price starts at approximately £360 per person. Reservations must be made in advance... we can take care of this for you.

You'll spend another night of your safari holiday in Kenya at our tented camp in the Masai Mara.

Safari holiday Kenya - Game drives Masai Mara

Safari holiday Kenya - Diani Beach resort

Day 10 – Masai Mara – Nairobi - Mombasa - Diani Beach

Travel time approximately 8 hours

There's quite a long day of travel planned for you today; from the Masai Mara to the tropical white sandy beaches of Diani Beach. The road from the Masai Mara to Nairobi is bumpy and should take approximately 5 to 6 hours to cover. When you reach the airport you'll say goodbye to your driver/guide. It's not compulsory, however a tip is greatly appreciated and generally $20 per day is common. Naturally you can divide this tip by the number of people travelling with you. From Nairobi you'll fly for approximately an hour until you reach Mombasa. Once you get to Mombasa airport you'll drive towards the small ferry that will drop you off at the tropical shore south of Mombasa. If you take the coastal road, you'll reach Diani Beach in about 1.5 hour.

Diani is located on a dreamy coastal strip made up of white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and a turquoise sea. In the distance you'll see several traditional dhow boats sail away, their snow white sails in stark contrast to the deep blue sky. We've found quite a unique beach resort here, directly on a white sandy beach. The smiling staff is extremely friendly and will do all they can to pamper you during your stay.

If you'd like to experience true decadence safari holiday in Kenya, we can also book you a suite with a private chef who will prepare anything you want for you. Naturally you'll pay extra for this; if you're interested let us know. The other rooms are scattered across a tropical garden filled with curious monkeys and exotic birds. The rooms are spacious and all have air conditioning and a balcony or terrace.

Day 11 and 12 - Diani Beach

Today and tomorrow of the safari holiday in Kenya are free to spend as you wish. The incredible white sandy private beach and beach chairs may tempt you to spend some time in the sun. However you can also take long walks through the surf or go on a day trip. If you want to go on a day trip, booking one through your hotel is the best way to go. Perhaps you would like to spend the day on the water with a dhow, a local traditional boat. However you can also go deep sea fishing, diving, jet skiing, kite surfing or wind surfing. We recommend a day trip to Wassini Island.

For approximately £85 you'll be picked up in the morning and driven to a beautiful, large wooden sail boat in the harbour. At sea, you may see some playful dolphins following the boat. After a drink and about an hour of sailing, the anchor will be thrown out at a sandbank in the middle of the sea. The sandbank is surrounded by a coral reef, an excellent place to snorkel. You can also tan on the sandbank until it disappears under water and the boat sets sail for shore. On route to the harbour you'll also visit Wassini Island, where you'll sneak a peak at local fishermen's lives.

Before heading off, you'll be able to sit down to a delectable crab dinner at a restaurant overlooking the harbour and the bay. At the end of the day you'll return to the beach resort where you can have a seat at the cocktail bar and let the bartender surprise you with an exciting concoction. Beneath the swaying palms you'll look out over the white sandy beach and the waves rolling onto the sands. The setting sun marks the end of a perfect day.

Day 13 - Diani Beach - Nairobi - End of trip

Travel time: Diani - Mombasa - 40 minutes

After breakfast you'll say goodbye to Diani and the Indian Ocean. If you would like to continue on your journey through Kenya, naturally we can make the necessary arrangements for you.

From Diani you'll drive along the palm-lined coastal road towards Mombasa. After you cross the water by ferry, you'll drive through the city towards the airport. Depending on your flight, you'll usually fly back to the UK by way of Nairobi late in the afternoon and you'll arrive back home the following morning. This marks the end of your incredible journey and your visit to Kenya's top attractions.

Safari holiday in Kenya

Kenya safari holiday - manyatta