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For a country of its size, Kenya sure packs a lot in: mountains and deserts, colourful tribal culture, beaches and coral reefs, and some of Africa’s best wildlife attractions. In fact, to say Kenya is Africa in microcosm would not be stretching the point. There are a million different reasons to come here, and picking just one is nigh impossible. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega’s rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches by way of Mt Kenya National Park; the rolling grasslands of the Maasai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with The Rift Valley, home to Hell's Gate National Park, cleaving a massive gash through it all.
Wildlife safaris have been the mainstay of Kenya’s tourism for decades, and several Kenyan parks, like Tsavo National Park, are among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration. Kenya rates as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world; other activities for outdoor enthusiasts include trekking the glacial ridges of Mt Kenya, ballooning over the Maasai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast, and much more besides.
Kenya's biggest city, Nairobi, is sidestepped by many visitors, but, in fairness, has an interesting urban appeal with its cafes and nightlife.
The people, too, represent a wide cross-section of everything that is contemporary Africa, and everyday life brings together traditional tribes and urban families; ancient customs and modern sensibilities. Swapping the latest political gossip with the switched-on locals is just one more small pleasure that comes with the culture.
Samburu National Reserve, located in northern Kenya along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, is one of the most ecologically unique and culturally rich protected areas in East Africa. Covering approximately 165 km² in Samburu County, this semi-arid reserve offers a striking contrast to the lush savannahs of southern Kenya, showcasing specialized wildlife, resilient vegetation, and deep connections to the Samburu people’s pastoralist traditions.
Established in the 1960s, Samburu National Reserve is not only a haven for wildlife but also the ancestral land of the Samburu people, a semi-nomadic pastoralist community closely related to the Maasai. The Samburu’s deep connection to the land is reflected in their colourful attire, cattle-based economy, and traditional ceremonies, which remain largely intact even as tourism grows.
Samburu also holds a special place in conservation history: it was here that George and Joy Adamson released the famous lioness Elsa, inspiring the beloved book and film Born Free. This legacy of coexistence between humans and wildlife continues today through local community projects and conservation partnerships.
Samburu National Reserve is home to a variety of rare and endemic species, often referred to as the “Samburu Special Five.” These unique animals include the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk, all well-adapted to the region’s arid environment. In addition to these distinct species, the reserve also supports populations of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and buffalo, along with over 450 recorded bird species.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre (360 km2) not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya's Laikipia County. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and generate income through wildlife tourism and enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development.
The Conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and in 2013 reached a population milestone of 100 black rhino. It also houses the two remaining northern white rhino in the world, who were moved here from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is situated here, and provides a haven for orphaned, abandoned and rescued chimpanzees. It is the only place in Kenya where these great apes can be seen. The Conservancy is host to the "Big five game" among a large selection of other African animals. It also operates a successful livestock program, which serves to benefit local pastoralists and wildlife. Through the conservancy's community development program, Ol Pejeta provides funding to surrounding communities to aid health, education, water and infrastructure projects. They also support the provision of agriculture and livestock services and development of community-based conservation tourism ventures.
The Maasai Mara is Kenya's greatest wildlife reserve, a large extension of open plain grasslands, woodlands and smooth hills rich in some of Africa's most thrilling wildlife. Occupying an area of 320 km² in south-western Kenya, within the Great Serengeti ecosystem, it's effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park and game reserve in Tanzania.
The Maasai Mara's quantity and variety of wildlife is breathtaking. The reserve is perhaps most famous for its lions, which are found in large numbers, and for the annual wildebeest migration, known as the Great Migration, largely considered one of World's most exceptional natural phenomena. Many other distinctive African wildlife is to be found in the Mara, from elephants, antelopes and giraffes to leopards and hyenas. Hippopotami and crocodiles are found in large groups all along the Mara and Talek Rivers. There is a reasonable population of the endangered black rhinoceros (in 2000 37 individuals were recorded) and of Cheetah.
Named for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River which divides it, over 450 bird species inhabit the area.
And it’s the large antelope of the acacia savanna and short-grass plains, known also as gnu, the most numerous inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, with an estimated population of almost 2 million individuals living in the Great Serengeti ecosystem. Around July of each year, these social grazers migrate in a vast ensemble north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture and return to the south around October. This circular, clockwise migratory route, the Great Wildebeest Migration, is one of the world's greatest natural events. Each year the promise of rain and fresh grass brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest into a single massive herd, which makes an entrance on the southern plains of the Mara in a massive, surging column of wildlife. Numerous other antelope can be found, including Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, impala, topi and Coke's hartebeest. Large herds of zebra are found through the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Maasai giraffe as well as the common giraffe. The Maasai Mara is a major research centre for the spotted hyena.
2 nights’ accommodation at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi (Deluxe room)
2 nights’ accommodation at Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu Game Reserve (Luxury tent)
2 nights’ accommodation at Sweetwaters Tented Camp (Morani tent)
4 nights’ accommodation at Mara Ngenche Camp, Masai Mara Game Reserve (Luxury Tent)
One-way scheduled flight Nanyuki (Ol Pejeta)/Masai Mara
All meals whilst on safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Travel via 4WD Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle (4 persons per vehicle - all vehicles include free Wifi and esky with water/softs/beer)
Welcome Dinner at Café Magreb, Nairobi
All morning and afternoon game drives as outlined in the itinerary
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Bush Breakfast
Full-day game viewing drive in the Masai Mara including picnic lunch
Gala Masai Bush Dinner including Masai Tribal Dancing and ‘shuka’ gift
Sundowner cocktails and canapes at Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu Game Reserve
Private visit to a Masai Village
National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary fees
Meet and Greet service upon arrival into Nairobi
Services of the finest tour guides in Kenya
Wildlife Safari canvas/leather bag, document wallet and luggage tag
Upon arrival in Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport, guests will be met by our safari guides in the arrival lounge, after customs and passport control, and escorted by safari vehicles to the Serena Hotel.
Chaotic, cosmopolitan, rooted in tradition yet free from its shackles — Nairobi remains underrated, its beauty often missed by tourists who merely transit in this city of contrasts on their way to Maasai Mara for a safari. What happens in this process, however, is a lost opportunity to discover the dynamism that has given way to its stellar homegrown restaurants, independent boutiques, thriving cultural venues and contemporary art galleries, innovative social enterprises, and seemingly countless opportunities for ethical wildlife viewing.
Interestingly, it's the only capital city in the world with a national park, home to black rhinos, cape buffaloes and zebras that meander in its open plains against a backdrop of commercial and residential buildings. A showcase of the country's many tribes, the Kenyan capital has a spirited air about it, drawing young talents from far and wide, other parts of East Africa included. And with a population of over five million, it also proves that not all big cities are riddled with unfriendly locals.
At a time when several destinations want tourists to stay away, Kenyans tend to go out of their way when a helping hand is in order, only adding to its appeal.
Evening – Drinks followed by a leisurely dinner
Check-in, freshen-up, time to relax prior to meeting for pre-dinner drinks followed by leisurely welcome dinner at Café Maghreb Restaurant...early to bed!
Overnight: The Serena Hotel, Nairobi
Enjoy an early Buffet Breakfast this morning.
Morning – travel north to Samburu…
Check-out after breakfast and travel north by safari vehicle to Samburu Game Reserve, via the Equator at Nanyuki. The journey is a mostly tarred surface, is 345kms long and takes approx. 6 hours…
En-route, enjoy lunch at a fine local restaurant.
Afternoon – arrival…Game Drive
Upon entering the game reserve, enjoy game viewing en-route to your camp.
Unpack and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, alternatively…meet for some afternoon tea, coffee and biscuits before embarking on your first afternoon game viewing drive.
Evening – Dinner at the camp
Returning to the camp at dusk, dinner in the main restaurant.
Overnight: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu Game Reserve (luxury tent)
Morning – Game Drive
An early morning wake-up call with tea, coffee and biscuits before meeting your guide for an early morning game viewing drive.
On completion of your game viewing drive, return to camp for breakfast. The remainder of the morning at leisure…lunch at the camp and an afternoon siesta before we meet again for an afternoon game viewing drive in Samburu Game Reserve.
Afternoon – Game Drive…Sundowners
After lunch enjoy a siesta or an afternoon beverage before meeting in the mid-afternoon for your game viewing drive in Samburu Game Reserve. We stop for beverages whilst the sun sets…
Everything on safari is larger than life: the sprawling landscapes, the magnificent big cats, the enormous elephants, and giraffes… and yes, even its celebrated Happy Hour – known as The Sundowner.
Imagine, you’ve spent a day rumbling over savannahs, through the bush, over the hills, and deep in the forest, witnessing every form of wildlife in their natural setting. You’ve marvelled, you’ve photographed, and you’ve seen more big game than you’ve thought possible. Now, the softening light of late afternoon is settling about and it’s time to catch your breath.
Pull up to the shade of an acacia tree, overlooking a great plain, a deep scenic valley, or perhaps by a river or lake. Pull out a small kit, a veritable bar with glasses, libations, and all sorts of yummy snacks. Your guide takes orders for your drinks. Would you care for a gin and tonic, some wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage?
As you look above, the sky paints itself with streaks of pink, gold, and a spreading canopy of orange twilight as the sun magnifies and glows on the horizon. The hors’d oeuvres are passed around and as you take in this lovely setting, sip your drink and soak up the ambiance of the fading day.
This is what the sundowner is all about, a gentle transition into the evening, a moment to reflect on the beauty of Africa.
Returning to the lodge after sunset, time to freshen-up prior to dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu Game Reserve (luxury tent)
Breakfast to be served at your camp.
Morning – Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Check-out after breakfast this morning and travel south towards the Equator and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Upon entering the sanctuary, enjoy a brief game viewing drive before arriving at Sweetwaters Tented Camp in time for lunch.
The name “Pejeta” is derived from the local Kikuyu language. It loosely translates to “place of abundance.” This name reflects the conservancy’s rich biodiversity and the abundance of wildlife that calls it home.
Ol Pejeta is famous for being the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It also became widely known as the home of the last two northern white rhinos on earth. Beyond rhinos, it is a Big Five destination, meaning you can spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos in one place. Moreover, Ol Pejeta combines tourism with world-class wildlife conservation. Its innovative approach to protecting endangered species attracts visitors and researchers from all over the world.
Afternoon – Game Viewing Drive
After lunch, some leisure time…meet mid-afternoon for some afternoon tea, coffee and biscuits before embarking on your afternoon game viewing drive.
Evening – Dinner at the camp
Returning to the camp at dusk, dinner in the main restaurant.
Overnight: Sweetwaters Tented camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Morani tent)
Morning and Afternoon – Game Viewing Drives
An early morning wake-up call with tea, coffee and biscuits before meeting your guide for an early morning game viewing drive.
On completion of your game viewing drive, enjoy a leisurely Bush Breakfast before returning to camp. The remainder of the morning at leisure…lunch at the camp and an afternoon siesta before we meet again for an afternoon game viewing drive in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
We share 98.6% of our genetic DNA with chimpanzees - but our wild cousins are in trouble. Ol Pejeta has been advocating for the plight of chimpanzees and other great apes since 1993 – when we first opened the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The Sanctuary aims to provide a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the black market and is the only place in Kenya where these fascinating animals can be seen.
During our afternoon game viewing drive, we visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The chimpanzees’ natural home range spans from Senegal on the West African coast, through the central forested belt of Africa, to Uganda. They are not native to Kenya, but when a rescue centre in Burundi had to be closed due to the civil war outbreak in 1993 – Ol Pejeta opened its doors.
Ol Pejeta has been advocating for the plight of chimpanzees and other great apes since 1993 – when we first opened the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The Sanctuary aims to provide a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the black market and is the only place in Kenya where these animals can be seen.
Returning to the camp at dusk, dinner in the main restaurant.
Overnight: Sweetwaters Tented camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Morani tent)
Enjoy an early Buffet Breakfast this morning.
Morning – Ol Pejeta Conservancy to the Masai Mara
After breakfast, check-out and travel to Nanyuki Airstrip for your scheduled flight on Safarilink to the World-Famous Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, a mecca of wildlife viewing awaits…July-September are the months of the migration of wildebeest and zebra.
July is the month when the great herds of wildebeest migration usually arrive on the plains of the Masai Mara, between middle and end of the month. Tens of thousands of wildebeests take the plunge and cross the Mara River in dramatic fashion running the gauntlet of hungry crocodiles, strong river currents, steep banks and predators waiting to ambush. Once on the other side, then they spread out, covering the plains.
With the abundance of animals around, the cheetah return, taking young wildebeests as prey. There is also the possibility of some leopard sightings in the woodlands.
The Marsh Pride of lions remain at the heart of their territory, the Musiara marsh. With so much potential prey around, they do not have to move very far and so the pride spends a lot of time together and regularly hunt wildebeests. Vultures do well cleaning up what the lions and scavengers leave behind.
Arriving at Mara Ngenche Camp, some time to freshen-up and meet again for lunch!
Afternoon – Game Viewing Drive
If you have the energy…enjoy a late afternoon game viewing drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Evening – dinner at Mara Ngenche Camp
Returning to the lodge at sunset, freshen up prior to meeting in the dining area for dinner…discuss your animal sightings over a meal and glass of wine after dinner.
Overnight: Mara Ngenche Camp, Maasai Mara National Game Reserve
Full-day – Morning, Afternoon and Extended Game Viewing Drives…lunch on the Savannah
Spend the next two days exploring the Masai Mara.
During your stay, a full-day safari into the Maasai Mara National Game Reserve…pack plenty of sunscreen and memory sticks for your camera as today will be a day you will never forget…we enjoy an exclusive picnic lunch on the savannah.
A Maasai warrior is a fine sight. Those young men have, to the utmost extent, that particular form of intelligence which we call chic; daring and wildly fantastical as they seem, they are still unswervingly true to their own nature, and to an imminent ideal. Their style is not an assumed manner, nor an imitation of a foreign perfection; it has grown from the inside and is an expression of the race and its history, and their weapons and finery are as much a part of their being as are a stag’s antlers.
– Karen Blixen –
Dinner on each evening will be at the camp.
Overnight: Mara Ngenche Camp, Maasai Mara National Game Reserve
Full- Day – Game Viewing Drives in the Masai Mara
Return to the lodge after this morning’s game drive for breakfast…siesta and return to the plains for some further game viewing in the late afternoon.
Additional activities whilst in the Masai Mara (included)
Visit a Masai Village
Visiting a Maasai village offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditional lifestyle and culture of this renowned African tribe. Expect to witness vibrant ceremonies, learn about their customs, and see their livestock in traditional corrals. You can also participate in dances, like the adumu, and purchase handcrafted beaded jewellery, a significant part of Maasai culture.
Picnic lunch on the Savannah
A picnic lunch in the Masai Mara savannah offers a unique and memorable safari experience. Enjoy a meal amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Mara, surrounded by wildlife and the sounds of nature. This activity is offered as part of a full-day game drive, providing a break from the camp without interrupting the safari experience.
Evening – Masai Bush Dinner
This evening is a special event…a Masai Bush Dinner is a great way to end your safari in Kenya.
As the evening unfolds, where the air is alive with thrills and the scent of savoury delights, immerse yourself in the rhythmic melodies of traditional Masai songs and dances, performed by local artisans whose movements echo the pulse of the earth.
Meanwhile, our skilled chefs work their culinary magic, grilling succulent meats and fresh vegetables on an open space, infusing each dish with the smoky flavours of the savannah. From tender cuts of prime beef to delicate skewers of seafood, every bite is a revelation, a symphony of taste and texture that tantalises the senses.
As you dine beneath the star-studded sky, surrounded by the primal beauty of the jungle, you find yourself transported to a realm where time stands still and every moment is infused with the magic of the Masai Mara. The Bush Serenade is not just a feast for your taste buds, but a tapestry woven with flavours and melodies, where true luxury lies in the simple joys of connection, community, and the boundless beauty of the natural world.
Overnight: Mara Ngenche Camp, Maasai Mara National Game Reserve
Morning – departure for Nairobi
Check-out after breakfast this morning and travel via road to Nairobi.
Upon arrival into Nairobi, check-in with the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Overnight: The Serena Hotel, Nairobi
Morning – departure…
Check-out after breakfast this morning and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi and check-in for your flight home.
On the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Bedroom invites memorable encounters with Samburu's striking wildlife and sweeping landscapes.
Set deep within the famed Samburu National Reserve on the banks of the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Bedroom captures a prime riverine safari experience framed by graceful doum palms and dusty African plains. Here, the rhythm of the river and the call of distant wildlife define the day, and every moment feels closely connected to the untamed landscape.
The camp's classic raised canvas tents offer generous space, private plunge pools and verandas that look straight onto the river, creating a relaxed base from which to pause between game drives. Thoughtful design blends local materials with a simple, classic safari aesthetic, and communal spaces encourage lingering over meals or sundowners with the sun dipping behind rugged horizons.
Elephant Bedroom's location places you in a corridor frequented by elephants and a wide range of Samburu's distinctive species, including gerenuk, oryx and reticulated giraffe, with lions and leopards also part of the region's rich tapestry. Game drives out from camp routinely yield memorable sightings in territory that feels both abundant and authentically wild.
It’s location in a private conservancy with a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any of Kenya's national parks makes Sweetwaters Serena Camp one of the most exclusive tented safari camps in Kenya.
A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Serena Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and Kenyan safari luxury.
Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features thirty-nine luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager's house of this once colonial farm and offers both regional and international cuisine. Within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching.
Host to all the members of the ‘Big Five' (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard), the conservancy has a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any Kenyan national park and is one of only four private game conservancies to have been founded in Kenya. At the forefront of the Kenyan conservancy program, the conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, hosts the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species.
Hidden within the ravine forests of the Masai Mara, Mara Ngenche Safari Camp offers an unparalleled blend of intimacy and luxury.
Overlooking the vibrant confluence of the Mara and Talek Rivers, where hippos and crocodiles linger in the waters below, our camp provides a front-row seat to the drama of the African wilderness.
With just 12 exquisitely decorated tents, each enclosed in its own "Boma" and featuring a private plunge pool, you’ll experience the perfect fusion of modern African décor and old-world charm. Enjoy expansive views of the river from your tent, relax in a luxurious bath, or refresh in the outdoor shower as the sounds of the wild surround you.
At Mara Ngenche, the boundaries between nature and comfort dissolve. The unfenced camp allows the free movement of wildlife, offering a unique and thrilling connection to the land. With expert Maasai guides leading your game drives, every moment here invites you to immerse yourself in the adventure and elegance of the African bush.
