18-day Kenya safari with beach stay

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - Acacia Tree Lodge

Day 1: Begin your Adventure in Nairobi

Welcome to the capital city of Nairobi! After your arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will proceed to your accommodations. Spend the night at your lodge in Karen and get set for wonderful adventures in the coming days.

David Sheldrick - Kazuri Beads - Acacia Tree Lodge

Day 2: Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

You will get your first introduction to Kenya’s wildlife after breakfast today. On a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you will be able to see the amazing conservation work done by the trust to protect wildlife. Orphaned elephants are rescued and rehabilitated at this place. The people working here offer tender loving care to the adorable baby elephants. Afterwards, return to Karen.

Later in the afternoon, you will go on a tour of the Kazuri Beads Factory to get a glimpse of some wonderful handicrafts. At this small workshop, you can take a look at the pretty handmade beads made by locals, mostly women. These are used in necklaces, bracelets and other ornaments. They are colorful and beautiful!

Samburu National Park - Samburu Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Spot Unique Wildlife at Samburu National Reserve

Today, you will see wildlife in natural surroundings. After breakfast, check-out and journey to the Samburu National Reserve. On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy your lunch.

In the afternoon, you will go on your first game drive of this trip. The riveting landscape of Samburu Reserve dotted with hills, plains and forests is home to a variety of wildlife. On your safari, you will get a chance to see some of these animal and bird species. Besides lions, elephants, leopards and cheetahs, some of the other interesting animals found here are the Beisa Oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's Zebra and the long-necked gerenuk. If you have seen the movie Born Free, it is based on Elsa the lioness who was raised at the reserve.

Lake Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge

Day 4: Make a Trip to Lake Baringo National Park

Enjoy your breakfast, check-out of your hotel and begin the drive to the Rift Valley region. Your destination is the Lake Baringo National Park. After arrival, check-in at your lakeside campsite, eat lunch and rest. In the afternoon, you will set forth to explore the area around Lake Baringo, a large freshwater lake. It is one of the most well-known bird watching sites in Kenya. The waters are also home to crocodiles and hippos. While discovering the place, you may spot many kinds of bird species such as fish eagles, pelicans, flamingos, storks, hornbills and cormorants. Later, return to the camp.

Lake Bogoria - Tumbili Cliff Lodge

Day 5: Explore Lake Bogoria

After a good meal in the morning, you will proceed to Lake Bogoria. You can see the landscape consisting of the lake and the surrounding grasslands and woodlands. The lake is a favorite of pink flamingos. You can spend the afternoon at leisure or you have the option of visiting the local villages.

Overnight at the camp.

Lake Nakuru National Park - Hotel Waterbuck

Day 6: See Wildlife at Lake Nakuru National Park

Start the journey to Nakuru town, your base to explore the Lake Nakuru National Park. After checking in at your hotel, have lunch and relax.

In the afternoon, you will head out for a game drive at the Lake Nakuru National Park. The soda lake with saline waters is surrounded by woodlands and shrublands. On your game drive, you can see all kinds of wildlife near the lake and in the areas around it. The national park is home to rhinos, giraffes and various species of birds. Enjoy the scenic drive while looking at the wonderful wildlife.

Masai Mara National Reserve - Castel Mara Camp

Day 7: Go on a Game Drive at the Famous Masai Mara

Have you been looking forward to visiting Masai Mara? Your wait ends today as you will travel to this famous reserve after breakfast. After you arrive, check in at the camp and rest for a while.

Afterwards, in the afternoon, you will go on a game drive at the amazing Masai Mara National Reserve. With its superb population of wildlife and stunning landscape, Masai Mara is one of the most popular reserves in the world along with Tanzania’s Serengeti.  On your drive, you can see the vast landscape of grass plains with acacia trees. While it is popular for its animal inhabitants including the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and Cape buffalo), it is most well-known for the breathtaking annual wildebeest migration along the Serengeti and Masai Mara. During migration season, you may be able to witness this incredible sight. Spend the night at the camp.

Masai Mara National Reserve - Castel Mara Camp

Day 8: Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride and Masai Village Visit

There’s so much to discover at Masai Mara that you need at least a couple of days to see the beauty of the wildlife and the landscape here. After breakfast, you will go on another game drive to spot some more animals and birds. Besides this, you also have the option of going on an exciting hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. While it is fascinating to explore the reserve on the ground, it is an equally captivating experience to see the wildlife and the landscape from above. Quite awe-inspiring!

In the afternoon, you will also have the option to get a glimpse of local life at a Masai village. Overnight at the camp.

Masai Mara National Reserve - Castel Mara Camp

Day 9: Try to Spot the Big Five at Masai Mara

It’s your last day at the stunning Masai Mara, so make the most of it. Enjoy your morning breakfast and follow it up with a full day game drive including packed lunch. Or you can alternatively go on a morning and afternoon game drive. Either way, you can spot more of the wildlife that inhabits the reserve. Watch predators and prey, herds of animals, or a rare creature. It’s a wild, wild world out there!

Crescent Island - Fish Eagle Inn

Day 10: Discover Wildlife at Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha

Say farewell to Masai Mara and continue to your next destination–Lake Naivasha. Drive to Naivasha and check-in at your inn in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will make your way to Crescent Island in the freshwater lake area. See various species of wildlife here including animals and birds. The landscape is beautiful and you might spot hippos, giraffes, gazelles and zebras. It is a great spot for bird watching too! Return to your inn for the night.

Hells Gate National Park - Fish Eagle Inn

Day 11: Tour the Fascinating Hell’s Gate National Park

After breakfast, you will head to a place near Lake Naivasha – the Hell’s Gate National Park. While it is a small park, it still has a varied animal life, a beautiful landscape and interesting geological formations. On your visit here, you can spot different species of animals and birds and other impressive sights.

Head back to your inn in the afternoon for food and rest. Spend your time at leisure.

Nairobi - Acacia Tree Lodge

Day 12: Return to Nairobi

It’s now time to return to Nairobi. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, check out and travel to the capital city. Check in at your lodge on arrival and spend the day as you wish.

Watamu - Temple Point Resort

Day 13: Catch a Flight to Mombasa

After breakfast, check out and proceed to the airport. Board a flight to Mombasa. After your arrival at Moi International Airport, you will be transferred to Temple Point Resort in Watamu. After check in, spend the afternoon at leisure on the beach resort in this small town along the Indian Ocean coast.

Temple Point Beach - Temple Point Resort

Day 14: Have Fun at the Watamu Marine National Park

Ready for some beach fun? Since you have spent a busy few days going on game drives to discover the wildlife of the country, it is time to put your feet up and relax. Watamu is known for the bays and beaches of the Watamu Marine National Park. If you wish, excursions and visits to places on the coast can be organized on short notice for an additional fee.

Watamu Beach - Temple Point Resort

Day 15: Relax on the Beach at Watamu

When you have the sun, sand, and sea, it is the perfect combination for blissful days. Enjoy your time in the lovely town for a couple more days. It is the best way to rejuvenate yourself.

Watamu Beach - Temple Point Resort

Day 16: Unwind on the Shore or Enjoy Optional Activities

Enjoy the day by the beach or have fun at the resort. You can also go on excursions and visits to places on the coast at an additional cost. Some of the popular optional activities here include snorkeling, boat trips, and dolphin viewing. Have fun!

Watamu Beach - Temple Point Resort

Day 17: Laze on the Beach

Spend the day at leisure or discover the delights of the Watamu Marine National Park.

Temple Point Resort - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Day 18: Farewell, Watamu!

After breakfast, head to Moi International Airport for your flight to the airport in Nairobi. Pleasant travels!