Kenya 2025: The Nature of Africa

Flight to Nairobi

Our Kenyan adventure begins with passport and baggage check-in, followed by a flight to Nairobi.

Nairobi

Nairobi stands today as one of the most significant economic and political hubs in Africa. The name of the city originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nairobi, meaning “cool water,” referring to the Nairobi River that flows through the city.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, we will transfer to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Nairobi, Samburu

After breakfast, the journey heads to Samburu National Park, about 320 km from Nairobi.

A five-hour drive through the central highlands of Kenya is enhanced by the sight of coffee, tea, and pineapple plantations.

Snow-capped Mt. Kenya and its contrasting red slopes below come into view. Lunch is provided during the day.

Accommodation is in a tastefully decorated cottage styled in Samburu tradition, lying along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.  A swimming pool is available for guests, nestled among breathtaking views. Dinner follows.

Samburu

After breakfast, travelers embark on an outdoor excursion. The day is dedicated to admiring the park’s rich fauna and flora, renowned for its location at an altitude of 800 meters.

As they journey in open jeeps through the dry and picturesque areas of the reserve, guests observe game animals congregating along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. This is where a majority of the wild animals, such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, and oryxes, can be spotted.

Later, guests transfer to the Samburu Simba Lodge for overnight accommodation. Lunch is provided during the day, and dinner awaits at the complex.

Samburu, Lake Naivasha 

Today begins with an early wake-up call. Following a morning safari, the journey continues towards Lake Naivasha National Park. Here, a variety of wildlife, including hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, elands, and occasionally cheetahs, lions, and leopards, can be spotted amidst the undulating grasslands surrounding the lake. The park’s avian diversity is a major attraction, particularly observable during a scenic boat cruise on the lake.

En route, a stop will be made to admire the impressive 74-meter Thompson Falls in Nyahururu. Situated within the Great Rift Valley, Nyahururu National Park, established in 1968, boasts breathtaking landscapes and is home to lions, leopards, hyenas, and various antelope species.

In the evening, accommodation awaits at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, nestled along the southern shore of Lake Naivasha. Offering stunning views, the lodge’s surroundings provide sanctuary to giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and monkeys, often seen near the lodgings. Designed to harmonize with the natural environment, the lodges reflect the cultural motifs of Equatorial Africa. Guests can unwind by the poolside bars or enjoy a more intimate ambiance with copper fireplaces for evening drinks. Additional amenities include a tennis court, gym, and souvenir shop.

Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara

On this day, a approximately 6-hour journey awaits to Masai Mara National Reserve, which forms part of the Serengeti National Park extending into Tanzania.

The reserve is inhabited by elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and even black rhinos. It boasts Kenya’s largest lion population and is the exclusive habitat of the topi antelope.

In the evening, a transfer will be made to our accommodation. Tonight, accommodation will be provided in double “tents” by the Talek River, each equipped with toilets, showers, and heating.

Masai Mara

Another day unfolds, to be spent in one of the most thrilling ecosystems of wildlife on Earth. This is among the most renowned wildlife reserves in Africa, often regarded as the most beautiful park worldwide alongside the adjacent Serengeti in Tanzania.

Masai Mara is predominantly flat savanna dotted with sparse trees and abundant herds of antelopes, gazelles, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. It remains home to the largest and most diverse concentration of wildlife compared to any other nature reserve in the region.

By day’s end, we’ll venture towards the Mara River, bordering Tanzania, where during the great migrations in August and September, hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the river and the plains of the reserve, heading eastward. With a stroke of luck, we might witness crocodile and hippopotamus herds basking in the green grass, alongside wildebeests, antelopes, and zebras, while lions, cheetahs, and hyenas lie in wait for their prey.

In the latter part of the day, we’ll journey to our accommodation at Mara Maisha Camp.

Masai Mara, Nairobi

Before breakfast, a short safari will provide the opportunity to observe the awakening African wildlife. The highlight of the safari will be the chance to visit and learn about the Maasai people.

Optionally, guests can visit a village where they become more than just visitors; they become part of the Maasai community. One of the highlights of the experience is a display of tribal dances and particularly spectacular leaps, for which the Maasai are renowned, accompanied by their characteristic chants.

For those interested, a hot air balloon ride over Masai Mara is available at an additional cost. In the evening, transfer to Nairobi airport. Passport and baggage check-in. Flight to Chicago.

Departure from Nairobi

We hope Kenya has captured your hearts. Today, we bid farewell to the group and start planning our next adventures. Perhaps this time, Africa and its other four countries, or the lesser-known Namibia.

The itinerary is tentative, and the sequence of activities may change.

Kenya 2025: the Nature of Africa