14-Day Kenya Wildlife and Birding Safari

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrival in NairobiYour guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and takes you to your hotel to rest. If you land early, there is time for some birding in Nairobi National Park.Overnight: Nairobi hotel or similarMeals: D, depending on arrival time
2. Day 2Nairobi to the AberdaresNorth through the central highlands to the Aberdares, a range of montane forest and waterfalls with elephants, buffalo and forest birds. Forest walks or wildlife viewing from the lodge, depending on where you stay.Overnight: The Ark, Aberdare Country Club or similarMeals: B · L · D
3. Day 3Aberdares to SamburuAn early birding session, then north into Kenya’s dry country. After lunch at the lodge, a game drive along the Ewaso Ng’iro River for elephants, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffes and gerenuk.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
4. Day 4A full day in SamburuMorning and afternoon game drives for the northern specials: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, with vulturine guineafowl, hornbills, bee-eaters and starlings.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
5. Day 5Samburu to Ol PejetaSouth to Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Nanyuki, home to black rhinos and the world’s last northern white rhinos. An afternoon game drive across its open plains.Overnight: Sweetwaters Serena Camp or similarMeals: B · L · D
6. Day 6A full day in Ol PejetaMorning and afternoon game drives through grassland and woodland, looking for the Big Five and above all the rhinos. Conservation experiences can be arranged with the conservancy.Overnight: Sweetwaters Serena Camp or similarMeals: B · L · D
7. Day 7Ol Pejeta to Lake NakuruTo Lake Nakuru National Park for lunch, then an afternoon game drive around the lake for rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalo, zebras and waterbirds. Flamingos come and go with the water level.Overnight: Lake Nakuru lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
8. Day 8Lake Nakuru to Lake NaivashaAn early game drive for anything missed, then through the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. In the afternoon, an optional boat ride among hippos and waterbirds, or a visit to Crescent Island.Overnight: Lake Naivasha Resort or similarMeals: B · L · D
9. Day 9Lake Naivasha to AmboseliThe long drive south to Amboseli, arriving for lunch, then an afternoon game drive across the plains and swamps, famous for elephants and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro.Overnight: Kibo Safari Camp or similarMeals: B · L · D
10. Day 10A full day in AmboseliAn early game drive while it is cool, lunch at camp or a picnic, and another drive in the afternoon, among elephant herds, lions, giraffes and many birds.Overnight: Kibo Safari Camp or similarMeals: B · L · D
11. Day 11Amboseli to Tsavo WestTo Tsavo West for lunch, then an afternoon game drive through volcanic hills and savannah, with a visit to the clear pools of Mzima Springs if the route allows.Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
12. Day 12Tsavo West to Salt LickAn early game drive, then on to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Salt Lick Lodge, raised above a busy waterhole. An afternoon game drive, and animals at the waterhole into the night.Overnight: Salt Lick Safari LodgeMeals: B · L · D
13. Day 13Salt Lick to the coastBreakfast at the lodge, then the drive down to Mombasa or Diani Beach, arriving in the afternoon for a first evening by the Indian Ocean.Overnight: Beach hotel in Mombasa or Diani, or similarMeals: B
14. Day 14DepartureBreakfast and some time on the beach, then a transfer to Moi International Airport, the SGR station or wherever you are heading next.Overnight: Not includedMeals: B