Embark on an extraordinary 10-day journey through Kenya, experiencing the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible wildlife that this African nation has to offer. From the bustling city of Nairobi to the vast plains of the Masai Mara, and the serene beaches of Diani and Lamu Island, this itinerary is designed to provide an immersive and unforgettable adventure.
Kenya Topography Map
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by a representative and chauffeured to Hemingways Nairobi for an overnight stay. Set between Nairobi National Park and the foot of the Ngong Hills, Hemingways Nairobi is an exclusive all-suite boutique hotel far from the bustle of central Nairobi.
Day 2: Nairobi - Ol Donyo Lodge
This morning, make the 30-minute journey by road to Wilson Domestic Airport for your 1-hour flight to Ol Donyo Lodge. On arrival at the airfield, the vehicle transfer to the lodge is approximately 30-minutes, allowing time for game viewing. This exclusive lodge looks out at Mt Kilimanjaro from its secluded position in the rolling Chyulu Hills, south-east of Kenya. Offering superb riding safaris, you will be able to join early morning, late afternoon and night game drives, guided bushwalks, meals out in the bush, mountain biking and tracking.
Overlooking the Samangua Valley and the Lewa Plains to the Ngare Ndare Forest and Mt Kenya, this romantic lodge offers 8 unique cottages, each with fireplace and private veranda. Thanks to their conservation efforts this private conservancy offers thrilling pristine game viewing opportunities.
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Day 3-5: Masai Mara Exploration
Your adventure continues today with an internal flight to the Masai Mara. On arrival at the Ol Kiombo airstrip, you will be met and transferred to Mara Expedition Camp with game viewing en route. Located on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River where thick forest meets unending savannah Mara Expedition Camp is positioned in the heart of brilliant predator country and with traversing rights of both the Masai Mara Game Reserve and the 70,000 Mara North Conservancy gives guests the flexibility to explore far and wide.
The vast stretches of the Masai Mara National Reserve are deserving of at least three days of exploration, being home to Africa’s most famous and abundant grass plains. These dusty plains come flecked with acacia trees and coloured by massive herds of migratory zebras and wildebeest which storm across the Masa River between July and September each year. Having to be seen to be believed, there’s a reason the Masai Mara is one of the top places to visit in Kenya, also primed for ‘Big Five’ safaris and hot-air balloon rides over the region, ending in champagne breakfasts back down in the bush.
The camp consists of five timelessly stylish tents set at ground level and shaded by the riverine forest.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara - The Big Hunt | Free Documentary Nature
Day 6-7: Diani Beach Relaxation
Getting to Kenya’s stunning white-sand coast means heading back to Nairobi and, from there, taking a short domestic flight to Mombasa. From Mombasa, hop on the Likoni Ferry for free to arrive at Diani Beach in just five minutes. (To avoid the crowds at port, consider booking a private transfer from Mombasa Airport to your hotel in Diani). Something completely different from our time on the plains, Diani is a paradise Kenya beach town, back by forest and edged by 17 kilometres of flawless beachfront.
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Honeymooners, adventurers and backpackers come here to make the most of diverse water sports, such as kitesurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling, or simply to stretch out in a hammock beach-side. Hiking in the forest with local guides is also a spiritual adventure to remember, followed by either a trip to the monkey sanctuary or an exploration of Diani’s best cultural attractions. Of these, don’t miss Fort Jesus, a UNESCO Heritage Site build back in 1593 by early Portuguese and Spanish colonialists, as well as the oldest mosque in East Africa, Kongo Mosque, built by Arab traders in the 14th century.
On your second day in Diani, consider taking a dhow boat trip out to surrounding islands, soaking up some island perspectives. While there are a number of tours on offer, try one that combines a historical walk around Wasini Island and the hard-hitting Shimoni Slave Caves, followed by snorkelling with turtles and dolphins in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park.
Day 8-9: Lamu Island Exploration
Our final few days in Kenya takes us to the 14th-century Swahili settlement of Lamu Island, a natural paradise with authentic culture and architecture set among the labyrinthine streets of Lamu Town. Easily reachable on a 40-minute flight from Mombasa, Lamu Island is a northern delight set on its old school ways.
Donkeys and carts replace cars as the main form of transport in UNESCO-listed Lamu Town, allowing for laid-back (though ever-so-bumpy) tours of the beachfront, ancient fort and town centre. As well as beautiful beaches, the island is known for its ornately carved doorways in Omani and Swahili styles, alongside thatched huts, stand-out mosques and various ruins on squares lined with bustling markets. Be awoken bright and early by the nearest mosques’ call to prayer, taking in the morning hubbub over an Arabic coffee. After a morning pulled by donkey around the town’s winding alleys, settle on the southern Shela Village for hippie vibes among yoga studios and fusion restaurants.
Lamu Island
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Day 10: Nairobi - Giraffe Manor and Departure
Whatever you didn’t get around to the first time around, our last day in Kenya allows us one more chance as we return to the capital before heading homebound. Make it a special night’s sleep with a booking at the world-famous Giraffe Manor, that, although pricey, features grazing Rothschild giraffes on its 140-acre indigenous forest grounds, easily viewed from your bedroom window.
If your funds are stretched at this point, however, the Giraffe Centre next door allows for more budget-friendly interactions with Nairobi’s endangered wildlife. Cheaper still is the experience with baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a special treat for just a $7USD entry fee.
Essential Travel Tips for Kenya
A trip to the doctor before travelling to Kenya is a must to make sure you are appropriately vaccinated and prepared. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Tetanus vaccinations are strongly advised, with considerations for Rabies and Meningitis jabs also. In keeping with Kenyan immigration rules, people coming from (or transiting from) a high risk country will require a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, something you’ll also need if you intend on travelling onward to Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania. Another risk to discuss with your doctor is that of malaria, a risk largely dependent on the region and type of trip you’ll be taking.
In a remarkably progressive move, plastic bags were banned in Kenya back in 2017 and, as such, travellers face fines if found trying to bring plastic bags into the country. Rid yourself on all your plastic bags before travelling, even those from duty-free, double-checking both your checked and carry-on luggage before landing.
Though tap water in both Nairobi and Mombasa is deemed drinkable, it’s advisable to stick to bottled water throughout Kenya, especially outside of those cities, to avoid getting ill from foreign bacteria. When eating outside of your lodge or hotel you should also be cautious, particularly for meat dishes, as food hygiene and cooking practices may be different from what your belly is used to.
Best Time to Visit Kenya
Attention to timing when planning your itinerary for Kenya is particularly important if you’re coming for safari. It’s the dry seasons, from January to March and also from July to October, when the Great Migration begins its takeover of the Mara plains when big game and herds of wildebeest move en masse in search of water.
Dry season is an incredibly popular time for Kenya safari tours but outside of this time, the winter sun between January and March lures many to the coast for crystal clear diving opportunities, while June is an affordable alternative for safari after the rains when baby animals are finding their feet.
LGBT Travel in Kenya
First to reckon yourself with is the illegality of homosexuality in Kenya. Same-sex marriage is banned under the Kenyan Penal Code (a remnant from British colonial rule!), as is sodomy and any sexual acts between men, punishable by 5 to 14 years’ imprisonment though rarely prosecuted. As homosexuality is not recognised, so too are the rights of LGBT citizens, with little to no protections for discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
As a visitor to Kenya it’s unlikely you’ll experience any trouble unless your public behaviour is deemed inappropriate - whatever your orientation. Your sexual preferences remain your private business but it pays to be discreet when travelling while gay! Though you’ll need to inform staff of sleeping arrangements upon booking at hotels and camps, the attitudes of those in hospitality tends towards tacit acceptance.
More Time to Spend in Kenya?
If you’re lucky enough to have more time in Kenya but want more than a beach escape, consider trekking the nation’s highest mountains - including Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro - or delving deeper into the world of wildlife-watching at any of its national parks. The nation’s best lakes may also lure you to their banks, with fantastic boat safaris on the Great Rift Valley’s Lake Naivasha or cultural tours of the traditional villages surrounding Lake Turkana and its mighty Teleki volcano.
Lastly, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is worthy of a mention as the old site of one of Kenya’s largest cattle ranches. Now a privately-owned wildlife reserve across 365 square kilometres, Ol Pejeta is a popular day stop for Big Five sightings, with the largest black rhino population in East Africa and profits going towards various local community projects.
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