Kenya: African Safari

Itinerary

• Day 1: Overnight Flight to Kenya

  Traveling to Africa is no everyday getaway. It’s a big deal, well worth the long ride, and can be a culture shock without the right people there to guide you along (*cough* us *cough*). Whether this is your first time out of the country, or your tenth time south of the Sahara, Kenya is going to rock your Swahili socks off. You’re headed to Africa’s premiere safari destination.

  This tour requires a visa for U.S. citizens. Check entry requirements or call us with questions at 800-766-2645.

• Day 2: Arrive in Nairobi

  Welcome to Kenya! You’re in the capital city of Nairobi. This fast-growing metropolis is a wild hybrid of urban spaces and open parkland. And that parkland is home to what you really came here for: the world’s largest hot dog eating contest! Nah, JK, we know it’s all about the lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, leopards, zebras, and so many more. Get ready to get wild in Africa!

  Today's highlights:

  • Land at the airport and meet a waiting EF representative.
  • Transfer to your hotel, check out your room, and start to meet your fellow travelers as they arrive.
  • Get familiar with the area around your hotel with an introductory walk with your Tour Director.
• Day 3: Explore Nairobi National Park + Welcome Dinner

  Wake up sleepyhead, it’s time for your first game drive! We know what you’re thinking: what is a game drive, and how did we get into your room?! First of all the door was unlocked, and second: a game drive is when you get into safari vehicles and head out into an animal reserve to get a glimpse of the big ol’ beasts that call these safe spaces home. And this is your first of many on this trip. Prep your peepers, you’re gonna see a lot of amazing animals today.

  In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

  Today's highlights:

  • Make your way to the small but mighty Nairobi National Park—visiting this 45-square mile beauty doesn’t even require leaving Nairobi city limits.
  • Prepare yourself in advance to audibly gasp at the potential sight of endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, and cheetahs in the wild.
  • Fall in love with a longnecked friend at the Rothschild’s Giraffe Environmental Conservation Centre, and learn about the hard work being done to protect them.
  • Return to Nairobi to fill back up on an included dinner.
• Day 4: Travel to Amboseli National Park + Game Drive

  The Planet Earth-iness of this trip is about to get turned up to 100. Today’s game drive is just a morning bus ride away, at the unbelievable Amboseli National Park. Enjoy the “3 E’s” of Amboseli: Elephants, Exciting views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and ‘Eeeek look at that bird!’

  Today's highlights:

  • Fuel up for the day with an included breakfast and lunch—if you get a chance to try Kenyan food, be sure to sample ugali (maize porridge) and nyama choma (roasted goat).
  • Feel a lot of feelings at the sight of wild elephant herds in what is largely regarded as the best place on Earth to see these immense and immensely cool creatures.
  • Bow down to the only thing here bigger than the elephants: Mt. Kilimanjaro.
  • Dig into an included dinner back at the game drive lodge.
• Day 5: Full Day Game Drive at Amboseli National Park

  Enjoy another full day of singing The Lion King songs as you go searching for Simbas, Scars, and Pumbaas IRL. Strap on your game drive hat (that’s a thing you brought, right?), today you get a full day of exploring Amboseli National Park’s incredibly diverse offerings.

  Today's highlights:

  • Spend a full day game drive on the prowl for a veritable alphabet soup of every animal from antelope to zebra.
  • Pay special attention to the ecology of Amboseli National Park—it’s a powerful testament to the importance of conservation and undisturbed wilderness.
  • Recharge with a relaxing evening, and an included dinner.
• Day 6: Travel to Great Rift Valley Lakes + Optional Hell’s Gate Excursion

  Today you’re going to where humankind likely originated over 6 million years ago: Africa’s Great Rift Valley. While you probably won’t see Homo sapiens fossils, you might see volcanoes, you’ll definitely see some giant lakes, and you bet your tailfeather you’ll see lots of flamingos.

  Today's highlights:

  • Arrive at Lake Naivasha and Lake Elementaita and play favorites deciding which lake is best.
  • Keep an eye out for hippos—unclear at this time if these are the normal kind or the hungry, hungry kind.
  • Meet your guests sharing the lakes with you: zebras, warthogs, gazelles, and all types of birds.

  Hell’s Gate National Park Adventure (extra cost)

  Track the big cats and more across the wonderland that the setting for The Lion King is based on: Hell’s Gate National Park. Nothing to be afraid of here, despite the name—unless you’re afraid of having a ton of fun.
  
  This excursion is part game drive, part hike. The hike along the gorges lasts 1-2 hours over uneven terrain.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 7: Travel to Maasai Mara + Explore Maasai Mara National Park

  Every year, millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles in Kenya and Tanzania run in a gigantic clockwise circle to take advantage of seasonal grazing opportunities. They’re the original trendy eaters, and we hear plains grass is so hot right now. Anyway, they tend to spend July-September in Kenya, specifically in Maasai Mara National Park. So, welcome to their summer home! Whether you’re here when they are, or in their off season, you will be stunned.

  Today's highlights:

  • Do whatever you have to do to keep your eyes wide open on your private bus ride to Maasai Mara National Park.
  • Embark on a game drive through this gigantic nature reserve that’s roughly ½ the size of Rhode Island.
  • Munch on an included dinner, and swap stories that start with “OMG you will not BELIEVE what I saw an elephant do today…”
• Day 8: Maasai Mara Game Drive + Optional Excursions

  Maasai Mara gets its name from the way the plains look “spotted” by acacia trees and shrubs in every direction. Fittingly, see what cool animals you can spot on today’s full-day game drive. Kind of like a game of bingo, but with bonus points if you see the king of the freakin’ jungle.

  Today's highlights:

  • Head out there with your guide and spend the morning and afternoon looking for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, ostriches, antelopes, gazelles, and gosh we can keep going but we’ll let you see it for yourself.
  • Get your camera ready to take the cute cat video to end all cute cat videos if you see a lion or cheetah.
  • Cool down with some shade, free time, and food back in the game lodge at the end of the day.

  Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari (extra cost)

  Start your morning the Maasai Mara way: tracking animals from way up high in a hot air balloon. Enjoy an included breakfast and champagne as you drift across the plains in search of the majestic big cats.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

  Maasai Tribe Village Visit (extra cost)

  If you want to understand Kenya, you need to talk to the Maasai tribe. Travel to a village to learn about life in the Serengeti, and you'll even a chance to purchase a must-have souvenir of handcrafted jewelry.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 9: Return to Nairobi + Farewell Dinner

  Anyone else think giraffes are kind of like the skyscrapers of nature? Just us? Well today you’re returning to the giraffe-y skyline of big city Nairobi. Wave goodbye to the lions and leopards, and any Maasai tribespeople you may have met along the way. The elephants you saw will never forget you (that’s kind of their thing), and we know you’ll never forget this journey.

  Farewell Dinner

  Share some last laughs and revisit the best moments of the trip at this included farewell dinner with the group.

  Today's highlights:

  • Hop in your safari vehicle dramatically—it just looks cooler—and cruise on back to Nairobi.
  • Get one last long look at the endless plains of East Africa.
  • Take some time to gather last minute souvenirs and bond with the friendly Nairobi natives.
• Day 10: Overnight Flight Home

  Kwaheri, marafiki!

  Translation: Goodbye, friends. Before you head to the airport, make sure to take one more group photo and grab that final drink. But this isn’t goodbye because you can always get the gang back together for another trip soon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a couple ways to keep your vacation going.

  EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

  1. Double the fun
  A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

  2. Go ahead or stay behind
  Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

  Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

• Day 11: Arrive Home