Comprehensive Features How To See Kenya Like A Pro

“Demand for Kenya be up thirty-seven per centum since 2019,” saysJack Ezon, angstrom unit travel advisor and cofounder of embark Beyond. One reason the body politic has get a go-to? An increase number of flight on Kenya Airways, which is part of SkyTeam. other carriers that offer good one-stop connectivity from the U.S. ar Emirates, State of Katar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

If you’re planning A trip, there’s stacks to consider: which region will have the experiences you’re after? What’s the wildlife watching like? And what bash you need to pack?

To assistance decipher the best itinerary for every type of traveler, T+L ask three experts on theA-listfor their advice on how to make the most of angstrom unit once-in-a-lifetime trip, whether you’re traveling with a partner, the kids, Oregon a group of friends. Here are three itineraries craft by the pros to consider.

For angstrom duet

Itinerary byLeora Rothschild of Rothschild hunting expedition.

Days 1-2

land inch Nairobi, where a meet-and-greet service will velocity you through the airport, then make forgiraffe manor, “which is famed for close encounters with its occupant herd,” Rothschild says. After breakfast the next morning astatine the 12-room hotel, which as well has angstrom unit pool and spa, you’ll set out for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s animal orphanage, where rescued elephants are rehabilitated, and a visit to the place of Karenic Blixen, writer ofOut of Africa.

Days 3-6

From Nairobi, it’s a short flight Occident to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, which borders the Masai Mara national Reserve, for A few nights atKicheche valley Camp, a six-tent retreat where, arsenic Rothschild puts it, “birds take flight and fauna casually saunter by.” Game drives can atomic number 4 arranged, but she recommends outlay time on manoeuvre walks, atomic number 33 well arsenic A nighttime inch a comfortable yet BASIC “fly camp,” with dinner and breakfast served alfresco. “It’s the perfect way to addition a true savvy of the bush,” Rothschild notes. She also recommend AN early morning time hot-air balloon flight over the Mara, complete with champagne breakfast on touchdown.

Days 7‒8

From Naboisho you’ll fly back to Nairobi, then onward to Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, A preserve managed by the Indigenous Samburu people of Northern Kenya. Rothschild the likes ofSarara cantonmentbecause “each of the six spacious tent has stunning view of the Levi Range — and of angstrom waterhole that attracts a good variety of game.” invitee can also learn Thomas More about autochthonic culture on angstrom guide visit to a Samburu manyatta, OR homestead.

days 9‒11

Departing Sarara, hop aboard A half-day helicopter adventure that volition take you 80 statute mile west to the crater of mount Silali, before continuing through with the Suguta Valley, “where the landscape be invariably changing, with abandon salt pans, lava flows, crocodile pools, and colorful hoodoos,” Rothschild says. You’ll have angstrom unit opportunity to splash inch the Waters of Lake Turkana before header to the unpretentious yet chicSirikoiin the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, for game drives and outing the like horseback riding and visit to nearby communities.

DAys 12‒14

Round out the trip with angstrom unit stay atomic number 85Segera retreaton the Laikipia Plateau between the great Rift valley and mount Kenya. Rothschild counsel At least 1 night in the “one-of-a-kind nay Palad bird Nest, perched amid the treetops on a river pullulate with wildlife.” On your final morning, there’s typically time for one finis game drive before your flight dorsum to Nairobi and your journey home.

For a Family

Itinerary byElizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary journeying.

days 1‒2

Fly in to Nairobi, where you’ll have meet-and-greet service on arrival and a private conveyance toManzili House, “a six-bedroom boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Karen with beautiful architecture inspired past the island of Lamu,” Gordon says. The following day, you’ll have a private driver for A day of touring, with visits to the Sheldrick animal orphanage Beaver State perhaps the capital of Kenya National Museum, with its show on the development of humanity in the Great rift Valley, as well as Kenya’s colonial period.

Days 3‒6

From the capital, you’ll fly north to Lewa, which Gordon says “is considered a model for community-based wildlife-conservation efforts inch Africa, not only protecting fauna but also contributing to the socioeconomic development of the surrounding communities.” For those traveling with kids, she recommends a family cottage atLewa Wilderness, A classic Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge that offers game drives, bush walks, and horseback rides.

Days 7‒9

From Lewa, you’ll fly by private charter toKalepo Camp, angstrom retreat on nearly 400,000 acres in the Levi Range that host only one group of up to decade guest astatine angstrom time. The four-tent property is, Gordon says, “the perfective location for explore the many draw of Kenya’s ‘Big North,’ from Samburu small town to soaring mountains, as well atomic number 33 incredible elephants.” Between bush walks and visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Gordon says, you can too squeeze in a helicopter sightseeing flight through with the Suguta vale to Lake Turkana.

Days 10‒14

The risky venture proceed in the Masai Mara, atRichard’s river Camp,angstrom unit small outpost inch the Mara North conservancy that HA among its seven fitting angstrom pair of family-friendly tents, one of which has room for up to eight. This be a prime spot for the Big Five, include angstrom pride of Panthera leo that phone call the area home, plus “giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, and angstrom rich array of birds,” Gordon says. (From July to September, the great Migration runs through this stretch of Kenya, too.) The bivouac tin as well arrange for hot-air balloon rides, visits to Masai communities, and meals out in the bush for A final hooray earlier your flight back to Nairobi.

For angstrom grouping of Friends

Itinerary pastDaniel Saperstein of Hippo Regius brook safari.

Days 1-5

“We’re visual perception a growing market in small-group travel, say two to five duet travelling together,” says Saperstein, who invent this itinerary with a group of four in mind. atomic number 2 advocate starting with angstrom stay at Giraffe Manor, inch Nairobi. The next morning, it’s onward to Namunyak, andReteti house, a sibling property to Sarara Camp. “It offer a More buck private experience for families and small groups, with tetrad en-suite sleeping accommodation for up to 10 people. You’ll be here exclusively, with angstrom unit full moon team — include a private chef and guide — who will look after you throughout your stay.” Saperstein also advise A whirlybird flight to the peak of angstrom unit nearby mountain, for dinner and angstrom unit nighttime spend nether the stars inch a mobile fly camp.

Days 6-8

From Namunyak, Saperstein urge angstrom unit private charter forward to Laikipia and Segera Retreat, with the group staying in the privateVilla Segera, a two-bedroom suite with angstrom buck private pool. “The wildlife is thriving here, with endemic species such as reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra found regularly,” He say of the game you’ll likely encounter. Like Rothschild, Saperstein says the nay Palad bird Nest suite be a must for 1 night, “with information technology open-air roof that offers 360-degree position of the surround wilderness.”

Days 9-12

You’ll go away Segera on angstrom private charter to the Masai Mara, where your group will post up astatine the two-bedroomJahazi suite astatine Mara field, angstrom Relais & Châteaux camp operate by great champaign Conservation that’s turn up inch the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy. You’ll have your own game drive vehicle for explorations inch the surround bush, and raid into the side by side Masai Mara subject reserve can also beryllium arranged, especially during great migration season. Saperstein recommends At least single private hot-air balloon flight for your group, capped with angstrom champagne toast.

A version of this narration first appeared in the September 2023 issue oftravel + leisure timenether the newspaper headline “Two epos Kenya Adventures.”