Kenya road trip: Maasai Mara, giraffes and Nakuru

The tour

This 21-day road trip starts in Nairobi and makes its base in Nakuru, the flamingo town, from where most excursions set off. Along the way: the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre, the dances of Kenya’s many peoples at the Bomas of Kenya, nights under canvas in the Maasai Mara with the Maasai, a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, Thompson Falls and Menengai Crater.

You travel as a group, supported by the local team: days of walking, evenings of board games, and a day of team challenges at the Fish Park Center. In a nearby conservancy, you track giraffes on foot with a ranger and learn to tell them apart, by name and by family.

For the final week, you join a local project in education, childcare, or construction and renovation. It is a way to round off the trip alongside local people, after two weeks of exploring the country. The tour suits adults and young travellers who want to take Kenya at its own pace, away from rushed itineraries.

What makes it different

Nights at a camp in the Maasai Mara
Tracking giraffes on foot with a ranger
Traditional dances at the Bomas of Kenya
Thompson Falls and Menengai Crater
A week on a local project

Day by day

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Airport welcome in Nairobi and transfer to the accommodation centre in Nakuru, where you spend the night.

Day 2: Elephants and giraffes

An introduction session on local culture, safety, health, transport and what to expect from the trip. Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, then the Giraffe Centre, where many giraffes are cared for. In the evening, rest or play board games with the group.

Days 3 and 4: Bomas of Kenya

An early start for the Bomas of Kenya, a cultural centre where members of many of Kenya’s peoples perform their traditional dances and music. The performances continue the next day, and you can talk with the dancers about their cultures.

Days 5 to 7: Maasai Mara

An excursion into the Maasai Mara National Reserve and its vast plains: lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles and wildebeest. Nights at a camp, and time with the Maasai, who share their dances, their jumps and a way of life handed down through generations.

Day 8: Nakuru

Back in Nakuru for a tour of the town: the local market, small curio shops and a view over the town. Nakuru is known as the “home of flamingos”.

Day 9: Team challenges at Fish Park Center

A day of team activities at the Fish Park Center, testing both strength and wits. The winning team gets a prize.

Day 10: Lake Naivasha

A one-hour drive to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride among the hippos basking in the water.

Day 11: Thompson Falls

A hike to Thompson Falls in Nyahururu, about an hour’s drive from the accommodation centre.

Days 12 and 13: On the giraffes’ trail

In a nearby conservancy, you walk with a ranger to find giraffes in the wild, learn their names and work out their families.

Day 14: Menengai Crater

An early start for Menengai Crater, which you explore with a trained guide who explains how it was formed.

Day 15: Rest day

A free day. In the evening, a briefing on the following week’s project.

Days 16 to 20: Local project

You join a community project in education, childcare, or construction and renovation.

Day 21: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

On site

Accommodation

You stay at the accommodation centre in Nakuru, the base for most excursions, and at a camp during your time in the Maasai Mara.

Meals

Meals are included throughout the tour.

Arrival

Arrive at Nairobi airport on day 1, where the team meets you and takes you to Nakuru. The return transfer to the airport is not included.

Included

Airport welcome and transfer
Accommodation in hostels and hotels
Meals
All activities described in the itinerary
24-hour assistance and supervision
Donation to the project

Not included

Flights
Travel and repatriation insurance
Return transfer to the airport

Kenya road trip tour