11 Days Big Five Encounters

Land in Nairobi, Kenya’s pulsating capital, and feel the thrill of your safari adventure begin. Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a luxurious hotel, where the city’s cosmopolitan charm unfolds. Explore bustling markets brimming with exotic fruits, delve into Kenya’s rich history at the National Museum, or venture to Nairobi National Park, an urban oasis teeming with wildlife. Savor sumptuous cocktails at a welcome dinner, your family buzzing with anticipation for the wild journey ahead.

Journey to Amboseli National Park, where Mount Kilimanjaro’s snow-draped peaks loom over golden plains. Check into a stunning lodge, its verandas framing elephants silhouetted against Africa’s highest mountain. Embark on afternoon private game drives in a 4 x 4, gasping as buffalo kick up dust and giraffes graze alongside zebras. Dawn and dusk drives reveal prowling lions and elusive black rhinos, while a Maasai village visit unveils ancient traditions, deepening your family’s connection to Kenya’s soul. At night, elephants wander past, their silhouettes a magical farewell under starlit skies.

Travel through Kenya’s lush hills to Mount Kenya, where jagged peaks pierce the sky. Settle into an elegant lodge overlooking a floodlit waterhole in the forested foothills. Relax on your private veranda as cape buffalo drink below, colobus monkeys swing through trees, and warthogs scamper past. The rustle of leaves signals new arrivals—raucous baboons or stealthy genets—keeping your family enthralled. As night falls, the waterhole’s glow reveals nocturnal visitors, a mesmerizing spectacle that sparks wonder.

Cross the equator for a iconic photo before arriving at Samburu National Reserve, a secluded haven along the palm-fringed Ewaso Ng’iro River. Check into the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge, surrounded by rare wildlife. Game drives reveal the Samburu Special Five—gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich—while leopards lurk in trees and Nile crocodiles patrol the river. Marvel at 350 bird species, from soaring eagles to hollering hornbills, as your family captures vibrant photos of this untamed paradise.

Enter Sweetwaters Game Reserve, a sanctuary boasting East Africa’s largest black rhino population. Watch these majestic creatures plod past your 4x4, their horns glinting in the sun, as your ranger shares conservation success stories. Explore via horseback, camel, or guided walks, spotting white rhinos, lions, and elephants. Visit the chimpanzee sanctuary and rhino information center for an enriching experience. At your thatched-roof tent, gaze over a floodlit waterhole, camera ready for nocturnal rhino visits, as the kids’ excitement fills the air.

Drive through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru, where a pink flamingo blanket shimmers against deep blue waters. Check into Lion Hill Lodge for clifftop views and embark on a game drive, spotting Rothschild giraffes, scurrying hyenas, and white rhinos. Over 400 bird species, from pelicans to tiny grebes, dazzle the senses. Savor a leisurely lunch overlooking the lake, then continue exploring before overnighting in Naivasha, the serene beauty of Nakuru lingering in your hearts.

Fly to Maasai Mara, where endless plains host the Great Migration’s thundering herds (July–October). Settle into an opulent lodge, its private balconies overlooking zebras and wildebeest. Long game drives reveal lion prides eyeing gazelles, leopards stalking in the grass, and playful hippos at muddy pools. The kids squeal as young elephants chase warthogs, while you capture iconic photos of the Big Five. Quiet lunches with sweeping views and nights filled with nature’s sounds make the Mara a fitting crescendo to your safari.

Savor a final morning game drive in the Mara, perhaps spotting a leopard’s stealthy climb. Fly back to Nairobi (15kg luggage limit) for a vibrant afternoon tour. Feast on exotic meats like crocodile at Carnivore Restaurant, explore Karen Blixen’s historic farm, and hand-feed Rothschild giraffes at the AFEW Center. A farewell dinner seals your adventure, as you reflect on Kenya’s wild wonders before transferring to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, hearts full of memories.