14 days Kenya: The Big Five & The Beach

As you step out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a member of our Africa Safari Trips team or a hotel driver greets you with a big smile: ‘Karibu Kenya – welcome to Kenya!’ He brings you straight to your hotel to relax and, along the way, you get your first impressions of vibrant Nairobi. The next day, your guide takes you on an exclusive, private safari that allows you to travel at your own pace. Let the adventure begin!

The Ol’ Pejeta Conservancy is a protected area set up for endangered species. For rhino lovers, this is a pure heaven on earth with a population of more than 100 black rhinos, almost 40 southern white rhinos AND the last two remaining northern white rhinos worldwide. These white rhinos can even be visited up close! Besides rhinos, the conservancy hosts endangered species like the African wild dog, the oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest and Grévy’s zebra, and houses a sanctuary for abused or orphaned chimpanzees.

Samburu National Reserve is a great place the first half of your safari adventure, with a dry semidesert and savannah landscape that allows for far sights and lots of animals. It is home to the Northern Five also called the Samburu Special Five – five rare animals that can only be spotted together in Samburu. The central Ewaso Nyiro River makes for a great spot to see all these animals, while just outside the park you can meet the fascinating Samburu tribe, and observe their special way of living.

The Solio Game Reserve is a privately owned and very special wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, the former ranch is dedicated to saving and protecting rhinos in Kenya. Enjoy thrilling game drives, guided walks and serene picnics amidst the picturesque scenery and not only marvel at the grey giants, but also animals like buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elands, oryx, impala, waterbucks, Thomson’s gazelles and warthogs.

Lake Naivasha is a stunning freshwater lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley, sitting 1,884 meters above sea level and covering 139 square kilometres. It’s home to hippos, diverse fish species, and over 400 bird species, including the iconic African fish eagle, pelicans, and herons, making it a paradise for wildlife and birdwatching enthusiasts. Visitors can take boat rides to glide past hippos and explore the lake’s rich ecosystem up close. Don’t miss Crescent Island, a scenic peninsula reachable by boat. There, you can walk alongside giraffes, warthogs, and buffalo.

Take an amazing road trip to arguably the world’s most famous safari destination, then spend a full day discovering its stunning landscapes and wildlife. If you decide to sleep at the Zebra Plains Safari Camp (our silver accommodation), you will end the first day on a high note with a walking safari. If you opt for our gold or platinum accommodation, you skip the walking safari but sleep right in the heart of the Masai Mara.

It’s now time to rest by the ocean! Once back in Nairobi, you fly to the outstretched and white beaches of Diani, the perfect location for beach holidays. Longing for a tropical island retreat? Then step it up to platinum and stay on Chale Island – just off the coast it offers an amazing design hotel that pampers to all your needs.

Stretching along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast like a ribbon of brilliant white, Diani Beach is a gorgeous setting for a beach holiday. Against the backdrop of forests echoing with the sounds of wildlife, it offers clear blue waters, white palm fringed beaches, and many watersports activities. Here you can swim along sandbanks, snorkel among colourful reefs, dive in deep sea canyons, or try out kitesurfing or supping. And for those in need of a dash of culture, the vibrant city of Mombasa is not far away!

This is your last day! Unfortunately, our driver will have to take you to Mombasa to catch your flight home from Moi International Airport. Sad to leave…? Then don’t worry! We can still add a few more days on those beautiful beaches or even add a few exciting safari days to your holiday!