Best of Kenya by Air

Your Kenya safari begins the moment you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. A representative greets you and assists with immigration before providing a short safari briefing. You’re then transferred to your first accommodation, the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages, located in the peaceful, upscale suburb of Karen.

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, sits along the Nairobi River and stands as East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city. It’s a popular launch point for safari adventures across the country. As the fourth-largest city in Africa, Nairobi offers a dynamic mix of culture, nightlife, and history. Top attractions include the Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, and a thriving café scene. Just 20 minutes from the city center, you’ll find Nairobi National Park—home to wild lions and buffalo in the world’s only urban game reserve. Don’t miss a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for a truly memorable experience.

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages is located near the Karen Blixen Museum and close to the Karen Golf and Country Club. This boutique hotel features spacious en-suite cottages set in a serene garden with large trees and abundant birdlife. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and access to nearby shops and restaurants. The property is ideal for a restful start to your Kenya safari and offers convenient access to Nairobi’s key attractions.

Start your day with an early breakfast before your transfer to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Board your scheduled domestic flight to Amboseli National Park, departing at 07:30 hrs and arriving at 08:05 hrs. On arrival, you are met by your guide and head straight into the park for a morning game drive—prime time for spotting wildlife before the heat sets in.

Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s top wildlife destinations, best known for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The open plains, swamps, and acacia woodland support a variety of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, buffalo, zebra, and Maasai giraffes. Birdwatchers will also enjoy the abundant birdlife around the swamps and lakes. A stop at Observation Hill offers panoramic views of the landscape and is ideal for photography.

After your game drive, arrive at Tawi Lodge for check-in and lunch. Located in a private conservancy near the park, the lodge offers eco-friendly luxury with ensuite cottages, private decks, and views of the mountain. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon before heading out on an evening game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Enjoy a full day of game drives in Amboseli National Park, focusing on the park’s diverse habitats and rich wildlife. Morning and afternoon safaris give you the chance to spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of bird species in their natural environment.

In between drives, return to Tawi Lodge to relax and recharge. This day is all about maximizing your time in the wild, with expert guides helping you navigate the landscape and track key animal sightings.

After an early breakfast, you transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, departing at 08:15 and arriving at 08:50. You then connect to your flight to Nanyuki, departing at 10:00 and arriving at 11:00. Upon arrival, you're met by a driver for your transfer to The River Camp inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where you check in and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive in Ol Pejeta. Located at the foothills of Mount Kenya, this conservancy is one of Kenya’s top wildlife destinations. It’s home to the Big Five and the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos. You'll also see chimpanzees, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife as you explore this leading conservation area.

Stay at The River Camp, a boutique eco-camp set along the Ngobit River. Each luxury tent features an ensuite bathroom and private deck. The camp also offers a dining tent, bar, library, and a pool.

Spend two full days exploring the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary and home to the Big Five. Morning and afternoon game drives give you the chance to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and more in their natural habitat. Included is a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya.

For a deeper experience, you can opt to join lion tracking, dog tracking, or visit the last two remaining northern white rhinos—all available at an additional cost, payable directly at the camp.

After breakfast, you check out and transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Mara North Conservancy. Your flight departs at 11:15 AM and arrives at 1:15 PM. Upon landing, you’re met by a camp representative and transferred to Karen Blixen Camp for check-in and lunch.

In the afternoon, you set out for your first game drive in Mara North Conservancy. This private wildlife area borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve and offers some of the best safari experiences in Kenya. You explore open plains and riverine forests where wildlife thrives year-round. Sightings may include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra. With fewer vehicles allowed in the conservancy, you enjoy more intimate and uninterrupted game viewing.

After the game drive, return to camp to relax and enjoy dinner by the river.

Overnight at Karen Blixen Camp, a luxury tented camp set along the Mara River in Mara North Conservancy. It offers views of the river and the surrounding wildlife. The camp combines the charm of classic safari style with modern comfort. Facilities include a dining area, bar lounge, and eco-friendly amenities. The location provides direct access to prime game viewing areas in the Mara ecosystem.

After breakfast, you set out for a full-day game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve, carrying picnic lunches for the day. This iconic reserve is world-renowned for its incredible wildlife density and natural beauty. If you're traveling between July and October, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, where over a million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move across the plains in search of greener pastures.

Throughout the day, you have the chance to spot large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, and more. The open savannah and river crossings offer excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and up-close game viewing.

In the late afternoon, return to Karen Blixen Camp to relax, freshen up, and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive across Mara North Conservancy, one of Kenya’s top safari destinations. This is the best time to catch wildlife at its most active, including the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard—along with a variety of plains game. You can also choose from optional activities such as guided bush walks or cultural visits to a local Maasai village (extra cost applies).

Return to Karen Blixen Camp for a relaxed lunch and downtime. In the afternoon, venture out for another game drive, offering a final opportunity to spot any animals you may have missed. Wildlife sightings often include giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and more.

After breakfast, you check out from Karen Blixen Camp and transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi, departing at 11:15 AM and arriving at 1:00 PM. On arrival, you are met and driven to Karen Blixen Coffee Garden for a relaxing lunch stop before your international journey.

Note: Baggage allowance is 15 Kg/33Ibs in soft-sided bags. A fee for any excess baggage is charged by the airline at check-in.

Later in the afternoon, you are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your Kenya safari experience.