Circle of Life (15 Days)

Day 0 is set aside for traveling. Take a deep breath… you’re finally on your way to a magical destination! Experience wild animals surviving on the open savannah, marvel at the exotic views of Africa, play with a baby elephant, immerse yourself in authentic local culture, take part in a heartwarming humanitarian effort, and much more! You’re about to embark on a real-life African adventure filled with unforgettable moments and lifelong memories!

Day 1 is your arrival day. Karibu Kenya! (Welcome to Kenya!) Kenya has been rated the #1 tourist safari destination in the world for 10 years in a row! Being the land of The Lion King and the Great Migration, it’s easy to see why.

Once you’ve landed in Nairobi, Samuel (O.D.) and I (Shelly) will greet you at the airport in person. O.D. will be in full traditional Maasai attire (as shown in the picture below), and I will be the only blonde in the arrivals area. We’ll both be wearing Maasai shukas, the wrap I have on. In Nairobi, most people wear everyday street clothes, so seeing Maasai clothing is a special treat!

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, we’ll explore some local sites and give you your first taste of Kenya’s vibrant culture. If you arrive in the evening or feel the effects of travel, we’ll head straight to your hotel, where you can unwind and rest in preparation for the adventures ahead.

This morning, we’ll take the one-hour flight to Amboseli National Park. Once there, we’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the park—and the entire next day as well. Amboseli is dominated by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and is known for its large elephant herds that roam below. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and provides a stunning backdrop for both wildlife viewing and photography.

The contrast of savannah plains, acacia woodlands, and swamps adds to the beauty and mystery of the area. It offers a unique kind of safari and definitely makes a magical addition to any trip to Kenya. Amboseli is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with more than 400 bird species in the area. You can spot numerous raptors, water birds, and colorful migratory species around the seasonal swamps and lakes.

In the morning, we’ll take the 3 hr. flight from Amboseli to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy – the home of the last two Northern White Rhinos. 

Inside the conservancy, there is an equator marker, offering a unique opportunity to stand on the invisible line that divides the Earth in half between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It’s a fantastic spot for photos and a fun experience. If the sky is clear, you can even see Mt. Kenya in the backdrop.

Ol Pejeta is a wildlife sanctuary teeming with diverse animal life, so we’ll spend the afternoon on a safari exploring this incredible park. As we roam the landscape, we’ll have the chance to observe various animals and search for some of the rarer and more endangered species that inhabit the area, including the Grevy’s zebra and the African wild dog. The Grevy’s zebra, in particular, is quite unique. While it still has the classic black and white stripes, they are much closer together, making it a truly distinctive sight.

Part of our day will include a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary. Chimpanzees share an astounding 98.8% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest genetic relatives. This sanctuary is dedicated to providing a safe haven for rescued chimpanzees in need of protection. Although they are not native to Kenya, their endangered status makes it crucial to offer them a secure environment to ensure their survival.

In the evening, we’ll head to the lodge for a delicious meal while overlooking a waterhole. It’s anyone’s guess what animals might come for a drink as we relax and watch the sunset. There are benches on the lawn specifically for your viewing pleasure. (Don’t worry—a secure fence separates us from the waterhole, so you can relax comfortably while watching the animals drink and bathe.)

After nightfall, we’ll embark on a nighttime safari. The rules of a conservancy differ from those of a national park, making Ol Pejeta one of the few places in Kenya where nighttime safaris are allowed. With a spotlight and an expert Ol Pejeta guide, we’ll search for some of the more elusive animals that come out after sunset, such as aardvarks, zorillas, and bat-eared foxes. It can get cold at night, so be sure to wear layers and a beanie hat.

Ol Pejeta is a special place for multiple reasons, but most importantly, it is home to the last two Northern White Rhinos on the planet. Being in their presence is both a humbling and emotional experience. War, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict have taken a massive toll on these magnificent animals. They once roamed in the thousands but now there are only two. Unfortunately, the last male died in 2019, so these two rhinos are females—a mother and her daughter—and are the very last of their species. Science is working hard to try to save this species using sperm from the last two males, but there is no guarantee. Currently, the Northern White Rhino is officially labeled as “extinct.”  

There are designated times throughout the day when only small groups can enter their enclosure to see them. While we await our turn, we’ll go on a safari around the park.

Since this is the rhino day, we’ll go pay a visit to Baraka, the blind black rhino. He’s small and loves affection. The picture here of me and O.D. is with Baraka

In the evening, we’ll return to the waterhole for more delicious food and continued waterhole watching.

Naivasha is also home to Hell’s Gate National Park, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity. The park features an array of wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, baboons, and various other savannah animals roaming the plains. The towering cliffs and gorges provide a perfect backdrop for wildlife photography.

Inside the park, we’ll make several stops. Our first stop will be an obsidian wall formed from cooled volcanic lava, which highlights the park’s volcanic history. This black, glass-like rock wall is a geological wonder and a fascinating addition to our day’s journey.

Kenya inspired The Lion King movies; in Swahili, “Simba” even means “lion.” One of the optional excursions today is a hike to the vantage point that inspired “Pride Rock.” We’ll pose for a picture and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the gorge and forest below. The trail takes under an hour each way and is mildly to moderately challenging but highly rewarding.

After our hike, we’ll drive to the largest geothermal spa in Africa (located within the park), where you’ll have the opportunity to soak in the naturally heated waters. This natural hot spring is the perfect place to unwind. The warm, mineral-rich waters are soothing and therapeutic, allowing you to relax and relieve any sore muscles while enjoying the serene surroundings. It’s a great way to connect with nature in a rejuvenating and relaxing way.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a magical sunset dinner by the lake with the hippos. Just before sunset, you’ll see hippos emerge from the waters to graze on the shores, offering a wonderful opportunity to observe them up close. The combination of delicious food, beautiful scenery, and incredible wildlife will make this an evening to remember!

This morning, we’ll begin our 3.5-hour drive to the famous Maasai Mara. Along the route, we’ll stop in the Maasai town of Narok, where you’ll get a glimpse of a small yet bustling town in action.

Narok is where we will deliver our humanitarian gift. Kenya is still a developing country, and there are many ways we can help the local people. One of the ways we have chosen to assist is through the school system. The conditions in the schools are very basic: their toilet facilities are simple holes in the ground, and the children’s soccer balls are crafted from saran wrap and rubber bands. Many families are also struggling to pay the school fees needed for their children to stay in school. Despite these hardships, the spirit and resilience of the young students are truly inspiring.

It is very rare for tour companies to provide any type of humanitarian support.  We feel it is important, if not necessary, to contribute to the people and the communities that have welcomed us into their world.   Since we vary our schools to spread out our support, this may easily be the first time some of these children will have interacted with a foreigner.  While we’re there, you’ll have the opportunity to meet them and experience their joy and excitement at meeting you—their smiles and curiosity are truly heartwarming.

Funds for some basic supplies are already included in your tour price, ensuring that we can make a meaningful contribution to their education. However, if you feel moved to contribute more, your generosity is always welcome and greatly appreciated. 100% of any additional donations will go directly to the school and the children’s education.

Our company will contact a local school beforehand to find out what they are most in need of. We will have some supplies already gathered and will stop to collect a few more items, including soccer balls.

Afterwards, we’ll complete our drive to the Maasai Mara. This portion of the journey is one of my favorite routes for experiencing rural Maasai culture. You’ll see the Maasai herding their cows, sheep, and goats, and schoolchildren walking along the vast roadside, surrounded by nothing but trees and bush for miles.

(Since O.D. is a Maasai, we have the unique opportunity to let you delve deeper into the Maasai culture with authentic immersion experiences. Consider adding an extra day for activities such as enjoying a traditional meal in a Maasai home, visiting a great-grandmother in her mud hut, hiking into the bush to learn how the Maasai use plants for survival, and practicing Maasai spear throwing and bow and arrow shooting. Check out our “Maasai Culture Day” add-on.)

After an incredible adventure through Kenya, we’ve reached your very last day. 

The National Museum of Kenya features many fascinating exhibits such as the Cradle of Humankind, where you’ll find some of history’s oldest humanoid skulls; a comprehensive history of Kenya from pre-colonial times through colonialism to independence; and the Hall of Mammals, which showcases some of the rarest Kenyan animals in the world, including the pangolin. For bird enthusiasts, there’s a section dedicated to the hundreds of bird species found in East Africa, allowing you to appreciate their vibrant colors and diverse sizes up close. Also on display is the body of Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino.

If time allows, we will explore some of Nairobi’s many sights before we head to the airport.

Our final stop will be the airport. As we drive, we’ll review and share stories from the incredible journey we’ve experienced and the new friendships we’ve made. Asante Sana (Thank you very much)! We sincerely hope you had an amazing adventure with us. We look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures, laughter, memories, and fun in the future!