Mystical (13 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.

• Elephant Orphanage
• Play with Elephants (**Signature Luxury Tour only)
• Nairobi National Park Safari

Your first morning in Kenya will begin with a heartwarming visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.  Here we will watch the babies eat, frolic, and roll in the mud.  There is a small rope that separates us but the babies love affection so they’ll walk alongside the rope munching on branches and letting you give them some love. 

**If you bought the Signature Luxury Tour, we are given a specific time – and a special access pass – to go inside their area and play with the baby elephants. You’ll be able to interact with them, hug them, and shower them with love and attention.

The orphanage is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants, and you’ll learn about the incredible work being done to protect these magnificent creatures. If a particular elephant touches your heart, you’ll have the opportunity to “adopt” it for a year. If you choose to do so, you will receive monthly updates about your elephant. This makes for a wonderful souvenir or a thoughtful gift for a fellow elephant enthusiast.

The elephant orphanage is located within Nairobi National Park, so after our time with the elephants, we will hop into the Land Cruiser and embark on our first safari adventure! Inside the park, you’ll get your first glimpse of animals roaming freely in the wild. Despite its proximity to the city, the park is home to elephants, rhinos, hippos, and even lions. In some areas, you can see the contrasting cityscape in the background, which makes for thought-provoking photos and discussions. All of these animals, including the elephants, are listed as endangered species. To combat poaching, Kenya became a non-hunting country in 1977. In 2016, a poignant site within the park witnessed approximately 16,000 ivory tusks and 343 rhino horns burned—a powerful statement affirming that these animals are worth more alive than dead.

After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The Classic Tour is a 4 hour drive through the diverse Kenyan country side. **Our Signature Luxury tour includes a flight from Nairobi to the conservancy for more time spent at the conservancy.  

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 night 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.” So, today there is the option to hike to the vantage point that inspired “Pride Rock.” Since not everyone loves to hike, it is optional. While standing on the 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 is an optional experience. The spa is modern and well-equipped, with plenty of lounge chairs available if you prefer to relax outside of the water.

This natural hot spring is the perfect place to unwind. The warm, mineral-rich waters are soothing and therapeutic, helping to relieve sore muscles while you enjoy the serene surroundings. It’s a great way to connect with nature in a rejuvenating and relaxing way. As a public spa, it may be busy or it may be quite empty during our visit. There are three pools, with the main one large enough to comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a magical sunset by the lake with the hippos. Just before sunset, we’ll watch as the hippos emerge from the waters to graze on the shores – giving us the perfect opportunity to observe them up close. 

The combination of beautiful scenery and incredible wildlife will make this a day to remember!

This morning, we’ll be traveling into Maasai lands. We’ll make a stop in the Maasai town of Narok, where you’ll get a glimpse of a small yet bustling town in action.

Narok county 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 is to buy some food and/or animals and pay school fees for several families in need. Another way is through the school system itself. 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 struggle 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.

If we are giving to a school, 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 before we deliver them, including soccer balls.

(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.)