Example Retreat (9 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.

• (Group meet with ice breakers)
• Nairobi National Park Safari  (9am to 2p)
• Elephant Orphanage – play with the babies  (3-4p)
• Drive to Lake Naivasha  (4-6p)
• (Evening time before or after dinner)

Our first activity in Kenya will naturally be a Safari!  After breakfast, we’ll hop into the Land Cruiser and go on our first adventure around the National Park where 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 is where approximately 16,000 ivory tusks and 343 rhino horns were burned—a powerful statement to the world affirming that these animals are worth more to everyone alive than dead.

In the afternoon, we’ll head over for our heartwarming visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.  Here we will watch the babies eat, frolic, and roll in the mud.  We’ll have a 3 o’clock time slot where we’ll actually be able to interact with the babies one on one.  This truly is a once in a lifetime experience and someone you will cherish for always!  (It often sells out 2 years in advance and is worth $1500.)

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. And if a particular elephant touches your heart, you’ll have the opportunity to “adopt” it for a year where you will receive monthly updates about your elephant. This makes for a wonderful souvenir or a thoughtful gift for a fellow elephant enthusiast.

After the giraffes, we’ll make our way over to Lake Naivasha where we’ll be spending the next couple of days. 

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.” The trail takes under an hour each way and is mildly to moderately challenging, but highly rewarding. 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. 

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 also 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.

In the evening we’ll enjoy a magical sunset with a surprise.  As the sun is setting, the hippos emerge from the waters to graze on the shores, offering a wonderful opportunity to observe them up close and safely. 

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Narok town. Narok is where we will deliver our humanitarian gift and have some culture immersion with the Maasai tribe. O.D.’s family farm is close by in the beautiful mountains so a part of the day will be spent there.  As we drive up to the farm, we’ll stop in for a visit with his great-aunt.  She is in her 80’s and wears her traditional Maasai clothing and jewelry daily. She also lives in a dung/mud hut that we’ll able to see inside.

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 most of 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.

While we’re up there, OD will take you for a mini hike “into the bush” and show you the different types of flora they use for hygiene and medicines.  

We’ll also have a local Maasai healer come and perform a healing on the group. 

Afterwards, we’ll complete our drive to the Maasai Mara where we’ll spend the next two days on Safari.

After an incredible adventure through Kenya, we’ve reached your very last day. There are a few last adventures to be had before we say our goodbyes.

First we’ll visit The National Museum of Kenya. This museum 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 here is the body of Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino.  There’s a great little restaurant here where we’ll have our lunch. 

Afterwards we’ll go feed the Giraffes.  The Giraffe Center is a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and breeding of the endangered Rothschild giraffe. You’ll have the chance to feed them from the palm of your hand or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can get a giraffe “kiss of luck,” where the giraffe gently takes a treat from your lips! Their heads will be at eye level, providing fantastic opportunities for selfies and close-up interactions. 

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

Our final stop of the day, and our trip, 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!