21 Days Northern Wilderness, Wildlife & Beach Overland
Trip Highlights
Detailed Itinerary Breakdown
Week 1: Untamed Meru, Samburu & The Northern Desert Frontier
Day 1: Nairobi to Meru National Park (Born Free Country)
07:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Pick up from Nairobi and scenic drive northeast through agricultural highlands.
12:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Check-in and hot lunch at Elsa’s Kopje Lodge built into the Mughwango Hill.
04:00 PM – 06:30 PM: Afternoon game drive across lush riverbanks tracking leopards, rhinos, and elephants.
Day 2: Meru National Park River Systems & Wilderness Tracking
06:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning game drive crossing Tana River tributaries and palm-domed grasslands.
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Visit Adamson’s Falls and tracking lion prides. Overnight at Elsa’s Kopje Lodge.
Day 3: Meru to Samburu National Reserve
08:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Drive northwest crossing the Ewaso Nyiro basin into Samburu ecosystem.
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Check-in and lunch at Elephant Bedroom Camp.
04:00 PM – 06:30 PM: Evening game drive tracking the 'Samburu Special Five' along riverine forests.
Day 4: Samburu Wildlife & Cultural Immersion
06:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning game drive tracking Grevy’s zebras and reticulated giraffes.
03:30 PM – 06:00 PM: Guided Samburu Manyatta cultural visit. Overnight at Elephant Bedroom Camp.
Day 5: Northern Frontier Expedition to Marsabit
07:30 AM – 01:00 PM: Overland expedition north through rugged lava terrains and desert scrubland.
02:00 PM – 03:30 PM: Lunch stop in Marsabit town.
04:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Explore Marsabit National Park crater lakes (Dirib Gombo). Overnight at Marsabit Lodge.
Day 6: Crossing the Chalbi Desert to Lake Turkana (The Jade Sea)
06:30 AM – 01:00 PM: Travel across the striking white sands and basalt lava fields of the Chalbi Desert.
02:30 PM – 06:00 PM: Arrive at the shores of Lake Turkana, check-in, and sunset shoreline walk. Overnight at Oasis Lodge (Loyangalani).
Day 7: Lake Turkana El Molo Culture & Desert Oasis
08:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Cultural excursion visiting the unique El Molo community (Kenya's smallest ethnic group).
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Boat ride on the Jade Sea and desert landscape photography. Overnight at Oasis Lodge.
Week 2: Great Rift Valley Lakes & The Maasai Mara Savannah
Day 8: Turkana South through Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha
06:00 AM – 02:00 PM: Long south-bound transit journey through the Rift Valley corridor.
03:30 PM Onward: Check-in and relaxation at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Day 9: Lake Naivasha Boat Safari & Crescent Island Walk
08:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Motorized boat safari among hippo pods and fish eagles.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Guided walking safari on Crescent Island among roaming giraffes and zebras.
03:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Optional bicycle tour of Hell's Gate gorges. Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Day 10: Naivasha to Maasai Mara Game Reserve
08:00 AM – 01:30 PM: Drive southwest across the floor of the Rift Valley up to the Loita Plains.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM: First game drive in the legendary Maasai Mara. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 11: Maasai Mara Big Cat Tracking
06:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Early morning game drive targeting lion prides, cheetahs, and leopards.
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Afternoon savannah tracking along the Mara River ecosystem. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 12: Maasai Mara River Exploration
08:00 AM – 03:00 PM: Full-day game drive with picnic lunch boxes near the wildebeest migration channels.
04:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Evening game tracking. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 13: Maasai Mara Cultural Experience
08:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Authentic Maasai village visit with traditional songs and homestead tours.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Sunset game drive tracking rhinos and elephant herds. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 14: Maasai Mara Leisure & Optional Balloon Safari
05:30 AM – 08:30 AM: Optional sunrise hot air balloon safari with champagne bush breakfast.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Relaxed afternoon game drive. Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Week 3: Amboseli, Tsavo East & Indian Ocean Coastline
Day 15: Maasai Mara to Amboseli National Park
07:00 AM – 03:00 PM: Scenic transfer drive southeast toward the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
04:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Evening elephant tracking game drive. Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge.
Day 16: Amboseli Kilimanjaro Vistas & Observation Hill
06:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning game drive capturing clear views of snow-capped Kilimanjaro peaks.
03:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Ascend Observation Hill for swamp panoramas. Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge.
Day 17: Amboseli to Tsavo East National Park
08:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Drive across volcanic plains into Tsavo East National Park.
01:30 PM – 03:00 PM: Check-in and lunch at Voi Safari Lodge overlooking wildlife waterholes.
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Afternoon game drive tracking dust-red elephants and the Yatta Plateau.
Day 18: Tsavo East Mudanda Rock & Aruba Dam
06:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning game drive visiting Mudanda Rock and Aruba Dam.
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Sunset game drive tracking lions and giraffes. Overnight at Voi Safari Lodge.
Day 19: Tsavo East to Diani Beach
08:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Coastal transit drive from Tsavo down to the pristine white sands of Diani Beach.
02:00 PM Onward: Check-in and relax at Leopard Beach Resort & Spa.
Day 20: Diani Beach Coral Reef Snorkeling & Leisure
09:00 AM – 01:00 PM: Relaxation on white sand beaches or optional dhow snorkeling excursion.
03:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Beachfront leisure and resort spa treatment. Overnight at Leopard Beach Resort & Spa.
Day 21: Diani Coastal Farewell & Departure
09:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Final beach walk and souvenir shopping.
12:00 PM Onward: Transfer to Ukunda Airstrip / Moi International Airport (MBA) for your return flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
| Included | Excluded |
|---|---|
|
✓ All National Park, Reserve & Sanctuary Entry Fees across the 21-day circuit ✓ Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Expedition Vehicle with Pop-Up Roof & Unlimited Fuel ✓ 14 Nights Luxury Safari Lodges/Tented Camps & 6 Nights Luxury Beach Resort Accommodation ✓ Full Board Meal Plan on Safari + Half Board Plan at Beach Resort ✓ Professional KPSGA-Certified Tour Driver-Guide & Dedicated Expedition Manager ✓ Lake Naivasha Boat Safari & Guided Walking Safari on Crescent Island ✓ Cultural Village Visits in Northern Kenya & Samburu Cultural Immersion ✓ AMREF Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Cover & Complimentary Bottled Water |
✗ International Flight Tickets & Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) ✗ Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari over Maasai Mara (approx. $450-$500 pps) ✗ Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks & Items of Personal Nature (Laundry, Souvenirs) ✗ Optional Water Sports, Scuba Diving & Marine Park Fees in Diani Beach ✗ Tips and Gratuities for Driver-Guides, Local Rangers & Hotel Staff |
