Kenya off the Beaten Path

Itinerary Highlights

Kenya offers an unprecedented blend of scenery and wildlife within its borders, providing the ideal grounds for outdoor lovers to explore and fall in love with. While the Masai Mara is perhaps its best known region (and certainly not to be missed), other national parks are equally extraordinary, capturing safari experiences of a bygone area with modern twists. Several camps and lodges throughout the various parks have gone above and beyond in their commitment to preserving the authentic Kenyan experience and protecting both wildlife and local communities. This itinerary celebrates these truly special places and the adventurous spirit each locale embodies and is perfect for either intrepid first-timers or enthusiasts looking for a twist on the classic safari experience. Charter flights throughout ensure not a moment is wasted in transit.

Go off the beaten path with this exhilarating journey through Kenya, beginning with a night to regenerate after your long travels in the idyllic outskirts of Nairobi at Hemingways. From there you’ll head to Amboseli National Park, known for its prolific elephant population and sensational views of Mount Kilimanjaro. At Tawi Lodge you’ll experience your first taste of the East African bush in this eclectic property boasting its own private conservancy overlooking a waterhole bustling with wildlife. Next you’ll fly to Loisaba, a remote conservancy situated on the edge of the Northern Laikipia Plateau. Here you’ll enjoy the infinite charm of Sabuk, an intimate lodge offering perhaps one of the most diverse safari experiences in Kenya. From camel rides to bush walks with local Samburu guides to river tubing, the adventures at Sabuk are limitless. Your final destination will be to the crown jewel of Big Five safari: the Masai Mara. Located in the true heart of the Mara along the Tarek River, Enaidura Camp is the perfect base for safari enthusiasts keen to spend their last days in Kenya spotting extraordinary predator populations and other plains game with the country’s top rated guides, who also proudly double as the camp’s owners.

Daily Itinerary

Welcome to Kenya! Upon arrival to Nairobi’s international airport you will be met by our representative who will escort you just beyond city limits to the sprawling estate Hemingways Nairobi calls home. Overlooking the Ngong Hills and neighboring Karen Blixen’s historic home, Hemingways is the perfect respite for overseas travelers in need of a good night’s rest prior to a safari adventure.

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the world, each of the property’s 45 luxury suites provides stunning views of the Ngong Hills in addition to private butlers. Guests can enjoy relaxation at the pool or spa, or time-permitting, consider visiting some of Nairobi’s most notable destinations including Nairobi National Park and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Given its proximity, a quick visit to the Karen Blixen Museum can also be easily arranged.

Overnight at Hemingways (no meals included)

Following breakfast you’ll head to nearby Wilson Airport where you’ll board your quick flight to Amboseli. Upon landing you’ll be met by your guide from Tawi Lodge who will take you inside the 6,000 acre private conservancy where this truly exceptional property resides, five minutes from the Kimana Gate along the eastern boundary of the national park.

With just 13 en-suite cottages, Tawi Lodge provides its guests with an intimate experience centered upon authenticity and sustainability. Each cottage boasts views of Mount Kilimanjaro, enjoyed from the privacy of the cottage’s private verandas or even from its soaking tub. Tawi’s gardens provide an oasis in the dry landscape of the Amboseli region and the property’s onsite waterhole ensure you won’t have to venture very far to experience wildlife.

In addition to traditional game drives (offered both during daytime and evening), you’ll spend your days exploring one of the most unique landscapes in Kenya as you takes guided nature walks, bird walks, camel rides and bush meals. Before and after dinner, relax by the campfire, or at our very special “mobile” bush bar. Listen to the magical sounds of the savanna under the spectacular African sky where the stars seem brighter than anywhere else.

The elephants are no doubt the kings of Amboseli, thanks to both their abundance as well as their physical size; Amboseli’s elephants are considered to be among the largest in the country. They can often be spotted cooling off in water alongside hippos. A large resident population of wildebeest and Burchell’s zebra can also be found within the park. Plains game such as Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, buffalo, warthog, black rhino, Maasai giraffe, impala, waterbuck and dik-dik are also abundant, as are Baboons and vervet monkeys, found primarily in the scarce woodlands. Lions, spotted hyenas, wild cats, jackals and caracals make up the park’s predator species. There are more than 400 species of birds, including pelican, flamingo, kingfisher, African fish eagle, ibis, secretary bird, crowned crane, grey and Goliath herons, cattle egret, black-winged stilt, little grebe, Egyptian goose, martial eagle, pigmy falcon, Maasai ostrich, marabou stork, white-backed vulture, lappet-faced vulture, yellow-necked spurfowl, kori bustard, hornbills and many others. The park gathers a big population of water birds after the rains.

Tawi Conservancy is considered last existing free and protected passage between the Amboseli and Chyulu ecosystems, important ancestral territories whose protection is essential for maintaining both wildlife and local communities. Big Life Foundation, in conjunction with the prestigious David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, helps to secure part of this corridor. Since its inception with its anti-poaching initial mission, Big Life has expanded to employ hundreds of Maasai rangers, with more than 40 permanent outposts and tent-based field units, 13 vehicles, tracker dogs, and aerial surveillance, protecting 2 million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem of East Africa. A stay at Tawi Lodge contributes to this effort thanks to the conservancy fee included in your rate, which goes toward management and wildlife protection.

Overnight at Tawi Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Depart Amboseli and take off to Loisaba via Nairobi. Upon arrival you’ll be met by your guide who will take you on your first game ride, a 30 minute drive from the airstrip to the lodge.

Sabuk, which remains a family home, offers wilderness and stunning views of the Laikipia plains towards Mount Kenya, as well as the Karisa Hills and Mathews Mountains in the North. An exclusive wilderness on the remote northern edge of the Laikipia Plateau, perched on a cliff overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River, which cascades beneath the lodge all year round.

Sabuk boasts six spacious open-fronted stone & thatched cottages with private verandas and breathtaking views. Two larger family cottages as well as Eagle Cottage, an exclusive use property, are also available. The Sabuk experience is defined by its exhilarating activities and cultural heartbeat. Spend your days climbing the rocky terrain abound and majestic nights out under starry skies. Because Sabuk resides on private land, you are free (and encouraged) to get out of your safari vehicle and explore Africa up close and on foot, without rush or the noise of engines. Rather than just viewing Kenya as a spectator, you will become a part of it. In addition to twice-daily game drives and guided walks, your stay will include bush breakfasts & picnic lunches on the river banks, hilltop sundowners, cultural visits, line fishing, river swimming, tubing the rapids & rock jumping (seasonal). Sabuk is also famous for its camel safaris, having been one of the first lodges in East Africa to offer this unique experience. The owner of the lodge also has three hardy Somali ponies and horseback riding can be arranged at an additional cost.

Wildlife such as the Greater Kudu, lion, elephant, buffalo and the elusive African Wild dog are all inhabitants of Sabuk, along with a remarkable variety in bird species. the best safari experience is one where you allow the bush to completely envelop you, accompanied by your seasoned and experienced local guides eager to share their deep knowledge with you.

Overnight at Sabuk Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

On your last morning at Sabuk you’ll return to the airstrip and fly directly to the Masai Mara.

Enaidura Mobile Camp is the migratory home of legendary guides. Enaidura means migration in the Maa language, a perfectly suited name to this camp situated along the Talek River near its confluence with the Mara River. Considered the absolute heart of the Masai Mara, this area is unrivaled for observing big cats and is just a few minutes away from the main migration river crossing points. The camp is known for its night noises with lions and hyenas frequently broadcasting in the area.

Enaidura is the ideal camp for safari purists. The camp delivers the classic Under Canvas safari dream, providing an intimate experience, and featuring flexible service that caters around the serious emphasis on wildlife viewing that our top guides demand.

Legendary guides, Johnson Ping'ua Nkukuu (aka Ping) and Paul Kirui, are owners of Enaidura. Both were named to the Conde Nast Top 25 Guides in Africa list. Paul is the Chariman of the Kenya Guides Association and guided filmmakers for the BBC's Big Cat Diaries and Disney Natures African Cats. Ping is known for his extraordinary ability to locate big cats and predict their behaviors. The camp utilizes the finest open sided vehicles in the Mara.

On your final day you’ll be transported back to the airstrip where you’ll board a flight to your final destination.

Overnight at Enaidura Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• 8 nights accommodations as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)

• All meals and non-premium brand drinks (excluding Day 1)

• All flights and ground transfers between lodges

• Twice daily game drives with English speaking naturalist guide (where applicable) throughout

• Lodge-specific activities as described

• All national park and entrance fees required

We love this itinerary for those looking to blend adventure and authenticity into their safari. The luxury of each of these lodges and camps comes from their unrivaled locations, impeccable design, unique excursions and the exclusivity and intimacy of the experiences provided. This is not a cookie cutter safari and while the properties are certainly not inexpensive we find they offer impressive value relative to the competition.

Kenya Off the Beaten Path is ideal for couples, friends or families. It is an excellent fit for safari enthusiasts as well as Africa first timers looking for something unique and more interactive. The ideal dates of travel would be June through early November during Kenya’s dry season, particularly in the case of Enaidura Camp if you are interested in witnessing the Great Migration of wildebeest. Though timing can vary, the wildebeest are generally crossing into the Masai Mara in August and September and return south to Tanzania toward late October. With that said, the Mara has exceptional wildlife year-round, perhaps with the exception of April and May when seasonal rains pick up. There is shorter dry season in January through February, also occurring in Amboseli and Laikipia.

This itinerary pairs well with additional national parks in Kenya such as Samburu or Tsavo West. It is also very easily combined with Tanzania; you can easily transfer from the Masai Mara to nearby Serengeti and from there visit additional spots such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. A few nights at the beach also pair perfectly with Diani Beach on Kenya’s coast, as well as nearby Zanzibar or Seychelles.