Going on a Kenya safari means visiting the birthplace of the traditional safari. The country offers some of the most endowed Big Five habitats on the planet with really imposing and iconic landscapes.
From our 5-day Kenya wildlife safari, we discovered that the Kenyan safari industry is well developed, with a plethora of hotels, tour operators, and transport providers effortlessly handling thousands of tourists each year.
Also, depending on the depth of your pockets, there are varied and affordable Kenya safari packages to choose from!
For those keen on a luxury Kenya safari, the country has a variety of camps that match the best boutique hotels in the world in terms of setting, service, and menu options. They provide experiences that cater to the high-end clientele’s stringent standards and preferences.
Transport options may range from flights from one destination to the next, to road transfers aboard luxurious safari Land Cruisers.
For those on a tighter budget, there are more budget friendly lodges and hotels. Budget travelers can also opt to hire small vehicles such as Toyota Probox, Mazda Demio, Nissan note, Toyota Probox, Honda fit, Toyota Vitz or SUVS to get around Kenya, and only use 4×4 safari land cruisers and safari vans for game drives. Below is a detailed breakdown of how our Kenya safari from Nigeria went down.
Day 1- Jetting into the country and transfer to Lake Naivasha
We took a flight from Lagos to Nairobi which lasted approximately five and a half hours.
Upon landing at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) we were met by a jovial fellow named Joseph, a driver who had been dispatched by our travel agent.
After introductions, Joseph offered to take us into the city of Nairobi for last minute shopping for personal items. But we assured him we were good to go. Onto the customized safari Land Cruiser we went- the car had luxurious high seats and panoramic windows.
We then embarked on a 122-kilometer trip to Naivasha and checked in at Sopa lodge. We had one hour to ourselves, freshened up and had refreshments before going on our first wildlife adventure.
We went on a boat excursion in the late afternoon where we got to see hippos, waterbucks, and a huge variety of birds up close.
The boat ride was followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island where we meandered among giraffes, zebras, and other calm, relaxed animals. The island has no predators, leaving the herbivores that call it home friendly to visitors.
Later, we visited two local artisans before stopping for lunch at a nearby restaurant. One of the artisans, known as Fired Earth Pottery, gave us a demonstration on how to create unique beautiful ceramic objects.
The other artisan was a local weaving cooperative group called Elementaita Weavers, which creates wonderful handwoven fabrics.
After the tour, we returned to our lodge for sundowners and dinner.
Day 2- Naivasha to Masai Mara – Maji Moto Maasai Camp
After a hearty breakfast at Sopa lodge, our driver Joseph picked us up and off we went on a 165 km trip to Maji Moto Maasai Culture Camp, where we met the Maasai people and got to learn about their daily lives and heritage.
Our time was spent interacting with locals, learning their customs, difficulties, and ways of adjusting to outside influences. The Maasai are among the top indigenous tribes in Africa who have managed to preserve their culture (including their way of dressing).
During the visit, we also got to walk around the plains and hills of the Masai Mara and were shown medicinal plants. We also indulged in a hot springs bath and were entertained with song, dance, and stories around a campfire.
Day 3- Transfer to Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
On the third day of our Kenya wildlife safari, things were about to get even more interesting.
We departed for the world famous Maasai Mara. Personally, I couldn’t wait to get there.
Being on a luxury Kenya safari, Joseph and his crew had booked us at the deluxe Angama camp, a lodge overlooking the Mara Triangle (which is the epicenter for the annual wildebeest migration).
The annual wildebeest migration, or the Great Migration as it is often called, consists of hundreds of thousands of animals.
Led by the wildebeest and zebra, the migration is one of the most exciting natural spectacles in the world. These beasts move into southern Kenya from Tanzania between June-October, plunging into the treacherous Mara River and braving the jaws of some of Africa’s largest crocodiles.
Meanwhile, predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and occasionally cheetahs follow the migration, adding to the drama as they keep an eye out for the sick, weak, or unsuspecting herbivores.
Day 4- Hot Air balloon safari and game drive
We woke up to a cacophony of sounds of the East African bush, which included the roar of a lion in the distance or the calm voices of local birds. Our day began with a hot air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast and later on a game drive.
As we set off in the giant balloon, we learnt that the best part is that hot air balloons sail over all areas. That meant that we could access areas of the reserve that are otherwise restricted to vehicles!
The altitude of our balloon ride varied throughout your journey; and we would occasionally soar high above the plains and see for miles, and other times, we stayed closer to the ground for up-close views of the animals.
Later, we went on a game drive and enjoyed a picnic lunch while learning more about the wildlife we had seen from our knowledgeable crew.
Day 5- Check out and departure
The last day of our safari came too soon. We checked out in the morning and took a flight from Masai Mara to JKIA for our international flight back to Nigeria.
One of the most important things I learnt during this trip is that the migration season is one of the busiest and your lodging must be reserved well in advance.