Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Nairobi, Kenya

  Welcome!

  Set down in magical Kenya, the heart of safari country! A Born Free host will meet your family upon arrival in Nairobi and provide expedited assistance through the airport and to your lodging.
  
  For your stay in Nairobi, we suggest one of the more unique properties:
  
  The Emakoko sits on the edge of Nairobi National Park, with only 10 rooms. Anthony and Emma Childs are your hosts. They live on site with their family and dedicated team. Start your journey in a wildlife environment with giraffe, elephant, and zebra right out the door!
  
  Excitement builds as you can hear the nocturnal sounds of a lion's roar, monkeys chattering, and distant hyena on your very first night in Africa.
  
  "Karibu" = "Welcome" in Swahili

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Nairobi - Karen

  Giraffe Center & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

  The first stop on today's introduction to Kenya is the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife - Giraffe Center. Come face to face with giraffe and learn about the conservation efforts that are being made in Kenya, including teaching local children about their very precious natural resource - the wildlife.
  
  Then on to a favorite stop, the Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, where you’ll witness handlers feed and care for orphaned baby elephants and rhinos rescued from the bush.
  
  As our gift to you, we will foster a baby elephant in your name. Attend an up-close elephant encounter in the afternoon and hopefully meet your fostered "ellie."

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  On Safari

  Embark with your private guide north through the Kenya countryside, through lush green plantations and small villages. Roadside kiosks feature delicious local tropical fruit such as pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and banana.
  
  Ol Pejeta is situated between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. It is the home to elephant, zebra, protected rhino, monkey, mongoose, hedgehog, warthog, and a variety of species that will look very familiar to "Lion King" fans!

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  04

  Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  Chimp Sanctuary

  There are plenty of activities, including game drives, lion tracking, rhino monitoring, and night game drives. On walks, there are hundreds of colorful bird species to be observed.
  
  A special feature at Ol Pejeta is the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in 1993 as a collaborative effort between Jane Goodall, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Chimpanzees are not indigenous to Kenya. The sanctuary serves as a specialized refuge for those recovered from illegal trade or abusive conditions across West and Central Africa. After rehabilitation, the chimpanzees reside in a protected 250-acre natural forest habitat where they are free to explore.
  
  Guests can visit the chimps on a walkway established through the forest.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  Stop at the Equator, which runs across the middle of Kenya. This imaginary line divides the planet into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. See a demonstration on how waters will run in two different directions on either side of this imaginary line.
  
  A short drive north takes you to the Lewa Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Born Free's star properties. The 65,000-acre wildlife conservation area is home to 130 rare Black and White rhinos, as well as Grevy’s zebra and Reticulated giraffe.
  
  The scenery is spectacular. The "Big Five" - lion, rhino, leopard, Cape Buffalo, and elephant - all inhabit Lewa. To ensure top level game viewing, only 3 vehicles are allowed at a sighting at a time.
  
  All your activities will be as you please. There are no set schedules. The following days are shown as ideas of what to do each day.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  This morning, head out on a bush breakfast and a game drive.
  
  Visit a nearby ancient-man site where hand-axe tools have been found or walk with park rangers while learning about conservation efforts.
  
  Experienced horseback riders can ride off into the bush, which may allow you to get quite close to giraffe and zebra.
  
  Tonight, go out on a sundown game drive.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Safari Consultant Notes:
  Lewa Wilderness Trails includes all activities except for the biplane and village entrance fee.
  
  Lewa Safari Camp is inclusive of walks and game drives, but activities such as the camel experience and horseback safari are at additional cost.
• Day

  07

  Laikipia

  Lewa Conservancy

  Today, go beyond the game drive and take a nature walk with a professional guide. Guests can explore the conservancy on guided walks with trained Maasai guides. These walks provide a unique close-up perspective of the environment. It is an extraordinary experience to witness rhino or elephant grazing in the morning light or to follow the tracks of a lion or leopard. Walks are tailored to your pace, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks.
  
  In the late afternoon, the family might want to visit the local community, school, and orphanage. There are special activities for children geared to their age range.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Maasai Mara National Reserve & Conservancy

  The adventure continues as you fly over the Great Rift Valley to the northern extension of the Serengeti Plains - the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s premiere game reserve. Sweeping views of rolling grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers, and forests offer plentiful opportunities to see a wide range of animals, including the "Big Five," cheetah, crocodile, and birds of prey.
  
  Mara North Conservancy is located adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. There are no fences, and the wildlife wanders freely between the Reserve and the Conservancy.
  
  There are many advantages to visiting a Mara Conservancy. There are a limited number of guests and vehicles, so it is less crowded than Mara proper. Special activities can be experienced here that are not allowed inside the reserve, including night game drives, bush walks, and off-road game viewing.
  
  The revenues that are derived from the Conservancy fees and a part of your stay are used to protect wildlife, as well as improve the quality of life of the indigenous Maasai. This includes building schools and water wells. Request more information if you would like to solely stay on a conservancy rather than the Mara proper.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  09

  Maasai Mara National Reserve & Conservancy

  Up at dawn when the sights and sounds of the Mara ecosystem come alive. The plains are a rich, golden hue with the silhouettes coming into sight - herds moving to greener pastures, predators on the hunt, and new exiting experiences at every turn. The day is organized to the family's pacing and activities that you wish to participate in.
  
  There is time to go out on a walk with a ranger seeing how the wildlife is tracked, visit a community school, and hear about the Maasai way of life and their traditions.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Maasai Mara National Reserve & Conservancy

  Today's wildlife search may take you down to the river to look for hippo and crocodile.
  
  At night, some of the camps will offer night drives where you can search for the nocturnal species. Being out at night in the bush is a wonderful and magical experience. The night skies are awesome, and rangers will point out the various constellations.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Optional: Hot-Air Balloon Safari
  Today would be a wonderful time to go on a hot-air balloon safari with the family. Watch the balloon being inflated at dawn, float silently over the plains, and then set down for a bush breakfast.
  
  Please note: There are height and age limits for children.
• Day

  11

  Your Journey Onwards

  Flight to Nairobi

  After breakfast in the Mara, bid farewell to the bush and the friends you've made at camp. A short flight takes you back to Nairobi, where you are greeted on arrival by a Born Free Safaris driver for the day until your departing flight, taking home memories that will last a lifetime.
  
  "Kwa Heri" ("Goodbye")

  Breakfast / Lunch