8 days Kenya: Big Five special

The drive from Nairobi to Ol’ Pejeta Conservancy takes 5 hours, departing around 7:30 AM, with a memorable crossing of the equator along the way and views of Mount Kenya in the distance. You typically arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive where you may spot your first rhino.

The Ol' Pejeta Conservancy is a protected area set up for endangered species. For rhino lovers, this is a pure heaven on earth with a population of more than 100 black rhinos, almost 40 southern white rhinos AND the last two remaining northern white rhinos worldwide. These white rhinos can even be visited up close! Besides rhinos, the conservancy hosts endangered species like the African wild dog, the oryx, Jackson's hartebeest and Grévy’s zebra, and houses a sanctuary for abused or orphaned chimpanzees.

The Solio Ranch Conservancy is a privately owned and very special wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, the former ranch is dedicated to saving and protecting rhinos in Kenya. Enjoy thrilling game drives, guided walks and serene picnics amidst the picturesque scenery and not only marvel at the grey giants, but also animals like buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elands, oryx, impala, waterbucks, Thomson’s gazelles and warthogs.

Lake Nakuru National Park is an amazing wildlife haven, smack in the middle of the Great Rift Valley. The Nakuru Lake in the middle of the park is its main attraction, with hundreds of birds flocking to its shores. The park used to be known for its many flamingos, but rising water levels caused these birds to migrate elsewhere. Luckily, they are slowly returning, and in any case, Lake Nakuru is a great place to visit with its black and white rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, lions, the occasional leopard and over 400 species of birds.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous places for safari worldwide. Located 270 kilometres west of Nairobi, this is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa. It extends over 1,500 km² and has more than 400 species of birds and no less than 95 species of mammals. Big cats are frequently spotted here, and this is THE place to watch the world-famous Great Migration between August and October, with its vast herds of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River.

As the Zebra Plains camp lies close to the Masai Mara National Reserve, their walking safaris are next level. While walking with two Maasai (one armed for protection) and an experienced guide, this is your chance to get closer than ever to giraffes, zebras, impala and all the other animals in this area. What’s more, the Maasai will teach you how to identify and differentiate wildlife footprints and plants, leaving you feeling like a true nature warrior in your own right!

Leaving Lake Nakuru's flamingo-fringed shores, this 5-hour drive southwest is one of Kenya's great safari road trips - descending through the Rift Valley floor and climbing out across rolling tea country before the grasslands of the Mara open up ahead. By the time wildebeest and topi (fast-running antelopes with striking black markings) appear along the roadside, anticipation has already reached its peak!

Have you ever wanted to pass floating hippos by boat? Seek no longer: during a boat safari on Lake Naivasha this is exactly what will happen. You will pass between huge groups of hippos while seeing eagles and cormorants flying above you, and admiring giraffes on the shore. The safari on board a small motorized boat takes about 60 minutes and ends on the beautiful Crescent Island, where you will continue with a stunning walking safari between zebras, giraffes and wildebeests.

This is your last day! Unfortunately, it's time to drive back to Nairobi to catch your flight home from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Sad to leave...? Then don't worry! We can easily add a few days of safari to your holiday or a few days on one of Kenya's stunning beaches along the coast!