Nairobi

Transfer from NBO to hotel(45 minutes)

Use Uber or Bolt (~KES 1,500-3,000 / ~$11-22 USD depending on area). The Nairobi Expressway (toll KES 200-600) bypasses traffic. Avoid arriving during rush hour 5-8PM

Check-in and orientation(1 hour)

Karen area for wildlife proximity, Westlands for dining and nightlife, Kilimani for central access. Get a Safaricom SIM + M-Pesa at the airport (KES 200)

Dinner at Talisman in Karen(1.5 hours)

Garden restaurant with pan-African cuisine. Their slow-roasted lamb and cocktails are excellent. Mains ~KES 1,500-3,000 (~$11-22 USD). Book ahead — it fills every night

Nairobi National Park morning game drive(4 hours)

Entry $60 USD (pay via eCitizen portal). 6AM-10AM is best for wildlife. Lions, giraffes, rhinos, and buffalo against the Nairobi skyline. Self-drive or hire a guide at the gate (~KES 3,000)

David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage(1 hour)

Public visiting 11AM-12PM daily only. Entry $15 USD (book at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org). Orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed and mud-bathing. Arrive 30 min early

Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant(1.5 hours)

The legendary Nairobi game meat experience — crocodile, ostrich, and camel on rotating swords. All-you-can-eat ~KES 5,000 (~$37 USD). They lower the flag when you surrender

Giraffe Centre in Langata(1 hour)

Endangered Rothschild's giraffes. Entry KES 1,500 (~$11 USD). Hand-feed giraffes from an elevated platform — they'll give you a 'giraffe kiss.' 15 min from Sheldrick

Karen Blixen Museum(1.5 hours)

Entry KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). The colonial farmhouse with Ngong Hills backdrop. Guided tours of her personal artifacts and the surrounding grounds. Open 9:30AM-6PM

Nairobi National Museum(2 hours)

Entry KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). Natural history, early human fossils, and Kenyan art. Adjacent Snake Park (KES 600). Botanical Garden behind the museum. Allow 2-3 hours

Lunch at K'Osewe in the CBD(1 hour)

The best Luo-style fish in Nairobi. Tilapia and ugali. ~KES 500-1,000 (~$4-7 USD). A local institution

Walk through Karura Forest(2 hours)

Entry KES 600. 1,041-hectare urban forest with caves, waterfalls, and 5+ walking trails. Popular with joggers and cyclists. 10 min from Westlands

Dinner at Mama Oliech in Kilimani(1 hour)

No-frills Kenyan institution. Their fried fish with ugali and sukuma wiki is legendary. ~KES 700 per person. Cash only. Don't be fooled by the simple setting — it's a Nairobi rite of passage

Morning flight to Masai Mara(1 hour)

Safarilink or AirKenya from Wilson Airport (~$150-250 USD one-way). Or 5-6 hour drive. Flying saves a full day of travel

Check-in at safari camp/lodge(1 hour)

Budget: Mara Explorers Camp (~$150/night). Mid-range: Basecamp Masai Mara (~$300/night). Luxury: Angama Mara (~$1,500/night). All-inclusive rates

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Conservancy fees $70-120/day. Your guide knows where the lions, leopards, and elephants were last spotted. The golden hour light on the savanna is magical

Sundowner drinks on the savanna(1 hour)

Most camps arrange drinks at a scenic viewpoint as the sun sets. Gin and tonic overlooking the Mara plains

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

Leave camp at 6AM. Predators are most active at dawn — lions hunting, cheetahs scanning the plains. July-October: the Great Migration river crossings at the Mara River

Bush breakfast(1 hour)

Many lodges arrange breakfast in the bush — white tablecloths, eggs, and coffee surrounded by savanna. A surreal experience

Masai village visit(1.5 hours)

~$20-30 USD per person. Warriors demonstrate traditional jumping dance, show their homes, and sell beadwork. Photos welcome after negotiating. Ask before photographing individuals

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Different routes each drive. Hippo pools, elephant herds with calves, giraffe crossing the plains. The Mara has the highest density of lions in Africa

Campfire dinner(1.5 hours)

Many camps serve dinner under the stars by a fire. The sounds of the African night — hyenas, lions, hippos — are unforgettable

Final dawn game drive(2 hours)

One last early morning on the Mara before your flight

Flight to Nairobi(1 hour)

Safarilink or AirKenya back to Wilson Airport

Late lunch at About Thyme in Westlands(1.5 hours)

European-Kenyan fusion in a garden setting. Great salads, pasta, and fresh juices. Mains ~KES 1,200-2,000

Rest and shopping at Village Market(2 hours)

Upscale mall in Gigiri with craft shops, restaurants, and a food court. Good for Kenyan coffee, Maasai jewelry, and soapstone carvings

Morning at Kazuri Beads in Karen(1 hour)

Watch women hand-make ceramic beads — a social enterprise since 1977. Factory tour free. Beautiful jewelry from KES 500. Great last-minute gifts

Brunch at The Greenhouse in Karen(1 hour)

Farm-to-table in a garden setting. Eggs, pancakes, and Kenyan coffee. ~KES 1,000-1,500

Transfer to NBO airport(45 minutes)

Uber or Bolt. Use the Nairobi Expressway. Allow 3 hours for international flights. Buy Kenyan coffee and Maasai crafts at duty-free

Transfer from NBO(45 minutes)

Uber/Bolt KES 1,500-3,000. Nairobi Expressway avoids traffic. Get Safaricom SIM + M-Pesa at airport (KES 200)

Dinner at Talisman in Karen(1.5 hours)

Pan-African cuisine. Slow-roasted lamb. Mains KES 1,500-3,000. Book ahead

Nairobi National Park game drive(4 hours)

$60 USD entry via eCitizen. 6AM-10AM best. Lions, giraffes, rhinos with Nairobi skyline. Guide ~KES 3,000

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage(1 hour)

11AM-12PM only. $15 USD. Book at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org. Arrive 30 min early

Lunch at Carnivore(1.5 hours)

Game meat experience — crocodile, ostrich, camel. All-you-can-eat ~KES 5,000

Giraffe Centre(1 hour)

KES 1,500. Hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes. 'Giraffe kiss' for food pellets

Karen Blixen Museum(1.5 hours)

KES 1,200. Colonial farmhouse with Ngong Hills backdrop

Nairobi National Museum(2 hours)

KES 1,200. Early human fossils, natural history, Snake Park (+KES 600)

Lunch at K'Osewe(1 hour)

Luo-style fish with ugali. KES 500-1,000. Local institution

Karura Forest walk(2 hours)

KES 600. 1,041 hectares. Caves, waterfalls, trails

Dinner at Mama Oliech(1 hour)

Legendary fried fish and ugali. ~KES 700. Cash only

Flight to Masai Mara(1 hour)

Safarilink from Wilson Airport ~$150-250 one-way

Camp check-in(1 hour)

Budget: Mara Explorers (~$150/night). Mid-range: Basecamp (~$300). Luxury: Angama (~$1,500)

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Conservancy fees $70-120/day. Golden hour on the savanna

Sundowner on the plains(1 hour)

G&T overlooking the Mara. Hippos in the river below

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

6AM. Lions hunting, cheetahs scanning. Migration river crossings July-Oct

Bush breakfast(1 hour)

White tablecloths on the savanna. Coffee with a view

Masai village visit(1.5 hours)

~$20-30 USD. Jumping dance, homes, beadwork

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Hippo pools, elephant herds, giraffe crossings

Hot air balloon safari (optional)(3 hours)

~$450 USD per person. Launch at dawn, float over migrating herds. Champagne bush breakfast on landing. Book through your camp

Walking safari with Masai guide(2 hours)

Walk the bush with an armed Masai guide. Learn tracking, medicinal plants, and bushcraft. Most camps offer this. ~$30-50 USD

Afternoon game drive — Mara River(3 hours)

Drive to the Mara River for hippo and crocodile watching. During migration season, this is where wildebeest crossings happen

Final evening at camp(2 hours)

The sounds of the African night. Hyenas calling, lions roaring in the distance

Late lunch at About Thyme in Westlands(1.5 hours)

European-Kenyan fusion. Fresh salads and juices. Mains KES 1,200-2,000

Village Market shopping(2 hours)

Craft shops, Kenyan coffee, Maasai jewelry, soapstone carvings

Dinner at Nyama Mama in Westlands(1.5 hours)

Modern Kenyan street food. Elevated nyama choma, samosas, and cocktails. Mains KES 800-1,500. Young, vibrant atmosphere

Drive to Lake Naivasha(1.5 hours)

90 km via the A104. Rent a car or book a day trip (~$80-120 USD per person)

Boat safari on Lake Naivasha(2 hours)

~KES 3,000-5,000 per person. Hippos, fish eagles, and pelicans. The papyrus-lined shores are beautiful. Crescent Island is a walking sanctuary inside the lake

Cycling through Hell's Gate National Park(3 hours)

Entry $26 USD. Rent bikes at the gate ~KES 500. Cycle past zebras, giraffes, and buffalo through dramatic gorges. Walk the lower gorge (guide required ~KES 1,000)

Lunch at Lake Naivasha Country Club(1 hour)

Colonial-era hotel with lakeside gardens. Buffet lunch ~KES 2,000. Hippos graze on the lawn at dusk

Drive to Amboseli(4 hours)

240 km south on the Nairobi-Namanga road. Or fly with Safarilink (~$200 one-way, 45 min). The approach with Kilimanjaro growing larger is spectacular

Check-in at Amboseli lodge(1 hour)

Ol Tukai Lodge (~$250/night) has the best Kilimanjaro views. Budget: Amboseli Sopa Lodge (~$150/night)

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Park entry $60 USD. Amboseli has the largest free-ranging elephant herds in Africa. The big tuskers here have been studied for 50+ years. Kilimanjaro appears and disappears behind clouds

Sunset with Kilimanjaro(1 hour)

When the clouds clear at sunset, Kilimanjaro's snow cap turns pink. Most lodges have viewpoints

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

6AM for best Kilimanjaro visibility. Elephants silhouetted against the mountain at dawn. Large buffalo herds and lions also present

Observation Hill viewpoint(30 minutes)

A small hill inside the park with 360° views. Kilimanjaro on one side, Lake Amboseli wetlands on the other

Drive back to Nairobi(4 hours)

Stop at Maasai markets along the Namanga road for beaded jewelry and shukas (blankets)

Dinner at Jiko at The Tribe Hotel(1.5 hours)

Contemporary African cuisine in one of Nairobi's most stylish hotels. Mains KES 1,800-3,500. The wine list includes South African, Kenyan, and Ethiopian wines

Brunch at Artcaffé in Westlands(1 hour)

Nairobi's favorite café chain. Good coffee, eggs, and pancakes. KES 800-1,500

Maasai Market (depends on day)(1.5 hours)

Rotating location: Tuesday at Kijabe Street, Friday at Village Market, Saturday at High Court parking. Beaded jewelry, soapstone, Maasai shukas. Haggle

Kazuri Beads in Karen(1 hour)

Hand-made ceramic beads. Factory tour free. Social enterprise since 1977. Great gifts

Afternoon coffee at Java House(1 hour)

Kenyan chain with excellent local coffee. Try the single-origin AA. KES 300-500

Dinner at Haandi in Westlands(1.5 hours)

The best Indian food in East Africa. Butter chicken and garlic naan. Mains KES 1,000-2,000. Nairobi has a large Indian community

Drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy(3.5 hours)

200 km north of Nairobi. Self-drive or guided tour ~$150-200 per person

Ol Pejeta game drive and chimpanzee sanctuary(4 hours)

Entry $90 USD. See Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos. The chimpanzee sanctuary (~$15 extra) rescues chimps from illegal pet trade. The Big Five are all present

Lunch at Sweetwaters Tented Camp(1 hour)

Buffet lunch ~$30 USD. Views of a waterhole where elephants and buffalo drink. The camp sits on the equator

Drive to Ngong Hills(30 minutes)

Just outside Karen. Entry KES 300. Bring your own water and snacks

Ngong Hills ridge hike(3 hours)

8 km along the ridge with views of the Rift Valley on one side and Nairobi on the other. Rolling green hills. Hire an armed ranger at the gate (~KES 1,000) for safety

Late brunch at The Greenhouse in Karen(1 hour)

Farm-to-table. Eggs, pancakes, Kenyan coffee. KES 1,000-1,500

Last shopping at Utamaduni Craft Centre(1 hour)

Fixed-price craft center in Karen. No haggling needed. Soapstone, baskets, paintings, coffee. Fair trade

Farewell dinner at Tamarind in Westlands(2 hours)

Nairobi's finest seafood restaurant. Crab, prawns, and lobster. Mains KES 2,000-5,000. A grand send-off

Morning coffee at Java House(45 minutes)

Final Kenyan AA coffee. Buy beans to take home

Last-minute shopping at airport(1 hour)

NBO has decent duty-free — Kenyan coffee, Maasai crafts, and macadamia nuts

Transfer to NBO(45 minutes)

Uber/Bolt. Nairobi Expressway. Allow 3 hours for international flights

Transfer from NBO(45 minutes)

Uber/Bolt KES 1,500-3,000. Get Safaricom SIM + M-Pesa at airport

Dinner at Talisman in Karen(1.5 hours)

Pan-African cuisine. Mains KES 1,500-3,000

Nairobi National Park game drive(4 hours)

$60 USD entry. 6AM-10AM best. Lions, giraffes with skyline

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage(1 hour)

11AM-12PM only. $15 USD. Book ahead

Lunch at Carnivore(1.5 hours)

Game meat experience. All-you-can-eat ~KES 5,000

Giraffe Centre(1 hour)

KES 1,500. Hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes

Karen Blixen Museum(1.5 hours)

KES 1,200. Colonial farmhouse with Ngong Hills backdrop

Nairobi National Museum(2 hours)

KES 1,200. Early human fossils

Lunch at K'Osewe(1 hour)

Luo-style fish with ugali. KES 500-1,000

Karura Forest walk(2 hours)

KES 600. 1,041 hectares

Dinner at Mama Oliech(1 hour)

Legendary fried fish and ugali. ~KES 700

Flight to Masai Mara(1 hour)

Safarilink from Wilson Airport ~$150-250 one-way

Camp check-in(1 hour)

Budget: Mara Explorers (~$150/night). Luxury: Angama (~$1,500)

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Conservancy fees $70-120/day

Sundowner on the plains(1 hour)

G&T overlooking the Mara

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

6AM. Lions hunting, cheetahs scanning

Masai village visit(1.5 hours)

~$20-30 USD. Jumping dance, beadwork

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

Hippo pools, elephant herds

Hot air balloon safari (optional)(3 hours)

~$450 USD. Champagne bush breakfast on landing

Walking safari with Masai guide(2 hours)

Learn tracking and medicinal plants. ~$30-50 USD

Afternoon game drive — Mara River(3 hours)

Hippo and crocodile watching. Migration crossings July-Oct

Late lunch at About Thyme(1.5 hours)

European-Kenyan fusion. Mains KES 1,200-2,000

Village Market shopping(2 hours)

Kenyan coffee, Maasai jewelry, soapstone

Dinner at Nyama Mama(1.5 hours)

Modern Kenyan street food. Mains KES 800-1,500

Drive to Lake Naivasha(1.5 hours)

90 km via the A104

Boat safari on Lake Naivasha(2 hours)

~KES 3,000-5,000. Hippos, fish eagles

Cycling through Hell's Gate National Park(3 hours)

$26 USD entry. Bikes ~KES 500. Cycle past zebras and giraffes

Lunch at Lake Naivasha Country Club(1 hour)

Colonial-era hotel. Buffet ~KES 2,000

Drive to Amboseli(4 hours)

240 km south. Or fly with Safarilink (~$200, 45 min)

Check-in at Amboseli lodge(1 hour)

Ol Tukai Lodge (~$250/night)

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

$60 USD entry. Largest free-ranging elephant herds in Africa

Sunset with Kilimanjaro(1 hour)

Snow cap turns pink when clouds clear

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

6AM for best Kilimanjaro visibility

Observation Hill viewpoint(30 minutes)

360° views. Kilimanjaro on one side, wetlands on the other

Drive back to Nairobi(4 hours)

Stop at Maasai markets along Namanga road

Dinner at Jiko at The Tribe Hotel(1.5 hours)

Contemporary African cuisine. Mains KES 1,800-3,500

Brunch at Artcaffé(1 hour)

Nairobi's favourite café. KES 800-1,500

Maasai Market(1.5 hours)

Rotating location. Beaded jewelry, soapstone. Haggle

Kazuri Beads in Karen(1 hour)

Hand-made ceramic beads. Free factory tour

Afternoon coffee at Java House(1 hour)

Kenyan AA coffee. KES 300-500

Dinner at Haandi(1.5 hours)

Best Indian food in East Africa. Mains KES 1,000-2,000

Drive to Ol Pejeta(3.5 hours)

200 km north

Game drive and chimpanzee sanctuary(4 hours)

$90 USD entry. See Najin and Fatu, the last northern white rhinos

Lunch at Sweetwaters Tented Camp(1 hour)

Buffet ~$30 USD. Waterhole views

Drive to Ngong Hills(30 minutes)

Entry KES 300

Ngong Hills ridge hike(3 hours)

8 km with Rift Valley and Nairobi views. Hire ranger ~KES 1,000

Late brunch at The Greenhouse(1 hour)

Farm-to-table. KES 1,000-1,500

Last shopping at Utamaduni Craft Centre(1 hour)

Fixed-price. No haggling. Fair trade

Dinner at Tamarind(2 hours)

Nairobi's finest seafood. Mains KES 2,000-5,000

Drive to Lake Nakuru(3 hours)

160 km northwest. Well-paved road through the Rift Valley escarpment — the viewpoint at the top is stunning

Check-in at Lake Nakuru Lodge(1 hour)

Inside the park. Sarova Lion Hill (~$200/night) or Flamingo Hill Camp (~$150/night). Both have views over the lake

Afternoon game drive(3 hours)

$60 USD park entry. Lake Nakuru is one of the best parks in Africa for rhino sighting — both black and white rhinos are here. The lake itself attracts flamingos by the thousands (seasonally)

Sunset at Baboon Cliff viewpoint(1 hour)

Panoramic views over the entire lake and park from this elevated lookout. The light at sunset turns the lake pink

Dawn game drive(3 hours)

The park is at its best early morning. Look for leopards in the yellow-barked acacia trees — Nakuru is excellent for leopard sightings. Buffalo, waterbuck, and Rothschild's giraffes are also common

Lake Elementaita stop(1 hour)

A smaller soda lake between Nakuru and Nairobi. Flamingos, pelicans, and hot springs. Free to view from the roadside

Lunch at Lake Elementaita Serena Lodge(1 hour)

Buffet lunch ~KES 3,000. Views over the lake

GoDown Arts Centre(1.5 hours)

Nairobi's premier art space in a converted warehouse. Kuona Trust artist studios, galleries, and performance space. Free. In the industrial area — Uber recommended

Lunch at Mama Ashanti in Kilimani(1 hour)

Ghanaian restaurant. Jollof rice and grilled tilapia. KES 800-1,500. A taste of West Africa in East Africa

Afternoon at leisure(3 hours)

Pool, rest, or wander the Karen or Westlands neighbourhood

Dinner at Fogo Gaucho in Westlands(1.5 hours)

Brazilian churrascaria. All-you-can-eat grilled meats. KES 3,500. The skewers keep coming until you surrender

Bomas of Kenya(2 hours)

KES 1,200. Traditional homesteads from Kenya's 42 ethnic groups. Daily cultural performances with traditional music and dance at 2:30PM

AFEW Giraffe Centre revisit or Langata neighbourhood walk(1.5 hours)

If you want more giraffe time, or explore Langata's leafy streets and local restaurants

Lunch at Brew Bistro & Lounge in Westlands(1.5 hours)

Nairobi's best craft brewery. Brewed on-site. Paired with excellent burgers and ribs. KES 1,000-2,000

Nairobi Railway Museum(1 hour)

KES 600. Small but charming museum with vintage locomotives from the Uganda Railway. You can climb into some of the carriages. The history of East African railways is fascinating

Evening at Alchemist Bar in Westlands(2 hours)

Nairobi's coolest outdoor bar and cultural space. Container architecture, live music, art installations. Entry KES 1,000-2,000 depending on event. Young, creative Nairobi

Morning flight to Mombasa/Ukunda(1 hour)

Fly540 or Jambojet from Wilson Airport. ~$80-120 USD one-way. Ukunda airstrip is closer to Diani Beach

Transfer to Diani Beach(30 minutes)

Tuk-tuk or hotel transfer from Ukunda airstrip

Beach time at Diani(4 hours)

White sand, warm Indian Ocean water, and palm trees. Less developed than international beach destinations. Rent a sun lounger ~KES 500. The coral reef offshore provides calm swimming

Lunch at Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Fine dining inside a natural coral cave. An unforgettable setting. Mains KES 2,000-4,000. Book ahead. The cave is open to the sky — you dine under the stars

Evening flight back to Nairobi(1 hour)

Or stay overnight at Diani and fly back in the morning if time allows

Final shopping at Village Market or Junction Mall(2 hours)

Kenyan coffee (buy whole beans from Java House or Dormans), Maasai crafts, macadamia nuts, Kenyan tea

Visit David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a foster elephant(1 hour)

If you haven't fostered an elephant yet — $50 USD per year. You receive updates and photos of your elephant's rehabilitation. A meaningful way to support conservation

Farewell dinner at Hemingways Nairobi in Karen(2 hours)

Boutique hotel with colonial-era elegance. The restaurant serves excellent fusion cuisine with views over the Ngong Hills. Mains KES 2,500-5,000. A fitting farewell

Final early morning Nairobi National Park drive(3 hours)

$60 USD. One last chance to see lions with the city skyline behind them. The park is quietest on weekdays

Brunch at Java House(1 hour)

Final Kenyan AA coffee

Farewell sunset from Westlands rooftop(1.5 hours)

Several rooftop bars in Westlands offer views across Nairobi. The city lights coming on as the sun sets over the Rift Valley escarpment is a beautiful farewell

Final dinner at Talisman(2 hours)

Return to where you started. The garden dining under African skies. A perfect closing scene

Morning coffee at Java House(45 minutes)

Final Kenyan AA coffee. Buy beans to take home

Last-minute shopping at airport(1 hour)

NBO has decent duty-free — Kenyan coffee, Maasai crafts, macadamia nuts

Transfer to NBO(45 minutes)

Uber/Bolt. Nairobi Expressway. Allow 3 hours for international flights