The wild dry north and its own private set of animals, the conservancy that guards the last northern white rhinos, and the warm Swahili coast to finish, the other Kenya, beyond the Mara.
Into Nairobi, the gateway to the Kenyan wild. After the flight we keep it easy, the orphaned elephants of the Sheldrick Trust, the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, a first nyama choma, an early night before the north.
A flight north to the Samburu reserve, semi arid and starkly beautiful along the Ewaso Nyiro river. Here live the 'Samburu Special Five', the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, long necked gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, found in few other places on earth.
Game drives among the elephants, the big cats and the special species, the doum palms along the river, and a visit to a Samburu manyatta and its red ochred warriors. A drier, wilder, less visited Africa than the great parks of the south. (overnight Samburu)
South to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the Laikipia plateau, in the shadow of Mount Kenya, home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, a black rhino stronghold and a chimpanzee sanctuary. A rhino tracking walk and a sundowner drive.
More conservancy game drives, a horseback or a cycling safari for a different angle, the lion research and anti poaching story that makes Laikipia a model for the continent, the views to snow capped Mount Kenya. (overnight Laikipia)
From the highlands to the Indian Ocean, a flight to Diani on the south coast, a long sweep of white sand under coconut palms, the reef just offshore. A first seafood dhow dinner, the warm sea, the slow Swahili pace.
Snorkelling or diving the coral, a dhow to Wasini island and the Kisite Mpunguti marine park for dolphins, and the sacred Kaya forests of the Mijikenda inland. Spice flavours, kite surfing, and a sunset over the palms.
A last beach day, a swim, a spa, a stand up paddle in the lagoon, the old Swahili town of Mombasa for the keen. Bush and beach in one trip, the perfect Kenyan combination. (overnight Diani Beach)
A last ocean breakfast before your transfer to Mombasa or Nairobi for your flight. Kenya beyond the Mara is wilder, quieter and just as wonderful, and it ends, as the best safaris should, with your toes in the Indian Ocean.
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
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