Kenyan Luxe Safari:
Samburu & Beyond
September 25–October 6, 2022
Enjoy the safari of a lifetime in the best national parks, reserves, and conservancies in Kenya during the Great Migration. We’ll fly between destinations to maximize your time and comfort.
You’ll visit Samburu National Reserve and witness more species than you would on a typical safari; at Ol Pejeta Conservancy you can meet the last two northern white rhinos on the planet.
Rest your body in style at 4-star hotels, lodges, and luxury tent camps; rest your mind knowing every last detail has been taken care of on this triple-carbon offset journey.
Trip at a Glance
- September 25–October 6, 2022
- Escorted by BJ & Lauren, owners of RetreaTours
- Led by expert Kenyan safari guides
- Enjoy daily game drives and check off all of the “Big Five” as you see them!
- Enjoy 3 short flights between national parks instead of longer drives
- Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest into Kenya
- Marvel at Mt. Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park
- Spot rare species at Samburu National Park, like the reticulated giraffe & Grevy’s zebra
- Witness the majesty of the old “tusker” elephants, the biggest land creatures on the planet
- Take in the wonder of the rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, including the last 2 northern white rhinos in the world
- Explore the wildlife of the Masai Mara, particularly the big cats
- This journey is triple carbon offset
- Opportunity for a Mountain Gorilla extension in Rwanda
- All-inclusive price of $9999 (based on double occupancy)
Click to Jump to…
- Safari Guest Testimonials
- Itinerary
- What is the Difference Between Your 2022 Safaris?
- Price & Inclusions
- Payment Details
- Cancellation Policy
- Registration Questions & Contract
- “Bugs & Temperature”
- FAQ
- Our Carbon Offset commitment
- Travel Insurance
- Contact
- FAQ
- Packing List
- Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Extension
- Photo album
How to Register
- Review this entire webpage for details
- Complete Registration Questions and Contract
- Lauren will email you with a link to pay the deposit.
Looking for our Classic Safari page? Due to the overwhelming interest in 2022’s Luxe option, we’ve postponed our Classic Safari journey until 2023.
COVID Safety Notes (click to open)
We will inform our registered guests as requirements to enter Kenya change. As of 2022, a negative PCR test is required, and RetreaTours requires full COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster. As this trip is 9 months away, we don’t have any other information to give you, but we’ll update this space as necessary.
Vaccination
We are requiring all of our guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster, for this journey, to protect themselves, fellow guests, and local Kenyans. All of our guides/drivers will also be vaccinated.
Face masks
It is crucial we respect the Kenyans who will be around us on this journey, as vaccinations will most likely not be as widespread there as in other parts of the world. Wearing proper face masks when you are around any local people will be non-negotiable.
Anytime we are in an enclosed space or a vehicle (even on safari, if our guide or driver is not vaccinated), we will ask that you wear your face mask to cover your nose and mouth. We’ll also kindly ask you to use hand sanitizer/wash your hands frequently.
Tests upon departing Kenya
If tests are required to re-enter your home country, we will help arrange that and let you know how much that charge is, payable directly to the local medical team.
Nairobi
Amboseli
Samburu National Reserve
Maasai Mara
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
~Karen Blixen
Itinerary at a Glance
September 25 You’ll arrive in Nairobi & rest in a lovely centrally located 4-star hotel.
September 26 Today we’ll visit the Giraffe Center & the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn more about these beautiful species we’ll encounter in the wild. We can feed the giraffes and pet the elephants on their own terms!
September 27 Fly to Amboseli National Park and our gorgeous home base: a beautiful lodge with a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Watch parades of elephants meander by as you sit on your front porch or sip a cocktail by the fire.
September 28 Explore Amboseli, famous for its population of rare “tuskers”–elephants whose tusks are so long that they reach the ground.
September 29 Today we’ll fly to Samburu National Reserve (via Nairobi). Samburu is home to species we’ll not see anywhere else on our journey, like the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.
September 30 From our home base along the Ewaso Ng’iro river we’ll discover the special species of animals and Samburu’s sizable population of elephants.
October 1 Enjoy the drive to Old Pejeta Conservancy Drive (~3 hours), home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos & a sanctuary for over 140 critically endangered black rhinos.
October 2 We’ll take in everything Ol Pejeta Conservancy has to offer, including the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only places to see chimp in Kenya.
October 3 Today we’ll fly to Masai Mara National Reserve; you’ll love our luxury tented camp along the Mara River (and the river’s resident hippos).
October 4-5 We’ll discover the beauty of the Mara with twice-daily safaris and enjoy the dense population of big cats–lions, cheetahs, and leopards, oh my!
October 6 We’ll drive back to Nairobi today (~6 hours), enjoying one last lunch together and reminiscing about seeing “The Big Five” on safari together. Perhaps you’ll add on an extension to see the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda–see the details below!
Here’s a partial list of animals we’re most likely to see in our adventures!
Lion · African Bush Elephant · Rhinoceros (Black, Northern White, Southern White) · Cape Buffalo · Leopard · Plains Zebra · Grevy’s Zebra · Reticulated Giraffe · Masai Giraffe · Rothschild’s Giraffe · Hippopotamus · Cheetah · Spotted Hyena · Wildebeest · Warthog · Ostrich · Jackal · Gazelle · Impala · Eland · Waterbuck · Nile Crocodile · and oodles of bird species!
What to expect on this journey
We’ve carefully curated your safari experience to maximize wildlife viewing and comfort while minimizing travel time between our destinations. We fly between three destinations and have two drives.
Many safari itineraries have you running all over creation, but we focus on four stellar parks & reserves that house not only the “Big Five” (lions, elephants, cape buffalo, rhinos & leopards) but all of the animals you’re here for, including the two last northern white rhinos on the planet.
We’ll experience one to two game drives a day, starting in the early light of sunrise to witness the activity of wildlife. Late afternoon game drives will always be optional for you, but highly encouraged!
Our vehicles will be comfortable Toyota Land Cruisers, never filled to capacity; you’ll sit four to five guests per vehicle (other companies use the max capacity of 8!) While in the bush we see so many safari vehicles simply packed to the gills & it breaks our heart; we know that doesn’t make for a good experience!
Our hotels and luxury tent camps are perfectly located within or directly adjacent to the national parks & all rooms have a private bathroom and hot water.
We’ve worked hard to find outstanding Kenyan-owned safari companies, guides, and hotels, ensuring your money stays within Kenya to benefit the community.

You can find cheaper safaris, but at what cost? So many budget safari companies use buses or mini-vans to bring you into the bush (pictured above). We don’t think that makes for a very pleasant experience, so we use Toyota Landcruisers (pictured below) and we don’t fill them to capacity—everyone gets a window seat (and to see out the roof!)

What our 2021 Safari Guests are Saying…
It was the best vacation ever! At one point I became so overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and wonder of all the amazing animals, I started to weep. And I’m not a weepy person. Absolutely wonderful, educational, safe, and perfect. Heaven on earth! ~Julie D.
See more 2021 Safari Testimonials Here
BJ and Lauren are so thoughtful and prepared and helpful and humorous that an atmosphere is established which brings out the best in each participant. It’s like magic!!!!! ~Barbara B
It was amazing. Even the smallest detail was taken care of for each of us. You also went out of your way to meet our individual needs and desires. I wholeheartedly recommend your company and this trip. ~Pat N.
This is my second trip with BJ and Lauren; these two people are so loving, and caring, full of energy, and just fun, when you meet them you end up having two best friends. When you travel with them you really don’t have to worry about anything, they will go out of their way to help you with any problems you have. ~ Sue T.
Every person I’ve met since I’ve been home the first words out of my mouth are “GO ON A SAFARI AND USE RETREATOURS!” It truly was a dream come true for me. The people I met on the safari that were part of the tour to all the employees at the different camps and hotels were a pleasure to meet and interact with. To see the animals in their environment and not in a cage was beyond exciting. Lauren and BJ become family after a very short time. I felt like I’d know them forever and feel I’ve made new lifelong friends. I had no worries about anything the whole time I was gone and felt safe at every stop we made. ~Carol W
BJ and Lauren did a great job of making us all feel safe and comfortable. They supported our every whim… Their pre-trip communications were just right, and their kind and ethical guidance brought out the best in each of us. ~Brooke B.
This has been the best trip ever, full of miracles, truly lovely people in our group, and the best tour leaders in the world. Someone in our group suggested BJ and Lauren seem to attract really nice travel companions. Another wise soul amended that idea: BJ and Lauren seem to bring out the best in us, making us our best selves on the trip.
BJ and Lauren create ‘paint by number’ instructions for [trip preparation]… Huge for me was that BJ and Lauren are phenomenol photographers, sharing their amazing photos every day. Those photos were truly works of art, shared in nearly real time.
They have created extensive relationships in each country to provide support for our travels and to ensure our travel dollars actually get to the people in the country rather than some international chain. BJ and Lauren guided us at every step, giving their valuable information and creating continuous enjoyment. It was such a pleasure and, truly, the trip of a lifetime. Thank you! ~Jane M.
Detailed Daily Itinerary
Nairobi
Your Kenyan experience will begin in the capital, Nairobi. We’ll stay in Nairobi for two nights at the beginning of our journey. On our full day in Nairobi, we’ll pay a visit to two special organizations that are dedicated to animal welfare and public education. We’ll spend time with Rothschild giraffes at The Giraffe Center, and you’ll get up close & personal while feeding them!
Afterward, we’ll head to the David. E. Sheldrick “Orphan’s Project” and learn more about juvenile elephants that have tragically lost their families but are being given a shot at a successful life. These elephants are eventually reintroduced into the wild. We can see them drinking their morning milk, and if they want a scratch behind the ear, we can even give them a pet (on their terms, of course!)
Amboseli
On the 27th, we’ll fly to Amboseli National Park on the southern border of Kenya. This park, part of a much larger ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. It is the same ecosystem that makes up the Serengeti in Tanzania!
Amboseli is famous for its views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,341 ft (5,895 meters). The park is also known for its elephants, including some of the last of the great tuskers. Our lodge, Ol Tukai, has gorgeous views of Kilimanjaro when she emerges from the clouds. Enjoy the view from the pool, bar, fire pit, or your own front porch.
Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a wildlife drive on the way to our lodge and again in the late afternoon. On the 28th, we’ll have the opportunity for two games drives; one to take advantage of the beautiful light and animal activity at sunrise, and another in the late afternoon for the rich colors of sunset. During our break you can rest by the pool or take a delicious nap!
Samburu
On the 29th we’ll say goodbye to Mt. Kilimanjaro and fly to Samburu National Reserve (via Wilson Airport in Nairobi). Samburu National Reserve is an off-the-beaten-track spot and a pristine safari destination in northen Kenya. This is the place to see the “Samburu 5”: the reticulated giraffe, Grey’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, the Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk.
From our luxury camp home base along the Ewaso Ng’iro river, we’ll take game drives through this breathtaking landscape and enjoy the company of these rare creatures. Samburu also has a healthy population of more than 900 elephants; spotting them playing along the Ewaso Ng’iro river is quite a delight. Samburu’s unique topography makes it a true joy to drive around this reserve, looking for its special residents!
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
On October 1st we’ll drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (~3-hour drive), where the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos make their home. You can choose to visit these protected rhinos by horseback or by jeep. Ol Pejeta also provides a safe space for over 140 critically endangered black rhinos.
We’ll have the opportunity here for a night-time safari drive, with the possibility of seeing including aardvark, white-tailed mongoose, zorillas (striped polecat), and even perhaps the bat-eared fox. We may even spot lions & leopards, which can be much more active under the cover of night. We’ll also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides a haven for orphaned, abandoned, and rescued chimpanzees. This is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen.
Our luxury tent camp has its own private watering hole which is very popular with the animals, as well as a view of Mt. Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and the 2nd highest on the whole continent.
Masai Mara
On October 3rd we’ll fly to Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai Mara, named after the indigenous Maasai tribe, is part of the same ecosystem as the neighboring Serengeti in Tanzania. We will be here during the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest cross into the Mara in search of their favorite food: grass. While it may be known for the flurry of activity during the Great Migration, the Mara has an amazing population of wildlife year-round, the densest in all of Kenya.
Here is where we will spend time with the big cats: lions, cheetahs, and if you’re lucky, leopards! In fact, all members of the “Big Five” call the Mara their home: lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. Masai Mara is an embarrassment of gorgeous creatures, from hippos and hyenas to warthogs and crocodiles. Wildebeest and zebra dot the plains, and all manner of antelope grace the Mara: impala, dik-dik, reedbuck, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, waterbuck, eland, Coke’s hartebeest, and topi. More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park!
Our luxury camp in Masai Mara is situated directly on the Mara River. With its swimming pool and lovely lounge bar, it’s the perfect place to rest and enjoy between game drives.
You may also wish to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Mara to see the migration from a new perspective. These spots fill up quickly, so we can help you reserve a space sooner rather than later.
On the 6th we’ll say goodbye to our Mara home and drive back to Nairobi (6-hours); most flights depart in the late afternoon, so we’ll enjoy a final lunch together and part ways. Soon we will have a whole safari photo album online available for you to revisit and show your loved ones!
Please click the title of the desired tab to open it.
Price & What is Included
The price for this journey is $9999 USD per person (double occupancy).
A $2000 non-refundable deposit holds your space. The second installment of $4000 is due by May 1, 2022, and the balance is due by July 1, 2022. We will email you an invoice (via PayPal) about a week before each due date.
If you prefer to have your own room, the single supplement is $1499 USD and will be added to your last payment. (Click here to understand why this single supplement is necessary). We are happy to say we have partially subsidized this single supplement for you! Please note that we cannot guarantee you a roommate for this trip, and if you room alone, you will be responsible for the single supplement.
Price Includes:
- All transportation within Kenya, including VVIP airport pickup and drop-off (yes, two “V”s!)
- All lodging starting the night of September 25th through October 5th
- Extra luggage allowance on all internal flights (additional 17 lbs, bringing total to 50 lb allowance total)
- All meals, starting with breakfast on September 26th and ending with lunch on October 6th
- All water, on safari and at meals
- All alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, house cocktails)
- All safaris in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser (only 4 to 5 guests per vehicle)
- All National Park entrance fees ($700 USD per person)
- All tips to guides, hotels, and restaurants
- All laundry
- Online photo album after the trip
- Triple carbon-offsetting for your time in Kenya
- Sundowner experience
- Personal SIM card with data for your use
Price does not include:
- International airfare (although will be more than happy to help you decide on arrangements!)
- Dinner on September 25th
- Kenya visa (~$51 USD) or East African Visa if you are adding the Rwanda extension (~$100 USD)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional Hot Air Balloon ride in the Masai Mara ($470 USD for 2021; we’ll update you when we get 2022 prices)
Payments
We accept payments via check and credit or debit card (via PayPal). For our guests outside the U.S., please write Lauren@RetreaTours.com for the best transfer details, to save you from PayPal’s 2.5 to 4.5% currency conversion fee.
- Paying by Check: Checks can be made out to RetreaTours and sent to 8821 NW 14 Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.
- Paying by Credit Card, Debit Card, or PayPal balance: You can pay the balance with credit card, debit card, or PayPal balance through the button below. Note that you do not have to pay with your PayPal balance; please click here if you’d like further instruction.
We will email you an invoice (via PayPal) about a week before each due date.
Cancellation Policy
We do everything in our power to do right by our guests. We are proud to say that in the wake of our COVID-related trip cancellations through 2020 and 2021, we were able to offer each of our guests the choice of a 100% credit, if not a full refund.
We’ve re-examined each trip and done our best to reduce the deposit amounts as much as possible. Upon your registration, your deposit immediately goes toward reserving your space for flights, hotels, and excursions that must be booked months in advance and are often non-refundable (particularly in Kenya and Rwanda).
Cancellation by our guests
The cancellation charges are as follows unless otherwise indicated on the detailed itinerary for each trip. All cancellations must be received via e-mail or US mail.
- Cancellations prior to 120 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit.
- Cancellations received 61 to 119 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.
- Cancellations received 60 days or fewer prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
If a trip is cancelled by RetreaTours
When a tour is cancelled in the case of force majeure, the Tour Participant will receive a refund minus any funds that we are unable to recover from any supplier.
You can see the full cancellation policy in our contract here.
Registration Questions & Contract
Please click here to go to complete this journey’s registration form. You will be asked for your passport expiration date; if you will need to renew your passport before this trip, simply fill in your old information and update us when you receive your new passport.
At the end of the form, please press “submit” to finalize your answers. Your spot is not considered reserved until you have completed these questions and submitted your deposit.
Please click here to download to view and download a PDF of the contract for your records.
"Bugs & Temperature"
We know these two topics are important! Do you know how we know? We see your Facebook page and this is what all your friends ask you while you are on safari with us! Here’s the scoop:
Temperature
Yes, you’re in Africa. Yes, you’re near the equator. But, YES, it can still be chilly! Bank on chilly mornings and evenings (as in 50°F chilly, possibly in places). This is due to weather patterns and altitude (we’ll range from 2500 feet in Samburu to 6000 feet in Nairobi).
It will also get warm during the heat of the day (85°F+). This means layers, layers, layers. Feel free to bring light t-shirts or even tank tops and shorts for warm afternoons back at the hotels and camps, but please do bring long pants and a sweater or jacket (especially if you plan on doing the optional hot air balloon ride).
Bugs
You may have a vision of tons of insects and mosquitos invading your space on a safari. It just ain’t so!
We will be visiting Kenya during the dry season and mosquitos and creepy crawlies, in general, aren’t a big concern. We asked our September 2021 guests in our post-trip survey about the number of mosquitos they saw on tour; 8 guests said “zero,” one guest said “1,” and one eagle-eyed guest said “5.” My favorite quote was “I saw NO bugs except a grasshopper and a funny rhinoceros beetle.” My personal count was 2; BJ traveled around Kenya for 7 weeks and his total was 7.
Malaria is still endemic in Kenya and you should have that conversation about antimalarials with your travel doctor (please see the “vaccine” part of our FAQ below for more information about that).
We say this not to lessen any of your precautions against malaria or yellow fever—we’re big fans of being well-prepared and taken care of. This is to give you a bit of perspective about what the actual situation is on the ground.
Please do bring personal insect repellent, please do wear it and/or long-sleeves and pants at night, and certainly, feel free to use any mosquito nets around your bedding (available at some camps). But please don’t let fear of bugs put you off a Kenyan safari!
FAQ: Visas, Vaccines, Food, Money & more
- Passport and Visa information
- Food
- Health & Vaccines, Altitude, Travel Insurance
- Money & How to Get Local Currency
- Communication / Internet Connectivity
PASSPORT/VISA
- What do I need to know about the visa?
First and foremost, your passport MUST be valid at least 6 months beyond the end date of the trip, and you’ll need two empty pages in the Visas section of your passport (make sure they are in the Visa section, not the Amendment or Endorsement section).
We’ll give you further visa instructions along with the orientation before the journey. The Kenya visa is $51 USD and for those that are extending their journey to Rwanda, you can receive an East African visa for $100 USD.
FOOD
- Can my dietary needs be accommodated?
Absolutely, we’ll let the camps know about your needs before our arrival. Please indicate any special requests & allergies on the registration form. Please note that some breakfasts & lunches will be boxed meals that we will take to enjoy on safari, but dinners will always be at our hotels.
- Should I bring snacks?
So glad you asked–yes! Snacks like nuts, protein bars, or other favorites are a nice thing to have on hand during long days on safari.
- Can I drink the tap water?
In a word, No. Although many cities around the world are getting more advanced public water systems, we don’t recommend it. Not only from a pathogen standpoint, but it’s a different set of bacteria than your body is used to. Why risk an upset stomach if you don’t have to? We recommend drinking only bottled water, and you will want to rinse your toothbrush off in bottled water. If you’d like to bring a reusable bottle and a means of sterilization to save on plastic water bottle consumption, you are more than welcome. Otherwise, we will have access to filtered water at all times.
HEALTH & VACCINES
- What vaccines do I need?
RetreaTours requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccine and booster for this trip.
No vaccines are required to enter Kenya, but this is one destination where we highly encourage you to work with your local travel clinic or the travel department of your local health department (often a much cheaper option).
Please see the CDC’s general advice for Kenya: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
Please see the NHS’s general advice for Kenya: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/kenya
As you can see in the CDC’s map below, the Yellow Fever vaccine is recommended for Kenya.
- What about malaria?
As you can see on the CDC’s malaria map below, malaria is endemic throughout Kenya and preventatives are recommended. Please work with your travel physician for the prophylactic best for you.
- Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required on this trip; please see the separate “Travel Insurance” toggle on this page.
MONEY
- How much money should I bring?
All of your meals and transportation are covered, so you just have to gauge how much you want to spend on extras. After registration we’ll let you know how much some of the optional activities cost, as well as tips to the guide that are not included.
- How do I get the local currency?
You can either exchange cash in Kenya or use a local ATMs upon arrival in Nairobi (although exchanging money will be easier). Just make sure you call your bank and credit card company to let them know you’ll be traveling in Kenya so they don’t put a hold on your card when they see it being used halfway across the world.
HOTELS
- What kind of hotels will we be staying at?
Please see the separate “About our Accommodations” toggle on this page.
- What kind of plugs do they use in Kenya?
Yes, just be sure to bring along a Universal Travel Adaptor that can go with you anywhere in the world! If you plan on using your phone as a camera on safari, we also highly recommend bringing a portable battery charger such as this one.
COMMUNICATION
- How can my family get ahold of me in an emergency?
Before the trip begins we will give you the contact information for our guide and our partner travel office in Nairobi; in addition, we will give you an American number good for text messages and voicemails. An international phone plan will work in many places on our trip, but please check with your cell provider. If you have an unlocked cell phone, we will provide you with a local Kenyan SIM card on arrival.
- About the Wifi
You will have wifi at most of our camps and all of our hotels in Nairobi, but it can be a very weak signal out in the bush. Cell phone signals (and data) are relatively consistent with a local SIM card at our camps, but we cannot promise constant connectivity.
Our Carbon Negative Commitment
RetreaTours is Climate Positive!
We purchase triple carbon offsets for your travels with us—that’s from your home, through the entire tour, and back to your home again, times three!
RetreaTours is officially a Carbonfree® Partner with Carbonfund.org, as well as a partner with Cool Effect.
You may have heard the term “carbon neutral,” which means that a company offsets as much carbon as it produces. With this 300% offset, RetreaTours is actually offsetting more carbon than we produce each year, making us “carbon negative” (or “climate positive,” which has a nicer ring to it!)
Since 2012 we’ve focused on making travel safe and easy for our guests; with our triple carbon offset tours, we’re pleased to make our trips as sustainable as they are memorable.
Please see more at RetreaTours.com/CarbonNegative
About our Accommodations
During our time together in Kenya, we’ll be staying at a mix of hotels, lodges, and luxury tent camps (true “glamping!”). The camps are stylish and comfortable and each tent has its own bathroom with running hot water and shower. If you’d like to see our accommodations, please see the links below!
- September 25-26, Nairobi: Tamarind Tree Hotel
- September 27-28, Amboseli: Ol Tukai Lodge
- September 29-30, Samburu: Ashnil Samburu Camp
- October 1-2, Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
- October 3-5, Masai Mara: Ashnil Mara Camp
Suggested Fitness Requirements
Safaris are not physically strenuous, but they do require a decent amount of time sitting in a vehicle.
We cut down on driving with this itinerary by flying, but we will have two drives between destinations (3 hours to Ol Pejeta and 5-6 hours between Masai Mara and Nairobi).
Our morning game drives can be up to 5 hours at a stretch (afternoon game drives about 3 hours), but we will also have time to stretch our legs for our boxed breakfasts and “bush” toilet stops. The roofs on our Land Cruisers pop open so you can stand in the vehicle, as well!
We have personally provided stepstools to get into the vehicles and even portable folding toilet seats to make bush stops more comfortable for you.
Travel Insurance
If you are traveling with RetreaTours, we require that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation.
We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly.
Below you will find some options to look into, if this is a new world to you. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.
World Nomads provides medical coverage for guests under 70 that includes trip cancellation, as well. You can use the box on this page to get a quote and see coverage.
InsureMyTrip.com is a good place to see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like.
It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.
About your International Flights
We are more than happy to recommend international flights, but ultimately you will make the purchase yourself. Here is some important information if you would like to research flights yourself:
When must I arrive in Nairobi / where will I stay?
Because many flights arrive late at night, we are not including dinner on the 25th. We advise arriving before midnight on the 25th at the very latest. You may wish to arrive early to account for any flight delays or cancellations or weather incidents at your departure airport.
If you wish to arrive early, we can help you with hotel reservations.
What time should I book my departing flight from Nairobi?
The trip is technically finished after lunch on October 6th, and most flights leave in the late afternoon and evening. If possible, your flight departure time should be after 6 PM on October 6th.
What if I am continuing on to Rwanda?
Please let BJ help you if you are planning an extension to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Often a flight into Kenya and out of Rwanda is very affordable and much easier for you.
Temperature & Suggested Packing List
The historic temperatures in Kenya and our safari destinations will range between 50°F and 85°F+ (12°C and 30°C). This will mean chilly evenings and early mornings to pleasantly warm afternoons.
We’ll provide a packing list well before the journey! Please note that we highly suggest soft-sided luggage in order to fit inside the safari vehicles.
This journey includes an upgraded luggage allowance for our flights. Typically guests are limited to 33 lbs, but we have increased that amount to 50 lbs total.
Contact RetreaTours
Please write Lauren@RetreaTours.com for any questions you may have about this journey. If you have not received a reply within 48 hours, please do check your spam folder.
About BJ and Lauren of RetreaTours
You’ll be joined on this journey by BJ & Lauren, owners of RetreaTours–and we are so excited to show you the natural beauty of Kenya!
BJ & Lauren created RetreaTours in 2010 with one goal in mind: to make world travel accessible, authentic, and astounding. In order to focus fully on this passion, they moved out of the U.S. in January 2013 to reside full-time overseas. Each day is spent exploring new destinations, strengthening local ties & relationships, and creating memorable, transformative, one-of-a-kind retreats and tours (aka, RetreaTours™!)
BJ & Lauren take great pride in the itineraries they plan, as they can personally vouch for every hotel, every restaurant, and every activity that you will experience. They craft each element of the trip with intention and exacting attention to detail. Fueled by their passion, armed with know-how, and supported by knowledgeable local professionals in all of their destinations, BJ & Lauren set the scene for the vacation of a lifetime. (You can read some of our testimonials here!)
As one of their most ‘frequent fliers’ puts it, BJ & Lauren make everything easy for you. Once you arrive in your destination city, your trip is all-inclusive—your meals, transportation, lodging, site fees, donations, and tips are all taken care of. The research has been done, the itinerary carefully laid out, the reservations made, the t’s crossed and the i’s dotted. All you have to do is show up and take in all your destination has to show you! So….let’s get going!
Click here for more information on a Mountain Gorilla add-on in Rwanda (3 days)
What better way to wrap up your time in East Africa than with a visit to the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda!
There are limited permits for this extension, and we can only hold your space with a separate deposit for this experience (more details below).
Itinerary at a Glance
- October 6: Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the evening from Nairobi. Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson in Kigali.
- October 7: Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the morning; brief tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial; lunch; drive ~3 hours through beautiful rural Rwanda to your base in Musanze. Overnight at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
- October 8: Early wake-up & breakfast, and then transfer to Volcano National Park HQ for your gorilla briefing. Now, on to hike to the gorilla group (with a group of no more than 8 guests) and spend one hour in their company. Afternoon visit to Iby’ I wacu Cultural Village. Overnight at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
- October 9: Return back to Kigali for your departure flight. (We can help you plan an international flight into Kenya and out of Rwanda, for ease of travel)
Itinerary Details
October 6 (Which is also the last day of your Kenya safari): Fly to Rwanda
You’ll fly to Rwanda the evening of the last day of your Kenya adventure. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Park Inn by Radisson
October 7: Kigali Tour and drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you’ll be briefed on your Rwanda adventure!
You’ll start with a tour to the Genocide Memorial site and learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide and how Rwanda has dealt with that past. The recovery has been incredible, a true testament to humankind’s resilience.
Enjoy your lunch in Kigali and then you’ll be driven to Musanze in the northwest part of Rwanda, the main base town for Gorilla trekking. The drive is through beautiful rolling hills on a comfortable paved road and is approximately 3 hours from Kigali. Rwanda has one of of the most stunning landscapes BJ and Lauren have had the privilege to drive through!
Overnight: Tilorezo Volcanoes Ecolodge
October 8: Gorilla Trekking
After your morning wake-up call and breakfast, you’ll be picked up (around 6:30 AM) and transferred to the park office for gorilla trekking formalities and briefing by the Volcanoes National Park’s guides “gorilla etiquette.”
Park rangers have already left pre-dawn to locate the habituated Gorilla groups that are accessible to visitors. You will be assigned to a specific group of gorillas based on how easy you want your trek to be.
Groups of trekkers will have a maximum of 7 visitors per gorilla family. Your trek will vary in length depending on which gorilla group you have been assigned to and will commence at about 7,000 feet of altitude in the upper terraced slopes of the volcano. Soon you will enter the forest of bamboo and thick undergrowth.
You follow paths and the walking is steep but not overly strenuous. There are no words to describe the thrill of recognition attached to staring deep into the liquid brown eyes of these gentle giants. After locating your assigned Gorilla group, you will spend one hour in their company before retracing your steps back down the volcano slopes.
You’ll head back for a reenergizing lunch at your lodge and then you can enjoy an afternoon visit to the “Gorilla Guardians,” the Iby’ Iwacu Cultural Village.
Overnight: Tilorezo Volcanoes Ecolodge
October 9: Departure
After breakfast, enjoy the scenic drive back to Kigali and head to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Price & Inclusions
The price for this memorable journey is $3599 per person (shared room/minimum of two people total extending to Rwanda). We will let you know what the single supplement is for solo travelers.
Inclusions
- The Rwanda gorilla permit is currently $1500 and is priced as part of the trip. This fee goes to gorilla conversation and 10% of it goes directly back to help the surrounding communities so they don’t have to rely on poaching for income. Please click here for a great Associated Press article about this initiative.
- All airport transfers
- All accommodation
- All meals (through breakfast on your departure day)
- Transport in a 4×4 safari jeep
- Services of an English speaking driver/guide
- City tour of Kigali & visit to the Genocide museum
- Visit to the Iby’ Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians)
- Bottled drinking water while trekking and in vehicle
Exclusions
- Flight from Nairobi to Rwanda (~$199)
- Rwanda visa fees (If you go to Kenya and Rwanda, you’ll apply for an East Africa visa which costs $100 total)
- Gratuities to driver/guides and porters
- Laundry
- Alcohol
- Any COVID test requirements for entry or departure
- Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the “inclusions” listing above.
How to Reserve your Spot
Your non-refundable deposit to confirm your spot for the Mountain Gorilla extension is a total of $1900 USD per person (which includes your $1500 Rwandan park fee). In order to save your spot, you’ll want to reserve this as soon as possible to ensure a spot.
We’ll also need a photo or scan of the information page of your passport to secure your spot.
Photo Album
Please click a photo to see an enlarged version; you can use your arrow keys or mouse to navigate within the album.
ALL photos in this album were taken by BJ & Lauren in 2019 and 2021 in the same parks we’ll be visiting!
White rhino
271790361_6756370881101478_2275707841368651236_nA female ostrich
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A resident at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta
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Bat-eared fox
271805382_6756371247768108_5626580331225013993_nCrested cranes
271761792_6756660947739138_9168336310418461736_nWarthog & baby
271757160_6756370997768133_2012440006177133908_nOne of the last two northern white rhinos in the world
271708852_6756660831072483_7860943066116583930_nOryx
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Grevy's zebra
271793229_6756360311102535_7817620334866503071_nCrested cranes
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Leopard
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Baboon at rest in Amboseli
271603978_6756387231099843_1124714738839923528_nBreakfast time in the bush!
271765310_6756371147768118_5332385126442235700_nWhite rhinos
271788680_6756371124434787_5484299887285484456_nHyena at rest
271774933_6756370621101504_1810920056821204277_nWarthogs
271782615_6756370111101555_7985718313189621326_nA baby taking the time to say hello at the David Sheldrick center for orphaned elephants
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Wildebeest during the Migration
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Leopard
271788006_6756369817768251_5961578420246938238_nA hyena takes time to smell the roses 😂
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Elephants walk in front of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
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Giraffe in Masai Mara at sunset
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One of our 2021 guests at Ol Pejeta
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The majority of the "Ugly 5" are represented here (a name I definitely take offense to!)
271349964_6756386987766534_7374072968656447185_nBreakfast time with the Rothschild giraffes in Nairobi
271747199_6756386834433216_884381848032870027_nCheetah
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Hyena
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Lilac-breasted roller
271744100_6756370404434859_6696312661919582879_nBaboon
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Roseate spoonbill
271648358_6756386761099890_7993556389927492867_nReticulated giraffe
271764635_6756360234435876_7122778608553772888_nBreakfast time at David Sheldrick elephant orphanage
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Gerenuks
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You can have a smartphone safari!
Do we recommend only having your smartphone on safari? Not necessarily. Can you bring home some excellent shots on your smartphone, though? Absolutely! We get so close to so many animals that sometimes you have to use your phone instead of a zoom lens.
The video below highlights footage that BJ took exclusively on his iPhone 11 in 2019—nothing edited or zoomed beyond the standard 2x zoom. This video goes to show that it’s not only about what camera you are using on safari!
Want to relax and not worry about capturing the moment? Bring your smartphone & a pair of binoculars and then rely on our photo album at the end of the safari!
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