The ultimate itinerary in Kenya

Samburu National Park: in search of the Special Five

Are you a nature fanatic and avid wildlife-spotter? Then Samburu National Park, located in the middle of Kenya, is the perfect place to start your adventure in this fascinating country. Samburu is a slightly lesser-known park in Kenya, but that doesn’t mean it’s less special. It is best known for its red, hilly landscape and unique animal population including the ‘Samburu Special Five’: the Grevy zebra, the net giraffe, the Beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich and the gerenuk. The latter looks like a normal gazelle, but the difference is that the gerenuk can stand upright on its hind legs while feasting on leaves growing on the trees. There is nothing like going out with a local guide in search of these five unique animal species. Especially when you have to share it with not many other tourists.

That's not all there is to see in Samburu, by the way. The classic animals like elephants, giraffes, lions or cheetahs also call this place their home. A goose-bump moment when you see them for the first time in the constantly changing landscapes! Samburu is the place to be for an authentic African safari experience.

Looking for an exceptional lodge to explore this park? Then Saruni Samburu might be the one for you. This luxurious lodge with about eight architectural gems of villas is perched on a rocky hill with unrivalled panoramic views over the red landscape. Even after your safari, here, you can admire the beauty and tranquillity of the game reserve. Just make sure you lock the entrance to your villa's balcony securely, or the monkeys will make off with your snacks!

Maasai Mara: chasing the Great Migration

From central Kenya, the journey continues south to the world-famous Maasai Mara. There - provided the timing is right - you can witness the Great Migration, one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the world. Every year, millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate across the vast savannahs, pursued by hungry predators. Crossing the wild Mara River often ends fatally for the wildebeest and zebra. This offers raw footage that many National Geographic documentaries have spectacularly portrayed.

But the Maasai Mara is also a must- visit before and after the Great Migration. You’ll fill your days spotting the big five in a green, vast landscape. It’s almost impossible to describe in words - every hour you would want to squeeze your arm to feel if this is all real. The colours, silence and purity of this part of Kenya are unique.

As a base, we recommend the andBeyond group. They stand out in offering the ultimate safari experience and go out of their way to support local wildlife and communities. In the Maasai Mara, they do this at two locations: the exclusive andBeyond Bateleur Camp, and the slightly larger andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. What's great about these places is that you pay one price and all safaris, meals and snacks are included. So once you arrive, you don't have to think about anything else.

... except how you like to spend your days. An experienced wildlife guide will ask you about your preferences on arrival and create an activity plan based on them. What a treat! Here, it's all about hospitality at an unseen high level: you're addressed on a first-name basis, get home-made snacks and drinks whenever you want, and are surprised in the evening with a visit by a local Maasai tribe. All this in a setting that will make your mouth water. Definitely something to put on your bucket list!

And speaking of bucket list experiences... If you want a real once-in-a-lifetime experience, hop into the wicker basket of a hot air balloon that takes you over the Maasai Mara. The pain caused by the early wake-up call will be completely forgotten as you watch the sun slowly climb above the horizon in magical silence, illuminating the natural beauty all around you. After the bumpy landing, you enjoy a bubbly breakfast in the greenery. A dream!

Floating among hippos and waterbucks

After the excitement of the Maasai Mara, it's time for rest and relaxation at Lake Naivasha, Kenya's highest lake at 1,884 metres. A beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by acacia forests and volcanic hills where hippos bathe in the water, surrounded by hundreds of bird species. Think giant marabous and pelicans, but also the iconic African bald eagle with a wingspan of over one and a half metres.

During a boat trip on the lake, you will spot giraffes and waterbucks on the banks and on the island in the middle of the lake. If you feel that these scenes look familiar, you may once have seen ‘Out of Africa’. After all, this 1985 Oscar-winning film starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep was shot on this island. The animals were specially brought over from the Maasai Mara for this film... and stayed there.

Can't get enough of all that wildlife spotting? Then you can plan more game drives from the nearby Chui Lodge, as this picturesque hotel with eight luxurious cabins is located in the middle of the Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary. So don't be alarmed if you hear a warthog grunting at the front door of your hut, or hyenas calling their clan together at dusk.

Cycling through Hell's Gate

Close to Lake Naivasha lies Hell's Gate National Park. For the more adventurous, a bicycle ride through this piece of natural beauty in Rift Valley is an absolute must, as you cycle among giraffes, zebras and antelopes that you can admire from close by. A unique and active way to experience Kenyan nature, and especially something we can only dream of in our little country of Belgium!

Hell's Gate, by the way, gets its name from the steaming geysers. Locals say they send steam from hell towards earth. Apart from this volcanic activity, this park is also known for its towering rock formations very reminiscent of the Grand Canyon, which provide a temporary home for large colonies of vultures. They come here to breed in the crevices of the rocks - the only place in Kenya where they do this, by the way.

If, like Lake Naivasha, you feel like you've seen this landscape before, that's not at all surprising. After all, this park was the model for the landscapes in the iconic Disney cartoon ‘The Lion King’. For instance, you will find the rock on which the legendary scene takes place in which Mufasa dies after being pushed into the deep end by his brother Scar. Nostalgia for millennials, it comes to life all over again in Hell's Gate.

Surrounded by giants in Amboseli

A little further south is Amboseli National Park, located on the border with Tanzania and famous for its large herds of elephants - that's why the park is also called ‘the home of the African elephant’. The iconic view of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro is as famous as the huge elephant population itself. Amboseli offers unique photogenic safari moments, with flamingos and with elephants roaming the open savannah plains while Africa's highest mountain looms in the background. It produces unparalleled images that are forever burned into your retinas. Kilimanjaro with its summit at 5,895 metres may be located in Tanzania, but from Amboseli National Park you will enjoy the best views of this majestic mountain.

While you relax and float in Angama Amboseli's stylish pool, you also admire in full splendour that same Kilimanjaro. This brand new gem of a lodge combines the highest level of luxury and hospitality with intimacy and unparalleled views. For instance, you can enjoy a sundowner from the complex's viewing tower, where you can watch the sun set with a drink in hand - a magical moment.

Just as magical is the pizza lunch in the middle of nature that the guide takes you to after a game drive. Or the resident photographer who helps you with camera loans or photography advice. Or the architecture that fits perfectly into the environment thanks to the use of elephant dung (yes, you read that right). Every moment is a surprise at Angama Amboseli.

Watamu: searching for dolphins in a traditional boat

After the adventure in the bush, it's time for some relaxation on the Kenyan coast. A short domestic flight will take you to Malindi, where the Watamu Treehouse awaits you as a fairytale overnight spot. This treehouse in the original fishing village is a unique, spiritual eco-lodge tucked between mangrove forests and white sandy beaches. Beaches you would never expect to find in Africa.

A stone's throw from Watamu Treehouse is Watamu Marine Park, a paradise for snorkellers and divers. In a traditional Dhow sailboat, you will trek through the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean teeming with colourful coral reefs, dolphins, tropical fish, rays and even sea turtles. Snorkel on, dive and enjoy! A kayak or SUP trip through the mangroves is not to be missed here either. You read: under the swaying palm trees of Watamu, you won't get bored easily.

In the evening, head to The Crab Shack or Lichthaus for dinner and/or drinks under the setting sun. The perfect place to end the trip at.

From the rugged wilderness in Samburu to the iconic Maasai Mara, from relaxing Lake Naivasha to the elephants in Amboseli, and from authentic Watamu to the underwater splendour of the Indian Ocean - Kenya has it all. What are you waiting for?