Drive into the Wild: Kenya at your own pace

Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi

The adventure begins the moment the keys are placed in your hand. Take your first drive through the city and settle into the experience. Ease into the journey with a visit to the Giraffe Centre, where endangered Rothschild's giraffes offer an introduction to Kenya's wildlife. Later, gather around the table at Cultiva Farm for dinner. Overnight: Serena Hotel Nairobi.

Day 2 – Into Meru

The traffic lights become open roads, the open roads become wilderness and, before long, Meru is all around you. Cross the Equator and pass the Sagana River as the landscape unfolds. By afternoon, rivers, palm forests and open grasslands announce your arrival in Meru. Spend a quiet afternoon fishing along the banks of the Tana River before keeping watch for Pel's fishing owl. At sunset, climb the granite slopes of Mugwango Hill as Mount Kenya rises in the distance. Overnight: Rhino River Camp

Day 3 – The Heart of Meru

Follow sandy tracks through the Rhino Sanctuary, where black and white rhinos graze among the acacias as reticulated giraffes and Grevy's zebras move quietly through the bush. In the afternoon, follow the footsteps of Joy and George Adamson, visiting Elsa's Grave and Adamson Falls. A place where Elsa, the lioness who inspired Born Free, was returned to the wild, forever linking Meru with one of Africa's greatest wildlife stories. As the day cools, drive back across the plains as lions emerge and elephants make their way towards the marshes. Overnight: Rhino River Camp

Day 4 – The Road to Samburu

Leave Murera Gate behind and follow the road towards Samburu. Forests give way to red earth, rocky outcrops and doum palms, while the Ewaso Ng'iro River cuts a winding path through the landscape. Every bend in the road reveals another reason to keep driving. Overnight: Soroi Samburu Lodge

Day 5 – Exploring Samburu

Set out in search of the celebrated Special Five — the gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and Somali ostrich — each uniquely adapted to this rugged landscape. Visit a traditional Samburu manyatta and discover a culture deeply connected to the land. As the day cools, follow the Ewaso Ng'iro River towards Buffalo Springs as lions begin to stir. Overnight: Soroi Samburu Lodge

Day 6 – Down to Laikipia

Leave Archers Post behind and follow the road south through Isiolo before turning west towards Laikipia. Dry plains give way to rolling grasslands, acacia woodland and vast conservancies stretching into the distance. By late afternoon, the campfire is crackling as the last light settles across the valley. Overnight: Laikipia Wilderness Camp

Day 7 – Exploring Laikipia

Laikipia is awfully unpredictable. Around the next bend you may encounter one of Africa's rarest sights; the melanistic, or black, leopard whose dark coat has earned it an almost mythical status. Follow the Ewaso Narok River alongside expert trackers in search of endangered African wild dogs, striped hyenas and aardwolves before cooling off in the river beneath thousands of stars. Overnight: Laikipia Wilderness Camp

Day 8 – Laikipia to Naivasha

The road winds south through Nanyuki and onwards to Nyahururu, where Thomson's Falls comes into view. Here, the Ewaso Ng'iro River plunges more than 70 meters into the gorge. Lake Naivasha shimmers in the distance. Leave the vehicle behind and drift across the lake towards Crescent Island, where zebras, wildebeests and gazelles move freely. As darkness falls, grazing hippos signal the close of the day. Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort

Day 9 – Naivasha to Nairobi

Take to the trails of Hell's Gate National Park, exchanging the vehicle for a bicycle and experience the landscape from an entirely different perspective. Later, follow the road back towards Nairobi, pausing along the escarpment to admire views across the Great Rift Valley and Mount Longonot. The keys may be returned, but the memories of changing landscapes and discoveries made along the way remain embedded in your heart.

Included services:

Accommodation and meal plan as per above itineraries
Self-driven 4x4 vehicle
Giraffe center entry fee
Shared game drives at Laikipia at the conservancy
Park fees for Meru Park, Samburu reserve, Laikipia and Hellsgate
Cresent Island Walk

Recommended travel period:

August - December

Excluded services:

Items of personal nature e.g. shopping
International flight
Tips to guide/rangers $5-10 per person per day
Travel and medical insurance
Any other item not mentioned above as part of the safari package
Lunch and Dinner in Nairobi first day
Fishing and ranger fee at Tana
Night game drives at Laikipia
Exclusive use of vehicle at Laikipia
Buffalo springs Isiolo game drives
Vehicle Park entry fee to the parks
Fuel during the safari

Image source: LCC Magical Skies
Image source: LCC Magical Skies
Image source: LCC Magical Skies
Image source: LCC Magical Skies
Image source: LCC Magical Skies