Compare At Your Pace: The Wild Beauty of Kenya by Road Scholar vs Kenya Safari Experience by G Adventures

Day 1: Depart from the U.S. 

Depart From: Depart from the U.S.

Day 2: Nairobi - Arrivals in Nairobi, Kenya.   

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric

Arrive To: Evening arrivals into Nairobi.

After concluding Immigration and Customs procedures, meet the Road Scholar representative (outside the secured area) and transfer to the hotel.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Note: This is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day.

Day 3: Nairobi - Program Orientation/Karen Blixen H...      

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric

Nairobi -

Program Orientation/Karen Blixen House/Giraffe Center/Lecture.

Note: Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Breakfast: Late breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Get to know your group leader and fellow Road Scholar participants during a welcome and introduction session at the hotel. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have.

Lecture: "Kenya Today, A Legacy of the Past."

Get to know your group leader and fellow Road Scholar participants during a welcome and introduction session at the hotel. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have.

Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to Karen Blixen's house (now a national museum). The colonial plantation house was the home of Baroness Karen Blixen, who ran a coffee plantation in Kenya from 1914 to 1931. Her struggles and romance with British hunter Finch-Hatton are immortalized in her autobiography, Out of Africa (under the pen name Isak Dinesen).

Follow your museum visit with a field trip to Giraffe Center with site lecture. The center was created in 1979 in an effort to save Kenya’s endangered Rothschild Giraffe, indigenous to the Lake Nakuru area.

In the late 1970s, only 130 Rothschild Giraffes existed in the wild, displaced by encroaching agriculture. Since its founding, the Giraffe Center has been able to increase the giraffe population by raising and relocating the giraffes to protected wildlife parks and reserves. The center welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy a close encounter with these gentle giants for a unique hands-on learning experience.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Time at leisure.

Day 4: Amboseli National Park - Safari Game Drive/L...          

Meals: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge

Morning: Early transfer to Nairobi's Wilson Airport to catch a flight to Amboseli.

Arrive in Amboseli and transfer to the lodge.

Brunch: Enjoy a late breakfast at the lodge, followed by free time to explore the lodge grounds and relax.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy time at leisure to catch up on your reading, rest, or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

Meet in the lounge for tea and cookies before embarking on an afternoon safari in the national park.

Ready your cameras and binoculars before boarding pop-top vehicles for an exhilarating game drive in Amboseli National Park. This is one of the best places in Kenya to observe elephants.

Return to the lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Local entertainment at the lodge.

Day 5: Amboseli National Park - Target Species Game...        

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge

Breakfast: Early breakfast at the lodge

Morning: Field trip to focus on the elephants of Amboseli with site lecture.

Amboseli is synonymous with large elephant herds. Because of the local drought and the varying feeding patterns, the traditional feeding grounds and migration routes of the elephants are changing. The plight of the Amboseli elephants will be a hot topic during game drives in the park.

Return to the lodge.

Time at leisure to rest or enjoy lodge grounds before lunch.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Lecture: The History of the Amboseli National Park.

Special attention will be given to the elephant research projects that have been conducted in the park and the influence of climatic changes on their behavior.

Afternoon target species game drive with site lecture.

Return to the lodge.

Orientation to the next day's activities.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Time at leisure.

Day 6: Amboseli National Park - Morning Game Drive/...         

Meals: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge

Amboseli National Park -

Morning Game Drive/Lectures/Afternoon Social.

Morning: Early morning game drive focusing on the lesser-known animals of Amboseli. The scenic park offers great photo opportunities in the early morning light.

Return to the lodge.

Brunch: Enjoy a late breakfast at the lodge, followed by time at leisure.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Lecture: Current Issues affecting Kenya from a Land, Social and Cultural Perspective.

Video presentation: "Family of Echo, The Story of an Elephant"

Share personal stories and discuss your first impressions of Kenya with fellow participants during a pre-dinner social. Raise your glasses in a farewell toast to majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Evening entertainment at the lodge.

Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park - Rural Cooperativ...       

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru National Park -

Rural Cooperative and Cultural Interaction with Local Women /Local Entertainment.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Transfer to the air strip to catch a flight to Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi and transfer by safari vans to Lake Nakuru National Park. En route to Lake Nakuru, stop at a Rift Valley lookout point for a site lecture.

Lunch: En route to Lake Nakuru.

Afternoon: Continue with transfer to Lake Nakuru.

The park is most famous for the millions of flamingoes that dot the lake. However, Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to a variety of game and plant species. The region surrounding Lake Nakuru contains several archaeological sites.

En route visit a local women's cooperative. Interact with the women from the small rural community who initiated a number of self-help projects in an effort to generate money to help support their families.

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Local entertainment at the lodge.

Day 8: Lake Nakuru National Park - Introduction...  

Meals: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru National Park -

Introduction to Lake Nakuru/Target Species Game Drive/Lecture.

Morning: Early morning snack, coffee/tea and cookies, before embarking on a target species game drive in the park. In addition to searching for white and black rhino, we will also spend time observing the social interactions of baboons and warthogs and learn how they function in groups.

Return to the lodge.

Brunch: Late breakfast at the lodge, followed by free time.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Lecture: Lake Nakuru and the Great Rift Valley.

Afternoon target species game drive focusing on flamingoes at sunset. Learn about the migration cycles of these colorful birds.

Return to the lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Time at leisure.

Day 9: Masai Mara - Morning Game Drive/Flight from ...      

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karen Blixen Camp

Masai Mara -

Morning Game Drive/Flight from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara.

Breakfast: Early morning snack, coffee/tea and cookies, before embarking on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Return to the lodge for a hearty, late-morning breakfast.

Morning: Check-out and transfer to the Lake Nakuru airstrip to catch a flight to the Masai Mara.

Lunch: Arrive in the Masai Mara and transfer to the camp, arriving in time for a late lunch.

Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon at the camp.

Take the opportunity to relax by the pool, do some "armchair game viewing" from your tent's veranda, or maybe pamper your tired muscles with a soothing massage treatment.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: Time at leisure.

Day 10: Masai Mara - Game Drive in Search of Big Cat...            

Meals: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karen Blixen Camp

Masai Mara -

Game Drive in Search of Big Cats/Lectures/Campfire Stories.

Morning: Early this morning enjoy some coffee/tea and cookies before embarking on a game drive.

Big cats will be the focus of this morning's target species game drive.

The open savanna grasslands of the Mara is the favorite habitat of the big cats – the lion and the cheetah. Here, cheetahs use their superior speed to run down antelope in a well-rehearsed hunting routine which we might be fortunate to witness. There is a possibility to see a pride of lion gorging on the remains of their successful hunt from the previous night.

Return to the camp.

Brunch: Late breakfast at the camp, followed by free time.

Lunch: At the camp.

Afternoon: Free time to rest and relax at the camp. The camp grounds are on the banks of the Mara River, an ideal spot for game viewing.

Lecture: "The Rituals and Culture of the Maasai and their Connection to the Land"

Field trip to local Maasai Village and site lecture.

The Maasai live along the Great Rift Valley in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. These semi-nomadic people are herdsmen who live under a communal land management system. Livestock is still the main source of income and nourishment for the Maasai, though farming and the selling of crafts is increasingly used to supplement their income. The once strong and proud Maasai have lost most of their lands to national parks and reserves. Restricted by government and no longer able to herd freely and access water sources, they are slowly being forced to adapt to modern ways; renouncing long-held traditions in an effort to survive.

Return to the camp.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: Gather around the fire to participate in an old-time safari tradition: campfire stories.

Day 11: Masai Mara - Game Drives in the Masai Mara R...  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karen Blixen Camp

Masai Mara -

Game Drives in the Masai Mara Reserve/Campfire Entertainment.

Breakfast: At the camp.

Morning: Full day of game drives in the Masai Mara Reserve.

The timing of the migration of two million wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara is impossible to predict. At the low point migration, the grasslands of the Mara are dotted with thousands of grazing animals. At the height of the migration, long lines of animals in single file appear to stretch to the horizon.

Lunch: Within the Masai Mara Reserve.

Afternoon: Continue with game drive activities within the reserve.

Late afternoon arrival at the camp.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the camp.

Evening: Cap your busy day with some campfire entertainment and celebrate the end of your East African adventure.

Day 12: Evening Departures to the U.S.      

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Panari Hotel

Note: Dayroom only - check out is at 6:00 pm, no overnight is included

Breakfast: At the camp.

Morning: Transfer to the Mara airstrip to catch a flight to Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi in time for lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, check-into the Panari Hotel for dayroom accommodations. Participants will have the opportunity to rest, shower, and finalize their packing before heading to the airport for evening flights to the U.S.

A light snack will be provided at the hotel before transferring participants to the airport.

Transfer to the international airport and board flights back to the U.S.

This concludes the program. We hope you enjoyed your Road Scholar adventure! When you get home, remember to stay in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network; share memories, pictures, and comments about your recent travels.

Day 13: Arrivals in the U.S.            

Arrive To: Arrive to the U.S.

Day 1 Nairobi

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Our trips throughout Kenya and Tanzania have a maximum group size of six travellers in addition to a CEO and a driver who are both trained safari guides. That means everyone gets a window seat and twice the insight about the astounding wildlife all around you.

Day 2 Nairobi/Lake Nakuru National Park

Depart early for Lake Nakuru, known for harbouring flocks of pink flamingos and a rich variety of bird species. Arrive at our safari lodge inside Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch, and seek out the resident rhinos on a late afternoon wildlife drive.

Day 3 Lake Nakuru National Park

Set out on morning and afternoon safaris through the picturesque park, searching for buffalo, impalas, lions, and more; and drive along the salty shores of Lake Nakuru to discover a mind-boggling variety of birds.

Day 4 Lake Nakuru National Park/Lake Naivasha

This morning attend a talk given by a representative of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)—a government institution dedicated to managing the country’s wildlife—about the issues surrounding poaching and wildlife conservation. Later head south through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, a large freshwater lake surrounded by grassy banks and olive trees. Cruise the lake on a boat, watching for hippos and buffalo; and peer through your binoculars to spot lovebirds, ibis, and the African fish eagle. Step ashore at Crescent Island—a peaceful wildlife sanctuary located in the middle of the lake— and enjoy a guided stroll in search of wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes.

The name Naivasha comes from the Maasai “Nai’posha”, which means “rough water”, though Lake Naivasha is generally calm as we watch for hippos and birdlife. Bring your binoculars and scan for lovebirds, ibis, and fish eagles, watch buffaloes wallow in the swamps and listen to colobus monkeys call from the treetops.

Day 5 Lake Naivasha/Masai Mara

Travel to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve and settle into our comfortable tented camp, located in the heart of the reserve. Head out for an afternoon safari through vast, acacia-dotted plains, driving past throngs of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffes; and keep an eye out for lions, elephants, and the rest of the African “big five.” In the evening, relax at the camp and enjoy scenic views of the rolling plains.

After breakfast, we depart for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. No trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit here. In the afternoon, we will arrive in the area, and get settled at our safari camp, our base for our time here. Then we’ll make our way into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive, with excellent chances of seeing the "big five": buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.

The road in and back out of the park is very rough and very bumpy, but once you catch a glimpse of the stunning wildlife, it is worth a bit of discomfort.

Day 6 Masai Mara

Venture out on an early morning safari to track the animals that traversed the savanna during the night. View ungulates like Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topi and eland antelopes—as well as their stealthy predators—at one of their most active times of the day. Continue your exploration on a late afternoon safari, discovering the timeless landscapes of Masai Mara.

Day 7 Masai Mara/Nairobi

Witness a breathtaking sunrise over the savanna during your final safari in Masai Mara, and head back to Nairobi. Stop en route at Café Ubuntu, a G Adventures–supported Planeterra project that trains and employs local women and mothers of children with disabilities. Café Ubuntu is an oasis with delicious organic food, hospitable staff, and a relaxing atmosphere based in Maai Mahiu. It is a beacon for tourists who drive through the area each year on their way to the famous Maasai Mara conservancy. Learn about how the initiative empowers the community, visit the craft centre to meet some of the women who create the wares sold there, and then sit down for a delicious farm-to-table lunch. Options range from breakfast tacos, soups, and salads, to freshly made pizzas, curry dishes, and burritos.

Rise early for a final morning wildlife safari drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Mara plains. Return to Nairobi in the late afternoon and opt to join the CEO in a farewell dinner.

Day 8 Nairobi

Depart at any time.