Compare Intergenerational Kenya: Big Cats, Baby Elephants & Maasai Warriors by Road Scholar vs Highlights of Kenya by Odynovo

Day 1: Depart the U.S. on Overnight Flights.

Depart From: Overnight flights from the U.S. to Nairobi, Kenya.

Day 2: Arrivals to Nairobi, Kenya.      

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric

Evening: Arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. If getting your visa upon arrival, please submit your completed visa application form, fee and valid passport at the visa booth before proceeding nearby to the Immigration counter.

The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the Customs exit door, in the arrivals hall, with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Note: This is an international travel day. No meals are included, other than those provided on the international flights. Hotel rooms available for check-in starting at 3 p.m.

Day 3: Nairobi - Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage/Kenya Wil...            

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric

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: In the hotel restaurant.

Morning: After breakfast, enjoy a short program orientation with your group leader.

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.

An introductory talk ('Saving Orphaned Elephants, Why Bother?') will prepare us for our morning field trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust- Orphan Project.

The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, located near Nairobi National Park, raises elephant calves and rhinos orphaned by poaching. The center was established by Daphne Sheldrick, widow of famed Tsavo game warden David Sheldrick. The orphanage is regularly open to the public in the mornings. At that time, visitors get to watch the playful calves being fed, exercised, and bathed. Once the animals are ready to be returned to the wild, they are transported to Tsavo National Park and reintroduced to resident herds.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Transfer to the Kenya Wildlife Headquarters and the animal orphanage.

While at the Kenya Wildlife Headquarters' animal orphanage watch the animals being fed, especially the big cats--lions and cheetahs. Learn how animals' teeth provide clues to the type of food they eat and where they live.

Return to the hotel. Before dinner, join in a group discussion about the wildlife seen during the day's activities. Children will be invited to select a specific animal to study throughout the program.

Following the wildlife discussion, enjoy a lesson on the basics of Swahili.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Evening: Free time.

Day 4: Lake Elementaita - National Museum/Excursion to ...               

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Elementaita Lodge

Lake Elementaita - National Museum/Excursion to Giraffe Center/Meeting a Maasai.

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart for the National Museum for a follow-up on animal studies and an introduction to the early inhabitants of Kenya--some of the oldest on Earth.

Excursion to the Giraffe Center where you will have the chance to feed these gracious animals and learn about their extraordinary physiology.

The Giraffe Center is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 with the purpose of saving 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.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Depart for Lake Elementaita with an introduction to the Great African Rift Valley from a lookout point en route.

Arrive at your lodge and enjoy some free time to explore the lodge grounds or simply relax before your evening activities.

Before dinner, meet your first Maasai for a talk about the significance of Lake Elementaita in the history of the Maasai people.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Free time.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru - Nature Walk with a Maasai/Mwariki ...               

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Lake Nakuru - Nature Walk with a Maasai/Mwariki Village Visit/Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Breakfast: At the lodge restaurant.

Morning: After breakfast, join a Maasai naturalist on a nature walk from the lodge to the shore of the lake. Enjoy an introduction to the bush lore of the Masai, observe flamingoes and discuss their migratory patterns in the Rift Valley.

Return to the lodge and free time until lunch.

Lunch: At the lodge restaurant.

Afternoon: Depart for the Mwariki Village, located at the entrance to the Lake Nakuru National Park. Learn about life in a rural village and participate in a bead making session organized by the ladies of this community.

Continue into the Lake Nakuru National Park for our first game drive and an introduction to the animals of the park.

Return to the lodge late in the afternoon. Review the day's activities with your group leader, followed by a discussion on Lake Nakuru's successful rhino breeding project--the most effective project of its kind in Kenya.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Local entertainment provided by the lodge.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru - Rhino Base/Game Drives.             

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Breakfast: At the lodge restaurant.

Morning: Early morning game drive to the Rhino Base for further discussion on the rhino followed by an intense search for these tank-like animals. Return to the lake shore for a discussion of the different eating habits of the Greater and Lesser Flamingo and find out how the food they eat affects their color. Search for the elusive leopard and study a large troop of baboons to learn about their social habits. Continue to the lookout point for a "spot the animal" competition.

Return to the lodge.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: After lunch, take advantage of your free time to enjoy the pool, catch-up on your reading, or get some rest before resuming activities later in the day.

Get together for tea and cookies, then embark on an afternoon game drive to observe how animals prepare for the night.

Return to the lodge for a review of the day's activities and an orientation session in preparation for your up and coming visit to the Kariandusi archaeological site.

Karibu! Gather around for another Swahili lesson.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Free time.

Day 7: Crater Lake - Kariandusi Pre-historic Site/Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Crater Lake Tented Camp

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Depart for the Kariandusi pre-historic site for a presentation on the Stone Age community that inhabited that location. Learn how they made their hand axes and watch one being made.

Dr. Louis Leakey, famed archaeologist and naturalist, discovered Kariandusi (an Acheulean site) near Lake Elementaita in 1928. Excavations (1929-1947) conducted at this location uncovered many Stone-Age implements including knives and hand axes. Interesting on-site exhibits showcase the archaeological finds.

Depart for Lake Naivasha with a short presentation on the different activities associated with the lake such as fishing and flower growing.

Lunch: At a local restaurant on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

Afternoon: Embark on a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha, skirting the shores of Crescent Island in search of animals that have the been the "stars" of many nature movies. Also, be on the look-out for African Fish Eagles as you cross the lake. These endangered raptors can sometimes be spotted snatching up unsuspecting fish out of the lake waters and carrying them away in their strong tallons.

Upon entering the Crater Lake Sanctuary, enjoy a short game drive looking for zebras, giraffes, warthogs, elands, and monkeys.

Arrive at the camp overlooking the crater lake. Free time to settle-in and relax.

As the last rays of sun slip below the horizon, we will gather around the camp fire for a story telling session.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: Free time.

Day 8: Crater Lake - Nature Walks at Crater Lake and Ga...   

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Crater Lake Tented Camp

Breakfast: Enjoy some early morning coffee and cookies at the camp while the local guide provides an enlightening introduction to the sounds of the morning.

Breakfast to follow.

Morning: On a guided nature walk around Crater Lake, search for monkeys and learn to identify the prints left behind by animals that visit the lake during the night. A short hike to the rim of the crater provides the opportunity to discuss the formation of the crater from a geological perspective.

Continue to the wildlife sanctuary with the naturalist guide for a rare opportunity to walk amongst the animals. To quietly stalk a browsing giraffe or a grazing eland gives a realistic perspective of the size and the beauty of these large animals.

Lunch: BBQ at the camp.

Afternoon: After lunch, meet in the conference room to watch a video presentation. An afternoon walk in the vicinity of the lake will focus on animal tracks and how to identify them.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: A night game drive in the sanctuary will introduce us to the eyes and sounds of the night.

Day 9: Masai Mara - Nature Walk with a Maasai Warrior/C...             

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Nyumbu Camp

Breakfast: At the camp.

Morning: Depart for the Masai Mara.

Lunch: Box lunch en route.

Afternoon: Orientation to the camp and presentation on the Masai Mara, Kenya's most famous reserve, by the resident Maasai naturalist.

A nature walk with a Maasai warrior will address the dos and don'ts when encountering wild animals.

Camp fire stories with a Maasai warrior.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: After dinner, learn about the Great Migration during a video presentation.

Day 10: Masai Mara - Game Drives in the Mara.            

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Nyumbu Camp

Breakfast: Early breakfast at the camp.

Morning: Depart for a game drive in the Masai Mara. The focus will be on bit cats--lion, leopard, and cheetah--with discussions and observation of their different hunting strategies and social structure. Also, expect to see your first elephants in the wild and learn how members of a family of elephants help each other.

As we approach the Mara River, the focus turns to the Great Migration. Marvel at the long lines of wildebeest and zebra moving through the rolling savannah grasslands on their annual 800 mile journey in search of food.

Lunch: Picnic lunch in the Mara.

Afternoon: After lunch, continue with your game drive in the Masai Mara.

Return to the camp. Before dinner, enjoy a camp fire orientation with a Maasai warrior in preparation for your up and coming visit to a Maasai village.

Swahili lessons before dinner.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: Free time.

Day 11: Masai Mara - Learning the Ways of the Maasai/Vis...           

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Nyumbu Camp

Breakfast: At the camp.

Morning: Walk with a Maasai warrior to understand the movements of the wild animals by studying their hoof prints and droppings. Learn how the Maasai protect themselves from a wild animal attack by using their fighting sticks, spears, and bows and arrows. Practice the same drills that warriors do to become proficient with their weapons. Learn how to make fire by creating friction with a stick and piece of wood and make a toothbrush from a tree branch--the Maasai way.

Meet local teachers and school children during a visit to a rural school (if in session). ***Although not required, previous participants have enjoyed taking basic school supplies to donate to the school.***

Lunch: At the camp.

Afternoon: Take part in a Maasai ritual in preparation for the farewell dinner.

During a visit to a local Maasai village, mingle with the young children as they herd the calves and goats back to the village for the night. Count the cows as they return to the village and participate in their milking. Help to settle the calves into the huts and spend time in the hut learning about the Maasai way of life.

Return to the camp.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the camp with a Maasai celebration.

Evening: Continue dancing with the Masai, learning about the meaning of their different dances.

Day 12: Return to Nairobi and International Departures.   

Meals: Lunch

Accommodation: Panari Hotel

Arrive To: At the camp.

Morning: Begin transfer to Nairobi.

Lunch: In Nairobi at a local hotel.

Afternoon: Participants will be accommodated at the Panari Hotel until it is time to depart for the airport (check-out at 6 p.m.). Enjoy time at leisure to finish packing, make use of hotel amenities, or simply relax before your international flights.

Enjoy some snacks at the hotel before leaving for the airport.

Transfer to the airport and check-in for international overnight flights.

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: Arrive in the U.S.               

Arrive To: International flight arrivals to the U.S.

Day 1 Arrival - Nairobi

Overnight: Nairobi
Meal: Dinner
Welcome to Kenya, one of the best safari destinations in the world for getting up close with a variety of wildlife!

Meet your representative at Jomo Kenyatta International and then take a private transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy some time at leisure. Dinner will be served at the famed Carnivore Restaurant.

Day 2 Nairobi - Ol Pejeta

Overnight: Ol Pejeta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A 3.5-hour drive this morning will take you north to the camp within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Situated in the foothills of snow-capped Mount Kenya, this conservancy is home to endangered black rhinos and the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees and critically endangered northern white rhinos. After lunch, go on an afternoon game safari to see elephants, wild dogs, lions, buffalo, and many other plains herbivores.

Day 3 Ol Pejeta

Overnight: Ol Pejeta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are some unique experiences available at the conservancy. Today is yours to do whatever you want. You may like to go on an early morning guided bush walk to get up close with the sights, smells, and sounds of the African bush, visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary to learn more about the chimps, encounter the Northern White Rhinos in the afternoon, and finish with a night game drive to explore the conservancy after hours.

Day 4 Ol Pejeta - Lake Nakuru National Park

Overnight: Lake Nakuru National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park this morning, about 4.5 hours away. Stop for a break along the way at Nyahururu, with a glimpse of Thompson Falls. On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by woods and grassland, Lake Nakuru is ideal for bird watching. Following lunch at the lodge, you will take a late afternoon game drive to spot a variety of water birdlife as well as other wildlife. With some luck, you may encounter flocks of flamingoes that turn the lake pink.

Day 5 Lake Nakuru National Park - Maasai Mara National Reserve 

Overnight: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Maasai Mara, along with the neighboring Serengeti, is where the spectacular Great Migration takes place yearly. Arrive about 5 hours later and enjoy lunch a the lodge. After a short break, venture out for your first safari in this amazing land to encounter various wildlife.

Day 6-8 Maasai Mara National Reserve

Overnight: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the following days, full-day safaris inside the reserv e will bring you into an authentic Animal Kingdom. You may find herds of wildebeest eating grass at leisure, a leopard's head appearing in the grass, an elephant family splashed by the river, and so on. Just keep your eyes peeled for the grounds, trees, and shrubs before you.

Day 9 Maasai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi, Departure

Meal: Breakfast
Time to say goodbye to Kenya. After breakfast, embark on the 5-hour drive back to Nairobi for your departure flight.