Discover Kenya off the beaten track

Start: Nairobi
Destination: Lake Naivasha
Drive: 120 km | 3 hours

Opt for a scenic boat safari in the afternoon and spot hippos near your campsite.

Explore: Lake Naivasha

We recommend a 2-night stay at Lake Naivasha so you can also explore nearby Hells Gate National Park and simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. 

Start: Lake Naivasha
Destination: Lake Nakuru
Drive: 80 km | 2 hours

Drive to Lake Nakuru, where your park ticket is valid for 24 hours - perfect for an afternoon game drive. En route, stop at Lake Elementaita to spot flamingos (June - August; check with a nearby lodge for their presence).

Start: Lake Nakuru
Destination: Laikipia
Drive: 140 km | 3,5 hours

Enjoy a morning game drive before heading to Laikipia. We recommend camping at charming Ol Maisor Farm, a working private cattle farm, bustling with wildlife. 

Explore: Laikipia

A stay at this ranch is anything but ordinary. Start your day with a morning run alongside the farm crew, take a refreshing swim in the dam (don’t worry—no crocs here!), or set off on an unforgettable guided walking safari. And yes, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and even lions are all present here.

What makes this place truly special is the people. Watching the ranch workers move effortlessly through the wilderness is just as fascinating as the wildlife itself.

For something unique, hop on a trained camel for a safari - getting so close to other animals from this vantage point is both peaceful and extraordinary. In the afternoon, we advise you to join a training session with the ranch’s tracking dogs, used in the fight against wildlife poaching. 

Start: Laikipia 
Destination: Nanyuki
Drive: 100 km | 3 hours

It's time to move on to your next safari destination! Nanyuki is the gateway town to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mount Kenya. It has a well-stocked supermarket, a few nice restaurants and hotels. 

Start: Nanyuki 
Destination: Ol Pejeta - Rongai Gate
Drive: 15 km | 15 min

Back in the colonial days, Ol Pejeta was a cattle ranch. Nowadays, Ol Pejeta is praised for being one of the most successful private conservancies. The conservancy is home to a variety of animals including the Big Five. The game-viewing tracks are well-marked, easy and accessible year-round.

You can participate in various conservation experiences, such as lion tracking, night game drives, horse riding amongst the rhinos, or running in the wild - making this a fun and family-friendly safari destination. You can book all activities online through the excellent conservancy website.

Do you have more time? Stick around for an extra day to hike Mount Kenya!

Start: Nanyuki 
Destination: Samburu (via Ngare Ndare Forest)
Drive: 130 km | 4 hours

Ngare Ndare is an ancient, lush indigenous forest at the foothills of Mount Kenya. It’s not often visited by tourists and is a true hidden gem. Branch off the A2 at Timau. From there, it's a 15-kilometre detour on a rough road ( 45 minutes going and returning). You can hike to waterfalls, swim in blue azure pools and do a canopy walk, the longest in East Africa. A day trip to Ngare Ndare Forest is highly recommended! 

For more information about Ngare Ndare Forest, check our Travel Blog on off-the-beaten-track destinations in Kenya.

After Ngare Ndare, continue to Samburu for a 3-night stay.

Explore: Samburu region

Samburu - a semi-desert - is home to the Samburu people. These are traditional pastoral communities that live under harsh conditions. The lifeblood of the region is the Ewaso Nyiro River. 

The protected area comprises three compact National Reserves and Parks: Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. There is not much wildlife in Shaba; you'll go there for the landscapes, the walking trail to Lava and hot springs, and the wilderness feel. Game driving is best in Samburu. 

Explore: Samburu region 

We recommend staying two or three nights in the Samburu region. Besides game drives in Samburu, you can summit Mount Ololokwe (1754 metres, this can be done in a day trip), visit a community-run elephant orphanage, or visit a Samburu community.

We visited Umoja Women's Village on our own (on the outskirts of Archers Post town) and were highly touched and impressed by the stories of these brave women. Check our Travel Blog about Samburu.

Start: Samburu
Destination: Meru National Park 
Drive: 120 km | appr. 3.5 -4 hours

From Samburu, you'll take off to the fertile grounds of Mount Meru, with an utterly different landscape and feel. Meru National Park lies in the Eastern Highlands, a fertile and attractive region known for its dense oak forests and farming.

Explore: Meru National Park

Meru National Park is less busy than some of Kenya’s more well-known parks and has an unspoiled feel. All of the Big Five are present. Elephants and buffalo are very common, and an enclosed rhino sanctuary contains both black and white rhinos. The park is extremely scenic, with tall doum palms growing along its many watercourses. 

Start: Meru National Park
Destination: Sagana - Rapids Camp
Drive: 230 km | 7 hours

Today’s journey is a long one, so plan for an early start. Before you go, send the camp in Sagana a WhatsApp message to check water levels and activity availability.

Explore: Sagana

Rapids Camp is a great spot to stay for one or two nights. You can go rafting, ziplining, kayaking, and try other water activities - perfect for adventure lovers! 

Start: Sagana
Destination: Nairobi
Drive: 135 km | 3 hours

After some fun-filled final days at Sagana, head back to Nairobi. Either hand over the car at the lodge you're staying at, or we'll meet you directly at the airport.