12 Days Absolute Africa Safari

Kenya is an epic wilderness destination waiting to be discovered during this breathtaking 12-day tour of the country’s coveted wildlife reserves. Between Nairobi and the rolling plains of Maasai Mara, a golden-green expanse of flourishing environments is set to share the game viewing spoils and spectacular scenery for which Kenya is famous. Come visit the viridian sanctuaries and explore the untouched ecosystems of Amboseli National Park, Laikipia, and Maasai Mara.

12 Days Absolute Africa: Where you will go

12 Days Absolute Africa Safari: Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Nairobi, Transfer Hemingways

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted to transfer to Hemingways Nairobi. Overlooking the Ngong Hills in Nairobi’s tranquil and upscale neighbourhood of Karen, this luxurious boutique hotel is a haven of elegant charm. With great service and a tranquil atmosphere, Hemingways Nairobi makes an ideal 1- or 2-night stopover for travellers beginning or ending their Kenya safari. It is popular with high-level delegations and VIPs, and is a sought-after meeting place for well-heeled Kenyans.

Accommodation: Hemingways Nairobi

Days 2-4: Amboseli National Park, Tortilis Camp

Aftre breakfast, You will transfer to the Wilson Airport for your flight to Amboseli National park. On arrival you will be met and assisted to check in for an early lunch at luxurious Elewana Tortilis Camp - Tortilis is a peaceful permanent tented camp nestled within a private corner of the park. The camp has received numerous awards from the likes of Ecotourism Kenya and Good Safari Guide, in addition to a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence! Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, and a laundry service. The camp is open all year round.

Stretching across the southern regions of Kenya, Amboseli National Park is a varied and untamed wildlife sanctuary that will introduce you to the breathtaking scenery and fascinating indigenous creatures visitors flock to the country to discover. The following days will showcase Kenya’s beauty through safari drives beginning with an afternoon trip after you have checked into your delightful camp flanked by acacia trees and open plains. With vistas commanded by the looming peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, your first meander through Amboseli will present a series of picturesque moments worth capturing.

Safari drives in the mornings and afternoons are an incredibly easy way to cover as much of the southern Kenyan landscape as possible, viewing local game in their natural habitats such as elephant herds plodding along the plateaus to hyena clans racing across the pastures. Alas, you will come in close contact with the marvelous flora and fauna dwelling across Amboseli today during walking tours through viridian woodlands. As you make your way along shaded paths, colorful birds will flutter through the canopy and sing sweet lullabies from their nests, a soundtrack perfectly fitting your slow galavant through the green.

Accommodation: Tortilis Camp

Days 5-7: Laikipia Wilderness, Kicheche Laikipia

Aftre breakfast, You will transfer to the local airstrip for your schedule flight to Laikipia Wilderness. Upon arrival check into Kichecke Laikipia. Laikipia is the entry point to Kenya’s semi-arid northern frontier, a beautiful wilderness destination hemmed between the soaring crest of Mount Kenya and the country’s sprawling golden deserts. A short flight and transfer today will bring you to camp, an enchanting collection of traditional design-inspired suites and thatched buildings pinned in the untouched wilderness. With immediate access to the open plains on your doorstep and delightful amenities on offer around camp, you will be thrilled to spend the following few days cherishing Kenya’s spectacular remote luxuries.

There is much to see and do at Kicheche Laikipia, a laidback but tasteful camp in the Ol Peteja Conservancy of Kenya's wild Laikipia region. Animals are at the heart of your stay here, and game drives see you setting off in a 4×4 to find endemic species like Grevy's zebra, Jackson's hartebeest or Besia oryx. Game walks, canoeing and mountain biking may bring you up close to a host of others while night drives give you the chance to see leopards, zorillas, honey badgers and aardvark.

Gold-rated for eco-tourism, Kicheche consists of just six tents – one of which can take families – and has views of snow-topped Mount Kenya. The little touches like comfortable hammocks and fresh flowers make it possible to feel right at home, with the sunset-inspired décor being on the right side of rustic. Some of the outstanding activities at Kicheche are visiting the endangered species enclosure with the last remaining Northern White Rhinos on the planet, the Morani Center, the chimpanzees’ sanctuary, and the anti-poaching dogs.

Accommodation: Kicheche Laikipia

Days 8-11: Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kicheche Mara

You will check out of your camp this morning after breakfast and transfer to the airstrip to catch your light aircraft flight to the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, a world-famous reserve consisting of vast, open savannas, riverine forests, and rolling emerald hills. For many, Maasai Mara’s unique landscapes are the ultimate symbol of the African wilderness. Horizons flooded orange by the falling African sun create silhouettes of buffaloes and giraffes against a backdrop of acacia trees peppering vast open plains. These are the postcard scenes that will seduce you during your stay in one of Africa’s most famous wildlife parks. After checking into your exquisite lodge or campsite suite, you will explore the wilderness circling your base to view the curious creatures hiding beyond the low-hanging shrubbery and tall trees dotting Maasai Mara’s unfolding savanna. Upin arrival, check in at the Kicheche Mara Camp.

Maasai Mara boasts a remarkable collection of wildlife, including Africa’s beloved Big Five, common and rare bucks, colossal creatures such as elephants and hippos, as well as dazzling bird species. Today, you will join a knowledgeable ranger for an in-depth exploration of the environments flanking camp and head for breathtaking viewpoints. If you are traveling during the right time of the year, you may witness the world’s greatest natural spectacle in the Great Migration from these vantage points. During this event, millions of animals cross the Serengeti and Maasai Mara with drooling predators following closely at their heels.