kenya
October 20-30, 2027
At a Glance | Itinerary | Inclusions | Pricing | FAQs | Book Now
At A Glance
Location: Kenya
Duration: 11 days
Price: $7,980
Physical Rating: 4/5
Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Group Size: 15 people
Highlights: Land + boat safaris, Hell’s Gate National Park cycling tour
This Isn’t Your Grandma’s Safari Tour
For 11 days, we're ditching the tourist buses to experience Kenya the way it's meant to be seen — up close and unfiltered. We're talking sunrise game drives across the Maasai Mara while the big cats are still working and flamingos turning the shoreline of Lake Nakuru into nature's version of a pink disco.
But here's where it gets really good: we're spending a full day at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where you'll come face to face with the world's last two northern white rhinos (yes, really — that is the entire species left on the planet, and they have a full-time armed security detail, which tells you everything).
Fair warning: this trip isn't about infinity pools and butler service. We're going full immersion — waking up to lions roaring somewhere out in the dark, biking through a national park with zebra grazing right beside you, and setting alarms on your vacation that you will absolutely forgive us for by about 6:05am.
Between wildlife encounters that'll blow your mind and genuine time with Samburu and Maasai communities, this is Kenya stripped of tourist clichés. It's raw, it's real, and it's exactly what you've been looking for if standard tours make you want to claw your eyes out.
Ready to make your African dreams less Discovery Channel and more real life? Let's do this.
We’ll come together as a group of strangers,
but leave with friends you’ll have for a lifetime.
Itinerary
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Airport pickup
Welcome dinnerYour East African adventure begins in vibrant Nairobi. After airport pickup, you'll settle into your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free to shower off the flight and let your body work out what time zone it thinks it's in. Take the nap — you've earned it, and you're going to need it. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner celebrating Kenya's fresh, farm-to-table flavors.
Dinner included
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Drive to Samburu
Evening game driveEmbark on a scenic drive north to the remarkable Samburu National Reserve, watching Nairobi thin out, the earth turn a deep red, and the landscape get wilder by the hour.
After settling in, we head out for an evening game drive to meet some of Africa's most unique wildlife. Samburu is home to species you won't see anywhere else on this trip: the endangered Grevy's zebra with its pinstripes, the elegant reticulated giraffe, the beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk. End this incredible day watching the African sun paint the sky in brilliant hues over the savannah.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Game drive
School visitThe alarm goes off in the dark and you will have feelings about it — right up until the sun comes up over the Ewaso Ng'iro River, elephants walk down to the water to drink, and you forget you ever had a complaint. Mornings are when everything moves, which is the whole reason we get you up. Leopards either appear in the doum palms like they've been expecting you, or make you earn it over three days; there's no in-between with leopards.
The afternoon is completely yours to nap, read or do absolutely nothing. In the evening, make a meaningful visit to a local school followed by an authentic cultural experience at a Samburu village, where ancient traditions come alive.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Scenic drive out of Samburu
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Free afternoonWe say goodbye to Samburu's red earth and wind our way south, watching the landscape shift from dry desert scrub to the green, open plains of Ol Pejeta with Mount Kenya keeping an eye on us the whole way. We check in mid-afternoon — and then the day is yours. Nap under the trees, float in the pool, or just watch the plains do their thing from your terrace. Today is about catching your breath so you're ready for everything Ol Pejeta has waiting.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
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Endangered species sanctuary
Rhino game drive
Chimpanzee sanctuaryCoffee in hand, we head out while the plains are still waking up to start our game drive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This is one of the best places on earth to see black and white rhinos, and there's nothing like having one graze a few meters from your vehicle, completely unbothered by your existence. Then we meet the chimps at Sweetwaters, every one of them rescued from somewhere they never should have been, now living out their days with all the drama and personality of a family reunion. It's the kind of morning that makes conservation feel less like a word and more like something you can look in the eye. By afternoon we're back on the road, chasing the light towards Lake Nakuru.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Game drive
Discover the natural wonders of Lake Nakuru National Park, a paradise for wildlife photographers. Witness the famous flamingo flocks painting the lake pink.
You'll also meet Nakuru's tree-climbing lions, an activity they are in no way built for and pull off with total confidence, and the endangered Rothschild's giraffe browsing the acacia.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Cycling in Hell's Gate
Boat safariStart your day cycling through the dramatic landscapes of Hell's Gate National Park — one of the very few parks in Kenya where you're allowed out of the vehicle and among the wildlife, with zebra and giraffe grazing a polite distance from your front wheel. You'll pass the towering rock formations that inspired The Lion King, then descend into the park's stunning gorge.
Later, journey to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari among hippos and countless bird species, surrounded by pristine nature.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Scenic drive to the Mara
Maasai village visit
Travel to the legendary Maasai Mara — and you'll know the moment you arrive, because the horizon simply stops ending. It takes a minute to adjust to that much sky.In the evening, visit an authentic Maasai village to experience their rich cultural heritage and hear about life here directly from the people whose land this is.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Optional hot air balloon ride
Game drive
Free afternoon
Take an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara's endless plains, watching wildlife from above.Embark on a morning game drive across the Mara's open grasslands in 4x4 land cruisers.
Return to camp for a free afternoon and a starlit evening accompanied by the distant calls of lions and elephants.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Drive back to Nairobi
Free eveningOne last slow look at the Mara, then the journey back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon with free time to relax and reflect on your safari.
Dinner tonight is on you, and that's deliberate — Nairobi's food scene is genuinely excellent and worth going out for, even if your body is lobbying hard to lie down at seven.
Breakfast and lunch included
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Giraffe Centre
Bead workshop visit
Conclude your journey with a unique city tour, visiting the Giraffe Centre, where an endangered Rothschild's giraffe will take food straight out of your hand and — if you're feeling brave — off your face.Then we visit a bead workshop whose products support single mothers, orphans and widows in Kenya, with everything made by hand on site. It's your last real chance to take home something made in Kenya rather than something made at the airport
We’ll start doing airport transfers at 3 pm for your evening flight home.
Breakfast included
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✓ 10 nights of accommodations
✓ 28 meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
✓ Fully escorted tour with a trip leader, English-speaking guide, and professional chefs
✓ Local guides in every national park
✓ Professional safari photographer
✓ 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roof for some safaris
✓ Airport pickups and drop-offs on official trip dates
✓ All activities, sightseeing, park entrances as per itinerary
✓ WhatsApp chat support for the group three months prior to trip
✓ Pre-trip orientation call
✓ Trip guide with packing list and travel tips
✓ Photos and videos of the entire trip in a shared, downloadable album -
X International flights to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
X Any activities not mentioned in itinerary
X Hot air balloon ride
X Visa fee (Approximately $35)
X Any personal expenses and shopping
X Meals not specified in itinerary
X Alcoholic beverages and beverages outside of specified tours/meals
X Tips and gratuities for guide and driver
X Travel insurance (a minimum of post-departure/travel medical is required. You can check out plans from our partner, Wanderwell.)
Trip Inclusions and Exclusions
What is Overlanding?
Overlanding is what happens when you skip the tour-bus convoy and hit the road with a crew of like-minded adventurers in a specially-equipped expedition vehicle. Think of it as the ultimate road trip meets summer camp for grown-ups — the whole group travels together, the gear travels with you, and you wake up to sunrises in places most tourists never see.
Here's the practical bit: the truck carries everything, including our chef and his kitchen. That means fresh, made-that-day food wherever we happen to be, and roads a standard minibus wouldn't attempt. You're not being shuttled from hotel lobby to hotel lobby — you're moving through Kenya with everything you need on board.
You'll sleep in proper safari tents and lodges, with real beds and showers. The truck is simply how we get there, how we eat well along the way, and the reason that by day four this group has inside jokes. (Including, almost certainly, that one time someone nearly burned the chapati.)
Here's what to expect:
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You're covering a lot of ground in eleven days, so where you sleep is not an afterthought. We chose every stop so you actually rest — and so that each one tells you something about where you are.
Some nights you're in lodges and small cabins built in the style of the region and close to the park gates. Some have pools, which is the single best use of a free afternoon.
Other nights you're in safari tent camps, and this is where it gets good. Canvas walls, a proper bed, your own bathroom — and hippos and everything else moving around outside in the dark. It's camping in the way that matters and none of the ways that hurt.
Rooms are twin-share as standard, so you'll have a roommate. We'll match you with someone, and based on how these trips usually go, there's a very real chance you'll still be texting them in five years. If you'd rather have your own space, there's a single supplement and absolutely no judgment. Some people want the midnight debrief. Some people want a door that closes. Both are correct.
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Our chefs travel with us, they're professionally trained, and they cook fresh local dishes wherever we happen to be. No instant ramen. No sad packet of anything. The food on this trip is phenomenal, and it's going to surprise you.
You'll eat together at camp tables and at roadside stops along the way, and at the lodges with their own kitchens we'll sit down in their restaurant.
Mornings start with coffee and tea. Evenings end with storytelling under the stars.
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Travel in a large overlanding truck and custom 4x4 Land Cruisers
Safari vehicles equipped with pop-up roofs for game viewing
Storage for camping gear and luggage
Regular stops for wildlife viewing, photos, and breaks
We'll visit all the best places to experience the diverse wildlife and rich cultural heritage of Kenya, including Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and the Maasai Mara.
Why Travel to KENYA With A Type 2 Travel Leader:
Kenya is one of the greatest wildlife destinations on the planet, and it's also one of the easiest places to do badly. Book the wrong safari and you'll spend eleven days in a minibus with forty other people, arriving at the same waterhole at the same time as six identical vehicles, staying in a lodge with a buffet and a gift shop and no idea whose land you're on.
We've built this trip with local guides and operators who know where the cats were yesterday, which route avoids the crowds, and how to time a morning so you're the first vehicle out. We go north to Samburu, which most itineraries skip entirely. And we build in real afternoons off, because eleven days of dawn starts with no recovery time isn't an adventure, it's an endurance event.
You show up. We handle the rest.
We Make It Easy
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Pack your bags (we'll tell you exactly what to bring) and book that flight (yep, got tips for that too). Everything else? That's our problem now. Your only job is to show up ready for adventure.
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Every departure is scouted in person, your trip leader is with you start to finish, every local guide and driver is vetted, and there's a WhatsApp group and pre-trip orientation before you ever pack.
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Get matched with a roommate — there's a questionnaire, so it's actual matching, not roulette — or take a private room all to yourself. Pricing for both is listed below. Either way, you'll never be the only one who came alone.
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Your trip leader doubles as your unofficial photographer, which means you can put your phone down and actually be there. And you won’t be relying on just one person to capture the magic — your local guide and driver will also help with photos, especially during safari, when they know exactly where to be and when to be ready. You’ll come home with shots of the real you having the time of your life — not forty awkward poses in front of landmarks.
You’ll Belong
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Over half of every group shows up not knowing a soul — by day two, nobody can tell.
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Forget the massive tour buses. We keep it to 10–15 people, because you can't have a heart-to-heart with 40 strangers, and nobody invites a small army in for tea.
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Most of our travelers are 35–55, with groups ranging from 30s to 60s.
Whatever decade you're in, you probably won't be the oldest (and even if you are, we love you), and somebody at dinner will have a wild story that tops yours.
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Free time is built in on purpose. Skip the activity, nap by the pool, wander off with your camera — no search party, no guilt.
Travel that means something
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This isn't drive-by tourism or performative do-gooding. We're talking real connections with local communities, real cultural exchange, and ways to give back that are led by locals — the kind that actually help rather than hurt.
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With a group chat that won't die, a phone full of proof, and the version of you who says yes to things.
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A Kenyan driver, a Kenyan guide, and a Kenyan cook travelling with us the whole way — people who grew up here, who know which road washed out last week and which bend of the river the elephants are using this month — plus community visits in Nairobi and out on safari. All part of the experience, and all benefiting from your visit. The park and conservancy fees in your trip price fund the rangers who protect this incredible wilderness.
No big-bus operators, no cookie-cutter safari circuit. Just Kenyan people doing what they're extraordinary at, and a trip that puts your travel dollars back into the country you came all this way to see.
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We've spent years building real relationships in Kenya — the guides who've been reading these landscapes since they were kids, the Samburu and Maasai families who host us, the cook who feeds us in the middle of the bush. So you're not a tourist pulling up in a safari van; you're a friend of a friend being welcomed into their boma. And by the end of the week, those friendships are yours too.
MELISSA RIPP
Meet Your Trip Leader
Mel is a Wisconsin girl who grew up poring over the Africa pages of her World Book Encyclopedia, wondering if she'd ever be the kind of person who got to go. She's been on seven trips with us since — Kenya among them — and fully credits travel for her 40s being her best decade yet. Writer, playlist-curator, tarot-reader, and reigning queen of needing a bathroom stop at the worst possible moment (she will be deeply sympathetic to yours), Mel leads with curiosity, humor, and zero pretense. She'll make sure you feel seen, keep things light when travel gets weird (it will, because it always does), and probably have the deck out by the second long drive north. By the farewell dinner in Nairobi, you'll understand why she came back.
“My recent trip to Georgia with a few besties and a group of people I’d never met left me altered in the best way. I came back to Chicago with a lighter heart, a fuller spirit, and new lifelong friends. Georgia, a country that’s known only 25 years of peace during its long history, embodies empathy, compassion, and selflessness. Its people carry a warmth and generosity that quietly changes you. And it reminded me that even in places marked by struggle, the human spirit always finds ways to be kind. Take the trip. Always take the trip. And do yourself a favor, experience a part of the world (or several) with Laura Ericson.”
-Melissa
Ready to reserve your spot?
Investment:
$7,980 for double occupancy
+$965 for single occupancy
Optional
$650 hot air ballon ride
Deposit Due at Booking:
$1,200
We offer a free payment plan, so you can spread the payment across several months, with a $1,200 deposit due at time of booking.
Additional payment due dates are December 1, 2026 ($1,550), February 1, 2027 ($1,550), April 1, 2027 ($1,550) and June 1, 2027 ($1,550) and July 1, 2027 (remaining balance). All payments are non-refundable.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement. We look forward to sharing this adventure with you!
Fun Facts
The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English, but over 60 languages are spoken throughout the country.
The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, and it’s abbreviated as KES.
Kenya's landscape rises from low coastal plains on the Indian Ocean to central highlands, where most of the population lives.
The famous wildlife reserve in Kenya, Maasai Mara, is renowned sightings of the "Big Five" animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo).
FAQs
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This is a rugged adventure for the intrepid traveler. We'll be spending our days immersed in nature - tracking wildlife on game drives, hiking through national parks, and exploring by boat. We stay in remote wilderness areas and travel by 4x4, experiencing Kenya's spectacular landscapes and wildlife in their most raw and authentic form.
While this trip is fairly active and we are very on the go, you are not required to participate in all activities, and you’re free to opt out at anytime.
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Absolutely not! Most people come on group trips alone, and it’s the best way to meet people!
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While most of our trips tend to be people in the 30-50 age range, all ages 18+ are welcome.
We usually have some people who are 50+ on our trips, so if that's you, don't worry! Age is truly just a number, and it’s more important that the trip sounds like a good fit for you than your actual age. -
Most days have some free time built in so you have time to relax or explore on your own.
In addition, all planned activities are optional, so you are free to opt out at any time if you choose.
All that being said, this trip is designed to show you the best of the best of Kenya and all activities have been personally vetted by Type 2 Travel to ensure you’re only seeing things worth seeing. If something isn’t generally liked by the entire group, we don’t include it in the itinerary and leave it for free time.
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Wait until you get the green light from us to purchase your flights—We typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as we’ve finalized our group and arrival details.
We will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing flights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
In the meantime, feel free to set up a flight alert on Google Flights to start monitoring prices. You will be flying in and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
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Yes, you will need a passport valid beyond May 2028. If it will expire before then, you'll need to renew it ASAP.
If you do not have a passport, we recommend you start the process right away, as it can take several months to receive it. If you need assistance with this, feel free to reach out!
You will need to purchase an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit Kenya, which can be purchased online for $35. It takes a few days to receive it electronically after applying. More information will be provided to you in the months leading up to the trip.
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Yes, travel insurance is required for all of our trips, with a minimum of post-departure/travel medical coverage (typically about $50). There are options to upgrade to trip cancellation coverage + cancel for any reason coverage as well.
We always recommend getting travel insurance for large investments such as a trip like this. It's well worth the peace of mind knowing you will have travel and health coverage should something go wrong before or during your trip (and we have had several people have to use it—they were SO glad they had it).We always tell people to ask themselves, “am I willing to lose thousands of dollars should I not be able to go on this trip?” If the answer is no, consider getting trip cancellation coverage.
If you want to learn more about travel insurance and are looking for a recommendation, you can learn more about our travel insurance partner, Wanderwell, here.
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We sure hope that’s not the case, but we also realize that life can be unpredictable, and things happen.
All trip payments are non-refundable.
Filling trip spots is incredibly time-consuming. We are a small boutique travel company, and we unfortunately do not have the ability to refund people if their plans change. Your deposits go directly to our local partners, and they are non-refundable to us as well.
Travel insurance is required (see previous FAQ for more details), and will potentially cover most of your trip costs should you need to cancel for a covered reason if you elect a trip cancellation benefit.
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Safety is relative and can never be guaranteed anywhere, but Kenya is a welcoming destination that's well-suited for group travel.
Traveling with our experienced guides, tour leader, and fellow adventurers provides built-in safety and support throughout the journey. While some areas of Nairobi can be busy and chaotic like any major city, the national parks, conservancies, and community areas we visit are well-managed for tourism.Our orientation provides practical safety tips and cultural guidance to help you travel confidently. For those dreaming of witnessing Africa's iconic wildlife, group travel offers the perfect blend of adventure and security.
Our team's local expertise and established relationships with communities ensure you can focus on the extraordinary experiences rather than logistics or safety concerns. -
This entirely depends on your spending habits, but you’ll want to budget additional spending money for a couple meals that aren’t included, snacks for camp, as well as alcoholic beverages.
We would budget $30 a day for spending money, plus extra money for shopping if that interests you.
You’ll also want to set aside money to tip our guide, chefs, and driver. -
The Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended and required if you're traveling from a yellow fever zone or going to Tanzania or Uganda from Kenya.
The CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take, if any.We also go over medications in our orientation and give suggestions on things you can bring to prevent getting sick.
Do you have additional questions about traveling with us?
Read our FAQs or contact us!
Vibe Check
Is a group trip a good fit for you?
After leading 400+ people through 10 countries, we've learned that while group trips are absolutely life-changing for most people, they're not everyone's cup of tea (or shot of tequila). Before you dive in, let's make sure we're a match:
You'll thrive with us if:
You can roll with the punches when things go sideways (because they will - it's travel, not a scripted TV show)
You're cool with scheduled adventures (we've got amazing stuff planned, but if you're the "wake up at 2pm on vacation" type, you’ll be missing out)
You understand the whole "strength in numbers" thing means sometimes doing what works for the group vs. your sudden craving for street food at midnight
You can vibe with different personalities (spoiler: you won't click with everyone, and that's totally fine)
You get excited about culture shock instead of freaking out when things aren't exactly like home (that's kind of the whole point)
Think of it like joining the coolest adventure club you never knew you needed. If you're nodding along to these points, chances are you're gonna fit right in. If you're breaking out in hives just reading this... maybe stick to solo travel for now.
Remember: Travel isn't about being perfect - it's about being open to whatever awesome weirdness comes our way. Because trust us, it will.
Still have questions?
Want to scope out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Type 2 Travel is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 6 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.
“Travel is about the
gorgeous feeling of
teetering in the
unknown.”
— Anthony Bourdain