Kenya Rhino and Ranches self drive tour

On safari with Africa Expedition Support with near extinct Northern White Rhino in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya

Duration: 12 days

Location: Kenya

12-Day Guided Self Drive Accommodated Kenya Rhino and Ranches Safari

Embark on a breathtaking 12-day safari through some of Kenya’s most iconic destinations. Explore the vast landscapes and abundant wildlife of Nairobi National Park, witness the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro towering over Amboseli National Park, and marvel at the birdlife and hippos of Lake Naivasha. Experience parts of Kenya most tourists never see with an honest and open insight to Masai life, the vastness of Swara Plains, the beautiful original gardens of Elsamere and scenic back roads. Finally, experience the unparalleled beauty and thrilling game drives of Ol Pejeta, where the iconic Big Five roam free all while driving the car of Africa – a Land Rover.

Meeting baby elephants at David Sheldrick elephant orphanage in Nairobi

This is an incredible safari exploring amazing game parks and ranches while staying in characteristic accommodation.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY…

We cannot believe how much we did on our safari. It is hard to say what was the highlight we loved every minute of the entire trip. We must say we loved the Rhino and glad we got to see them in their natural environment. The game driving was incredible in every park and we got some amazing photos of lions yawning and cubs playing. We loved the variety of accommodation from guest houses to tented camps to English cottages. Thank you for such an amazing time.

Safari Tour Highlights

Witness first-hand incredible elephant conservation projects
Explore Lake Naivasha, Nairobi’s first airport!
Gaze up at Giraffes as they walk by on a walking safari
Step back in history at Elsamere, the home of Born Free
Seek Black and White Rhino in Nairobi National Park
Meet Fatu and Najin the last remaining Northern White Rhinos
Explore the incredible ranches and private conservancies of Ol Pejeta and Swara Plains
Photograph herds of elephant as they wander by Mt Kilimanjaro

Kenya Rhino and Ranches Self Drive Safari Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Arrival in Kenya

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the base and home of Africa Expedition Support at The Castle on Champagne Ridge. The Castle on Champagne Ridge is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Great Rift Valley in the heart of Masai Land surrounded by thousands of acres of African savannah, a mere 35kms from Nairobi. With stunning views, tasty meals, comfortable cottage accommodation and seasonal visits from curious wild zebra this is the perfect way to start your Kenyan adventure.

Driving Distance: 0km
Meals: lunch and dinner (depending on time of arrival)
Accommodation: Cottages

Day 2: Masai Experience

We start the day completing vehicle formalities and getting acquainted with our Land Rovers before driving a short distance to our first activity – Masai Experience.

We spend the afternoon with Josephine and her lovely family; a Masai woman, she balances traditional life and customs with every increasing pressure to modernise. Josephine opens her home and heart as she shows us her house, how they keep livestock, prepare and clean traditional liquid holders (calabash), let’s us have a go at traditional jewellery beading, and possibly visiting the local school. All while chatting about what life is like to live as a Masai woman, how she and her husband integrate modern practices to enhance their traditional lifestyle and the pressures on the next generation to leave the old ways for city life. This is not a typical Masai village tour but a rare honest insight into one of Africa’s most iconic tribes.

Driving Distance: 10km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Cottages

Feast for lions

Day 3: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and Nairobi National Park

After a hearty breakfast we drive an hour to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary for rescued baby elephants. They spend several years learning skills from their peers and keepers in how to survive in the wild. Once they are ready, they are slowly integrated back into Tsavo NP to make their own mark on life! We hear their individual stories while watching the baby ellies slurp humongous bottles of baby formula and play in the mud.

As we are already in Nairobi National Park we capitalise on the opportunity for our first game drive. Nairobi National Park is home to both Black and White Rhino; as well as healthy populations of lions, giraffe, zebra, nile crocs, hippos, buffalo, gazelle, hartebeest, hyena, jackals and over 400 bird species. If we are lucky, we may see elusive cheetahs and leopards. We spend the afternoon game driving before returning to The Castle on Champagne Ridge.

Driving Distance: 70km plus game driving
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Cottages

Day 4 and 5: Amboseli NP

Our next stop is Amboseli National Park, renowned for its majestic big tusk elephants roaming against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Taking back roads, we enjoy the stunning scenery without traffic chaos

Classic photo of Mt Kilimanjaro and elephant herds in Amboseli NP

as we make our way toward Amboseli NP.

We spend a full day exploring this famous game park with stunning views of Mt Kilimanjaro. Amboseli NP is most famous for its large herds of elephants, home to over 900 African elephants. The park is not very large covering just under 400km² however has an incredible mixed topography of marshes, swamps, savannah plains, acacia woods and rocky thorn bush.

The large concentration of animals living in Amboseli NP is due to the rich diversity and long dry season ensuring incredible game viewing. Lake Amboseli is a seasonal lake offering a refuge and breeding ground to hundreds of bird species, the lake is fed by the cool streams from Mt Kilimanjaro.

We spend the day exploring the game park and observing wildlife in their natural environment.

Driving Distance: 220kms plus game driving
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping or budget accommodation

Day 6: Swara Plains

We bid farewell to Amboseli NP and make our way north to Swara Plains. Swara Plains is a private 20,000 acre wildlife sanctuary home to hundreds of various bird species and over 3000 game animals.

Arriving in the afternoon we can enjoy a game drive or simply park up next to a watering hole and see how many different bird species you can find.

Swara Plains is home to zebra, eland, oryx, giraffe, ostrich plus many more. Swara Plains is a hidden treasure and therefore not overrun with tourist vans and people, while game driving it is likely we will be the only ones enjoying the company of many wildlife grazing in the sheltered wooded areas.

Driving Distance: 180kms
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Banda

While game driving in Lake Nakuru National Park we spot this young leopard cub as he patiently waits his mothers return.

A leopard cub as he patiently waits his mothers return.

Day 7: Mt Kenya and Nanyuki

Leaving the Rift Valley, we make our way to the foot of Kenya’s most famous mountain – Mt Kenya. An impressive mountain that may be a dwarf compared to Mt Kilimanjaro in size but not in technical skill. We won’t be climbing it but will wake up to views of Mt Kenya!

We make our way through rich farming country to the service town of Nanyuki. Nanyuki, was a favourite place for white settlers under the colonial years to established vast ranches. Over the years many of these ranches have become private conservancies and wildlife sanctuaries playing an important role in protecting African wildlife. Ol Pejeta is world leading in Rhino breeding and wildlife conservation all while maintaining ranching.

The Nanyuki area will be our base for 2 nights while we explore the famous Ol Pejeta Conservancy only a few kilometres down the road.

Driving Distance: 220kms
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 8: Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is world renowned for the incredible work and commitment to wildlife conservation and Rhino breeding. The private conservancy is a model example of what a team of dedicated rangers can achieve to save Rhino from extinction.

Rhino in Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

As well game driving around the 90,000 acre spotting rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, lion, and elephant we can visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The Chimp sanctuary is home to over 38 chimps, most have been rescued from cramped and unnatural living conditions, although not indigenous to Kenya most were rescued in 1993 when the chimp sanctuary in Burundi had to close. Ol Pejeta along with the Jane Goodall Institute provided a safe haven for these chimps in Kenya.

Ol Pejeta will blow your mind away, leave you in awe of the dedicated rangers, in love with the scenery and wanting to adopt an orphaned chimp!

Driving Distance: 60kms plus game driving
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel/Lodge

Day 9: Lake Naivasha

Once again, we hit the highway and drive to the shores of Lake Naivasha. The drive through the great Rift Valley is stunning as we glide along the top before gently descending to the base.

We arrive in the late afternoon, check in, and have some free time to wander to the edge of the lake to watch hippos wallowing in the shallows, walk amongst giraffe and zebra or simply grab a cold Tusker beer and relax in the garden while colobus and vervet monkeys watch from overhead in the trees.

Driving Distance: 60kms plus game driving
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guest house/cottage

Day 10: Elsamere and Hippos.

We enjoy an early morning boat trip on the lake to spot hippos and fish eagles hunting before making our way to Elsamere – the home of “Born Free”.

Elsamere was Joy and George Adamson’s lakeside retreat when they were not in the bush researching, photographing or saving lions! Today it is a tourist attraction showcasing original cameras, research and surveillance equipment once used by George in the field. The original dining room is used to serve meals and high tea.

The house, situated on the lake’s edge, surrounded by manicured gardens is the perfect way to spend a few hours.

Driving Distance: 40kms
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guest house/cottage

Day 11: Champagne Ridge

On our final day we take back roads as we make our way back to where it all started in our cottages overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

We enjoy a final meal together reminiscing over our incredible journey, the amazing wildlife, fascinating characters we met and remarkable roads driven and toast to our incredible journey.

Driving Distance: 200kms
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Cottages

Day 12: Airport drop off

Depending on your time of departure you may opt for a hike into the Rift Valley or simply enjoy a relaxing morning taking in the views while we arrange your transfer back to JKIA for your flight home.

Meals: breakfast, lunch (depending on time of departure)

Back from a guided self drive safari with Africa Expedition Support all safe, sound and very happy!

This trip is great for families. Email Debs for the best rates for families.

Can’t find the right date for you? No problem. Drop us a message and tell us what dates you can travel, and we will do our best to make it happen for you.

The trips costs are split into 2 sections, Land Price and Local Payment.

Land Price: Is payable in full 90 days prior to departure. This is payable in United States Dollars (USD$).
Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post-dated 2009 USD$ Cash only.

Please note there is a bond of USD$1,500 per vehicle, this will be added to the invoice to be paid with the final payment. Once the vehicle and equipment has been inspected at the end of the expedition, and should there be no unreasonable damage, or claim from a third party the bond will be refunded.

Kenya Rhino and Ranches Safari Package includes:

Airport or Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Entry fees for David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Swara Plains and Amboseli National Park
Fully equipped expedition Land Rover Defender
Meals as per indicated on the itinerary
Accommodation in a range of guest houses, lodges, hotels and cottages
Lead vehicle with an experienced crew
All activities and entrance fees as per the itinerary; maps and local information.

Each vehicle is equipped with drinks cooler, first aid kit, radio contact between all vehicles,