Kenya Wildlife Safari

13 Days from $3,799 USD


Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania.

Kenya’s colorful landscapes will come alive on this inspiring 13-day voyage. You’ll be fascinated by its natural wildlife, its cultural uniqueness and the beautiful, rich history of the region.

Trip costs include:

  • Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts
  • The services of a professional guide/driver
  • 9 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower
  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes
  • Buffet breakfast (B) daily; 9 lunches (L); 9 three-course dinners (D)
  • Safari transport, featuring a small jeep or van with guide for every seven travelers
  • Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights and game parks as described (Additional park fees may apply.)
  • Go Ahead travel gift and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Flight to Kenya

Begin your adventure with an overnight flight to Kenya.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight)

Day 2 - Nairobi

Upon arrival in the capital city of Kenya, a Go Ahead representative meets you at the airport as you clear customs. You’ll then be escorted to your hotel. (Due to varying flight schedules, arrival may also be on the morning of Day 3.)

Day 3 - Nairobi

This afternoon, you’ll visit the Giraffe Manor, a preserve dedicated to raising rare giraffes. Here, you can climb to a treehouse deck and feed the giraffes by hand as you learn about the preservation efforts geared toward increasing the population of these graceful and beautiful animals. Next, tour the Karen Blixen Estate, a former coffee plantation where the author (who wrote under the pen name of Isak Dinesen) lived for several years, as described in her novel Out of Africa. Enjoy an included dinner in Nairobi this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Giraffe Manor, Karen Blixen Estate

Day 4 - Mount Kenya National Park

Take in sweeping views of the countryside on today’s journey to the forested foothills of Mount Kenya. Enjoy an included lunch upon your arrival at Serena Mountain Lodge, the only tree hotel on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Here, you can watch exotic wildlife drinking from the watering holes directly below the lodge’s elevated decks. Venture into the secret viewing bunker right at the water’s edge to watch these magnificent animals only yards away.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 - Great Rift Valley

Head north to Great Rift Valley and arrive at your own private reserve. You’ll have lunch amid this natural setting. Then embark on an afternoon game walk. (On some departure tours, a boat cruise on Lake Naivasha may be offered instead.)
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 - Lake Nakuru

This morning, travel to Lake Nakuru, a shallow “soda” lake that hosts an astounding population of birds—including 2 million flamingos. Your guide will take you on morning and afternoon game drives through Lake Nakuru National Park. Along with birds of all kinds, be on the lookout for leopards, monkeys and rhinos (both the elusive black and white varieties) as you drive. Dinner is included.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 - Masai Mara

Continue through the Great Rift Valley as you transfer to the land of the Masai warriors, the spectacular Masai Mara, considered one of Africa’s best managed game parks. Watch for the so-called “big five” of African safaris—leopards, rhinos, buffalo, lions and elephants—during game drives this morning and afternoon. Admire the breathtaking scenery of rolling hills, waving savanna grasses and acacia trees. Then enjoy an included dinner back at the lodge.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 - Masai Mara

Early morning and sunset are the best times for spotting game, and this park is known for its amazing variety of wild animals. Giraffes, elephants, zebras, gazelles, impala, hartebeest, baboons, warthogs, cheetah and wildebeest are some of the exotic creatures you might spot during today’s morning and afternoon game drives. In the middle of the day, relax by the pool and enjoy an included lunch. Dinner is included tonight as well.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 - Nairobi

Return to Nairobi, where you and your group will enjoy free time to explore as well as an included lunch and dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 - Amboseli

Head south through Namanga to Amboseli National Park, which sits against a breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent. Begin exploring the park on this afternoon’s game drive. Lunch and dinner are both included today.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 - Amboseli

Begin your day with an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over Amboselli National Park followed by breakfast and a game drive back to your hotel. Then, spend a full day in Amboseli National Park, home to huge herds of elephants as well as ostriches, leopards, lions and rhinos. Learn more about the many species who inhabit these grasslands from your guide during today’s two game drives. Lunch and dinner are included.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Amboseli Balloon Ride $425 USD

Amboseli Balloon Ride

Get a bird’s-eye view of Amboselli National Park as you take an early morning balloon ride over the plains. See the sun rise over the stunning landscape, as well as herds of animals on the move below. After descending from this unforgettable vantage point, enjoy breakfast in the bush and then a game drive on the way back to your hotel.

Please note: This excursion will run, weather permitting.

Day 12 - Nairobi

If you are not continuing on the extension to Tanzania, travel back to Nairobi. A Go Ahead representative will escort you to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 13 - In Flight

Arrive home. Included meals: breakfast (in flight)

Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania.

Extend Your Stay

Tanzania
Add 4 nights in Tanzania for only $1,249 USD (Single room: add $320 USD)

Tanzania is one of the most enchanting countries in eastern Africa. For many, it's the ultimate safari destination, and with national parks and game reserves covering some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles) or 28% of the country. The Serengeti National Park is claimed to be one of the best places to watch game in Africa. With highlights like Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania is definitely a country to be recognized both in terms of wildlife and beauty.

Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection


Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

  • Trip cancellation & interruption protection
  • Medical & accident protection
  • Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

  • Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
  • Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
  • Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
  • Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
  • In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
  • The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
    • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
    • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Travel Guide

Passport & Visa


Passport Information:
In order to enter Kenya (and Tanzania, on extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home.

Visa Information:
A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania. Though it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain an individual visa prior to departure through our recommended provider, Zierer Visa Service. They can be reached by either calling 1-866-788-1100 or visiting www.zvs.com/tourkits. (If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041 to access Go Ahead's visa kits).

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

Visitors should be in good health. Please contact your family doctor well in advance of your departure for information regarding immunization and personal travel requirements.

Because of Kenya’s proximity to the equator, you can sunburn very quickly. While on safari, you are assured the services of emergency medical evacuation to Nairobi, which has been designed to bring first-rate medical care by superbly qualified personnel to outlying areas.

In order for you to stay healthy throughout your Kenya tour, we recommend the following:

  • Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
  • Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
  • Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Nairobi, routing through Europe on both outbound and departure flights. On safari, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van. You should expect long days in the vehicles on bumpy, potholed roads. The vehicle is open at the top, allowing for a panoramic view during game drives. Window seats are also guaranteed. Please keep in mind that transfers between the different parks are long and roads are not always of the best quality. The vans are roomy and comfortable, but some bouncing is to be expected; African infrastructure is not the same as that of developed nations, and you should plan accordingly.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Safaris are informal, and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate. Since the temperature varies significantly from midday to evening, clothing that can be layered is a good idea, as are comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Sandals or other shoes that expose your skin are discouraged. We advise that you wear a hat during the day, and make sure you use a strong sunblock.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The currency you will be using on your tour is the Kenyan schilling (and the Tanzanian shilling, on extension). All East African countries have stringent exchange regulations. Their currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollar for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 1997 or later.) Otherwise, currency should be carried in the form of traveler’s checks. It is important to keep a receipt whenever you convert foreign currency. No local currency can be taken in or out of the country. Major American credit cards are accepted in Kenya. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

All porterage gratuities are included on safaris. However, it is customary to tip the driver/guide at the end of the program.

We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $8 USD/CAD to $10 USD/CAD per person per day.

Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.