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Kenya for Solo...
 

Kenya Wildlife Safari for Solo Travelers

10 days |  13 days with Zanzibar extension
Group size612 travelers
Physical activity
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Majestic wildlife, vibrant culture, and warm locals make for the ultimate mix.

Kenya is one of the best places in the world to spot animals in their natural habitat. Happily for travelers, the East African country has much to offer beyond the borders of its game reserves, too. Get a taste of it all when you join fellow solo travelers on a journey that’ll take you to scenic national parks, sprawling game reserves, and communities where you’ll meet artisans and other welcoming locals. See yet another side of Africa when you extend your journey to Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago whose main island has a storied past and eclectic culture all its own.

Your tour package includes

  • 7 nights in a private room at handpicked hotels
  • 7 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 6 dinners
  • 5 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights

  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery
  • Nairobi crafts workshop
  • Giraffe Centre
  • Landscapes of Amboseli National Park
  • Lake Naivasha boat safari
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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Nairobi today.

Nairobi2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Nairobi

Welcome to Kenya! Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to your hotel.

Please note: Most flights from North America arrive late in the evening.

Day 3: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Sandstorm Kenya & Giraffe Centre
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch, Dinner

Climb into 4x4 land cruisers and set out to discover notable landmarks and local culture in and around Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital city.

  • Watch elephants bathe and eat during a stop at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which has operated an orphan elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program since its founding in 1977
  • Learn about the rescued, orphaned elephants, their trusted keepers, and the organization’s conservation work across Kenya
  • Enjoy an included welcome lunch with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant in Nairobi
  • Visit Sandstorm Kenya, a company that began as a maker of safari tents and now employs 40 Maasai craftspeople who hand-make totes, backpacks, and other styles of bags from locally sourced canvas and leather
  • Tour Sandstorm’s facilities to learn how its bags are made, from the sourcing of materials to the finished product
  • Head to Giraffe Centre, a preserve dedicated to raising rare Rothschild giraffes
  • Learn about preservation efforts put in place to increase the giraffe population

Tonight, gather with your Tour Director and fellow group members at a mixer before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Amboseli2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Amboseli National Park & game drive
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel south to Amboseli National Park today. This roughly 150-square-mile natural area sits against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and is known for its population of wild African elephants.

  • Enjoy an included lunch at your safari lodge or camp
  • Set out on an afternoon game drive after lunch
  • Ride along with your expert driver and naturalist guide in search of elephants, leopards, lions, baboons, cheetahs, wild dogs, buffaloes, kudus, hippos, rhinos, wildebeest, and dozens more animals

Join your tour mates for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.

Day 5: Amboseli National Park game drives & NGO visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, head out on your first game drive of the day and marvel at Amboseli National Park’s huge herds of elephants, as well as ostriches, leopards, lions, and rhinos.

Later, meet a wildlife conservation expert from a local nonprofit animal welfare organization.

  • Hear how locals and park rangers work together to protect the wildlife
  • Ask the expert any questions you have about anti-poaching efforts and animal conservation

After an included lunch, head back out for a second game drive through Amboseli National Park.

Enjoy an included dinner served with beer or wine after freshening up this evening.

Great Rift Valley1 night
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Naivasha & boat cruise
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through scenic, highland landscapes—and make a photo stop at the equator—on your way to the Great Rift Valley. This astoundingly beautiful region is an important center of ecological study. Its sparkling lakes and steep, rocky escarpments serve as havens for wildlife, such as black rhinos, rare Rothschild giraffes, and more than a dozen globally threatened bird species.

  • Continue on to the vast and ancient Lake Naivasha, which, at nearly 6,200 feet above sea level, is the highest of the Great Rift Valley’s three best-known lakes
  • Enjoy an included lunch with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant
  • Set out on a boat tour of Lake Naivasha, which is known for its substantial population of hippos and bird species

This evening, sit down for an included dinner served with beer or wine.

Maasai Mara2 nights
Day 7: Maasai community visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue through the Great Rift Valley as you travel to the Maasai Mara, a nearly 600-square-mile national reserve in southwestern Kenya known for its vast plains and abundant wildlife. The region is also home to the Maasai people, an indigenous tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists whose livelihood revolves around cattle. Brightly colored clothing and beaded jewelry are among many traditions the Maasai people have maintained, while other tribes have adopted more modern styles of living.

Immerse yourself in the Maasai way of life during a visit to a local boma, or homestead.

  • Join members of the Maasai tribe in their signature adamu, or jumping dance
  • Tour a functioning Maasai boma—a collection of mud-hut homes—and discover the tribe’s history and heritage
  • Visit a market where Maasai people sell handiworks and crafts, and learn how money from visitors’ purchases sustains the tribe
  • Receive your own Maasai name and learn the meaning behind it

Sit down for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.

Day 8: Maasai Mara game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell dinner

Today, get to know the awe-inspiring animals of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

  • Rise before the sun for an early morning game drive and an exhilarating opportunity to spot leopards, rhinos, Cape buffalo, lions, and elephants—known collectively as the Big Five
  • Head back to your tented safari camp for an included lunch
  • After lunch, climb aboard a safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive, keeping your eyes peeled for prides of lions snoozing in the shade, giraffes ambling among leafy trees, and sturdy, shaggy-maned warthogs trotting through tall grass

Celebrate your trip at tonight’s farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 9: Travel to Nairobi & departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to Nairobi this morning. Then, relax in a dayroom before boarding your flight home tonight or early tomorrow morning, or extend your stay to explore Zanzibar.

Arrive Home
Day 10: Travel day

Arrive home today.

Extension to Zanzibar
Not ready for your East Africa adventure to end? Extend your tour and get a taste of island life on Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago roughly 25 miles off the coast of Tanzania. Although Zanzibar is officially part of Tanzania, its politics, religion, culture, and food are distinctly different, thanks to multicultural influences that remain from Indian, Middle Eastern, and African slave and spice traders who came here to conduct their business. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll spend your stay on Zanzibar’s main island exploring its storied past, its architectural treasures, and its colorful landscapes and cuisine.
Stone Town3 nights
Day 9: Transfer to Nairobi & flight to Stone Town
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Nairobi this morning. Then, board a flight to Stone Town, located on the island of Zanzibar, this afternoon and sit down for an included dinner tonight served with beer or wine.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Stone Town
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend a free morning in Stone Town or add an excursion.

Join a local guide this afternoon for a sightseeing tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO-recognized area of Zanzibar City.

  • Walk through a local fruit and vegetable market
  • Learn about the enslaved East African people who were forced into the Middle Eastern slave trade during a visit to Christ Church, which was built on the site of a former slave market
  • Enter the Sultan’s Palace to learn more about the island’s interesting history
  • Step inside the House of Wonders, which was designed by Second Sultan of Zanzibar Barghash bin Said
  • See the colonial mansions, stroll along the narrow alleyways, and visit the Livingstone House
  • Enter the Old Fort of Zanzibar, a military fortification that’s also the oldest building in Stone Town

Sit down for an included dinner this evening served with beer or wine.

Swahili Cooking Class & Lunch

From $79 per person

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Nungwi Village
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Head to the northern tip of the island to visit Ngunwi village, which is known for the pristine white-sand beaches.

  • See how local fishermen make their boats from scratch
  • Visit the Mnarani Natural Aquarium, a coral lagoon that’s home to a variety of endangered sea turtles and fish
  • Enjoy a Swahili-style lunch in the village before heading back to Stone Town

Spend free time in Stone Town or add an excursion.

Dhow Sunset Cruise & Dinner

From $105 per person

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, head to the airport and fly to Nairobi, where you’ll relax in a dayroom before boarding your flight home tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Arrive Home
Day 13: Travel day

Arrive home today.

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
The Boma
The Boma

This modern hotel is located in Nairobi. Guests enjoy outdoor dining, a pool, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find the Railway Museum, August 7th Memorial P...

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Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Amboseli Sopa Lodge

This rustic hotel is located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Guests enjoy a fitness center, a pool, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Amboseli Nat...

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Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge

This elegant hotel is set in one hundred and fifty acres of grassland studded with acacia bushes. Guests enjoy WiFi, a pool, and a sauna. Nearby, you’...

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Fig Tree Camp
Fig Tree Camp

This chalet and luxury tent style hotel is located in Masai Mara along the banks of the Talek River. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, balloon safaris, a...

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Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Idyllically situated on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, and flanked by an exotic mix of sultan's palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
  • Find out more about flights

FAQ

Print FAQ
Passport, visa & entry requirements
  • In order to enter Kenya (and Zanzibar, which is a semi-autonomous province of Tanzania, on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
  • We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
  • U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter Kenya. You may purchase an e-visa online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy. (Please note: The consulates in the U.S. and Canada have no jurisdiction over the e-visa process.) You can also purchase your visa by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral. You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Kenya.
  • U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania on the tour extension. While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance, as wait times upon arrival can exceed two hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website. You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral. You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
  • If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code KE6.
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Tour pacing & mobility
  • You will walk for about 45 minutes daily across mostly flat terrain, including some paved roads, unpaved trails, and dirt paths.
  • Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
  • You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times. This tour also includes long, bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance.
  • Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
  • If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
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Tour Director
  • Your guide for this tour will be different than a typical Tour Director. You will be met by a representative from Go Ahead Tours upon arrival and will then meet your guide the morning of your first full day on tour. He or she will act as both your tour guide and driver for the duration of your tour.
  • You will have a different Tour Director on the extension to Zanzibar.
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Transportation & arrival information
  • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Nairobi. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
  • Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
  • During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari land cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
  • A round-trip flight between Nairobi and Stone Town, Zanzibar, is included in the price of the tour extension.
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Baggage allowance
  • Airlines impose varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
  • Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
  • You’ll need one overnight bag, such as a backpack or small collapsible duffle bag.
  • One small carry-on bag is also permitted (it can double as your overnight bag).
  • Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag. Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements: A soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted).
  • Your bags can be no larger than 34” W by 17” H by 15” L.
  • The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag).
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Clothing & packing tips
  • Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside, and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
  • Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
  • Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
  • Pack a swimsuit, as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
  • Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
  • Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
  • Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
  • A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when facilities are not readily available while on the road.
  • The Kenyan government strictly bans plastic bags. It is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges, including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
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Health
  • At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
  • Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (this does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
  • If you’re traveling on the tour extension to Tanzania, you’re required to provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine.
  • Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
  • Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
  • Bring a small first-aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on luggage.
  • If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
  • If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code KE6.
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Cuisine
  • Cuisine in your game lodges reflects the region’s British colonial influence—you may find that many locals pause for afternoon tea. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by the many Indian immigrants. Maize, sweet potatoes, and pineapple were brought over by the Portuguese, and beef has been a staple since the 1600s.
  • On the tour extension, spicy foods are common in Tanzania, and many dishes are infused with coconut milk. Meals often consist of maize, tender grilled meats, maize porridge, and local vegetables. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by Indian immigrants.
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Electricity & air conditioning
  • Kenya operates on the British standard 240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
  • Tanzania (on the tour extension) operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
  • We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
  • Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
  • Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
  • Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.
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Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
  • There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
  • Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
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Time zones
  • Kenya (and Tanzania on the tour extension) is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (ET).
  • When it’s noon in New York, it’s 8pm in Nairobi.
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Currency
  • The currency you’ll be using on your tour is the Kenyan shilling (and the Tanzanian shilling on the tour extension).
  • You may be able to purchase Kenyan shillings in advance from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex. There is no limit on importing currency into Kenya, but please note travelers are restricted from carrying more than $100,000 in Kenyan shillings out of the country (and cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania on the tour extension).
  • We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
  • ATMs are most readily available in Nairobi; while there, we recommend taking out cash in small bills to have on safari.
  • Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
  • International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
  • 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.
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Tipping
  • At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your driver/guide a gratuity in USD. We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day.
  • If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
  • Tips can only be paid in cash.
  • You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as the equivalent of $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.
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Shopping
  • You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
  • Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it’s a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.
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