Elephants & More – 14 days

Overview

At the heart of this 14-day, 13-night safari adventure safari lies a rare and deeply rewarding opportunity —to visit the Nairobi Orphan Elephant Nursery, located inside Nairobi National Park, for a private visit, operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Following your unforgettable immersion with the orphaned elephants in Nairobi, your journey continues through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes, with a strong focus on elephants. You’ll travel from the vast red-earth plains and baobabs of Tsavo, to the dramatic swamps and acacia woodlands of Amboseli National Park beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, the rugged semi-arid beauty of Samburu with its rocky outcrops and doum palms, and finally the golden grasslands, riverine forests, and escarpments of the Masai Mara. Across these diverse ecosystems, enjoy exceptional game viewing and birdwatching, with abundant elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and plentiful plains game.

The itinerary blends seamless internal flights for longer distances with scenic road transfers, allowing you to maximize your time in the wild. Daily activities include morning and late afternoon game drives. All meals are on a full-board basis (with selected premium options available), and you will stay in classic luxury tented camps and lodges.

The journey begins on a Sunday with your arrival in Nairobi and concludes on a Saturday, perfectly aligned with most international flight schedules.

Dates

Departure Years	Departures 2027, Departures 2028
Departure Dates	Jan 9-Jan 22, Jan 10-Jan 23, Feb 6-Feb 19, Feb 7-Feb 20, Mar 5-Mar 18, Mar 7-Mar 20, Apr 2-Apr 15, Apr 4-Apr 17, Apr 30-May 13, May 2-May 15, May 28-Jun 10, May 30-Jun 12, Jul 23 – Aug 5, Jun 25 – Jul 8, Jun 27 – Jul 10, Jul 25 – Aug 7, Aug 20 – Sep 2, Aug 22 – Sep 4, Sep 17 – Sep 30, Sep 19 – Oct 2, Oct 15-Oct 28, Oct 17-Oct 30, Nov 12-Nov 25, Nov 14-Nov 27

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya’s Capitol City
	Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, a warm welcome awaits you. Your dedicated Kilama Safaris representative will greet you personally at the airport, assist with immigration and customs formalities, and provide a smooth private transfer to the elegant Hemingways Nairobi or Nairobi Serena Hotel. You will spend two nights at one of these iconic hotels, located in the heart of Nairobi. This first evening is yours to relax and recover from your international journey. Settle into your luxurious room, unwind by the pool, or enjoy a welcome drink while absorbing the vibrant energy of Kenya’s capital as you prepare for the exciting safari ahead.
Days 2	Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery & Nairobi National Park
	Today you will be transferred to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery, located inside Nairobi National Park, for a private visit at 9:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. This exclusive experience with the youngest rescued elephants (and orphaned rhinos) offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes setting for your group before the orphans move on to reintegration units like Ithumba. A senior keeper will guide you through the visit, introducing each elephant as they enjoy their milk bottles and playful mud bath. The tour concludes with additional time at the nursery compound, including close encounters with the orphaned rhinos. Depending on the timing of your private visit, you will then enjoy your first game drive in Nairobi National Park. (Note: You may notice there are no wild elephants in the park. Due to its relatively small size and proximity to human settlements, the park does not support a resident elephant population to avoid human-wildlife conflict.)
Day 3-4	Fly to Tsavo West National Park
	Today you take a charter flight to Tsavo West National Park, a vast and dramatic wilderness famous for its magnificent “red elephants” — their bodies dramatically coated in the park’s rich rusty-red soil. Over the next two days, enjoy thrilling morning and afternoon game drives as you search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and large herds of elephants roaming across this untamed landscape. You will stay for two nights at the iconic Salt Lick Lodge, dramatically perched on stilts overlooking a bustling waterhole. This unique design allows for exceptional wildlife viewing directly from your room, while the lodge’s underground photographic hide offers intimate, eye-level encounters with elephants, buffalo, and other thirsty animals that come to drink throughout the day and night.
Day 5-7	Drive to Amboseli National Park with a View of Mount Kilimanjaro
	After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll journey by road to Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most breathtaking destinations. Famous for its dramatic views of the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind the plains, Amboseli is home to a healthy population of approximately 1,900–2,000 elephants — offering some of the finest and most iconic elephant viewing in Africa. The park’s shimmering alkaline lakes attract large flocks of flamingos and rich birdlife, while lions, cheetahs, and hyenas patrol the open savannah. You will spend the next three nights at the charming Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, one of the few lodges located inside the park. This privileged position allows you to enjoy immersive morning and afternoon game drives with maximum time on the plains. With its warm hospitality, excellent cuisine, and authentic safari atmosphere, Amboseli Serena provides the perfect blend of comfort and unforgettable wildlife experiences right on your doorstep.
Day 8-10	Fly to Samburu National Reserve via Nairobi
	After an early breakfast, you’ll take a scenic flight north to Samburu National Reserve, home to approximately 900 elephants — one of the most intensively studied elephant populations in Africa. Set along the life-giving waters of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu offers a dramatically different landscape: a rugged, semi-arid wilderness of red earth, rocky outcrops, and graceful doum palms. Here you’ll often witness elephants crossing the river and sight the famous Samburu Special Five — the elegant, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and long-necked gerenuk. You will spend three nights at one of two outstanding luxury tented camps: Soroi Larsens Camp or Elephant Bedroom Camp, both perfectly positioned for an immersive wildlife experience. Over the following days, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives for exceptional sightings of elephants, the Special Five, and other unique wildlife that makes Samburu one of Kenya’s most rewarding reserves.
Day 11-13	Fly to Masai Mara National Reserve
	After breakfast, you will fly to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. This iconic landscape is renowned for its abundant Big Five sightings — lion prides, leopards lounging in trees, elephant herds, rhinos, and buffalo — set against vast rolling plains. Between July and October, the reserve also hosts the dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Ilkeliani Camp or Sarova Mara Game Camp. Both lodges are excellently located, offering superb game viewing opportunities right from the property. In the afternoon, you will enjoy your first thrilling game drive in the Masai Mara, immersing yourself in its rich wildlife and breathtaking savannah scenery. During your stay, you can also enjoy optional activities such as a hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (with champagne breakfast, approx. $500 per person) and optional visit to local Maasai village. You will spend three unforgettable nights in the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Day 14	Fly from Masai Mara to Nairobi – Visit the Giraffe Center
	On your final day, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, you will have lunch and visit the famous Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed and interact with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from the elevated feeding platform. After this memorable experience, you will be transferred to a comfortable day room at either the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport or the Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport. These comfortable day rooms provide a relaxing space to freshen up, rest, and make use of the hotel facilities. You will enjoy dinner at the hotel before being transferred in the evening to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international flight home.

Cost

NOTE: The number of tour days does not include your international travel days to and from Africa.

Per Traveler
2027
Jan-Apr	$17,550
May-June, Oct-Nov	$20,300
Jul – Sep	$24,550
2028
Jan-Apr	$19,743
May-June, Oct-Nov	$22,837
Jul – Sep	$27,619

Adult 18+ Double Occupancy
Single traveler at the same price as double occupancy – no supplements
Youth 75% Per Youth Age 13-17 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Child 50% Per Child Age 4-12 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Infant/Toddler No Cost – Do not include as a paid traveler.

Discounts

Groups of 4-6	$100 per traveler
Groups of 7-12	$150 per traveler
Groups of 13-18	$200 per traveler

Deposit & Balance

20% Deposit to secure booking – Per person cost for each traveler
Balance due 90 days prior to start date – Invoice for balance due will include deductions for youth, children, and group discounts.

Inclusions

All accommodations and meals
All transfers
All gratuities for porters and servers/hotel staff
Minimum gratuities guide, driver, and hotel staff
Local flights (3) and (1) Chartered flight to Salt Lick Lodge.
All game park entrance and applicable concession fees (5 Parks)
Excursions in itinerary
Water included with meals and in safari vehicles.

Exclusions

International airfare to and from Nairobi, Kenya
Gratuities – housekeeping
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (about $500 per person)
Excess baggage fee
Laundry services
ETA or Visa Fee for entrance into Kenya
Alcoholic beverages and other drinks (soft drinks and water) from the bar
Personal expenses such as travel insurance
Communication charges that include emails and phone calls

Cancellations

▪ Cancellation 90 or more days before start date (100% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 89-60 days before start date (75% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 59-30 days before start date (35% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee p er person)

▪ Cancellation 29-0 days before start date (0% refund of price per person)

We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance!

Insurance

Travel worry-free with travel insurance from trusted insurers. Compare and buy online with safe and secure checkout and instant confirmation of coverage at www.travelinsurance.com.

Consider the following:

Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Medical Evacuation
Medical Protection
Baggage Loss
Flight Accident
Accidental Death

Review the terms and conditions before deciding whether to purchase travel insurance. At a minimum, consider trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and medical protection.

Extension

Pre-Tour: Gorillas & More 4 Days 3 Nights

This intimate 4-day, 3-night primate safari in Rwanda is built around unforgettable encounters with the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Blending world-class wildlife experiences with authentic cultural immersion, the journey also includes a gentle introduction to Kigali and meaningful visits with local communities.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the safari features guided gorilla treks and immersive village experiences, all supported by luxury accommodations and full-board dining throughout.

This adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda, four days prior to the official start of your Kalama Safari tour. After enjoying these memorable opening days in Rwanda, you will take a short regional flight to either Nairobi, Kenya or Arusha, Tanzania, where your main safari adventure seamlessly begins.

Learn More