Ten Days in Kenya: The Itinerary & Highlights

There are people, places, and experiences you yearn for and you know somehow some day, you’d meet face-to-face. Kenya has been a must visit for me since 2003 and it is by far the country I ‘knew’ the most about before ever visiting. I finally made it to Kenya this year and, it was as amazing as I’d hoped. There’s lot’s to share but for starters, I’ll be sharing my itinerary (to give you ideas) and highlights:

 

I Went To Kenya Because: See Caption

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A post shared by Dee | Travel & Career (@wellwornheels)

 

Funny Moment:

The sign at the airport that says ‘Uber’ in Swahili is Uber (okay, smartass!) P.S. Uber is an excellent way to get around Nairobi but plan for traffic.

 

Most Surprising Moment(s):

There were a few on this one:

• Seeing a lion and lioness mate in Maasai Mara… a few times
• Finding out I had a private safari even though I hadn’t paid for one
• I also had an entire three level Swahili style house to myself (with a cook) in Lamu… also unplanned but I was the only guest

 

Disappointing Moment:

I’d have to say the condition of the roads to Maasai Mara. Our vehicle got stuck a few times as the roads are dirt road for the last two hours of the drive. Don’t expect comfort, but at least you wont get stuck if you go during the dry season.

 

The Most Heartwarming Moments on This Trip Was:

When the Maasai kids came to help us get unstuck, and when a guide’s wife welcomed me into their home and made me Mandazis in Lamu since I couldn’t find them to purchase in town during Ramadan.

 

My Thoughts on Kenyan Food Are That:

You’ll always find Kenyan tea in my home and I drank tea multiple times daily on this trip. I love Mandazis (like a dense puff-puff or donut), Samosas, Pilaf (rice dish), and Nyama Choma (grilled meat). However, aside from that, Kenyan food is not as spicy as my palette prefers and I do not like the texture of Ugali (never have so I didn’t bother on this trip).

 

My ‘Fess Up’ Moment:

I had ONE day in Nairobi! I was to find an ATM, check out the city, potentially meet up with my friend’s bff, and dine at Carnivore. I was exhausted so I stayed in, ordered room service, and slept!

 

Thoughts on Kenyan Visa/Entry Process:

It works seamlessly!! Thumbs up for e-visas and visa on arrival!

 

I’d Suggest That Anyone Going to Kenya:

• Plan for a bit of traffic in Nairobi
• Plan for the $80 daily fee in Maasai Mara (very steep!!) but confirm if it’s included in your Safari package
• Go beyond Maasai Mara
• Be aware that both English and Swahili are official languages, pretty cool!

 

Biggest Lessons From Kenya:

To be patient and give things time; not to give up on desires that do not turn out right away. See here for what I learned from being stuck in Maasai Mara.

 

This Trip to Kenya Will Always Be Special Because:

• Kenya was a milestone country
• This was more than a trip, it was the fulfillment of a promise made 15 years ago
• It was the last stop on a trip of a lifetime
• That sunrise on Lake Nakuru that’s etched in my memory
• That whole lion/lioness situation
• My Swahili phrases were FINALLY put to good use
• The people, nature, all of it!

If I Had More Funds I’d:

Ride in a hot air balloon over Maasai Mara for sure (it costs $400)

 

If I Had More Time I’d:

Visit a friend’s childhood home in Nyeri and see Mount Kenya, see the migration (Mara – Serengeti), spend time in Nairobi.I’d have breakfast at Giraffe manor, visit a Rose farm in Naivasha, visit more of Kenya’s national parks and reserves (Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboselli, Hell’s Gate and so on). I’d visit more of Kenya’s coast – Malindi, Mombasa, and Waitamu. Oh, and I’d spend one more night at the Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge and do nothing but just enjoy being there. I’d definitely ride in a Matatu (public bus) and take a cooking class where I learn to make Mandazis!

 

The Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi (I slept instead of doing what I’d planned)
• Day 2: Safari begins: pick up from hotel, drive to Naivasha, hour on lake, drive to Nakuru lunch then evening game drive around Nakuru (Stayed at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge)
• Day 3: Safari continues: Depart Lake Nakuru early for Mara.  Evening Safari Drive. Night in Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge
• Day 4: Full Day Safari Drive in Maasai Mara (Packed Lunch)
• Day 5: Visit to Maasai Village, drive back to Nairobi (Night at Best Western Nairobi)
• Day 6: Fly to Lamu (Fly540 Airlines)
• Day 7, 8, 9: Lamu (Nights at Airbnb in Lamu Town)
• Day 10: Return from Lamu to Nairobi, and depart Kenya at night

 

I planned the safari with Bonfire Adventures. For Lamu, I booked my accommodation via Airbnb and planned activities on arrival. This itinerary was what I settled with but there are many ways to do Kenya. For example, you could go straight to Maasai Mara to have time in Nairobi, or add more time on the Safari for example. See the ‘If I Had More Time’ section above for other things to consider while building an itinerary that works for you.

 

Truth is, I didn’t do half the things I wanted to do in Kenya and I knew it would end up that way. I feel as strongly as I felt all those years: I know that I will be back in #MagicalKenya soon.

 

Have you been to Kenya? What did/didn’t you love about it? What questions do you have about my time in Kenya? If you’ve enjoyed this post or know someone that might, please share and subscribe.

 

Till Next Week,

Ms. Heels