Pack your binoculars and your sense of adventure because we're about to head into the wild! Chadd and I went on a safari in Kenya as the first leg of our honeymoon and it was hands down the most incredible trip we have ever been on. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I tell you that I came back feeling like it was my life's mission to encourage anyone and everyone to try and go on a trip like this at least once in their lifetime. Safaris are one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences where you get to see nature up close and personal – think lions lounging in the sun and elephants taking a casual stroll. Whether you’re dreaming of wide-open savannahs or can't wait to spot your first zebra, I am going to share our exact, very specific itinerary complete with all of the things we learned about going on a safari from our trip. From jaw-dropping landscapes to animal sightings you’ll be bragging about for years, let’s dive into the perfect safari experience that’s as exciting as it is unforgettable!
How to Spend Your Layover in Nairobi: A Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary
Got a layover in Nairobi? Instead of staying cooped up in the airport, why not turn it into a mini-adventure? With 24 hours in Kenya’s capital, you can squeeze in some incredible wildlife experiences without even leaving the city!
Start with a Game Drive at Nairobi National Park
Just a short drive from the city center, Nairobi National Park is a must-do. We spent our morning there, and it didn’t take long before we were spotting giraffes, rhinos, and even lions! It’s wild to think you can have such an exciting safari experience so close to an urban area. This was the perfect way to dip our toes in and get really excited for the rest of the trip to come.
Don’t Miss the Elephant Orphanage
In the afternoon, head to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where you’ll meet some of the cutest baby elephants around. We watched the handlers feed the little ones and got up close to hear their stories of rescue and rehabilitation. Each of the babies was found abandoned in the wild for different reasons and will be cared for until they are accepted into a heard of wild elephants. This visit was so emotional but also one of the cutest things I have ever seen! The babies were so playful, watching them run for the bottle almost made my whole heart explode!! And if you’re lucky like me, you might even get to pet one!
Wrap Up with a Flight to the Masai Mara
After your day of wildlife encounters, hop on a short jumper flight to your final destination. We flew to Kicheche Valley Camp in the Masai Mara, and the view of the savannah from the plane was the perfect teaser for the adventure ahead.
Staying on a Conservancy vs. Staying Off: Which is Right for Your Safari
One of the big decisions when planning a safari in Kenya is whether to stay on a private conservancy or off in a nearby lodge or camp. Both options offer their own unique experiences, but there are some key differences that can impact your trip. So, how do you choose?
Staying on a Conservancy: Up-Close and Personal with Wildlife
When you stay on a private conservancy, you're right in the heart of the action. Imagine waking up to the sounds of wildlife just outside your tent, or sipping your morning coffee while elephants wander by in the distance. Since conservancies are privately owned, they tend to have fewer visitors, meaning more intimate wildlife encounters and fewer crowds at sightings.
Conservancies also allow for more flexible activities. You can enjoy off-road game drives, night safaris, and guided bush walks that aren’t typically allowed in national parks. Plus, the smaller number of vehicles means you’ll have a more personalized experience.
Another big perk? Your stay directly supports conservation and local communities. Many conservancies work hand-in-hand with local tribes, so your visit helps protect the land and wildlife while providing sustainable income for the people who live there.
Staying Off a Conservancy: More Budget-Friendly with Wider Options
Staying off a conservancy in a nearby lodge or camp can be a more budget-friendly option, offering a wider range of accommodations from basic to luxury. While you won’t be surrounded by wildlife all the time, you can still drive into national parks like the Masai Mara for game drives.
That said, national parks tend to get busier, especially during peak seasons, so you might find yourself sharing animal sightings with several other vehicles. The activities can also be more restricted, with no off-road driving or night safaris allowed in most national parks.
Our Experience Getting a Taste of Both On and Off Conservancy
We got to experience both sides of the “conservancy vs. national park” debate on our safari, and let me tell you, the difference was huge! We started our adventure with a day at Nairobi National Park, which gave us a good idea of what it’s like when you stay off a conservancy. Don’t get me wrong – the game drive was exciting, and we saw plenty of animals, but things really leveled up once we arrived at Kicheche Valley Camp.
Staying on a private conservancy is a whole other vibe. First off, only guests staying on the conservancy have access to this land – no day passes allowed! That means fewer people and a much more exclusive feel. Our guide had the freedom to drive off the path, zipping over all kinds of bumpy terrain to get us as close as possible to the wildlife. It felt like we were on our own little adventure, completely different from the set routes in the national park.
One thing we were super impressed by was the rule about animal sightings – only five vehicles are allowed at any sighting at a time. No crowded clusters of cars trying to get the perfect view, unlike the national park where it felt like half the cars in Nairobi showed up when we spotted a lion! It made the whole experience so much more peaceful, and our photos turned out amazing without a bunch of cars in the background.
We also couldn’t help but notice that the animals on the conservancy looked healthier and more relaxed. Our guide explained it’s because the conservancy land is carefully managed, and the people here have a much more intimate relationship with the animals. He even shared the history of the local lion prides, which gave us a deeper appreciation for the wildlife and the work going into protecting them.
Overall, staying on the conservancy at Kicheche Valley Camp felt like we were part of something special – a safari, yes, but also a deeper connection with nature and conservation. Definitely an experience we’ll never forget!
Hot Air Balloon & The Great Migration: Worth the Extra?
If you’re staying on a conservancy, you’ll already have access to some amazing game drives, so when it comes to excursions like a hot air balloon ride or a day trip into the national park, you might wonder if it’s worth the extra cost. Since the Masai Mara National Park charges for day access, we decided to limit our excursions —but the hot air balloon ride was something I just couldn’t pass up. It’s been on my bucket list for ages!
Floating above the savannah at sunrise, watching the herds of wildebeest and zebras migrate below, was definitely an incredible experience. There’s something magical about seeing the Great Migration from the air. But, honestly, what I enjoyed even more was seeing it from the ground! After our balloon ride, we drove around the national park in the Jeep, and it felt like a whole new adventure. Up close, you can really appreciate the scale of the migration, and seeing the animals at eye level while driving through the park was just something else.
Even though we’d seen so much on the conservancy, the scenery in the national park was stunning and really added a new layer to our safari experience. The wide-open plains and rolling hills made every moment picture-perfect. While the hot air balloon was awesome (and definitely something to check off the bucket list), there was something so raw and exciting about being right in the middle of the action on the ground.
An Unforgettable Stay at Kicheche Valley Camp
There are plenty of camps to choose from within the conservancy, and I’m sure they’re all wonderful, but our stay at Kicheche Valley Camp was something truly special. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we were welcomed into a family, and by the time we left, we didn’t want to go!
The food? Absolutely incredible. Every meal was a treat, and you could tell a lot of love went into every dish. Mini, the manager during our stay, was amazing. She personally escorted us to our Jeep each morning and was always there to welcome us back after our game drives, making us feel right at home. By the time it was checkout, we were already brainstorming our next trip back!
One of the things we loved most was having the same guide throughout our stay. Johnson was fantastic—knowledgeable, fun, and truly passionate about the wildlife. He made every game drive exciting, and after we left, he even sent us pictures of the baby animals we saw, showing us how they were growing up. How cool is that?
We weren’t the only ones who fell in love with Kicheche Valley Camp. Some of the other guests we met had been coming back to Kicheche Valley Camp multiple times, which says a lot about how special this place really is. It’s not just a camp, it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave.
Wrapping It Up: Our Unforgettable Safari Adventure
Looking back on our Kenya safari, it’s hard to put into words just how incredible the experience was. From the thrill of our first game drive in Nairobi National Park to the truly personal and immersive stay at Kicheche Valley Camp, every moment was unforgettable. Whether it was watching the Great Migration from a hot air balloon or seeing lions up close on the conservancy, each day brought something new and exciting.
Kicheche Valley Camp was a standout, with its warm staff, amazing food, and little touches that made us feel like family. Mini, the camp manager, made us feel right at home, and our guide Johnson made sure we had the best wildlife encounters. It’s no wonder we’re already planning our next trip back! If you do end up staying at Kicheche, be sure to tell them Susanne sent you—and don’t forget to sign the guest book! My entry is there from September 2024, and I promise there will be more entries to come!
A huge thank-you to Timbuktu Travel for helping us design the perfect trip. They really let us tailor everything to our preferences, which made the experience even more special. Our travel agent, Tessa Dancer, was amazing at helping us create the adventure of our dreams.
If you want an even closer look at our trip, accommodations and a look at just how close we got to the animals, I have all of my safari vlogs saved to their very own folder on my TikTok!
If you’re thinking of booking a safari, Kenya—and specifically Kicheche Valley Camp—will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
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