HIGHLIGHTS OF KENYA WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS – JUNE 2027

While we plan and book a wide variety of holidays, cruises and tours around the world, our Zimbabwean roots mean we have a deep passion for Southern and Eastern Africa, and we love sharing the beauty of our home country and its neighbours whenever we can.

Our previous tours have taken us to South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, all of them using Zimbabwe as a start or end point. Each of these magnificent countries have their own attractions, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the unique and remarkable eco-system of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Cape Floral Protected areas in the Western Cape of South Africa, and the Ancient Art Gallery of Rock Paintings and Fish River Canyon in Namibia. For our latest tour in 2025, we ventured further and took our guests to East Africa where we explored the wild beauty of Kenya before ending our journey on the picture-perfect shores of Zanzibar. The diversity of all these countries is enough to capture everyone’s heart, regardless of the type of tour you choose.

Setting off on 01 June 2027, our next tour will find us back in East Africa visiting the iconic Masai Mara National Park as well as the more northern destinations of Lake Elementaita and Samburu National Park, comprising of a mix of comfortable, 3 1/2-star to 5-star tented accommodations throughout. The pace of the itinerary is relaxed, allowing you time to enjoy your surroundings with two and three-night stays, as well as some light aircraft transfers, sparing you the long and tiring drives that are often part of typical Kenya itineraries. When travelling by road, the 6-seater vehicles (plus driver & tour-leader) are equipped with comfortable seats, plenty of plugs for recharging equipment, air-conditioned with bottled water available on tap, and wi-fi.

If this sounds like a trip you’d like to be a part of, we invite you to browse the website to get a feel of the trip and to contact us to find out more and to reserve your spot. With only 12 spaces on offer, we recommend that you don’t delay, spaces are limited and we’d love to have you onboard!

YOUR SAFARI AT A GLANCE

Small group – max 12 guests in two safari vehicles

An English speaking driver/guide and a tour-leader per vehicle

All transport on Safari

Light aircraft flights where mentioned

Daily breakfast in Nairobi, with dinner on Day 1

Breakfast, lunch & dinner as indicated on safari

Unforgettable adventure experience

Main exclusions: international flights, regional flights and visas, tipping

Please refer to our General Terms & Conditions which will apply in conjunction with any suppliers’ terms.

DETAILED ITINERARY

From A$14,990.00 p/p

Welcome to Nairobi! On arrival, we’ll be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport Hotel
Dinner
Relax & enjoy the hotel facilities

After breakfast this morning, we will be met at the hotel by a representative from Southern Cross Safaris and transferred to Wilson Airport for our short flight to Samburu, where, on arrival, we will be met and transferred by road to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, our group will head out for our first game viewing activity. Samburu National Reserve is home to abundant wildlife including a variety of rare species such as the reticulated giraffe, the long-necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s Zebra, and Beisa Oryx. We’ll enjoy spotting over 900 elephants, a variety of predators, and over 450 bird species, before ending our day with a delicious Welcome Dinner, specially arranged for our group.

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Lunch & Dinner
Evening Game Activity

You have two full days dedicated to Samburu National Park game viewing. One of the famous Safari destinations in East Africa, Samburu National Reserve is located in Northern Kenya and is a premier game reserve situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river. This vast expanse of remote pristine wilderness measures 165 square kilometres in area and borders the Ewaso Ng’iro River to the south, which separates it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Samburu Reserve is a unique wildlife conservation haven famous for an abundance of rare species of animals such as the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx. The reserve is also home to a population of close to 900 Elephants. Large predators such as the Lion, Leopard and Cheetah are an important attraction (Kamunyak the famous Lioness that adapted a baby Oryx is a resident in the reserve). Samburu is in fact one of the better locations in Kenya to spot Leopard. Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area and Birdlife is abundant with over 450 recorded species. Samburu as a wildlife eco system now also comprises a number of conservancies and group ranches bordering the main reserve such as the Kalama Conservancy, West Gate Community Conservancy and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Samburu Reserve is considered among the best wildlife reserves not just in Kenya but also in Africa

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Morning & Afternoon Game Drives

This morning we’ll check out of the lodge after breakfast and transfer to the airstrip for our scheduled light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. The flight itself is quietly spectacular, with golden savannah, winding rivers and scattered acacia trees unfolding below, and wildlife often visible from the air. June’s clear skies and fresh green grasses after the rains make the landscape especially vibrant. Touching down on a remote bush airstrip, surrounded by open wilderness, feels like a true arrival into the heart of Africa. We’ll check into our lodge in time for lunch, with the afternoon free to relax and enjoy camp before our late afternoon game drive.

Sarova Mara Game Camp
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Afternoon Game Activity

One of Kenya’s most iconic natural wonders, the Masai Mara National Reserve stretches across more than 1500 square kilometres in the country’s southwest. The park shelters a remarkable array of wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo that roam its savannahs, while crocodile and hippopotamus inhabit the Mara River. Birdwatchers will delight in the presence of more than 450 resident species. While we are not likely to experience the true spectacle of the Great Migration that occurs approx. July to September each year, we will experience the scores of zebra and antelope that arrive before the wildebeest. Chewing through the long grasslands, the zebra and antelope prepare the ground for the wildebeest who are not as confident in the long grasses as they are. By the time the roughly 1.7 million wildebeest trek from the parched plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti to the greener grasslands of the Masai Mara, the grasses are short, making them feel safer from predators such as lion, hyena, and cheetah, of which there are plenty! The sight, sound, and raw energy of any of these animals in the beautiful setting of the Mara National Reserve are a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any traveller.

Sarova Mara Game Camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full day game viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve with a packed lunch.

Today our group will check out of Sarova Mara Game Camp and settle into our vehicles for a road transfer to Lake Elmenteita, a photogenic little soda lake situated in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, and named as a World Heritage Site for its prolific birdlife, famous for its flamingos. After the long drive, you’ll be able to settle into the lodge before an afternoon game activity later in the day.

Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp
Breakfast & Dinner
Afternoon Game Drive

Today we’ll depart early for a full day game drive in the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park, with a lunch included at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. After a short rest, we’ll enjoy an afternoon drive in the park, before making our way back to our lodgings at Lake Elmenteita. A drive in this park adds an easy and enriching experience in one of Kenya’s most scenic and wildlife-rich parks in a single day. Known for its rhino sanctuary, abundant birdlife and classic savannah landscapes, Nakuru provides diverse sightings that complement the tranquillity of the lake region.

Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day Game Drive to Lake Nakuru

Today we’ll spend exploring the Soysambu Conservancy on morning and afternoon game drives, with meals back at the camp. This evening we’ll say farewell to Kenya with a special sundowner celebration before returning to camp for the night.

Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning & Afternoon game drives

After breakfast today, we’ll check out of our lodge and drive back to Nairobi for our final night on tour. On arrival we will enjoy lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden before visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, setting of the famous movie, Out of Africa. After the museum, we’ll visit the Giraffe Centre, where you’ll be able to up close and personal with the Rothschilds Giraffe and learn about the conservation efforts for this endangered species. At the end of the tours, we will transfer back to the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel where we can relax and prepare for our onward journeys.

Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel Nairobi
Breakfast & lunch
Karen Blixen Lunch & Museum and Giraffe Centre

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of Main Safari, however there are options to extend to do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, spend a few idyllic days in the Seychelles or Zanzibar, or travel to Southern Africa to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and beautiful Cape Town.

Breakfast
No activities planned for today

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Day 1 – Tour starts Nairobi, Mon 01 June 2027. Guests may arrive at any time, however additional costs may apply if not arriving with the main group.

Day 11 – Tour ends Nairobi, Fri 11 Jun 2027. Guests may depart at any time. If not departing with the main group, the hotel offers an airport shuttle for a reasonable fee.

The two internal scheduled charter flights are included in the tour price. We can assist you with booking your international and regional connecting flights.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION – SCYCHELLES

Day 1 – Fly Nairobi to Seychelles, transfer to Kempinski Seychelles Resort. In historical Baie Lazare, nestled between the dramatic Mount Kempinski and the azure Indian Ocean, this 5-star resort in southwest Mahé is a spectacular retreat offering a myriad of facilities and activities. The tropical charm of the resort is a haven for couples and families.

Stay 4 nights on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 5 – transfer to airport for departure flight.

Prices on request – from A$2,415.00 per person dinner, bed & breakfast (subject to change when booking) plus flights.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION – GORILLA TREKING

Day 1 – Fly Nairobi to Kigali (not incl.), including airport transfers, stay 1 night at Kigali Serena with breakfast.
Day 2 – City tour of Kigali and the Genocide Museum tour before travelling up the mountain to Bishops House for 2 nights including all meals.

Day 3 – Full day Gorilla trek in small groups (6-8 guests). Once gorillas are located, guests can enjoy one unforgettable hour in their presence. Return to hotel.
Day 4 – Transfer to airport, end of tour

Prices on request – from AUD7,675.00 per person plus USD1,500.00 Gorilla Permit (subject to change when booking) plus flights. This experience is physically demanding but deeply rewarding, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION – CAPE TOWN AND VICTORIA FALLS

Arrival & departure transfers throughout

4 nights Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town (or similar)

Half day Table Mountain & City Tour

Full day Cape Peninsula Tour

Full day Winelands Tour

3 nights Waterfalls Lodge, Victoria Falls (or similar)

Daily breakfast

Zambezi Royal Sundowner Cruise, Victoria Falls

Tour of Victoria Falls with lunch

Prices on request – from AUD4,229.00 per person (subject to change when booking) plus flights. This itinerary is just an example and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

COVID AND HEALTH ADVICE

Covid and other influenza variations continue to spread amongst our communities, and there are constantly new variants breaking out.  While restrictions have been lifted around the world, and covid in particular is essentially a thing of the past, we still urge all travellers to remain vigilant, maintain vaccination status where applicable, and to practice good hygiene while travelling.

All visitors are advised to visit their Travel Doctor prior to travel to ensure all regular vaccinations are up to date and relevant prophylactics prescribed where required.

While all travellers are strongly advised to get comprehensive travel insurance, please note that it is a mandatory requirement to have travel insurance to participate in the Mana Travel Adventures 2027 Kenya Highlights Tour.

VISA REQUIREMENTS – EAST AFRICA

When travelling to other countries, all travellers must ensure that they are holding proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, proof of onward or return airline tickets, hold documents showing proof of purpose of trip and hold all documents required for their next destination.  In addition, the following visa information applies to each destination.  Please note that this information is a guide only and it is the travellers responsibility to ensure that they are travelling with the correct documents that have the capacity for visas to be issued on arrival.  The information applies to Australian passport holders and is subject to change at no notice; please enquire about other passport nationalities.

Kenya

While Kenya became a visa-free country in January 2024, guests will still need to apply online and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival. Please review the Kenya State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services for information on categories of persons exempted from applying for the ETA. Current fees @ January 2026 – from USD30.00 per passport.

Kenya is a Yellow Fever country, please ensure all travellers have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate to travel with.

Tanzania

A visa is required if travelling to Tanzania, and must be applied for prior to departure. Current fees @ January 2026 – USD50.00 per passport.

A Yellow Fever certificate is required if travelling from a listed country e.g. Kenya.

If travelling to Zanzibar, island specific travel insurance is also required. This insurance can only be purchased from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) and is mandatory. There are limits to what is covered by this insurance so please make sure you also maintain a separate comprehensive travel insurance.

Rwanda

Currently citizens of Commonwealth countries receive free 30-day tourist visas on arrival, however entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Passports must be valid for six months after departing the country. Current fees @ January 2026 for non-commonwealth countries – from USD50.00 per passport.

A Yellow Fever certificate is required if visiting from an infected area, e.g. Kenya.

Seychelles

Australian passport holders do not require a visit to visit the Seychelles, however all visitors must complete the online Digital Travel Authorisation and upload supporting documents such as proof of accommodation and return or onward travel. Approval may take up to 24 hours to receive and on arrival guests will receive a visitor’s permit for up to three months.

A Yellow Fever certificate is required if visiting from an infected area, e.g. Kenya.

LINKS TO GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION – SOUTHERN AFRICA