Itinerary Nairobi, Mount Kenya & Maasai Mara

Seasonality: August is one of the best months to visit Kenya, with dry, cool weather ideal for safaris and trekking. This period coincides with the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara—peak wildlife viewing!

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$2,200
🏨 Accommodations	$2,000
🧳 Gear	$300
🗺️ On-site	$2,100
Total	$6,600

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇰🇪 Nairobi - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🦒 Giraffe Centre ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Meet and hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes—close wildlife encounters.
• [ ] 🦏 David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • See baby elephants during their daily mud bath; learn about conservation.
• [ ] 🗺️ Karen Blixen Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Visit the author’s house—it inspired "Out of Africa."
• [ ] 🌿 Nairobi National Park ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Half-day game drive just outside the city—see lions, rhinos, and giraffes with the city skyline!
• [ ] 🏙️ Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) Helipad ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • 360° views of Nairobi—bring your camera.
• [ ] 🎨 Nairobi Gallery ⭐ (~1h)
  • Small art space in a historical building—East African art.
• [ ] 🦓 Nairobi Safari Walk ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Raised boardwalk—great intro to local fauna/flora.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 K1 Klub House ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Casual spot for local live music.
• [ ] 🍷 The Wine Shop Westlands ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Relaxed evening, wine tastings occasionally.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍖 Carnivore Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Famous churrascaria serving exotic meats—rich BBQ experience, from $30.
• [ ] 🍛 Talisman Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Lush garden setting, fusion cuisine—main courses $15–25.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌿 Karura Forest (~2h)
  • Lush trails for running or walking, waterfalls—peaceful city escape.

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🇰🇪 Mount Kenya & Nanyuki - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏔️ Mount Kenya National Park ⭐⭐⭐ (~2-3 days/trek)
  • Multi-day trek—experience rich wildlife, jagged peaks, and alpine lakes (Point Lenana ascent suggested for fit adventurers).
• [ ] 🚶 Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Camp Trail ⭐⭐⭐ (~12h, overnight trek)
  • Most popular trekking route—scenic valleys and Afro-alpine moorland.
• [ ] 🌅 Equator Crossing Point ⭐⭐ (~30min)
  • Take photo at this classic latitude marker in Nanyuki.
• [ ] 🏞️ Ol Pejeta Conservancy ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Big Five reserve—home to last northern white rhinos.
• [ ] 🦒 Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy ⭐ (~2h)
  • Rare animal rescue centre—bongos, leopards.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🔥 Bonfire at Mountain Lodge ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Cozy up after your trek—often arranged by hotels.
• [ ] 🌌 Stargazing in Nanyuki ⭐ (~1h)
  • Clear mountain skies, basic telescope at some hotels.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍛 Le Rustique Nanyuki ⭐⭐
  • Gourmet with garden, steak and lamb specialties. ($12–20)
• [ ] 🥘 Simba Lodge Restaurant ⭐
  • Hearty local fare, relaxed ambiance. ($10–15)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🚗 Visit Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (~1h)
  • Colonial-era luxury hotel for a drink or high tea.

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🇰🇪 Maasai Mara - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🦁 Maasai Mara Game Reserve Safari Drive ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h per day)
  • Witness the Great Migration—thousands of wildebeest crossing rivers. See the Big Five!
• [ ] 🦓 Talek Gate Area ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Best for morning drives—cheetahs, hippos in the river.
• [ ] 🌉 Mara River ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Key migration crossing point—epic wildlife action.
• [ ] 🛕 Mara Triangle ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Less crowded, spectacular views and wildlife.
• [ ] 🏞️ Oloololo Escarpment ⭐ ⭐ (~2h)
  • Panoramic view of Mara plains—sunrise/sunset walks.
• [ ] 🏕️ Village visit: Maasai Manyatta ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Guided tour in a Maasai community—dances, crafts, daily life.
• [ ] 🦅 Hot Air Balloon Safari ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h, early morning)
  • Iconic adventure—finish with champagne bush breakfast.
• [ ] 🚶 Guided Walking Safari ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Get up close with tracks, birds, and plants.
• [ ] 🏞️ Enkewa Marsh ⭐ (~1h)
  • Birding paradise—keep binoculars handy.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🔥 Traditional Bush Dinner under Stars ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Arranged by your lodge—cultural performances, campfire atmosphere.
• [ ] 🍸 Mara Serena Safari Lodge Bar ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Sip sundowners with sweeping views.
• [ ] 🪘 Maasai Warrior Dance Performance ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Night event at most camps—interactive cultural experience.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🥩 Camp Lodge Dining ⭐⭐⭐
  • High-quality meals—often buffet, focus on local flavors, $25–50/meal.
• [ ] 🥗 Sarova Mara Game Camp Restaurant ⭐
  • International and Kenyan buffet, varied salads and grilled meats, $20+.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🦒 Visit Mara Explorers Camp (~1h)
  • Affordable restaurant/camp, friendly (for a change of pace).

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇰🇪 Nairobi

• [ ] 🎬 The Constant Gardener (2005) — ⭐ 7.4 — Political thriller shot in Kenya, including Nairobi slums — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 Sense8 (2015–2018) — ⭐ 8.2 — Sci-fi series with Nairobi scenes — Netflix

🇰🇪 Mount Kenya & Nanyuki

• [ ] 🎬 The First Grader (2010) — ⭐ 7.4 — Inspiring true story set in rural Kenya — Prime Video

🇰🇪 Maasai Mara

• [ ] 🎬 Out of Africa (1985) — ⭐ 7.1 — Classic romance set in colonial Kenya, Maasai Mara — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Dynasties (2018) — ⭐ 9.2 — BBC wildlife documentary with Maasai Mara lions — BBC iPlayer

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🍜 Local specialties

🇰🇪 Nairobi

• [ ] Nyama Choma (grilled meat, often goat)
• [ ] Ugali (maize porridge)
• [ ] Mandazi (fried dough snack)

🇰🇪 Mount Kenya & Nanyuki

• [ ] Mukimo (mashed peas, potatoes, greens)
• [ ] Irio (mashed peas/corn/potatoes)
• [ ] Tilapia (farmed or river)

🇰🇪 Maasai Mara

• [ ] Nyama Choma (fire-grilled meats)
• [ ] Sukuma Wiki (collard greens)
• [ ] Maasai milk tea (with spices)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇰🇪 Nairobi

1. 🌤️ Nairobi National Park
2. 🌙 K1 Klub House
3. 🛍️ Village Market
4. 🏨 Fairview Hotel
5. 🍽️ Carnivore Restaurant

🇰🇪 Mount Kenya & Nanyuki

1. 🌤️ Mount Kenya National Park (Sirimon Gate)
2. 🌙 Old Moses Mountain Lodge
3. 🛍️ Nanyuki Market
4. 🏨 Le Rustique/Nanyuki Simba Lodge
5. 🍽️ Le Rustique Restaurant

🇰🇪 Maasai Mara

1. 🌤️ Mara River Crossing
2. 🌙 Mara Serena Safari Lodge Bar
3. 🛍️ Maasai Craft Market (outside reserve)
4. 🏨 Mara Intrepids Camp
5. 🍽️ Camp Lodge Dining

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Nairobi
• [ ] 🚅/🚌 Nairobi → Nanyuki/Mount Kenya (private transfer or SGR train)
• [ ] 🚌/✈️ Nanyuki/Mount Kenya → Maasai Mara (4–6h by road with guide/driver, or short domestic flight from Nanyuki airstrip)
• [ ] ✈️ Maasai Mara (Olkurruk or Keekorok airstrip) → Nairobi → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Nairobi	2	Fairview Hotel (4*)	$400
Nanyuki/Mt. Kenya	3	Simba Lodge / Mountain Hut	$600
Maasai Mara	5	Mara Intrepids Camp (Safari Tent Lodge)	$1,000
Total	10 nights		$2,000

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Tip: Kenya is best explored with a private driver/guide, especially for the Mara and trekking logistics. August fills up fast—book flights, lodges, and safaris well in advance!