The Ultimate Kenya Itinerary: Must-do activities in Kenya
Where do I even begin with this incredible trip to Kenya? Honestly, it was a bucket-list adventure through and through! From thrilling ziplining, to safari game drives and exploring stunning beaches, I hope this detailed itinerary inspires you to visit this magical country. Here’s our day-by-day breakdown of all the must-do activities in Kenya for first-time travellers!
Where to stay in Kenya?
🦁 The best safari lodges in Kenya:
➡️ For the famous Safari Hideout - Soroi Lions Bluff
For a safari lodge next to a watering hole - Kilaguni Serena
For a stunning beach resort in Watamu - Medina Palms
🏨 The best hotels in Nairobi:
For a modern hotel in Nairobi - Stay at Glee
For a central hotel in Nairobi - Nairobi Serena
Day 1: Thrills at The Forest and Dinner at Ankole Grill
Welcome to Nairobi. After our direct flight from London we checked into Glee Nairobi and were soon ready for our ultimate Kenya itinerary to begin! Day 1 started with a crazy zipline experience at The Forest! It’s the longest zipline in East Africa, and I can honestly say it definitely felt like that, too 😵💫 . The adventure centre, which is about 2 hours drive from Nairobi, also had us try our hand at archery, and we got to plant an indigenous Cedar tree in the forest, which made our morning as wholesome as it was thrilling! After all that excitement, we headed to Ankole Grill for dinner. The atmosphere was lovely, with a warm, inviting vibe and log fires. The food was divine - get the Liberian peanut chicken if you like chilli 🌶️ 😉, and the cocktails were fab, too!
Day 2: Safari Adventures in Tsavo National Park
The next morning, we woke up bright and (very) early to kick-start our safari adventure in Tsavo National Park. We headed to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, checked into the tiniest plane I’d ever seen in my life, and flew over to Tsavo National Park - the flight was only about 30 minutes or so and, to my surprise, NOT bumpy. Air Kenya is the best airline to book this flight with btw. We checked into Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, which has incredible views over a watering hole, and in the evening, we set off on a game drive, spotting elephants and catching a glimpse of the beautiful Mzima Springs. Legend has it that you can spot hippos here, but we ‘only’ saw crocodiles that day, and I would absolutely recommend this stop nonetheless!
Day 3: Lions, Sundowners and a secret Safari Hideout at Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge
Our third day was equally as exciting! We kicked off the morning with another game drive - this means a 3:30 a.m. wake-up, by the way! But honestly, I did not care; the excitement outweighed the tiredness. We spotted wildebeests, giraffes, and zebras, and after our morning adventures, we checked in at Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge, where we were lucky enough to see, as the name suggests, some lions in the wild! Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge was hands down the most beautiful hotel in Kenya for me. Imagine rooms overlooking the savannah, peace and quiet, and the best food we had on the entire trip! As the day came to a close, we enjoyed a stunning sundowner and sipped our drinks while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Honestly, it felt like a scene from a movie!
Fun fact: If you stay at Soroi Lions Bluff, you get access to the famous safari hideout! ➡️ Book your stay here ⬅️
If you ask me, no ultimate Kenya itinerary is complete without at least one night at Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge.
Day 4: Off to the Beach in Watamu
What would the ultimate Kenya itinerary be without the beach? Today was travel day, as it was time to head to the coast! We drove to Voi train station and left for Mombasa. After a 2-hour train ride, we made our way to Watamu, stopped by the Gede Ruins, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site that transports you back in time, and eventually checked into the stunning Medina Palms hotel. We were tired but excited for the next few days by the beach!
Day 5: Exploring Watamu’s Wonders
After a fun Tuk Tuk ride, we visited the Local Ocean Conservation Turtle Sanctuary, where we learned about their incredible work in protecting sea turtles. If you’re interested, they have a volunteering programme! For lunch, we enjoyed cocktails and freshly grilled seafood at the vibey Licht Haus - think nets over the water, soft afrobeats in the background, and chilled conversations. I loved it here A LOT, and we were told that it’s also one of the best places to visit in Watamu during sunset. We finished our day with a super fun dhow cruise, where we learned more about the Italian and Arab cultural influences of Watamu and watched Kenya’s beautiful sunset.
Day 6: Relaxation at Papa Remo Beach
To complete our ultimate Kenya itinerary, on our final day, we relaxed at Papa Remo Beach - which is a hotel where you can stay or just come to the restaurant & bar for the day to access the beach. The soft sand and turquoise water were the perfect way to end our trip. We spent the day swimming, sunbathing, and eating fresh seafood, of course, and if you ask me, this was one of the most beautiful beaches I’d ever seen in my life!