I Spent $30,000 on an Ultimate Kenya Summer Safari Adventure

I went to Kenya in September, spending 30,000, which was a bit expensive but still worth it. After all, there is probably no place in the world like East Africa where you can get so close to animals, within arm’s reach.
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Although Kenya at first glance felt like entering another parallel world, after more than ten days of experience, it seemed quite different from the imagined Africa.

The strongest feeling was that I used to think summering in Africa was a joke, but it turned out that except for the slightly sunny midday, most of the time in Kenya was very cool, with temperatures as low as 15°C in the early morning and evening, requiring a down jacket. Can you believe that one day we were so cold that we hid in the hotel by the fire, while at the same time, Chengdu was already approaching 40°C?

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📆 Itinerary:
1-2: Changsha – Nairobi – Maasai Mara
The drive from Nairobi to Maasai Mara takes about 5 hours, so we spent the afternoon resting at the hotel, luckily capturing a group of meerkats.
3: Maasai Mara
Two half-day safaris, resting at the hotel at noon, collecting four of the Big Five in Africa except for the rhinoceros, plus a cheetah.

4: Maasai Mara
A full-day safari, going to the Mara River on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, but did not encounter the Great Migration. Fortunately, saw a male lion and a serval hunting, collecting four of the Ugly Five in Africa except for the hyena.
5: Maasai Mara – Nakuru
Another 5-hour drive from Maasai Mara to Nakuru, an evening safari at Lake Nakuru, saw various birds whose names I couldn’t recall, and luckily met the national bird of Uganda—the Grey Crowned Crane.

Unfortunately, the rhinos were too far away, only managing to take distant photos.
6: Nakuru – Lake Elmenteita – Nakuru
Due to excessive rain this year, the flamingos had moved, so we changed from the originally planned Lake Bogoria to Lake Elmenteita, one of the few national parks in Kenya where you can walk directly, and luckily saw hundreds of flamingos.

7: Nakuru – Mount Kenya
About a 4-hour drive from Nakuru to Mount Kenya, encountered a herd of rhinos up close by the roadside, finally completing the collection of the Big Five in Africa. In the afternoon, mainly experienced the Fairmont Hotel under Mount Kenya, the entire hotel like a huge park, hard to imagine this is Africa.

8: Mount Kenya – Naivasha
In the morning, the second highest peak in Africa—Mount Kenya—finally appeared. About a 5-hour drive from Mount Kenya to Naivasha, in the afternoon took a boat to Crescent Island, the time was a bit tight, but it was a rare Walking Safari experience.
9: Naivasha – Amboseli
About a 7-hour drive from Naivasha to Amboseli, the evening safari in Amboseli was very fulfilling, not only seeing Kilimanjaro and elephant herds at sunset, but also a glorious sunset and the long-missed hyenas, thus completing the collection of the Ugly Five in Africa.

10: Amboseli
After a half-day safari, returned to the hotel for rest.

The prime benefit of lodging in the heart of the national park is the unparalleled opportunity to witness a diverse array of wildlife and the majestic Kilimanjaro right from your hotel. This unique experience allows you to immerse yourself in nature without even stepping outside.
11-12: Amboseli – Nairobi – Changsha

From the serene landscapes of Amboseli, where elephants roam freely against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the bustling city life of Nairobi, and finally back to the familiar comforts of Changsha, this journey promises an unforgettable blend of adventure and relaxation.