Kenya Safari & Beach Escape

Kenya Safari & Beach Escape – My Incredible Journey with Kuoni

Some trips stay with you forever, and my recent adventure to Kenya is certainly one of them.

As part of a work trip with Kuoni, I had the opportunity to experience a classic Kenya safari (A Taste of Kenya) combined with a relaxing beach stay on the Kenyan coast in Mombasa. Having previously been fortunate enough to enjoy a luxury safari in South Africa, I was excited to discover how Kenya compared—and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation.

From rhino sightings within minutes of entering a national park to soaring over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon at sunrise, every day brought something new and unforgettable.

Nairobi – A Safari Begins in the City

Our journey started in Nairobi, home to one of the world‘s most unique wildlife experiences: Nairobi National Park.

Often referred to as the world‘s only city national park, this 117-square-kilometre reserve sits on the edge of Kenya's capital city and is home to four of the Big Five. Within just five minutes of entering the park, we were rewarded with an incredible sighting of a black rhino, setting the tone for the rest of the trip.

Alongside rhino, we spotted giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and impala, all with the Nairobi skyline visible in the distance. It was a remarkable introduction to Kenya's wildlife.

Conservation at Its Best – Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

One of the highlights of Nairobi was visiting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

This incredible organisation is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants and rhinos. Many of the animals have sadly lost their mothers through poaching, drought or human-wildlife conflict. What impressed me most was the ethical approach to conservation, with every effort focused on eventually returning the animals to the wild.

Watching twelve baby elephants charge in for their milk feeding was an experience I'll never forget. We also met Titan, an 18-month-old rhino calf, and Naughty, an 8-month-old zebra who arrived at the sanctuary together and have formed an inseparable bond.

Up Close with Giraffes

Our day continued with a visit to the famous Giraffe Centre, located near the iconic Giraffe Manor.

The centre plays an important role in the conservation of the endangered Rothschild giraffe, and visitors have the opportunity to get remarkably close to these gentle giants. Feeding giraffes at eye level was one of those magical travel moments that photographs simply cannot do justice.

Lake Nakuru – Safari Begins in Earnest

Leaving Nairobi behind, we travelled through the stunning Great Rift Valley towards Lake Nakuru.

En route, we enjoyed a game drive within the Soysambu Conservancy near Lake Elementaita. Conservancies differ from national parks in that they generally offer lower visitor numbers and a more exclusive safari experience while continuing important conservation work. It provided a wonderful opportunity to enjoy wildlife viewing away from the busier safari routes.

For the next two nights, we stayed at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, perfectly positioned overlooking Lake Nakuru National Park.

Sunrise and Sunset Safaris

One of the biggest lessons from this trip was how dramatically wildlife behaviour changes throughout the day.

Our 6 am game drive offered a completely different experience from those later in the day. Early mornings are when many animals are at their most active before the African sun becomes too intense.

During our drives around Lake Nakuru, we encountered buffalo, zebra, baboons, warthogs, giraffes and an incredible variety of birdlife. However, the standout moment was undoubtedly finding a pride of lions with cubs shortly after they had successfully hunted a zebra.

It was a powerful reminder that safari is not a zoo experience; this is nature exactly as it should be.

The Journey to the Masai Mara

From Lake Nakuru, we continued by road to the world-famous Masai Mara.

On this particular itinerary, we travelled between destinations overland, which allowed us to experience more of Kenya's diverse landscapes and local communities. However, many safari itineraries also offer the option of flying between reserves for those looking to maximise time and minimise road travel.

As we approached the Mara, we were welcomed by magnificent elephants, leaving just one animal, the elusive leopard, to complete our Big Five checklist.

We even had the opportunity to step briefly across the border into Tanzania, overlooking the vast Serengeti ecosystem that connects with the Masai Mara.

The Experience of a Lifetime – Hot Air Balloon Safari

If there is one experience I would recommend to anyone visiting Kenya, it is a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara.

Our day began at 4 a.m. before taking off from Governors' Camp as dawn broke over the plains.

For around an hour, we drifted silently above one of Africa's most iconic landscapes. We watched hippos stirring in the rivers, giraffes grazing below, and elephants making their morning journey across the savannah.

At one point, the balloon descended so low it felt as though we could almost touch the grass.

It was one of the most breathtaking travel experiences I have ever had and remains one of the highlights of my entire career in travel.

From Safari to Beach

After several incredible days on safari, it was time for the second part of our adventure. It's an absolute MUST if you can fit in a Beach stay at the end, Safari is busy with early starts, you really need time to relax, switch off and take everything in.

An early morning flight took us from Nairobi to Malindi on Kenya's beautiful coastline, where we checked into Diamonds Malindi.

The contrast between safari and beach could not have been greater, and that's exactly why the combination works so well.

After early starts, game drives and days packed with adventure, a few days by the Indian Ocean provided the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on everything we had experienced.

It also reinforced why safari-and-beach holidays remain one of my favourite recommendations for clients visiting Africa.

Why Choosing the Right Safari Matters

One of the biggest takeaways from this trip is that a safari is not a one-size-fits-all holiday.

There are enormous differences between itineraries, accommodations, transport options, wildlife experiences and levels of luxury.

Some travellers prefer fly-in safaris staying in luxury tented camps, while others enjoy escorted touring itineraries that allow them to see multiple regions in one trip. Families, honeymooners, photographers and first-time safari travellers may all benefit from different styles of safari.

Having now experienced both luxury and escorted safari holidays, I can confidently help clients understand which option best suits their expectations, budget and travel style.

Could Kenya Be Your Next Adventure?

Kenya delivered everything I had hoped for and more spectacular wildlife, stunning landscapes, warm hospitality and unforgettable experiences.

From black rhinos and lion cubs to hot air balloon flights and Indian Ocean sunsets, this was a journey packed with moments I'll remember forever.

If a safari is on your travel wish list, I'd love to help you plan it. Whether you're looking for a classic Kenya safari, a luxury fly-in experience, a safari and beach combination or your very first African adventure, I can help you find the perfect itinerary.

Get in touch to start planning your own safari adventure.

📞 WhatsApp: 07736301524

📧 angelasutcliffe@designertravel.co.uk

You can also keep an eye out for my upcoming blogs and travel highlights, where I'll be sharing more tips, photographs and insights from this incredible journey.