Day One (Wednesday, November 3, 2027) – Nairobi

Your flight arrives Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport late in the evening. You will be met outside of customs by our safari leader and drivers who will take you to the Argyle Grand Hotel in time for a good night’s rest. At the hotel, you will be assisted with check in, and your luggage transported to your rooms. Located close to the airport, it’s not your typical airport hotel, it has a beautiful look and feel as a luxury hotel, including multiple restaurants with excellent food, very modern comfortable smart rooms, gym, pool, and a lovely garden/open space. Overnight: Argyle Grand Hotel.

Day Two (Thursday, November 4, 2027) – Aberdare National Park

This morning, we’ll journey north into the lush highlands of central Kenya to Aberdare National Park, where we’ll enjoy lunch at the charming Aberdare Country Club before continuing into the park. Covering 767 square kilometers (296 square miles), Aberdare National Park stretches across the dramatic Aberdare Mountain Range, with elevations ranging from 1,829 to 4,001 meters (6,000 to 13,127 feet) above sea level.

The park's breathtaking landscape is a tapestry of mist-covered forests, cascading waterfalls, bamboo groves, and deep ravines carved into the eastern and western slopes. This diverse habitat is home to an incredible array of wildlife. Keep your eyes open for black rhinos, leopards, baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, Sykes' monkeys, and an abundance of colorful birdlife. With a bit of luck, you may even spot one of the park's more elusive residents, such as the majestic lion, the rare African golden cat, or the shy bongo, a striking forest antelope that inhabits the bamboo forests. The higher moorlands are also home to eland and the graceful serval.

After lunch, we’ll check into our rooms and spend the afternoon at the unforgettable The Ark Lodge. Nestled in the heart of the national park, this iconic and unique tree lodge is designed to resemble Noah’s Ark. Perched above a floodlit waterhole and natural salt lick, it offers one of Kenya's most memorable wildlife viewing experiences.

Thoughtfully designed viewing decks, balconies, and comfortable lounges provide spectacular vantage points to watch animals gather throughout the day and into the evening. For photographers, a ground-level bunker offers an eye-level perspective unlike any other, while the Yasabara waterhole remains illuminated after dark, creating exceptional opportunities for nighttime wildlife viewing.

One of the lodge's most beloved traditions ensures you won't miss a thing. If a particularly exciting animal arrives at the waterhole during the night, the resident guide will buzz your room. Simply slip into your provided robe and slippers, grab your camera, and quietly make your way to the viewing deck to witness nature's nighttime drama unfold. Elephants, buffalo, waterbucks, bushbucks, monkeys, and a dazzling variety of birds are frequent visitors, while rhinos, bush pigs, and even elusive leopards are known to appear under the cover of darkness, making every evening at The Ark a truly unforgettable safari experience. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: The Ark Lodge.

Day Three (Friday, November 5, 2027) – Samburu/Buffalo Springs

After breakfast and check-out this morning, we’ll continue our journey north into Kenya’s rugged and captivating Samburu region. Located approximately 325 kilometers (202 miles) north of Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve lies in the warm, semi-arid landscapes that mark the gateway to Kenya’s vast northern frontier.

This remarkable reserve is the ancestral homeland of the colorful Samburu people, close relatives of the Maasai, whose rich traditions and vibrant culture remain an important part of daily life. Samburu is also renowned for its unique wildlife, including several species found only north of the equator. Keep your camera ready for sightings of the striking Grevy’s zebra, the elegant reticulated giraffe, and the impressive Beisa oryx. You may also spot the graceful gerenuk, often called the "giraffe gazelle," famous for standing on its hind legs to browse leaves and tender shoots from thorny shrubs. Flowing through this otherwise arid landscape is the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River, which begins its journey hundreds of kilometers away in the foothills of the Aberdare Mountains before winding through Samburu and eventually disappearing into the Lorian Swamp. Within the reserve, the broad, slow-moving river sustains an abundance of wildlife, local communities, and livestock alike. Its sandy banks are home to one of Kenya’s largest concentrations of crocodiles, while towering acacia trees, ancient figs, and graceful doum palms provide welcome shade and nourishment for the many animals that gather here to drink.

Along the way, we’ll enjoy a scenic game drive before arriving at our accommodations in time for lunch. Nestled beneath a canopy of towering doum palms along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Ashnil Samburu Camp offers a tranquil oasis in the heart of the wilderness. After checking into our luxurious tented accommodations, there will be time to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings before we head out on our afternoon game drive.

Tonight, we'll experience the magic of safari camping in comfort, spending the night in a spacious luxury tent complete with an elegant en-suite bathroom and a private veranda overlooking the river. As the sounds of the African bush come alive after sunset, you'll enjoy an unforgettable evening immersed in one of Kenya's most spectacular wildlife destinations. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp.

Day Four (Saturday, November 6, 2027) – Samburu/Buffalo Springs

Morning and afternoon game drives will give us more opportunity to enjoy the unique game species, which are found only north of the Equator. Today, following breakfast, we will have an opportunity to visit a Samburu Village and learn about these pastoral people who are closely related to the Maasai tribe as well.  These people still live the traditional life they have enjoyed for centuries. A village elder will escort us on a guided tour of the village and explain their way of life. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp.

Day Five (Sunday, November 7, 2027) – Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Today we’ll journey south to Sweetwaters Tented Camp, nestled in the heart of the privately owned Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Spanning 24,000 acres and straddling the Equator, this extraordinary reserve offers sweeping views across wildlife-filled plains to the snow-capped peaks of majestic Mount Kenya. Rich in both wildlife and lush vegetation, Ol Pejeta is widely recognized as one of Kenya’s premier conservation areas.

As a private conservancy, Ol Pejeta offers a safari experience unlike that found in many of Kenya’s national parks, allowing guests to enjoy exclusive activities not typically permitted elsewhere. The conservancy is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, and more than 400 species of birds. Every game drive offers the possibility of unforgettable encounters in this remarkable landscape.

One of the highlights of our visit will be the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can observe rescued chimpanzees. Established through a partnership between Lonrho East Africa, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary provides a safe haven for orphaned and abused chimpanzees while supporting important conservation and education efforts. We'll also have the opportunity to visit the informative visitor center to learn more about the sanctuary's inspiring mission.

Tonight, we'll stay at the beautiful Sweetwaters Tented Camp, where classic safari charm meets modern comfort. Relax on the private veranda of your luxurious tent and take in magnificent views across the game-studded plains as wildlife wanders nearby. The camp's main lodge, originally built in the 1970s as the residence of the ranch manager, reflects the property's fascinating history. Both the former Sweetwaters Game Reserve and the expansive Ol Pejeta Ranch were once the private estate of renowned businessman Adnan Khashoggi.

Surrounded by spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich conservation history, your evening at Sweetwaters promises to be another unforgettable chapter in your Kenyan safari adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Night Game Drive in Sweetwaters. Gather in open-air vehicles specially designed for optimal wildlife viewing, where the nocturnal creatures of Ol Pejeta, such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, become more active during this time, presenting a thrilling opportunity for sightings that differ from those during daylight hours. $115.

Day Six (Monday, November 8, 2027) – Lake Nakuru

Today, our journey continues south into Kenya’s spectacular Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the country’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Originally established as a bird sanctuary in 1960 to protect the flocks of lesser flamingos that lined the lake’s shores, once known as the "greatest bird spectacle on earth". Designated a national park in 1968, today the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with more than 350 species of birds recorded throughout its diverse habitats.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also unique as Kenya’s only fully fenced national park and has earned international recognition as one of the country’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. Both black and white rhinos thrive here, offering excellent opportunities for close-up sightings in the park’s open grasslands.

Upon arrival, we'll check into our lodge, located within the national park, before setting out on a late afternoon game drive. As the day begins to cool, wildlife becomes increasingly active, offering excellent opportunities to spot Cape buffalo, zebras, lions, baboons, and a variety of antelope, including impalas and gazelles. As evening approaches, we'll return to the lodge, where the safari continues from the comfort of your room as wildlife often wanders nearby. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Day Seven (Tuesday, November 9, 2027) – Lake Nakuru

Today is dedicated to discovering even more of the incredible wildlife and scenery that make Lake Nakuru National Park so special. We'll head out early this morning for a game drive, one of the best times of day to observe the park's abundant wildlife as the animals are at their most active. We’ll watch for both black and white rhinos grazing across the open plains, along with Cape buffalo, zebras, lions, baboons, and graceful Rothschild's giraffes moving among the iconic yellow-barked acacia trees, often called "yellow fever trees." With a bit of luck, we may also catch a glimpse of the park's elusive leopard resting in the branches or silently stalking through the grass (This is where our 2025 QTS Safari guests got to see the leopard!)

After some time to relax and enjoy lunch at the lodge, we'll venture back into the park for another afternoon game drive, taking another ideal opportunity to witness the rich diversity of wildlife before returning to the lodge for a relaxing evening, reflecting on another unforgettable day on safari. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Day Eight, Nine, & Ten (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, November 10, 11, 12, 2027) – Maasai Mara

Today, after breakfast, we’ll depart the Great Rift Valley and journey toward the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Covering 1,670 square kilometers (645 square miles), the Maasai Mara forms the northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem, creating one of the finest wildlife habitats in East Africa.

Characterized by sweeping grasslands, rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests, the Mara benefits from reliable rainfall and permanent water sources, supporting an extraordinary concentration of resident wildlife throughout the year. It is also home to the Maasai people, whose colorful culture and traditional way of life continue on the lands surrounding the reserve.

The Maasai Mara is especially renowned for its impressive predators, including large prides of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and the elusive leopard. The reserve is also home to elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebras, topi, hartebeest, and vast herds of gazelles. Along the Mara River and its tributaries, hippos and Nile crocodiles bask on the riverbanks, while the reserve's varied landscapes provide exceptional opportunities for birdwatching.

Upon arrival, we’ll check into PrideInn Mara Camp & Cottages, a welcoming safari retreat ideally located near the Sekenani Gate of the Maasai Mara. Nestled amid beautifully landscaped grounds, the camp offers spacious luxury tents and charming cottages that blend modern comforts with an authentic safari atmosphere. Guests can unwind in the outdoor swimming pool, relax with a drink at the bar or on the terrace, or simply soak in the peaceful surroundings after an exciting day in the bush. The camp's restaurant features a delicious selection of international favorites alongside locally inspired Kenyan cuisine, providing the perfect ending to each day's adventure. After settling in, there will be time to relax and enjoy the tranquil setting before preparing for the unforgettable safari experiences that await in the Maasai Mara, where every game drive offers the possibility of witnessing some of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: PrideInn Mara Camp & Cottages.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Hot Air Balloon over the Mara. Floating gracefully above the vast expanse of the Maasai Mara, the hot air balloon ride offers a breathtaking panorama of the iconic African savannah. Upon landing, a “champagne-style” full English breakfast is impeccably served in the bush before driving back to the lodge. $530.

Day Eleven (Saturday, November 13, 2027) – Nairobi

After breakfast our group will travel by road back to Nairobi for and check-into our day rooms at Argyle Grand Hotel where we’ll have the afternoon free for resting and preparing for the trip home. We will spend our evening together with a farewell dinner, then transfer to the airport for your flight back home with lots of safari memories. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.

·       10 nights & 1 day upgraded luxury, deluxe accommodations

o   1 night & 1 day at Argyle Grand Hotel (or similar)

o   1 night at The Ark Lodge (or similar)

o   2 nights at Ashnil Samburu Camp (or similar)

o   1 night at Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp (or similar)

o   2 nights at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (or similar)

o   3 nights at PrideInn Mara Camp & Cottages (or similar)

·       All road transport, transfers, and daily game drives.

·       20 meals including a farewell dinner on last day of main safari in Nairobi

·       Park fees for visits to all game reserves and National Parks

·       Services of professional naturalist and English-speaking driver guide

·       Water in all buses during transfers and game drives

·       Wi-Fi services (where available)

·       Gratuities for wait staff, room attendants, and porters in the hotels/lodges/camps

·       The price is $6295 per person, based on double occupancy. $100 discount for past QTS tour travelers.

·       Single supplement is $845.

·       $1000 non-refundable per person deposit due at the time of booking. 

·       $1500 non-refundable per person payment due by February 1st, 2027.

·       Final non-refundable payment due by May 1st, 2027.