Discover Kenya Off the Beaten Track

Welcome to Kenya!

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be brought to your hotel. Nairobi is known as the Green City in the Sun. It’s a lively place where modern Africa meets safari tradition. You’ll find green neighbourhoods here, but also busy markets and plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants. The city is full of excitement, and a great starting point for your self-drive adventure!

Start: Nairobi
Destination: Lake Naivasha
Drive: 120 km | approx. 3 hours

Your road trip adventure begins! The short drive to Lake Naivasha is a gentle introduction to driving in Kenya. Once you arrive, settle in and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the lake. It’s the perfect soft landing before your safari adventure really gets underway.

Explore: Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha offers a peaceful setting to relax and take it easy.

Nearby, Hell’s Gate National Park offers dramatic landscapes and a chance to get active. Cycle among giraffes, zebras, and gazelles, or hike through the scenic gorge. For more inspiration, see our blog on the most beautiful parks in Kenya.

Start: Lake Naivasha
Destination: Lake Nakuru
Drive: 80 km | approx. 2 hours

Head to Lake Nakuru, where your park ticket is valid for 24 hours, ideal for an afternoon game drive. On the way, make a stop at Lake Elementaita to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

Lake Nakuru is a small but scenic park. You’ll find most of the big safari animals here, except elephants, including black and white rhinos and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. One afternoon and one morning game drive are usually enough to explore the park.

Start: Lake Nakuru
Destination: Laikipia
Drive: 140 km | approx. 3.5 hours

Start your day with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, then continue north to Laikipia. You’ll be staying at Ol Maisor Farm, a charming, working cattle ranch that’s full of character and wildlife. Camping here offers a peaceful, off-the-grid experience.

Explore: Laikipia

Life on this ranch is anything but ordinary. Join the crew for a morning run, cool off with a swim in the dam (no crocs here!), or head out on a guided walking safari. Buffalo, elephants, giraffes,  even lions, all roam these lands.

What makes Ol Maisor truly special are the people. Watching the ranch team move with ease through the wilderness is as fascinating as the wildlife itself.

For something different, we recommend joining a tracking dog training session. It’s part of the ranch’s important work against wildlife poaching.

Start: Laikipia
Destination: Nanyuki
Drive: 100 km | approx. 4 hours

Continue your journey to Nanyuki, the gateway to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mount Kenya. This lively town has a well-stocked supermarket, several good restaurants, and comfortable hotels. A perfect stop to refresh before your next safari adventure.

Start: Nanyuki
Destination: Ol Pejeta – Rongai Gate
Drive: 15 km | approx. 15 min

Once a colonial cattle ranch, Ol Pejeta is now one of Africa’s most successful private conservancies. Home to the Big Five and much more, it offers excellent year-round game viewing on well-marked tracks. Make your safari extra special with unique conservation experiences:

• Lion tracking
• Night game drives
• Horse riding among rhinos
• Or even a run in the wild

All activities can be booked easily via Ol Pejeta’s website.

Start: Nanyuki
Destination: Samburu (via Ngare Ndare Forest)
Drive: 130 km | approx. 4 hours

At the foothills of Mount Kenya lies Ngare Ndare Forest – an ancient, lush forest and a true hidden gem. Few tourists make it here, but it’s well worth the detour. Branch off the A2 at Timau and follow a 15 km rough road (about 45 minutes each way). Once there, you can hike to waterfalls, swim in crystal-clear blue pools and walk the longest canopy walkway in East Africa.

For more details, see our Travel Blog on off-the-beaten-track destinations in Kenya.

After your visit, continue to Samburu for a memorable 3-night stay.

Explore: Samburu Region

Samburu is a semi-desert landscape and home to the Samburu people, traditional pastoralists who thrive in these harsh conditions. The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeline of the region, attracting both wildlife and communities.

The protected area includes three compact reserves: Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba. Samburu offers the best game drives, with rich wildlife sightings. Shaba is less about wildlife and more about its dramatic landscapes, lava formations, hot springs, and the feeling of untouched wilderness.

Explore: Samburu Region

Besides game drives, there’s plenty more to experience in Samburu:

• Hike to the summit of Mount Ololokwe (1,754 m) on a rewarding day trip
• Visit a community-run elephant orphanage
• Meet the Samburu people and learn about their traditions

We visited Umoja Women’s Village on the outskirts of Archer's Post, and were deeply moved by the stories of these courageous women.

For more insights and tips, check out our Samburu Travel Blog.

Start: Samburu
Destination: Meru National Park
Drive: 120 km | approx. 4 hours

Leave the semi-desert of Samburu behind and head toward the fertile slopes of Mount Meru. The landscape changes dramatically here: lush, green, and full of life.

Set in the Eastern Highlands, Meru National Park is a beautiful region known for its rich farmlands and dense forests, showcasing a completely different side of Kenya.

Explore: Meru National Park

Far less crowded than Kenya’s better-known parks, Meru National Park offers a true wilderness experience. All of the Big Five live here, with elephants and buffalo especially common. The park also features a rhino sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos.

The scenery is spectacular: lush watercourses lined with tall doum palms, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for your safari.

Start: Meru National Park
Destination: Sagana – Rapids Camp
Drive: 230 km | approx. 7 hours

Today you’re heading to Sagana. The town is named after Kenya's longest river and is known as a centre for outdoor activities.  It’s a long drive today, so set off early. 

Explore: Activities at Rapids Camp in Sagana

At Rapids Camps, you can go rafting, kayaking, or ziplining, and try out other exciting water activities. It’s the perfect stop for thrill-seekers and outdoor lovers.

Start: Sagana
Destination: Nairobi
Drive: 135 km | approx. 3 hours

It’s time to return to Nairobi! Late flight? Enjoy a relaxed morning by the river before continuing to Nairobi Airport to meet our colleagues for the car handover. No flight today? We’ll arrange your stay in a comfortable hotel in one of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs. The next day, the hotel’s taxi service will take you to the airport.