10-Day Itinerary of Kenya’s Best

Once you’ve landed in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, take the day to discover what is considered the green city under the sun. First, visit the elephants at the renowned Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to learn about the rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. Next, stop for lunch at a garden café contributing to peace and reconciliation for women from many African nations and cultures through art. Finally, visit the giraffes at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. After an action-packed day, sit down to a delicious meal of Kenyan home-style cooking.

Catch the train down south to your second stop, the village of Maungu, and settle into a charming open-air home in the savannah. You'll quickly feel at home here. Enjoy a traditional dance performance by the women of the Taita-Taveta community before dinner.

Spend the day with the women of the Zawadisha tribe in Maungu. Learn about the Neema Women's Group and their crafts like paper-bead jewelry and paper-making from upcycled elephant dung. Thousands of African elephants call the Kasigau corridor, between Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, home, so there's never a shortage of manure!

Founder of the Tumaini Environmental Women’s Group and a local champion for improving women's lives in her community, Mama Mercy is a local legend. You can participate in some non-profit activities here and learn how to help the community and support the women of the tribe from abroad. Then, for the rest of the day, you are free to hang out with the women in the community by helping with tree planting and / or assisting with the kitchen gardens. To finish the day, hike into the Kasigau or Marasi hills for incredible views.

From Maungu, continue to Tsavo National Park, where you will enjoy your first game drive in the early afternoon in the company of an expert driver-guide. Keep your eyes peeled for the eastern black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, elephants, leopards and lions.

Your time in Kenya would not be complete without a game drive. Rise and shine with your last morning game drive before continuing to the coast. Then, hop on a train to Mombasa and continue to Diani — a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves. Take a few days to lie on the beach, explore the ocean floor and relax. You can also consider surfing, or visiting some of the local sacred forests.