Kenya road trip north: from the flanks of Mt. Kenya to Samburu country

All set for your Kenya trip? On time to the airport, choose a fun film during your flight and prepare for a warm welcome in Nairobi. This metropolis is the start of your Kenya adventure and is happy to welcome you. Stroll through the backstreets of the capital, go on express exploration through the streets on the back of a bodaboda, unwind after your long flight in one of the trendy restaurants or stop by one of the many shopping malls to buy that sunburn you forgot about after all. Karibu Kenya!

Stroll through the dusty streets of downtown Nairobi with ex-street kids Kissmart, Donga and Cheddaz. These three ‘street kids’ grew up in Mathare, one of Nairobi's biggest slums. They used to hang around Central Business District (CBD) begging, stealing, smuggling and dealing. Now they share their street skills with you on a tour of CBD! Thanks to this tour, the boys can create a better life for themselves, their families and the new generation of street children from their slum. The boys show you where they slept as children, what the escape routes from the police were, and they tell you all about the time they spent in jail. Be prepared for a lot of hot stories, bizarre encounters, lots of high fives, fat dances and, above all, a lot of fun. And don't worry, with these guys around you are safe anyway!

Descend into the Rift Valley and drive between the yellow-gold acacia trees as if you were in an eternal sunset. In the afternoon, a sunset boat safari is scheduled on nearby Lake Naivasha. The shores are home to all sorts of wildlife: giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest,.... Don't forget to bring coolers and purchased snacks on board and then: spot away!

Have a hearty breakfast as an active day is scheduled: Cycling through Hell's Gate National Park! Does the unique landscape look familiar to you? Remember when Mufasa was overrun by wildebeests being chased by hyenas in the Lion King? Hell's Gate was the inspiration for this scene! Fortunately, Simba and his friends are not actually running around here and you can cycle and walk around in peace. You'll spot giraffes, gazelles, buffalo and warthogs, among others, from the bike, while zebras will run with you. And all with spectacular steep cliffs and rock formations as a backdrop. In between, you take an adventurous hike through the gorge created by lava rivers from two volcanoes.

Mount Kenya - the roof of Kenya -, is Africa's second-highest mountain at almost 5,200 metres. A beautiful green jungle can be found around the country's highest peak. The area is home to waterfalls, colourful birds, colobus monkeys and sometimes even forest elephants. Anyway, with the spectacular views of the green hills, vast valleys and the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya, this is not a wrong place to spend some time!

Visit Nanyuki! Located at the foot of Mount Kenya, this laidback town takes in a rich history. This is where the first independence struggles began led by the Mau Mau, who fought against British colonisation. You will find many quaint shops here and the Kenyan Air Force is also located here. Take a walk in the Ngare Ndare Forest and take a dip in the clear blue water. Oh, a fun bucket-list thingy: the equator runs through Nanyuki! Quickly go take a photo, just for a moment!

Mount O'lolokwe is the figurehead of the Samburu in this area. For as long as they can remember, this mountain has been associated with the lives of their ancestors. Important ceremonies to celebrate the transition from adolescence to adulthood, the ritual slaughter of cattle, praying for rain and many more cultural things take place on this mountain. There are also caves in which the Samburu regularly spend the night and mountain streams from which they draw water. The place to be for culture lovers!

Samburu. Get ready for safari! The Big Five roam here, along with giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and lots of antelope spotting. What is really special in Samburu is the unique ‘Samburu Five’: gerenuk, beisa oryx, netgiraffe, Somali ostrich and the Grevy zebra! The animals are most active in the morning, so get up nice and early! How much wildlife will you spot today! Drive towards the entrance of Buffalo's Spring National Park. This is the park located on the other side of the river from Samburu. You can choose to explore this park on your own or do it with a ranger.

After part 1 of the trip, return to Nairobi to catch your breath. Explore the city further via one of the city tours, or explore on your own and choose one of the many great places to have lunch and enjoy the surroundings.

Mombasa is described in many ways, but believe us when we say this city has an irresistible charm. It offers a melting pot of cultural influences, a maze of narrow streets and chill coastal vibes. So a visit to this urban gem on the coast is a must. Due to its convenient location on the Indian Ocean, Mombasa has influences from all over the world, something that is reflected in the city's food culture. Wander the local streets and visit quaint markets and squares. Mingle with locals on the beach and sample freshly caught fish at one of the many quaint restaurants.

Welcome to Kilifi: a quieter coastal town with clear blue ocean, swaying palm trees and pearly white sand beaches. Fresh fish on the barbecue, campfires during sunset and deep mangroves ready to be explored. You will find the ultimate happy vibes and kitesurfing opportunities here! Kilifi is an absolute hidden gem on the Indian Ocean. Relax on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Whereas in other coastal towns you are surrounded by many others, in Kilifi it seems like you are one of the few in the world. During the day, go snorkelling, fishing, sailing, feast on Swahili seafoods, or just chill at Salty's, a nice hip spot on the beach. Ultimate relaxation!

Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure. Fully rested, you pack your bags to get on the plane home. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane. With your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you relive the cool adventures of the past few days. Full of inspiration and with an overdose of wonderful memories, you return home. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to tell family and friends later by the fire. An adventure over, but a new set of experiences richer.