Example Trip

Adventurous Journey Through Western Kenya

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Highlights

Nairobi city vibes, Cycling safari through Hell’s Gate National Park, Visit to volcanic lake Lake Baringo, Visit to the lively city of Kisumu, Island hopping on Lake Victoria (Mfangano & Rusinga), Big Five safari in the world-famous Maasai Mara National Park, Homestay with the local Maasai community of Mount Suswa, Motorbike safari through the Magadi Desert, Relaxing finale on the white beaches of the Indian Ocean

Locations

Nairobi, Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Kisumu, Mfangano, Rusinga, Maasai Mara, Suswa, Magadi, Diani

Budget

From €3,000 p.p., excluding international flights

Vier mensen op motoren pauzeren op een droge, stoffige weg in een landelijke omgeving, terwijl een groep kinderen en volwassenen op de achtergrond staat onder een heldere, heldere hemel met verspreide bomen en heuvels in de verte.

Adventurous Journey Through Western Kenya

This journey is designed for travellers who want to experience Kenya beyond the beaten path. Instead of a classic sequence of safaris and lodges, this carefully crafted route takes you through volcanic landscapes, lakes, islands and remote communities.

You start in and around the Rift Valley, cycling through Hell’s Gate National Park, exploring volcanic lakes and setting the pace with active days in a rugged environment. From Lake Baringo, you continue deeper into lesser-known Kenya. You sleep on an island in the middle of the lake, sail past hippos and birdlife, and walk among giraffes in a remote conservancy.

The journey then takes you to Western Kenya and Lake Victoria, where island hopping is combined with relaxed days, local encounters and daily life around Africa’s largest lake.

Later in the trip, you dive into the wilderness for classic safaris in the Maasai Mara, including night game drives. This is followed by a raw and authentic intermezzo at Mount Suswa and Magadi: sleeping in a Maasai manyatta, travelling by motorbike through volcanic terrain and camping in the desert near hot springs.

You finish along Kenya’s coastline at Diani Beach, where adventure gives way to rest, sea and sand before returning home.

This trip is adventurous, varied and enriching, with a strong focus on nature, culture and movement, and is always fully customised to your wishes.

16 Days in Kenia

Dag 1

Arrival

Karibu Kenya! Your long-awaited African adventure finally begins. Today you fly to the African continent, likely with a healthy dose of excitement. Prepare for abundant wildlife, unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches and unforgettable encounters. Your journey starts in vibrant Nairobi.

You spend the night at Wildebeest Eco Camp in the leafy suburb of Karen — a green oasis of calm within the city. Time to unwind by the pool with a cold drink in the lush garden.

Dag 2

Nairobi

Nairobi is home to Charlie’s Travels, and we know this city inside out. Nairobi has many faces: tree-lined avenues with grand villas, informal settlements, colourful chaos, noise and history. You need to know where to look, but Nairobi is booming.

Trendy restaurants, lively bars, frequent events, shopping malls and more make it an ideal place to acclimatise. Or dive straight in: browse the Maasai Market, try the local delicacy nyama choma (grilled goat), or cruise the city like a local in a matatu or on a boda boda.

Dag 3

Naivasha

Let’s head to Lake Naivasha. African tunes play as the city fades into the background. Along the way, you stop at viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley, ancient volcanic craters and the savannahs of Narok County.

After a few hours on the road, you arrive at Lake Naivasha — the highest lake in the Great Rift Valley.

Dag 4

Hell’s Gate National Park

Fuel up with a solid breakfast, because today is active. Together with a guide, you go on a cycling safari through Hell’s Gate National Park — one of the few parks in Kenya where cycling is allowed.

The dramatic landscape may look familiar: Hell’s Gate inspired scenes from The Lion King. Luckily, you won’t encounter stampeding wildebeest here. Instead, you cycle past giraffes, gazelles, buffalo and warthogs, while zebras often run alongside you. The day also includes a hike through a gorge shaped by ancient lava flows.

Dag 5 - 6

Lake Baringo

The road trip continues north to Lake Baringo, a volcanic lake unlike any other. Its milky colour comes from high fluoride levels in the water. Along the shores, you’ll spot hippos and crocodiles, while birdlife flourishes — with over 450 bird species recorded in the area.

Dag 7

Lake Baringo - Kisumu

Time for the next destination: Kisumu on Lake Victoria. The drive takes around five hours, with plenty of scenic views along the way. Welcome to Africa’s largest lake.

Dag 8

Kisumu - Takawiri Island

Tropical vibes await. You drive to Mbita, where a private boat takes you to Takawiri Island. The car stays behind on the mainland.

You stay at Victoria Sands Lodge, located on white sandy beaches with views over Lake Victoria, nestled between the Mbita and Sindo hills. This is a place to slow down and relax.

Dag 9

Takawiri Island

Lake Victoria is one of the Great African Lakes and covers nearly 70,000 km². Takawiri Island is small, quiet and almost uninhabited. White sand, palm trees and calm waters make it easy to fully unwind.

There is little to do here, beach time, swimming and optional fishing. Feet up, sunglasses on. It’s time to relax.

Dag 10

Takawiri - Masai Mara

You take an early ferry back to the mainland and drive towards the Maasai Mara. As evening falls, the savannah comes alive.

During a night game drive, you venture into the darkness with a spotlight, searching for nocturnal wildlife: hyenas, foxes, galagos and possibly even a hunting leopard. The atmosphere is intense and mysterious — a completely different side of the Mara.

Dag 11 -12

Maasai Mara

Early morning game drives offer the best chance to spot wildlife while the savannah is still cool. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are commonly seen here — this is where Big Cat Diary was filmed.

Dag 13

Maasai Mara - Mt. Suswa

You travel to Suswa Town, with Mount Suswa visible on the horizon. Large luggage is left behind and you continue by motorbike up into the crater, enjoying spectacular Rift Valley views.

Mount Suswa is a dormant volcano managed by the Maasai community. You meet local Maasai and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. You stay overnight in a traditional Maasai manyatta — basic, without electricity or running water, but rich in authenticity.

Dag 14

Mount Suswa - Magadi

Today you head to Magadi. After a short motorbike training, you ride through the volcanic desert towards Lake Natron. Vast landscapes, open riding and wildlife sightings make this an unforgettable experience.

Before sunset, you arrive at the desert campsite. Tents are set up, campfire lit, drinks opened. Camping gear is provided by Charlie’s Travels.

Dag 15

Magadi - Nairobi - Diani

After breakfast, you ride through the desert to Lake Magadi, stopping at the Magadi Hot Springs — extremely hot saltwater pools in the middle of the desert, known for their relaxing properties.

After lunch and a shower in Magadi Town, you travel back to Nairobi and board the overnight train to the coast. Alternatively, a domestic flight to Diani is available at extra cost.

Dag 16 - 18

Diani

Time to enjoy the coast. Snorkelling, diving, kitesurfing or simply relaxing: Diani offers it all. You can also visit Colobus Conservation or explore the nearby mangrove forests.

Dag 19

Heimreise

Every journey comes to an end. Fully recharged, you fly home with unforgettable memories of Kenya’s landscapes, wildlife, cultures and cities. An adventure completed, but a lifetime of stories gained.

Interested in this example trip?

Schedule a free consultation and we will immediately get to work on making your preferred trip completely to your liking. See you soon in Kenya?

What our travellers say about us

     
 
 
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   RJ 
 67 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!! What an amazing trip we took through Kenya with Charlie's Travels. Self-drive, highly recommended, and wonderfully taken care of from start to finish! Thank you so much ❤️🍀

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    +5
 
 
 
 
 
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   Casper Berkhout 
 268 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Uganda and Kenya for almost a month and we did not leave dissapointed! Our goal was to visit "off the beaten track" destinations and experience real local culture and Charlie's did not let us down. In Uganda we saw TONS of wildlife, with the bike safari in Lake Mburo being the undisputable highlight... unforgettable. We spent a day with the Batwa people, which was a unique culturally enriching experience. In Kenya we got to relax at the beach in a luxurious resort and get our tan on! All the tour guides that were organized by Charlie's were both knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic. This was the most memorable vaction in years, and we would reccomend booking a trip with Charlie's to anyone (if you are adventurous enough of course ;) ).
  
 
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   Wolfeew 
 285 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been to Africa with Charlie's multiple times – Kenya, Uganda, and most recently to Angola: Friendliness and rawness personified, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Beautiful, untouched nature, tranquility, and fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast – what a country. It's wonderful to be taken under Charlie's wing!

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   Lisa Snepvangers 
 337 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Kenya for a month with our family of 5, all arranged by Charie's Travels, and it was AMAZING. We wanted a mix of off-the-beaten-path and comfort, a mix of adventure and vacation, and they made it all happen. Everything from planning the trip and airport pick-up to hotel bookings and activity arrangements went smoothly. We really had the most amazing time! (so much so that I'm writing this review years after taking this trip, cause we're still talking about it!) Definitely recommend booking your trip with Charlie's Travels!
  
 
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   Saskia Looijen 
 344 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie's Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with so many different things to do. We explored the lesser-known north: hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colorful hills, an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi, and beach vibes and lots of beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also beautiful bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are getting better but offer challenges here and there, which is highly recommended for the more adventurous traveler. The setup and organization by Charlie's Travels were excellent, always flexible and tailored to everyone's wishes.

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   Olaf 
 375 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked our first trip to Africa with Charlies and can recommend them 100%. Our trip to Kenya was unique, especially our stay in the Mount Souswa area. Charlies was always available and made everything possible for us. Not only the customers but also the people who work for Charlies are treated with respect. Thank you, Charlies Travel, we'll be back!

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   Monic 
 520 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Not a holiday, but an adventure! I took a trip with my daughter from Nairobi to Mombasa; we planned the itinerary in consultation with Charlie's Travels. We saw the beautiful Kenyan nature, traveled through diverse landscapes, and visited various parks by car, boat, train, motorbike, and on foot. We saw the animals we wanted to see, met wonderful people, ate delicious food, and slept in great, very different locations. An unforgettable adventure! Our trip was also fantastic because we had Sammy as our driver and guide for over 15 days. It was a real pleasure to travel with him. Charlie's Travels, thank you; thanks to you, we had a beautiful, unforgettable trip.

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   Thomas Geißler 
 584 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We're currently spending the last few days of our dream vacation with Charlies Travels in Kenya. From the day we first contacted them until now, we haven't had a single problem. Everything has been organized and executed to our complete satisfaction. Most importantly for us, we didn't have just any run-of-the-mill beach holiday with a safari; instead, we got to know the country and its people, and we visited places where there was absolutely no mass tourism. We can therefore highly recommend Charlies Travels. Thank you so much for everything!!! 👍

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