13-Day Kenya Conservation and Safari 2026

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Nairobi

Your journey begins with your arrival at the Nairobi airport, where you will be met by your hotel shuttle and transferred to your accommodation.

After check-in, take time to settle in and unwind. You may choose to explore some of Nairobi’s cultural highlights in your free time:

- Karen Blixen Museum: the former home of the author of Out of Africa, offering insight into her life and work
- Bomas of Kenya: a vibrant introduction to traditional Kenyan music, dance, and architecture
- Nairobi National Museum: a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s history, art, and culture
- Nairobi Gallery: an intimate space showcasing African art and historical collections
- Nairobi Railway Museum: a fascinating look at the history of the Kenya–Uganda railway

In the early evening, you will meet your fellow participants along with Christopher Bartlett and Caroline Leclerc, your Indigo Earth Foundation guides. They will provide a detailed overview of the journey ahead before you depart together for dinner.

Main Destination:

Nairobi (City)

Accommodation:

Boma Inn Nairobi

• Mid-range hotel located in Nairobi (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Nairobi

This day is dedicated to exploring some of Nairobi’s leading conservation organisations.

At first light, you will depart in a private game-viewer vehicle for Nairobi National Park. You will be taken to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery, an elephant orphanage renowned for its work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants.

Your visit is timed to coincide with the Nursery herd’s midday milk feed and mud bath. From designated viewing areas, you will watch the young elephants emerge from the forest in groups, eagerly gathering for their bottles of specialist milk formula. A senior Keeper will guide the experience, introducing each elephant, sharing their individual stories and personalities.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Giraffe Centre, dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, and you will take part in a feeding session from an elevated platform. A forest trail provides a peaceful 1.5 km walk, ideal for birdwatching and photography.

Main Destination:

Nairobi (City)

Accommodation:

Boma Inn Nairobi

• Mid-range hotel located in Nairobi (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Nairobi - Enarau Conservancy

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart early for your overland transfer to Enarau Conservancy.

The journey takes approximately six hours, offering a gradual transition from Nairobi’s urban landscape to the open plains and rural scenery of the Greater Mara region.

Upon arrival, you will check in and have time to settle into your surroundings.

At 18:00, you will gather for an introductory presentation outlining the conservancy’s work, the objectives of your stay, and the programme for the days ahead. This will be followed by a health and safety briefing.

Dinner will be served at around 19:30.

The evening concludes at a relaxed pace, with time spent around the bonfire, sharing conversations and drinks under the open sky, before retiring in preparation for an early start the following day.

Main Destination:

Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem

Accommodation:

Enarau Conservancy Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located outside Greater Masai Mara

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Enarau Conservancy

Each volunteering day offers a distinct experience, providing exposure to different aspects of wildlife conservation and community development.

The Enarau Conservancy is a rich mosaic of grasslands, forests, and marshlands, centred around a permanent spring. This diversity of habitats supports a wide range of plant species and attracts birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and both small and large mammals.

Today, Enarau Conservancy is emerging as a leading example of science-based conservation. Initiatives include the use of EarthRanger technology for wildlife and ranger monitoring, a carefully designed rotational grazing system, and one of the largest native seed nurseries in the Maasai Mara region. Seeds are collected through a community network involving local youth and women. The conservancy also works in partnership with the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration (CERK), supporting research aimed at restoring resilient ecosystems for Kenyan communities.

Main Destination:

Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem

Accommodation:

Enarau Conservancy Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located outside Greater Masai Mara

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Enarau Conservancy

This second day builds on your initial field experience, with a focus on bird monitoring, data collection, and landscape-level restoration analysis:

Quick breakfast

06:00 – 09:00 | Bird transects
Depart early to maximise wildlife activity and bird sightings.

09:00 – 12:00 | Nursery work

12:00 – 14:00 | Lunch & Downtime

14:00 – 15:00 | Data input and processing
Compilation and input of data collected during previous mammal transects, contributing to ongoing wildlife monitoring.

15:00 – 16:00 | Camera trapping setup

16:00 – 17:00 | LDSF presentation
You will gain insight into how data on vegetation cover, soil condition, and ecosystem recovery is collected and analysed to inform long-term conservation strategies across the landscape.

17:00 – 18:00 | Camera trapping in the field

18:00 – 19:00 | Data input and processing
Review and process data collected during camera trapping activities.

19:30 – 20:30 | Dinner.

Main Destination:

Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem

Accommodation:

Enarau Conservancy Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located outside Greater Masai Mara

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Enarau Conservancy

Land Assessment and Restoration

This day focuses on understanding land restoration at a landscape level, combined with hands-on contribution to reforestation and preparation for community engagement. Activities are carried out alongside experienced field staff, including a researcher specialising in LDSF, a nursery attendant, and the tree-planting team.

The day is structured as follows:

Early morning | Quick breakfast

06:00 – 09:00 | LDSF fieldwork
Work alongside a field researcher to carry out activities linked to the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF).

09:00 – 12:00 | Nursery work
Continue supporting the conservancy’s restoration efforts alongside the nursery attendant.

12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch

13:00 – 15:00 | Downtime

15:00 – 16:00 | Data input and processing

16:00 – 18:00 | Tree planting

18:30 – 19:30 | Preparation for community health activities

19:30 – 20:30 | Dinner

The evening concludes around the bonfire, with time to unwind and reflect on the day.

Main Destination:

Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem

Accommodation:

Enarau Conservancy Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located outside Greater Masai Mara

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Enarau Conservancy

Community Engagement and Cultural Exchange

This day is dedicated to engaging with the local community, offering insight into daily life, education, and health initiatives led in partnership with Enarau Conservancy. Activities are facilitated by a local project coordinator, ensuring that all interactions are respectful, meaningful, and community-led.

The day is structured as follows:

07:00 – 07:30 | Breakfast

08:00 – 09:00 | Community health introduction

09:00 – 10:00 | School visit

10:00 – 12:00 | Community health outreach

12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch

13:00 – 15:00 | Downtime

15:00 – 17:00 | Beadwork experience

17:00 – 18:00 | Downtime

18:00 – 19:00 | Wrap-up session

19:30 – 20:30 | Dinner

The evening concludes around the bonfire, with time to relax and connect.

Included
- Shared twin room with another member of the volunteering group (double bed on request).

Main Destination:

Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem

Accommodation:

Enarau Conservancy Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located outside Greater Masai Mara

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Enarau Conservancy - Mara Naboisho Conservancy

After breakfast at 07:00, you will depart Enarau Conservancy at 08:00 and begin your journey across the Greater Mara landscape.

En route, you will visit the rhino sanctuary within the Olchoro-Oirouwa Conservancy. The sanctuary is home to two southern white rhinos, protected around the clock. These individuals have been habituated to human presence, allowing for a rare opportunity to observe them on foot in a controlled and respectful setting.

You will then continue to the headquarters of the Mara Elephant Project. Founded in 2011, the organisation works to protect elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara ecosystem, where increasing human pressure has made habitat loss and human-elephant conflict key conservation challenges.

If time permits, you will head out for a first game drive within Naboisho Conservancy, known for its strong predator presence and low vehicle density, offering a more exclusive safari experience.

Main Destination:

Mara Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)

Best Time To Go June to October (Wildlife), November to April (Birding)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Basecamp Wilderness Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Mara Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Your final days are dedicated to experiencing the richness of the Mara through a flexible programme of game drives, guided walks, and immersive bush experiences.

Each day begins early, with breakfast taken at camp before sunrise. Set out on a game drive in search of the Mara’s iconic wildlife, including big cats and other predators. Alternatively, you may choose to explore the surrounding plains on a guided bush walk, accompanied by experienced Maasai guides who offer deeper insight into the landscape, tracking, and smaller ecosystems often missed from a vehicle.

Return to camp for lunch and time to rest, or enjoy a picnic in a scenic location, often near a waterhole where wildlife activity continues throughout the day.

In the afternoon, head out again to explore new areas of the conservancy and its neighbouring regions. As the light softens, pause for sundowners in the bush before continuing your wildlife viewing into the early evening.

An optional night drive is on offer.

Main Destination:

Mara Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)

Accommodation:

Basecamp Wilderness Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Mara Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Mara Naboisho Conservancy - Masai Mara

Your day begins with a final morning game drive in the Naboisho Conservancy, offering one last opportunity to experience its rich wildlife and quieter, more exclusive landscapes.

You will then depart for Saruni Basecamp Masai Mara, travelling through the Mara ecosystem.

In the afternoon, you will explore a selection of conservation and community initiatives.

Experiences may include:

- Enjoolata Educational Centre. Discover a rich collection of Maasai cultural heritage through both tangible and intangible exhibits.
- Basecamp Maasai Brand workshop. Visit a women-led handicraft initiative specialising in beadwork, including bracelets, necklaces, and belts.
- Tree nursery visit and planting. Explore the nursery where seedlings are cultivated for restoration projects.

In the evening, enjoy a bush dinner under the open African sky, accompanied by Maasai singing and storytelling around the fire.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Best Time To Visit June to October (For general wildlife viewing) and August to October (For wildebeest migration)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Masai Mara NR

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

BuffaloCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Basecamp Masai Mara

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Masai Mara National Reserve

Your final full day is dedicated to experiencing the richness of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The day begins with a shared morning game drive in open-sided vehicles, offering excellent visibility and the opportunity to encounter wildlife during the cooler hours, when activity is at its peak. The reserve offers vast open plains and abundant wildlife.

Depending on timing and group preferences, you may enjoy a picnic excursion in a scenic location, allowing you to remain immersed in the landscape.

In the afternoon, you head out for a final game drive within the reserve, making the most of the changing light and the diversity of wildlife encounters.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation:

Basecamp Masai Mara

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Masai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi

Before departing, enjoy a final early-morning bird walk along the river, offering a quiet and reflective close to your time in the Mara.

After breakfast, you will begin the return journey to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with an approximate transfer time of six hours.

Main Destination:

Nairobi (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.