8 Days Kenya Midrange Student Safari from Nairobi: Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation

Students will be collected from an agreed Nairobi school, university, hotel or airport meeting point between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. After a detailed safety, academic and behavioural briefing, the group will begin the approximately 320-kilometre journey to Samburu National Reserve. The transfer normally takes 5½ to 6½ hours, with planned washroom and meal stops. During the road journey, our guide may introduce the physical geography of central Kenya, agricultural land use, Mount Kenya, changing vegetation and the transition into the northern drylands. After arrival, lunch and room allocation, students will join an afternoon game drive lasting approximately 2½ to 3 hours. The first field session may focus on dryland adaptation, specialised species and the role of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Following breakfast, students will spend approximately 7 to 9 hours exploring Samburu and may cover between 60 and 120 kilometres. Our guide will introduce topics such as animal adaptations, food chains, river ecology, drought, competition for water and wildlife conservation. Possible observations include Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks, Beisa oryx, elephants, lions and dry-country birds. Students may complete species checklists, behaviour notes, photography assignments or habitat comparisons during authorised stops. Lunch will be enjoyed at a picnic site or at the lodge, followed by further field observation in the afternoon.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and check-out, the student group will travel approximately 275 to 300 kilometres to Lake Nakuru. The journey normally takes between 5 and 6½ hours, with scheduled comfort and refreshment stops. During the drive, our guide may discuss changing land use, farming, settlement, tourism and the differences between northern rangelands and Rift Valley ecosystems. After lunch and room allocation, students will join an afternoon game drive lasting approximately 3 hours. The field session may focus on rhino conservation, woodland ecology, lakeshore habitats and the challenges of protecting wildlife near a growing urban area.

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Ziwa Bush Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Students will begin the day with breakfast and a morning Lake Nakuru game drive lasting approximately 2½ to 3 hours. After observing rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, baboons and birds, the group will check out and travel approximately 80 kilometres to Lake Naivasha in around 1½ to 2 hours. After lunch and check-in, students may join a boat excursion lasting approximately 1 to 1½ hours. The session may explore freshwater ecology, bird identification, hippo behaviour, fishing, tourism, water use and environmental pressure from agriculture and settlement. A guided Crescent Island walk may also be incorporated when suitable.

Destination:

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following an early breakfast, the group will travel approximately 250 kilometres to Masai Mara over 5 to 6½ hours. During the route through Narok County, our guide may discuss Maasai pastoralism, livestock, wildlife corridors, land subdivision and the economic importance of safari tourism. After lunch and check-in, students will join an afternoon game drive lasting approximately 2½ to 3 hours. The first Masai Mara field session may focus on grassland ecosystems, herbivore diversity and predator distribution.

Destination:

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, students will spend approximately 8 to 10 hours inside Masai Mara and cover between 80 and 150 kilometres. Our guide will explain predator-prey relationships, territories, scavenger ecology, social behaviour and food-web interactions. Possible sightings include lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeests and zebras. A picnic lunch will be served inside the reserve, while teachers may coordinate field notes, species identification exercises or wildlife-photography assignments.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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The group will spend another 8 to 10 hours exploring Masai Mara, covering approximately 70 to 140 kilometres. This second field day may focus on migration, river ecosystems, tourism management, human-wildlife conflict and the importance of wildlife corridors outside the reserve. Students will have time to compare habitats and observe different species groups without rushing through the park. A picnic lunch will be provided at an authorised site before further afternoon field study and a final evening review at the lodge.

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

After breakfast and check-out, students will begin the approximately 280-to-300-kilometre return journey to Nairobi. The transfer normally takes 5½ to 6½ hours, with planned stops for comfort and refreshments. Teachers and guides may conduct a final review of the major habitats, conservation issues, species and learning outcomes covered during the safari. Drop-off will be at the agreed school, university, hotel, residence or airport location.