South Africa Adventure & Kenya Safari

You can see South Africa and Kenya on this wide-ranging two-week tour around both countries. Start in Cape Town, where you'll hike to the top of Table Mountain, taste locally produced wines, and see whales and penguins in their natural habitats. Then cross the border to Kenya, where national parks and lakes rich with wildlife await. You'll enjoy multiple safari days, spotting elephants, giraffes, and lions in the wild. You'll also have the chance to interact with local people during a visit to the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town

Clouds over Table Mountain in Cape Town

Welcome to South Africa! Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, strategically situated at the southwestern tip of Africa in a natural bowl with the magnificent Table Mountain on one side and the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other. Relax at your hotel before the adventure starts on day two.

Day 2: Hike Table Mountain and Tour Bree Street

A cable car lifts passengers to and from the top of Cape Town's Table Mountain

Your day starts bright and early. You'll start climbing Table Mountain at sunrise with a professional hiking guide, enjoying sweeping views over the scenery before riding a cable car back down. Later in the day, you'll go on a walking tour of colorful Bree Street, stopping to try street food specialties and browse through indie shops. Then explore the iconic district of Bo Kaap and sample locally produced wines and cheese to finish the day.

Day 3: Visit the Cape of Good Hope, See Penguins, and Taste Wines 

Penguins at Boulders Beach

Today, you'll venture to Cape Point to take in wonderful views of the spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Expect stunning vistas here and at the Cape of Good Hope. Keep your eyes open for zebra, ostriches, eland, and sugarbirds.

Then enjoy a scenic drive to Boulders Beach to see penguins wading through the water with ease, waddle their way around, lazing about in the sun, or diving deep for the catch of the day. After this seaside adventure, take in more glorious views while tasting wine at Cape Point Vineyards or the historic Constantia Wine Valley.

Day 4: Whale Watch and Dine at GOLD

Whale watching off the coast of South Africa

It's a beautiful two-hour drive along the coast from Cape Town to the seaside town of Gansbaai. Once there, you'll board a boat for a whale-watching tour. During peak migration season, your chances for sightings are high.  

Later, you'll dine at GOLD Restaurant, one of Cape Town's culinary hot spots. Honoring African traditions and innovating with modern techniques, the staff serves up a sophisticated African feast that changes seasonally. It's a delicious way to learn about the cuisines of different African countries and meet other travelers during a communal meal. 

Day 5: Fly from Cape Town to Nairobi

Walking around downtown Nairobi

After breakfast, you'll catch a flight to Nairobi. The rest of the day is yours to explore and relax in Kenya's capital city.  

Days 6-7: Visit Amboseli National Park 

A lion in Amboseli National Park

The journey continues as you transfer to Amboseli National Park. Spot wildlife on an afternoon drive: Amboseli is known for its magnificent elephants. It's home to a population of over 1,500 elephants, including some of Africa’s largest. Their habitat is set against the majestic backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Days 8-9: Explore Hell's Gate and Lake Nakuru

A giraffe in Lake Nakuru National Park

Your next destination is Hell’s Gate National Park, with a savanna ecosystem that harbors a wide variety of wildlife. There are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures and Verreaux’s eagles. African buffalo, zebra, gazelle, and baboons are also very common. The park is also home to the klipspringer antelope and mountain reedbuck. This park is ideal for cycling and hiking, as there are no predators.

After lunch, travel onward to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya's finest wildlife parks. Characterized by rocky escarpments, acacia forests, and waterfalls, the reserve is gorgeous year-round. It's home to black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, hippos, and endangered giraffes. On day nine, you'll start early on a full-day safari around the park.

Day 10: Spend Time at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Warrior training at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

After breakfast, drive to the renowned Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp, an authentic Maasai community where the people are still living according to old Maasai traditions. Activities include walks in the hills with Maasai warriors to learn about traditional life, bead making, learning about warrior training, enjoying a campfire with Maasai people, and a visit to a nearby hot spring. You'll stay overnight in the camp in a traditional cottage.

Days 11-12: Drive to Maasai Mara Reserve & Tour the Park

A cheetah family in the Maasai Mara

After breakfast, continue on to Maasai Mara National Reserve. You'll arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive where you might spot lions, elephants, hippos, zebra, and wildebeest.

The next morning, begin early with a hot air balloon ride over the park. You'll float high over the savanna at dawn, enjoying aerial views of wildlife. Another afternoon safari drive awaits later in the day. 

Day 13: Safari in the Reserve & Return to Nairobi

Giraffes spotted on safari in the Maasai Mara

Enjoy an early morning game drive, a final chance to see rare wildlife in the Maasai Mara. Then you'll head back to Nairobi and spend one last evening out and about, enjoying Kenya's capital city. 

Day 14: Depart 

A quiet road outside Nairobi

The trip has come to a close. You'll travel onward by plane from Nairobi's airport. Safe journey!

• Hike to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views over Cape Town
• Enjoy a whale-watching tour on a boat off the coast of South Africa
• Interact with Maasai people at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp
• Explore multiple national parks on safari trips
• Go on a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara