This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
FROM US$5,800-US$6,090

Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari

Experience Amboseli, the Maasai Mara ecosystem and Laikipia during this economically priced safari. Two simple camps offer adventure before a stopover in Nairobi and a final stay in the charming, wildlife-rich Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge.

Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: JKI Airport Nairobi

On arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a driver after you’ve collected your bags.

Day 1

Nairobi to Amboseli by road & light aircraft

Following a drive of about an hour to Wilson Airport, board your light aircraft south to Amboseli, touching down in around 30 minutes. A driver-guide from Selenkay will transfer you to camp by 4WD in time for lunch; watch out for wildlife during the 1–2-hour drive through plains and woodland.

Selenkay Adventure Camp
Days 1-4

Selenkay Adventure

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesAmboseli and the Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Selenkay Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 60km² Selenkay Conservancy, a Maasai wildlife sanctuary north of Amboseli National Park.

Selenkay Adventure Camp

Selenkay Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 60km² Selenkay Conservancy, a Maasai wildlife sanctuary north of Amboseli National Park.

"The lion sightings are fantastic and the walk with the Masai guides is a joy"

Ms P & familyfromLondon

Arrived 5 Aug 2017, 4 nights

We haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit Selenkay Adventure Camp, and we are looking forward to doing so. As the camp is closely linked to the high-end Porini Amboseli Camp and shares some of that tented camp’s infrastructure, services and guides we would expect it to offer a well-managed and rewarding experience – but at a much lower price. At Selenkay Adventure Camp you'll be doing something much more like traditional simple camping than is normally the case in today's large and luxurious tented camps. See our full report on Selenkay Adventure Camp

100%
6 reviews of Selenkay Adventure by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Day 4

Amboseli to Maasai Mara by 4WD & light aircraft

Today, having returned to Wilson Airport by game drive and light aircraft, change planes for your flight across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara. On arrival, a driver-guide from Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp will escort you to camp in time for lunch after a journey of some 3½–4½ hours.

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp
Days 4-7

Ol Kinyei Adventure

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesMaasai Mara Conservancies, Kenya

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 65km² Ol Kinyei Conservancy, an exclusive 18,000 acre Maasai wildlife sanctuary on the northern border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 65km² Ol Kinyei Conservancy, an exclusive 18,000 acre Maasai wildlife sanctuary on the northern border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

"Amazing safari. Wonderful sundowners. Conservancy nice and quiet. Felt exclusive"

Mr and Mrs GfromBucks

Arrived 24 Aug 2019, 4 nights

We haven't yet had the opportunity to visit Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp, but as the camp is closely linked to Porini Mara Camp and shares some of that tented camp's infrastructure, services and guides, we would expect it to offer a well-managed and rewarding experience – but at a much lower price. Unlike at the much larger and more luxurious tented camps, at Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp the accommodation is much more like traditional, simple camping. See our full report on Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp

98%
8 reviews of Ol Kinyei Adventure by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 5

Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

If you're not staying in the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, you're likely to be staying in one of the outstandingly wildlife-rich Maasai-owned private conservancies just outside the reserve boundary. A full-day game drive in the reserve gives you the chance to visit the Mara River and see some of the reserve's fabled wildlife locations. Read all about Maasai Mara Safari

Day 7

Maasai Mara to Nairobi by light aircraft & road

Enjoy a game drive of an hour or so before your plane to Wilson Airport, a flight of up to 1¼ hours depending on stops. Look out for wildlife after take off, then marvel at the Great Rift Valley before descending over Nairobi – and a 2-minute cab ride to the Aero Club.

Aero Club of East Africa
Day 7

Aero Club of East Africa

1 night
Room OnlyNairobi, Kenya

The dozen rooms at the old Aero Club of East Africa, at Nairobi’s domestic Wilson Airport are available for non-members and make a very convenient base if you’re flying out of Wilson the next morning – or if you've just arrived at Wilson and won't be leaving Nairobi until the next day. The convivial bar is a real bonus. Java House Aero Club is open from 06:30 to 21:00 for meals and snacks.

Aero Club of East Africa

The dozen rooms at the old Aero Club of East Africa, at Nairobi’s domestic Wilson Airport are available for non-members and make a very convenient base if you’re flying out of Wilson the next morning – or if you've just arrived at Wilson and won't be leaving Nairobi until the next day. The convivial bar is a real bonus. Java House Aero Club is open from 06:30 to 21:00 for meals and snacks.

"We loved this hotel and the closeness to the airport."

Ms K.fromUSA

Arrived 19 May 2023, 1 night

Staying at the Aero Club is a very reasonable, secure option for those on more of a budget. The club interior is quirkily interesting, the shady grounds are very pleasant and the excellent restaurant and bar are dependable. See our full report on Aero Club of East Africa

82%
34 reviews of Aero Club of East Africa by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Elephant encounter

Day 8

Nairobi to Lewa Conservancy by air & 4WD

This morning, a cab will transfer you to Wilson Airport for your flight over the fertile hills of central Kenya's densely farmed Central Highlands to touch down at Lewa Downs after about 40–60 minutes. It's then an enthralling 1½–2-hour 4WD drive through this wildlife-rich conservancy to the remote Il Ngwesi.

Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge
Days 8-11

Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesLaikipia, Kenya

Il Ngwesi is a quirky safari lodge with strong ties to the local community, set in its own private wildlife conservancy. Il Ngwesi has a rustic charm and authenticity which is rarely found in standard safari lodges.

Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge

Il Ngwesi is a quirky safari lodge with strong ties to the local community, set in its own private wildlife conservancy. Il Ngwesi has a rustic charm and authenticity which is rarely found in standard safari lodges.

A stay here feels like an escape from the modern world to a simpler time without Wi-Fi and outside distractions. There is a real connection with nature here, from the constant twitter of birds to elephants frequenting the waterhole and the fresh animal tracks which appear daily outside your room.

We love the strong sense of community that radiates through the lodge. This is one of the only lodges in Kenya to be one hundred per cent owned and run by the community, in this case the Mukogodo Maasai community, with all proceeds going back into the local people. It is an impressive model of community-led conservation and the lodge supports a number of different projects in the area. The people of the Il Ngwesi conservancy take a great pride in their lodge.

"Staff wonderful...building wonderful...location magical..what a fabulous place!"

Mrs BfromKent

Arrived 27 Jul 2022, 3 nights

Il Ngwesi is also a favourite haunt of William and Kate, with the royal couple having stayed at the lodge on several occasions. At first you might wonder why, as it is not particularly glamorous or luxurious, or the type of place you might expect to find a prince. It does however feel like the antithesis of the standard luxury safari lodge, and we imagine the Cambridges found the pared-back simplicity refreshing, while enjoying the remoteness and exclusivity of the Il Ngwesi Conservancy. See our full report on Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge

98%
11 reviews of Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Day 11

Laikipia to Nairobi by road & light aircraft

After a farewell 1½-hour game drive from Il Ngwesi, hop on board your flight of 40–60 minutes south to Wilson Airport, perhaps glimpsing the peaks of Mount Kenya en route. A driver-guide will be waiting to take you to JKI Airport or to help you explore the city before you check in.

Day 11

Ends: JKI Airport Nairobi

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Balloon flight over the Mara

Balloon flight over the Mara

3 hours in total - morning only

With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.

More about Balloon Safari
97% (24 reviews)
Nairobi Elephant Orphanage visit

Nairobi Elephant Orphanage visit

One hour, by pre-booking only

Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage for a close-up encounter with elephant orphans – and sometimes rhino orphans. You can visit during daily between 11:00 and 12:00, or make special arrangements for a private visit in the afternoon.

More about Elephant Orphans visit
95% (44 reviews)
Nairobi Giraffe Centre visit

Nairobi Giraffe Centre visit

One hour visit is generally recommended

Visit the AFEW Giraffe Centre for an eyeball-level encounter with gentle Rothschild giraffes. They visit this tree-level platform to be fed pellets.

More about Giraffe Centre visit
88% (27 reviews)
Safari in Nairobi National Park

Safari in Nairobi National Park

Half day - AM or PM, or full day

It is truly remarkable that the plains and woodland of Nairobi National Park, an area of around 70km² (some 17,000 acres) should exist in a near-natural state so close to the city that in any other conurbation they would just be suburbs.

More about Nairobi Nat. Park Safari
96% (9 reviews)
Scenic Biplane Flight on Lewa Conservancy

Scenic Biplane Flight on Lewa Conservancy

30 or 60 minute flights

Soar high and fly low over the rolling hills and plains of Laikipia’s famed Lewa Conservancy, on a scenic biplane flight. Offering you the chance to spot wildlife from the air, this flight takes place in an open-cockpit WACO biplane – a truly unique excursion in Kenya.

More about Scenic Bi-plane Flight

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Africa