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$9,900-US$16,050

African Finfoot Fly-in Safari

After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.

African Finfoot Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the African Finfoot 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 The Emakoko by private vehicle

You'll be met at Nairobi's JKI Airport for the drive through Nairobi National Park to The Emakoko, seemingly a world away from the city lights. During the journey of around an hour, look out for wildlife in the park – which can be particularly exciting if you're travelling after dark.

The Emakoko
Day 1

The Emakoko

1 night
Full Board & ActivitiesNairobi, Kenya

The Emakoko is a unique, owner-managed lodge that opened in 2012. It straddles the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park, marked by the gorge of the Mbagathi River in an area where three rivers converge. The lodge has the national park's much underrated game-viewing areas on its doorstep and easy access to both Nairobi's airports.

The Emakoko

The Emakoko is a unique, owner-managed lodge that opened in 2012. It straddles the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park, marked by the gorge of the Mbagathi River in an area where three rivers converge. The lodge has the national park's much underrated game-viewing areas on its doorstep and easy access to both Nairobi's airports.

"The best lodge visited on this trip. Truly stunning"

Mr & Mrs RfromGlos

Arrived 18 Feb 2024, 1 night

For a Nairobi hotel, The Emakoko is a very special place. We have stayed here many times since it opened; there is a palpable buzz about it that is infectious. We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were only a few miles from central Nairobi. The location is spectacular, and the opportunity to make a wildlife-watching virtue out of the transfer through the park to either of the airports – often a traffic-jammed torment from most hotels – is an outstanding asset. See our full report on The Emakoko

97%
116 reviews of The Emakoko by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Elephant encounter

Day 2

Nairobi to Laikipia by road & light aircraft

Following a transfer through the park to Wilson Airport of up to an hour, board your flight over the Central Highlands between Mt Kenya and the Aberdare range, landing after around 45 minutes. The drive to Sirikoi takes 30–90 minutes, maybe pausing to take in some wildllfe sightings on the way.

Sirikoi
Days 2-5

Sirikoi

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesLaikipia, Kenya

Sirikoi is a small, high-quality camp in Lewa with a sustainable ethos and top-notch wildlife, guiding, service and food. One of the most luxurious tented camps in Kenya, Sirikoi is the brainchild and passion of Sue Roberts and her late husband Willie. The Roberts – central figures in the Kenya safari tradition – have poured their decades of experience and enthusiasm into this outstanding camp in the Lewa Conservancy, and their influence shows in every aspect.

Sirikoi

Sirikoi is a small, high-quality camp in Lewa with a sustainable ethos and top-notch wildlife, guiding, service and food. One of the most luxurious tented camps in Kenya, Sirikoi is the brainchild and passion of Sue Roberts and her late husband Willie. The Roberts – central figures in the Kenya safari tradition – have poured their decades of experience and enthusiasm into this outstanding camp in the Lewa Conservancy, and their influence shows in every aspect.

With only a handful of tents and private cottages, Sirikoi offers a very high-quality, personal experience, combining zealous attention to detail with an unpretentious set-up, excellent food and friendly staff. The Sirikoi stream gives the camp its name, and creates the marshy ground, shaded by majestic acacias, which forms the panorama you gaze on from the lawn.

White rhinos, elephants and many other species are often seen by the natural waterhole and salt lick, and all the rolling hills and grassland of the Lewa Conservancy are yours to explore as soon you leave camp. Sirikoi is renowned for its commitment to sustainable principles, and they generate all their electricity with solar panels.

"Unbelievable place - camp is as good as it gets on all levels! Outstanding..."

Mr. & Mrs. C fromUSA

Arrived 5 Jan 2023, 3 nights

They also have a fine, organic garden supplying all their fruit and vegetables. Aided by top expertise in the kitchen, excellent wines and campfire talk, the combination of ingredients makes for memorable dinners. See our full report on Sirikoi

100%
5 reviews of Sirikoi by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Horse-riding

Night drive

Day 5

Laikipia to the Maasai Mara: light aircraft & game drive

Today's journey of around four hours starts with a drive to Lewa Downs Airstrip for your morning flight across the Rift Valley. On landing in the Maasai Mara, you'll be met by a guide from Mara Plains for the drive through the bush to camp, watching for wildlife en route.

Mara Plains Camp
Days 5-8

Mara Plains Camp

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesMaasai Mara Conservancies, Kenya

With its exacting attention to detail, immaculate green credentials and outstanding location, Mara Plains is one of Kenya’s top camps. The camp now known as Mara Plains was once called Film Safaris Camp, and during the annual wildebeest migration, extraordinary footage was captured here.

Mara Plains Camp

With its exacting attention to detail, immaculate green credentials and outstanding location, Mara Plains is one of Kenya’s top camps. The camp now known as Mara Plains was once called Film Safaris Camp, and during the annual wildebeest migration, extraordinary footage was captured here.

Originally founded by Warren Samuels of BBC Big Cat Diary fame and filmmaker Rob O’Meara, they chose this site, nestled in a grove of trees on the edge of the Ntiakatek stream, with an eye to impeccable positioning for their cameras in order to create the most arresting images. To the south, the plains of the Maasai Mara, thronged by a million wildebeest from July to October, seem to stretch endlessly from the unobstructed decks of the superb accommodation.

With only seven, magnificent guest tents, Mara Plains is one of the smallest camps in the Mara region, giving it a very personal and intimate feel and a high degree of flexibility. This camp is a zen-like lesson in how to be both down-to-earth and first-class: the welcome is warm, the service attentive without being overbearing, and the attention to detail impressive. The camp is extraordinarily eco-friendly too, despite its luxury and comfort, with an organic produce garden and a huge solar array.

"Setting, guest tents & public areas are simply stunning...our guide exceptional"

M&AfromGeneva

Arrived 29 Nov 2021, 4 nights

Location and delivery together make it the best camp in the Maasai Mara. See our full report on Mara Plains Camp

100%
13 reviews of Mara Plains Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Fly-camping

Guided walking safari

Horse-riding

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Day 8

Maasai Mara to Nairobi by road & light aircraft

Depart the Maasai Mara by light aircraft, flying over Maasai compounds, and sometimes flocks of flamingos. From Wilson Airport, a driver-guide will accompany you either direct to JKI Airport or – if you arrive in the morning – while you explore Nairobi and perhaps enjoy dinner before checking in.

Day 8

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% (25 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% (46 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% (29 reviews)
Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

All day from sunrise to sunset

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.

More about Maasai Mara Safari
87% (20 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