Spend 4 days and 3 nights on a private Kenya safari through Aberdare, Ol Pejeta.
Overnight plan: 1 night in Aberdare, 2 nights in Ol Pejeta. The daily itinerary below sets out the travel stages and scheduled activities.
Your safari arrangements are private to your party. The selected accommodation, vehicle, travel dates and party determine the applicable offer. Wildlife sightings and any migration crossings depend on natural conditions; they cannot be guaranteed.
At Ol Pejeta, the northern white rhino visit and chimpanzee sanctuary visit are included.
Aberdare forest drives searching for the rare mountain bongo and black leopard
Unique treetop waterhole lodge with nocturnal wildlife encounters in the Aberdares
Visit the world's last two northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Black rhino tracking on foot with armed rangers in Ol Pejeta
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit with rescued chimpanzees
Mount Kenya glacial peak views throughout the central highlands
Night game drive at Ol Pejeta for nocturnal species including aardvark and pangolin
Big Five game drives across Ol Pejeta's highland savannah
Over 300 bird species across the three highland ecosystems
Itinerary
This four-day highland safari combines an Aberdare forest visit and lodge waterhole viewing with two nights at Ol Pejeta. The conservancy programme includes the northern white rhino visit, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and game drives before the final road return to Nairobi.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Aberdare National Park
The journey leaves Nairobi for the Aberdare highlands and the forest landscape of Aberdare National Park. An afternoon game drive explores the forest and bamboo zone, with the Karuru waterfalls included in the native programme. Your guide looks for forest wildlife along the park routes, where the vegetation creates a different viewing experience from an open-plains safari. The evening continues with the included lodge waterhole viewing from the observation areas. Wildlife visits to the waterhole follow the animals’ own movements and are not guaranteed.
8 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
Aberdare Forest Safari to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
A morning forest drive provides further time in the Aberdares before the journey continues towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The route passes the Mount Kenya foothills and Nanyuki, linking the forest destination with Laikipia’s more open highland landscape. An afternoon conservancy drive includes the northern white rhino visit, where the conservation team introduces the animals and the work involved in their protection. The wider game-viewing outing explores the surrounding plains and begins the two-night Ol Pejeta stay.
10 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 :
Full Day Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The full conservancy day combines game drives with Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The sanctuary visit introduces the rescued chimpanzees and their care, while the morning and afternoon drives explore Ol Pejeta’s open plains and riverine vegetation. Your guide follows wildlife activity along the viewing routes and provides time to observe the animals encountered. The day builds on the northern white rhino visit and the previous afternoon’s introduction to the conservancy. A night game drive remains an optional additional experience, separate from the standard daytime outings.
12 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 04 :
Ol Pejeta to Nairobi
A final morning game drive completes the Ol Pejeta visit before departure. Your guide leads the last outing across the conservancy’s highland landscape, with opportunities to observe the wildlife encountered along the route. After the drive, the safari continues by road through Laikipia and the central highlands to Nairobi. The programme finishes in the capital on day four, following the Aberdare forest and waterhole experience, the two conservation visits and the Ol Pejeta game drives.
6 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Return road transfer from Nairobi to Aberdare and Ol Pejeta
All game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking safari guide throughout
One night full board at Aberdare treetop waterhole lodge
Two nights full board at Ol Pejeta safari lodge
All park and conservancy entry fees for Aberdare and Ol Pejeta
Northern white rhino enclosure visit
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit
Nocturnal waterhole viewing at the Aberdare lodge
Drinking water during game drives
What's Not Included
International flights
Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable
Travel and medical insurance
Night game drive at Ol Pejeta
Black rhino tracking experience (additional fee)
Lion tracking experience at Ol Pejeta
Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal expenses
FAQs
Can I see both the northern and southern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta
Ol Pejeta identifies Najin and Fatu as the last two known northern white rhinos. They live in a protected enclosure, and visits follow the conservancy's booked experience and keeper instructions. General conservancy entry is not itself confirmation of that specialist encounter. Southern white rhinos are a different subspecies, and game viewing and the specialist northern-white encounter have separate arrangements.
What makes Ol Pejeta different from a regular national park
Ol Pejeta combines rhino conservation, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and managed conservation experiences in one conservancy. General game viewing and specialist encounters have separate access and booking arrangements. Claims about current population size or programme results require the conservancy's dated evidence.
Is the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary worth visiting
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta provides a home for rescued chimpanzees and conservation education. It is a managed sanctuary experience, not a search for wild chimpanzees native to Kenya. Visits follow the sanctuary's current access and animal-care arrangements.
How should I dress for the Aberdare highland environment
Bring clothing layers, sun and rain protection, closed footwear, drinking water and your essential personal items. The selected walk, trek, boat or balloon operator provides the activity-specific equipment briefing. Carry documents and medication securely, and fit your luggage to the confirmed transport allowance.
Is Mount Kenya visible throughout this safari
Mount Kenya can be viewed from parts of the surrounding landscape when cloud and local visibility allow. A foothill stay does not establish a clear summit view. Mountain visibility and access to a summit trekking route are separate conditions.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
4 days3 nightsKenya
Nairobi → Aberdare → Ol Pejeta Conservancy → Nairobi
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Find your journey on the map.
Tap a stage below to explore the journey.
Location markers are approximate. Connections show the journey sequence, not roads, exact driving distances or live vehicle tracking. The itinerary sets out each stage.
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4.9
Based on 664 reviews
Erica Anderson
What an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us andWhat an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us and he made our experience unforgettable. Could not have asked for a better introduction to Kenya!…
Laura H
Very knowledgeable and friendly
michael graham
Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable,Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable, patient and great fun. Rustic Nature Tours are well organised and quick to respond from my very first enquiry. You won’t be disappointed.…
Peter M
Great experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommendGreat experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommend asking for Kelvin as your guide.…
Ruth
My husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking atMy husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Michael G
Rustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someoneRustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someone says they had a better guide than Kelvin, they are making it up! He’s the MAN. We had a blast.…
Fernando Estaragues
It was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was reallyIt was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was really good with a lot of personalized service.The guide was the best one, fully recommended our guide, Kelvin Ndolo, he drive through all the safari to let us catch some good pictures, the service is really good with him, he was a nice person with a lot of experience, telling you about everything in Kenya in general, nice time with him, helping, giving advices, experienced man.He is el chingon!!In general we can say that we wouldn't be in a better tour and guide for the first experience in Kenya!…
Nicole S
We had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from ourWe had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from our hotel and a comfortable ride to each site.Our driver/guide, Denish, was fantastic! extremely safe, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer any questions we had. Every guide we met at the individual stops was equally kind and full of insights.Highlights of our day included a delicious lunch, visiting local community shops for souvenirs, and especially the museum and Kobe Tough! It was the perfect blend of culture, history, and city highlights. If you have a day in Nairobi, we highly recommend booking this tour!…
Marc-Antoine Ladouceur
I booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted toI booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted to my preferences, at a price that really surprised me, in a good way. My guide was fantastic, not just knowledgeable about wildlife but also about the socialBiophysical environmental, geomorphology and human stories behind the places we visited. Everything just flowed. I couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Kenyan adventure…
FarAway57601419658
Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake,Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Katie Richards-Schuster
Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The tripsKelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The trips were completely seamless. We had terrific communication beforehand in preparation for the experiences, and we felt that all aspects were accounted for. Kelvin was absolutely exceptional as a guide. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the local history, and the elements of the safari experience. His ability to navigate us to exactly the spots where we could see the most, be the closest, and truly experience all that Kenya has to offer.For the first-day experience, we traveled to Amboseli. People in our group really wanted to see elephants. And elephants we saw! Kelvin helped position the Land Cruiser so that we had multiple herds of elephants (including babies) walk in front of the vehicle, less than 10 feet away!! It was a memorable sight. We also saw lions, zebras, wildebeests, birds (of all kinds), giraffes, and so much more. Kelvin has a college degree in wildlife management, and he is both extraordinarily knowledgeable and professional in the trip. He answered our questions, provided information, and helped us experience the wildlife in the safest manner possible. I would definitely recommend taking the Land Cruiser over the Safari van. The roads in the park are bumpy, and the Land Cruiser ensured a safe, comfortable ride while also getting us into the perfect spot to see the animals. After 4 hours or so in the park, we headed to a beautiful lodge to eat. The food and experience at the lodge were wonderful. After that, we did another drive before leaving to head back to Nairobi. A long but unbelievable day!For the second experience, we headed to Nairobi National Park, then the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, Kobe Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Center. Again, Kelvin was a masterful guide. In the park, he got us close to hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and even a crocodile- among many other animals. He found the perfect spots and maneuvered the vehicle just right (and sometimes even off the beaten path) to make sure we saw the best views of the animals (again, we recommend the Land Cruiser for the best experience!). After talking with others who took different trips to Nairobi National Park, we realized how special our visit was. Many of them didn’t have Kelvin guiding them and, as a result, missed seeing all that we saw. We can’t emphasize enough how amazing Kelvin is. From there, Kelvin got us to the Elephant Sanctuary. He had the tickets already set, so all we needed to do was walk in, and then he got us to the perfect spot where we could be feet away from baby elephants, a baby rhino, and a baby zebra. Truly spectacular! After that, we visited a local bead factory that is a microenterprise supporting local women. We had a tour, learned about the beading process, and then had the opportunity to visit their shop (no hassling or pressure to buy- but we did get some beautiful items!). Then to a hidden garden for lunch at a local restaurant, and then finally to the giraffes. By the time we got to the giraffes, it was very busy, but again, Kelvin worked his magic to get us through the line quickly (we felt like VIPs!) and to the perfect spot to feed them. He clearly knows the staff, as he was able to get us pictures and even additional food to feed the animals. After a long day, he masterfully navigated traffic (which is no joke) to return us to the hotel.All in all, our time in Kenya would not have been the same without Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours. We can’t recommend their tours any higher. You will not be disappointed!!!…
Brianna D
Our amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to theOur amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to the elephant orphanage where Faith knew the whole system and was able to get us up close spots in the “splash zone.” Next up was the giraffe center where we got up close to hand feed giraffes. Faith knew all of the giraffes by name and personality and even took photos on our camera for us. Afterwards we stopped for traditional Kenyan lunch (at your own expense) and we elected to do the Karen Blixen museum for the entrance fee as well. Since it was just me and my husband, Faith even drove us to the local mall before taking us back to the hotel. Overall it was a day well spent with memories to last a lifetime!…
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