Kenya: The Wildest African Continent I've Visited So Far
D1 Chengdu → Nairobi
· Transportation: Direct flight about 14 hours, off-season tickets around 6000-7000 RMB per person
· Activities: Rest after arrival, visit Nairobi Giraffe Centre (ticket about 80 RMB, 1 hour), feed giraffes up close, 100% photo success rate
· Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi city center, about 500 RMB/night
D2 Nairobi → Maasai Mara (300km, about 5h)
· Transportation: If not self-driving, choose local car hire (including driver + fuel, about 1200 RMB/day); self-driving requires an international driving license, road conditions are average, not recommended for beginners
· Activities: Enter Maasai Mara Reserve in the afternoon (ticket about 300 RMB per person, valid all day), ride in an open-top vehicle to chase wildlife, see lions, leopards, zebras, watch the savannah sunset (best from 17:00 to 18:30)
· Accommodation: Mara Maisha Camp, about 1500 RMB/night, savannah tent, fall asleep to lion roars
D3 Full day in Maasai Mara
· Activities: Depart at 6 AM (animals are most active), look for the "Big Five" of Africa; in the morning see wildebeest herds and giraffe groups; in the afternoon visit the Mara River (no extra ticket), even in the off-season you can see wildebeests drinking water and lurking crocodiles; watch the starry savannah sky at dusk
· Duration: Full day, car hire included
· Tips: Wear long sleeves to prevent mosquito bites, avoid camouflage clothing (can be mistaken)
D4 Maasai Mara → Naivasha → Crescent Island (200km, about 4h)
· Transportation: Direct car hire, about 800 RMB/day
· Activities: Lake Naivasha (ticket about 150 RMB per person), boat ride to see hippos and water birds (1 hour, about 100 RMB per boat); Crescent Island hike (ticket about 100 RMB per person, 2 hours), see giraffes and zebras up close, no predators so very safe
· Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, about 1200 RMB/night, lake view room
D5 Naivasha → Amboseli (250km, about 5h)
· Transportation: Car hire, about 900 RMB/day
· Activities: Enter Amboseli in the afternoon (ticket about 280 RMB per person), head straight to Kilimanjaro viewpoint, watch elephant herds strolling under the snowy mountain, a unique scene in Kenya
· Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Resort, about 1400 RMB/night, window view of the snowy mountain
D6 Full day in Amboseli
· Activities: Early morning chase elephant herds (Amboseli is the "Elephant Kingdom"); in the morning explore the savannah, see lions and hyenas; in the afternoon wait for Kilimanjaro clouds to clear, take stunning photos with snowy mountain + savannah + animals in one frame
· Duration: Full day, car hire included
· Tips: Bring a telephoto camera, the distant snowy mountain view is breathtaking
D7 Amboseli → Mombasa → Diani (400km, about 6h; or take the China-built train, about 4h, ticket about 200 RMB per person)
· Transportation: Car hire about 1500 RMB/day; train is more comfortable, highly recommended!
· Activities: Arrive at Diani Beach, walk on white sand, step into clear waves, watch the Indian Ocean sunset at dusk
· Accommodation: Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel, about 1000 RMB/night, standalone seaside villa
D8 Vasheni Island One-Day Tour
· Price: About 300 RMB per person (including boat fee, snorkeling gear, lunch)
· Activities: Long-tail boat trip, snorkel in the "Jellyfish Sea," see coral and tropical fish; land on an uninhabited island for photos, the sea water glows with blue light
· Duration: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, full day of fun
D9 Leisure Day at Diani Beach
· Activities: Relax on the beach, surf (about 200 RMB/hour), visit seaside markets, eat fresh seafood (lobster about 200 RMB each)
· Duration: Full day, free schedule
D10 Diani → Nairobi (train/car)
· Transportation: Return by train, about 4 hours, rest and adjust
D11 Nairobi City Tour
· Activities: Visit Maasai Market (buy wood carvings, jewelry, bargaining possible), visit National Museum (ticket about 50 RMB, 1.5 hours), learn about African history
· Duration: Full day
D12 Nairobi → Chengdu
· Transportation: Direct flight back home, end of trip
Transportation Comparison (Very Practical)
· Car hire: Flexible throughout, stop and take photos anytime, suitable for wildlife viewing, 12 days about 12,000 RMB per car (4 people sharing about 3000 RMB each)
· Train: Comfortable and cheap on Nairobi-Mombasa route, about 200 RMB per person, suitable for those who don’t want to rush
· Self-driving: Requires international driving license, poor road conditions on savannah, not recommended, beginners should be cautious
Tips
1. Visa: e-visa about 500 RMB, apply 1 week in advance
2. Currency: Kenyan Shilling, 1 RMB ≈ 20 KES, can exchange at airport
3. Gear: Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, long-sleeve clothes and pants, telephoto camera, comfortable shoes
4. Safety: Do not walk alone at night, do not get off the vehicle when watching animals without permission