Kenya 2027: Beyond the Safari
Wildlife. Culture. Purpose. A journey unlike anything else.
January 23 – February 1, 2027
– Nairobi Impact Experience: January 23 – January 29
– Safari in the Maasai Mara: January 29 – February 1
Kenya is a place that changes you.
From the moment you arrive, you’re immersed in a world unlike any other—where elephants roam, lions move across the savanna, cultures thrive, and communities are creating extraordinary change. Our 2027 Kenya journey is designed in two parts: an immersive experience in and around Nairobi, with the option to continue into the breathtaking wilderness of the Maasai Mara.
Nairobi: Wildlife, Culture, and Connection
Your journey begins with some of Kenya’s most memorable experiences. You’ll come face-to-face with rescued elephants during a private visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, watching these remarkable animals interact with the caretakers who have dedicated their lives to protecting them. You’ll embark on a guided safari through Nairobi National Park, where lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and other wildlife roam freely.
Beyond the wildlife, you’ll experience the richness of Kenyan culture and the warmth of its people. You’ll also spend time with the organizations and community leaders Brighton Jones has partnered with for more than a decade. You’ll visit schools helping young people unlock new opportunities, meet Maasai women advancing education and leadership in their communities, and witness firsthand what long-term investment in people can accomplish. These aren’t site visits—they are relationships, built over years, that you’ll feel the moment you arrive.
Maasai Mara: Into the Wild
The adventure continues into one of the greatest wildlife destinations in the world. The Maasai Mara is vast in every sense—endless golden plains, dramatic skies, and wildlife encounters that are impossible to describe. This is Big Five country, home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, along with countless other species that move freely across one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Each game drive brings something unforgettable: a cheetah scanning the horizon, a herd of elephants crossing at sunset, a pride of lions resting in the shade, or a quiet moment where the only sound is the wind moving through the grass. Our private guides are expert trackers whose knowledge and instincts bring the landscape to life in ways you wouldn’t experience on your own.
A Journey That Stays With You
Whether you join us for Nairobi alone or continue through the full Maasai Mara experience, this journey offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to witness extraordinary wildlife, experience a remarkable culture, build meaningful connections, and gain a deeper understanding of East Africa. What brings you here may be the wildlife. What stays with you will be something deeper.
Continue the Journey
For those interested in extending their travels, we’re happy to connect you with our travel partners to explore additional experiences throughout East Africa—from the African coast (Lamu, Zanzibar, Kilifi) to safari adventures in the Serengeti or gorilla trekking.
This trip is available only to Brighton Jones clients and invited guests.
Voices from the Journey
Witnessing impact and building relationships
Itinerary
January 23 - February 1, 2027
Note: Itineraries may change slightly as details and logistics are finalized.
Welcome to Nairobi—Kenya's "Green City in the Sun." One of the most dynamic and culturally rich cities in East Africa, Nairobi is a place where modern energy and natural beauty exist in constant conversation. After arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Nairobi International Airport you'll have time to settle into our hotel, take in the warm air and the hum of the city, and prepare for the journey ahead.
Your journey begins beneath the canopy of Karura Forest—over 1,000 hectares of indigenous forest in the heart of the city, saved from development by the tireless activism of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. You'll hike alongside local conservationists through trails lined with towering trees, past hidden waterfalls, and through groves alive with birdsong and the scent of wet earth. It's a powerful, grounding way to arrive in Kenya.
In the evening, we'll gather for an educational talk and dinner—a chance to reflect on the day and set intentions for the journey ahead.
Step into the Mukuru community and into the heart of what's possible when education, healthcare, and empowerment work together. The Ruben Centre serves over 700,000 people in one of Nairobi's largest informal settlements—providing free education to more than 4,000 children, healthcare to over 27,000 people annually, and vocational training that creates real pathways to independence. You'll tour the campus, meet the students, and spend focused time in the programs that resonate most with you.
In the evening, dinner with Ruben Centre's leadership team offers a window into their community-building approach and the partnerships that have made this work possible.
This is the day you come face-to-face with Kenya's wildlife—twice. The morning begins at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, home to the world's most successful elephant orphan rescue program. You'll watch baby elephants tumble over each other for milk bottles, play in mud wallows, and interact with their devoted caretakers in moments that are equal parts tender and unforgettable.
From there, enjoy lunch at Tin Roof Café—an outdoor space surrounded by local artisans and handmade goods. Then, as the afternoon light turns golden, head out for a sunset safari drive through Nairobi National Park, where lions, giraffes, rhinos, and zebras roam freely across open savanna. It's a surreal, only-in-Kenya experience.
Watch the landscape transform from city to savanna on the drive from Nairobi to Kajiado. Here, you'll spend the day with the remarkable young Maasai women of HELGA—an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable girls from harmful traditional practices and empowering them through education and leadership. Meet Priscilla, the visionary founder whose own story of being called into a life of service is as powerful as the work itself.
After a full and joyful day together with the students, settle into the Brighton Jones Guest House for the evening and enjoy a traditional Kenyan meal prepared by our chef.
Your final day in Nairobi is a celebration of history, beauty, and connection. Start at the Giraffe Centre, where you'll climb to an elevated platform and come eye-to-eye with endangered Rothschild's giraffes—feeding them by hand, feeling the gentle reach of an 18-inch tongue, and maybe even earning a "giraffe kiss." It's one of those moments that makes you laugh out loud and never quite leaves you.
From there, step into the storied Karen Blixen Museum—the farmhouse at the foot of the Ngong Hills where the author of Out of Africa lived from 1914 to 1931. The grounds are lush, the history is layered, and the views of the hills are exactly as she described them.
You'll also visit Kazuri Beads—meaning "small and beautiful" in Swahili—a workshop and jewelry factory that has employed over 300 local women, many of them single mothers, since 1975. Watch artisans hand-shape, paint, and glaze each bead, and take home something truly made with care.
We'll close with a farm-to-table meal at a favorite local culinary destination, reflecting on the journey so far. Travelers not continuing to safari will catch evening flights home.
For those who choose to continue, the journey opens into one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on Earth. The Maasai Mara is Big Five country—endless golden plains, skies that stretch beyond imagination, and encounters that will stop you mid-sentence. A cheetah scanning the horizon. A herd of elephants crossing at dusk. A quiet moment where the only sound is the wind through the grass.
Guided by expert trackers, you'll explore through game drives, with options for walking safaris and night drives in a private reserve. You'll spend time with a Maasai warrior, learning about a culture built on quiet bravery and deep respect for the land—the kind of experience that quietly reshapes how you see the world.
After a full and final day together, we'll take late-night departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport—carrying home not just memories, but new understandings, deeper connections, and a perspective on the world that feels genuinely changed.
Package & Pricing Details
During your time in Kenya you will spend time with cultural facilitators that will help to narrate how history, politics, and the culture have helped to shape this beautiful country. You will also have both Brighton Jones and local staff with you throughout the trip who will help with your comfort and safety at all times. The well-being of our travelers is our top priority. From ground transportation to guest safety and food preparation, we employ extensive and rigorous safety measures and policies.
Cost Per Person
Nairobi impact experience only- $2,500 USD ($3,075 for single occupancy)
Safari extension – $6,000 USD*
Complete Trip – $8,500 USD ($9,575 for single occupancy)
*Please contact us if you’re interested in single occupancy rates for the safari extension
Your package includes:
- Accommodation and food in Nairobi (6 nights)
- Accommodation and food on Safari (3 nights)
- All activities as outlined in the itinerary
- Ground transportation throughout the duration of the trip
- Arrival and departure transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- Professional facilitators and experienced guides
- Tips for guides, drivers, and partners
Your package does not include:
- International airfare
- Premium spirits and champagne
- All extensions and transport to Nairobi
- Travel insurance: out-of-country medical, trip cancellation and interruption insurance*
- Any extras not mentioned in inclusions
- Personal tips at Nairobi Hotel (ex. baggage assistance or servicing of room) or any traveler purchased food and beverages
- Optional activities are not included in overall price
If you have any questions about this trip or future Impact Journeys with Brighton Jones, please contact Natalie Compagno.
*Please note, we highly encourage travelers to purchase trip insurance. Please reach out to a Brighton Jones staff member for questions about this.
Join us for a transformational experience
Complete this form to register your interest and receive more detailed trip information. Spaces for this transformative experience are limited to achieve an intimate, meaningful journey for all participants. These trips fill fast, and early registration is encouraged.