Women’s Elephant Conservation Safari

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted through immigration before being introduced to your host for the week. Transfer to your hotel, where this evening is yours to relax after your journey and meet the rest of the group before the adventure begins. Enjoy dinner at your leisure, taking time to absorb the anticipation of the days ahead. Overnight at Tamarind Tree Hotel, ideally situated between Nairobi National Park and Wilson Airport, offering a comfortable and convenient base for your onward journey into the wild.

This morning, board a private charter flight for a scenic bush journey to the magical Samburu National Park. On arrival, a representative from Elephant Watch Camp will meet you for the transfer to camp, pausing for any wildlife sightings along the way. Beautifully set beneath acacia trees on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, the camp offers a colourful, immersive experience. After settling in, head out on an afternoon game drive with expert Samburu guides, trained to identify individual elephants by name and family history. Return to camp for sundowners and dinner under the stars.

Wake early for coffee before heading out on a morning safari in search of Samburu’s remarkable wildlife. Alongside elephants, the reserve is home to species unique to northern Kenya, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and the long-necked gerenuk. Lunch may be served as a riverside picnic, followed by a leisurely siesta at camp. The afternoon brings further opportunities to explore, with activities such as a guided bush walk or a visit to a local Samburu community, offering a fascinating glimpse into the traditions and daily life of the people who share this extraordinary landscape.

Today offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into elephant research and conservation with a visit to the Save the Elephants Samburu Research Centre. Founded by renowned conservationist Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the centre has studied Samburu’s elephant population for decades. Learn how researchers track elephants using GPS collars, monitor their behaviour and movements, and gather vital data used to combat poaching and reduce human-elephant conflict. Afterwards, enjoy a bush game drive before returning to camp for lunch. In the late afternoon, head out for one final game drive through Samburu National Park, soaking in the landscape before moving on.

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for a scenic bush flight south. En route, stop at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Africa’s first community-owned elephant orphanage, where rescued calves are rehabilitated before being returned to the wild. Watch the young elephants enjoy their morning milk bottles and mud bath as keepers share each calf’s story. Re-board the plane for the onward flight to Tsavo East, where you’ll be transferred to the stunning Ithumba Hills Camp, a remote Sheldrick Wildlife Trust outpost set amid dramatic scenery in one of Kenya’s wildest and least-visited corners.

Today brings a rare and deeply moving opportunity to observe older orphaned elephants in the final stages of their journey back to the wild. Watch as they gather for daily milk feeds and mud baths, interacting naturally with wild herds that pass through the area. The Sheldrick Trust’s pioneering reintegration programme offers remarkable insight into elephant behaviour, memory and resilience. Time spent at Ithumba provides an extraordinary window into the bond between the elephants and their dedicated keepers, as well as the patience and care required to successfully return these animals to their natural environment.

After another morning visit to the elephant orphans’ stockade, spend the day exploring the vast landscapes of Tsavo East National Park. One of Kenya’s largest and most dramatic parks, it is home to lions, giraffes, zebra, buffalo and abundant birdlife, all set against a backdrop of wide open plains and distinctive volcanic hills. The raw, untamed character of Tsavo offers a powerful contrast to the intimacy of the elephant sanctuaries, making for a rich and rewarding final full day on safari. Return to camp as the sun sets over the African bush for a last memorable evening.

Enjoy a final breakfast before a relaxed transfer to the airstrip, with time to pause for any last wildlife sightings along the way. Your private charter flight returns you to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, where a short transfer brings you into the city for some last-minute shopping and an early dinner before onward travel. From there, you’ll be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home. Not quite ready to leave? Beach extensions along the Kenyan coast or further safari add-ons can be arranged — please enquire for options and pricing.