Dartmouth College – Highlights of Kenya
October 31- November 8, 2026
Karibu (Welcome) to Kenya! We’re thrilled to invite you on an unforgettable adventure to one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Dartmouth Alumni Travel is offering this popular program exclusively to Women of Dartmouth.
This thoughtfully curated journey invites you to explore Kenya through a lens of connection, discovery, and empowerment. From sweeping savanna plains to unforgettable wildlife encounters, this experience blends adventure with meaningful moments alongside a community of inspiring alumnae. Along the way, you’ll engage with Kenya’s rich culture, witness its extraordinary landscapes, and experience the warmth of African hospitality with your adventure begins in Nairobi, East Africa’s cosmopolitan hub and the fourth-largest city on the continent.
From there, we head to Amboseli National Park, where vast elephant herds roam against the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.
Next, you’ll enjoy a scenic hike (easy to moderate) through Hell’s Gate National Park, famed for its dramatic landscapes—towering cliffs, volcanic formations, geothermal plumes, and deep gorges carved by water over time. The journey continues through the lush Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, a haven for bird enthusiasts, and nearby Lake Nakuru National Park, where you’ll enjoy a full-day safari experience.
Our grand finale awaits in the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, where rolling grasslands and abundant wildlife promise unforgettable game drives. Together with Tanzania’s Serengeti, this ecosystem forms one of the most spectacular wildlife regions on the planet. You may even witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration as wildebeest and zebra make their southbound journey.
This program goes beyond the thrill of safari—it’s a celebration of Kenya’s rich ecosystems, diverse cultures, and innovative conservation efforts. For those eager to extend their adventure, an optional trip to Zanzibar is available. This coastal region brims with centuries of cultural fusion—from Arab and European traders to Asian influences—reflected in its vibrant cuisine, music, architecture, and more.
Tour Highlights:
- Marvel at the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro as you explore Amboseli National Park, home to some of Africa’s largest elephant herds and an extraordinary variety of wildlife.
- Embark on thrilling safari drives through the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, where lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the Great Migration await.
- Hike through the otherworldly landscapes of Hell’s Gate National Park, featuring dramatic cliffs, steaming vents, volcanic formations, and narrow gorges—an adventurer’s paradise.
- Explore the Great Rift Valley, stopping at scenic viewpoints and discovering Lake Naivasha’s vibrant birdlife and Lake Nakuru’s rhinos, flamingos, and more.
- Experience Kenya’s rich cultural tapestry, from visiting a bustling local market to savoring dishes infused with African, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences.
- Meet conservation leaders working on the front lines of sustainability and community-driven wildlife protection—hear their stories and discover how Kenya is shaping the future of conservation.
- Optional Extension: Journey to Zanzibar and uncover centuries of cultural fusion through architecture, cuisine, and music on this enchanting island .
[B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner] Lunches and dinners will include 1 soft drink. Additional drinks, including alcoholic beverages, can be purchased directly from the lodge.
October 31, 2026 — Depart USA
Depart for Nairobi, Kenya.
This is a suggested departure date. If you wish to arrive early, please contact Immersion Journeys to book your hotel accommodations ($335/room inclusive of breakfast and all taxes).
November 1 — Arrive in Nairobi
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. For guests arriving before 5:00 pm, welcome cocktails and a detailed safari briefing will be held in the evening.
Radisson Blu Arboretum (Welcome Cocktails)
November 2 — Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
Travel by road to Amboseli National Park, located in southern Kenya. The park is celebrated for its remarkable concentration of elephants, as well as sightings of Masai giraffe, lion, cheetah, and a variety of other wildlife. Its dramatic setting offers uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa’s highest peak and one of the world’s most iconic mountains.
November 3 — Amboseli National Park
Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli National Park. Explore the park’s unique landscapes and observe wildlife in their natural habitat, with the stunning backdrop of Kilimanjaro framing your experience.
November 4 — Amboseli – Lake Naivasha (via Hell’s Gate National Park)
Drive north to Lake Naivasha, beautifully situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. En route, pause at a scenic viewpoint to take in panoramic vistas of the valley.
Later, embark on a guided hike through Hell’s Gate National Park (easy to moderate). Known for its geothermal activity and dramatic scenery, the park features soaring cliffs, volcanic spires, narrow gorges, and steam vents that together create one of the most atmospheric landscapes in East Africa.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)
November 5 — Lake Naivasha / Lake Nakuru
Begin the day with a guided hike in Hell’s Gate National Park, taking in its volcanic terrain and rugged beauty. Later, proceed on a safari through Lake Nakuru National Park, a protected reserve that is especially rich in birdlife and also home to buffalo, zebra, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)
November 6 — Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara National Reserve
Depart by road for the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. As an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara is renowned for its abundance of big cats and its role in the annual Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
November 7 — Masai Mara National Reserve
Spend the day exploring the vast grasslands of the Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert guide.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Optional activity: Enhance your experience with an early morning hot air balloon flight over the reserve, followed by a bush breakfast served in the open savanna (see supplemental cost below).
Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
November 8 — Masai Mara – Nairobi – Depart
After a final morning in the Masai Mara, return to Nairobi by road. Day rooms will be available for rest and refreshment before your evening transfer to the airport for your flight home, or you may continue your journey with an optional extension to Zanzibar (details below).
Please ensure international return flights depart after 4:00 pm to allow for adequate travel time to Nairobi.
Day Room until 6:00 pm: Four Points by Sheraton (B)
Tour Price:
Land Package Only $4,325 per person (double occupancy)
Single Room Supplement: $675 ( Single rooms sold out. Request only)
Optional hot air balloon safari (Day 3): $550 per person
Inclusions:
- Accommodation & meals mentioned above. ( Single rooms sold out. Request only )
- Soft drinks during lunches and dinners.
- All safari game viewing activities with a professional guiding team.
- Hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park.
- All park and conservation fees, Government taxes.
- Airport meet and greet + transfers in Nairobi.
- AMREF Flying Doctor Air Ambulance Service (only to a local hospital in Nairobi)
- Supplemental insurance is required for hospitalization and treatment.
Exclusions:
- International flights.
- Tipping and gratuities to porters, guides, drivers, hotel, and lodge staff.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Laundry, dry cleaning, telephone, fax, internet.
- Supplemental trip insurance including air evacuation to your home country/ state/ city.
- Kenya entry visa and any passport services, vaccinations.
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Due to the nature of the areas we will be visiting, this program involves some walking on uneven terrain or up and down stairs that may be steep and/or without handrails. Accommodations will be in luxury properties, but note that they are located in remote locations in the bush, operating under challenging natural conditions (weather systems and animal movement) and may not offer all the amenities that city-based luxury hotels often provide. Travel between parks will be by 4×4, specially equipped safari vehicles, often over bumpy and dusty terrain. Every effort will be made to ensure your comfort however, it will be the responsibility of the guest to discuss any concerns you may have with the tour operator and Dartmouth College. Please consult with your doctor regarding this trip, its length, and location, and share this brochure with them.
3-night/4-day Optional Extension to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar (minimum 2 guests to operate)
November 08-11, 2026
$1,825 person (double occupancy)/ $400 single room supplement
Immerse yourself and follow the trail of the sultans, queens, slaves, and explorers in the winding streets of Stone Town. Explore the markets, seafood and fish piled in the fish market, fresh loaves of bread in wicker baskets, and the neat stacks of fruit and vegetables as traders sell their wares from their stalls. Children play in the streets in the residential areas, mamas sit out and gossip while the men play board games.
Zanzibar Extension Includes:
- 3 nights at a luxury beach resort (inclusive of breakfast and dinner) in a sea-facing room.
- One-way bush flight to Zanzibar.
- All airport transfers.
- Half-day historic tour of Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Extension Excludes:
- Trip insurance and emergency evacuation coverage.
- Tanzania visa.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination (required when entering from Kenya).
- Mandatory medical insurance is issued by the Government of Zanzibar.
- Mandatory government infrastructure tax payable directly upon check-in at the resort ($5/ day per person)
- Tips/ gratuities to driver, guides, and resort staff.
- Beverages during meals.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, telephone, gift shop, room service, etc.)
TOUR RESERVATION FORM – HIGHLIGHTS OF KENYA October 31- November 8, 2026
To reserve a space, please complete and return this form. We will not process your deposit until you are assigned a place on the tour. Please contact 917-686-2620 (info@immersionjourneys.com) if you have any questions about the registration process.