Our adventure officially kicks off at 5:00 PM on June 18, 2025, when you’ll meet the crew over poolside cocktails. From there, we’ll shake off the travel and dive right into the vibes.
We wrap up on the evening of June 24. After one last sunrise game drive and a final meal together, you’re free to catch your flight home or keep the adventure going. Expect big hugs, happy tears, and a heart full of wild new memories.
GETTING THERE
Please arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) before 12 pm on June 18. This gives you plenty of time to settle in before we kick things off. We will meet you at the airport and drive you straight to our hotel. It is a quick 25-minute trip, and you might even spot zebras on your way out of the airport.
COMING HOME
Our domestic flight arrives in Nairobi after 5 pm on June 24. Since you need to be at the airport at least two hours before your international flight, please do not book any departure earlier than 8 pm.
INCLUDED DOMESTIC FLIGHT
We have included your flight from Keekorok Airstrip to Nairobi Wilson Airport, which lands at 4:45 pm on June 24. Please ensure your international flight departs at least four hours after this arrival. Local flights in Kenya do not always run on strict schedules, so this buffer ensures you make your connection comfortably.
We handpick our lodges to balance high-end comfort with the raw energy of the wild. Here is where you will be resting up after the day's adventures:
Nairobi: The 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum. A stunning, upscale urban retreat that serves as the perfect home base to kick off the trip.
Lake Naivasha: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort. This beautiful 3-star property is famous for its wildlife encounters, where zebras and giraffes often wander right onto the grounds while you relax.
Masai Mara: Mara Sopa Lodge. A 4-star classic located in the heart of the reserve. It puts you exactly where the action happens, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the savanna.
Yes, travel and medical insurance is required. You must secure it before joining the program. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you accept full responsibility and agree to our cancellation policy.
To reserve your spot, a 20% deposit is required. This goes toward your total payment. The remaining balance is due six weeks before the program start date.
If you cancel more than 45 days before the program begins, you’ll receive trip credit that can be used toward any future SYB trip within 12 months.
If you cancel within 45 days, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions.
We do not offer refunds for any reason. Travel insurance helps protect your investment if anything unexpected happens. It’s worth it.
We’ve got you covered! We work closely with our lodges to ensure dietary needs are met. While we can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other common restrictions, keep in mind that options can be limited in the remote bush camps compared to a city restaurant.
Pro Tip: If you have specific dietary needs, let us know as early as possible so we can coordinate with the kitchen teams. We also suggest packing a few of your favorite protein bars or go-to snacks to keep in your daypack, just in case you’re craving something specific while deep in the wild.
Nairobi is Kenya’s vibrant capital city, where urban energy meets the wild. Beyond its bustling core, Nairobi is home to a unique game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and protecting giraffes. Just nearby, you’ll also find a world-famous elephant orphanage where rescued baby elephants get a second chance.
Hell’s Gate National Park lies near Lake Naivasha and is famous for its dramatic landscapes and epic game drives. Here, it’s common to see hippos, countless bird species, and other incredible wildlife up close.
Masai Mara is a world-renowned national reserve along the Tanzanian border. It’s home to some of Africa’s most iconic animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and hippos, and is the stage for the legendary Great Migration.
The Kenyan landscapes leave so much to explore, each stop is a new adventure waiting to unfold.
This is required for everyone entering Kenya!
Apply here: https://evisa.go.ke/
Our Hotel: Radisson Blu Nairobi
Phone: +254 709 810 000
Email: info.nairobi@radissonblu.com
You’ll need a proof of address in Kenya when applying, which we’ll send to you by email or WhatsApp in the weeks leading up to the trip.
You’ll want light clothes for daytime and warm layers for the evenings, since early morning game drives in open vehicles can get chilly. You’ll also be moving around a lot, so try to pack a few solid, versatile outfits rather than overloading your bag.
If you need some inspiration, just Google “safari outfits” and pick something you’d be proud to show your grandmother in the photos. Our photographer will be ready to capture your best looks in the wild.
The shilling is the official currency of Kenya, but USD is widely accepted in many places. It’s common to bring a Mastercard or Visa, as both are widely accepted throughout the country.
We recommend withdrawing cash before coming to Kenya. ATMs are available, but you may be charged a withdrawal fee.
We suggest bringing around $300 to $400 for bars, a few meals, and personal spending, plus a credit card just to be safe. Otherwise, we’ve got you covered.
Plan on not doing any laundry during this trip. We’ll be heading to remote regions of Kenya, and while a few hotels may offer washing services, you can definitely expect extra costs if you choose to use them.
Yes, daily.
We’ve got a crew coming through to clean up after you filthy animals so your space stays fresh, even if you don’t. 😎
If you choose this adventure, we’ll be up at 4:30 am heading deep into the Masai Mara. We launch the balloon just before sunrise, and as you rise above the great plains, the sun rises with you. Welcome to one of the most magical moments of your life.
Absolutely, and we actually recommend it. This trip is your chance to show up as your truest, most adventurous self. No baggage, no expectations, no old routines.
When you come solo, you open yourself up to deeper connections, new experiences, and a crew that becomes instant family.
We totally get that it can feel intimidating at first, but trust us, this is the best way to do it. Most of our guests come solo, and by day one, you won’t feel that way anymore.
Yes. You can leave your phone in your bag and stay present while a professional photographer and videographer capture every moment. You’ll get high-quality content without lifting a finger.
And yes, it’s all included in your trip. Your post-trip photo dump is going to break the group chat.
Welcome to Africa, SYB-style. The moment you land in Nairobi, your wildest chapter begins. We’ll scoop you up at the airport and head to our city hotel to shake off the travel. We’ll kick things off poolside with cocktails and lunch, stretch our legs on a scenic walk through the Nairobi Arboretum, then sweat it out with a fun shake-out workout. Wind down with eucalyptus steam sessions before our first big family dinner, and just like that, your new crew is born.
Next, we dive into Nairobi’s magic: meeting baby elephants at the Sheldrick Orphanage, hand-feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, and road-tripping out to Lake Naivasha where hippos roam right outside your room.
Wake up to zebras and waterbucks as we kick off the day with a sunrise fitness session, then gear up for a biking safari at Hell’s Gate National Park (yes, you’re literally riding through Lion King country). After lunch, we jump on a boat for an up-close hippo encounter you’ll never forget. That evening, we turn up the energy with an epic animal-themed party under the stars — think wild costumes, dancing, and a night you’ll definitely be talking about for years.
Then it’s time to head deeper into the wild. We load into 4x4s and roll into the Masai Mara, stopping to visit local Masai tribes and get a real taste of this epic land.
Once we hit the Mara, the adventure hits another level. Full-day game drives tracking lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests across endless plains, picnic lunches in the wild, and sunset hangs at the lodge.
Want to take it up a notch? Wake up before dawn for an optional hot air balloon ride over the Mara, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. We close it all out with a final game drive and an epic themed party to celebrate the trip of a lifetime.
On the last morning, one more sunrise game drive seals it all in before we fly back to Nairobi. Depending on your flight time, we’ll grab a final meal together or head straight to the airport.
This isn’t just a safari. It’s the wildest, most unforgettable adventure you’ll ever live, with a crew that turns every moment into a lifelong story.
This is a true wild African adventure. Our accommodations are comfortable and beautifully set in the heart of the Masai Mara, offering stunning views of the plains and all the untamed beauty Africa has to offer. Being surrounded by nature means you’ll experience it fully, so come with an open mind and be ready to embrace the unexpected.
You’ll spend full days out on safari, often in the vehicle from sunrise to sunset, exploring remote and wild places. There won’t always be Wi-Fi, so you’ll need to be okay disconnecting from the outside world and being fully present with the crew and the animals around you.
Some of the comforts you’re used to at home or on other trips might not be available at every hotel. Even though our accommodations are very nice, this is Africa in its rawest, most authentic form.
Expect morning safaris through open fields, fitness challenges in epic locations, and evenings spent sharing stories under the stars. Days are packed with adventure, from visiting the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre to exploring Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park, and the vast Masai Mara. Evenings are for big group dinners, bonding over drinks, and creating memories that will stay with you forever.
You’ll ride across the plains, climb atop open 4x4 cruisers, and soak in every moment, from watching a lioness play with her cubs to seeing a parade of elephants grazing just feet away. We’ll mix in boat rides alongside hippos and a few local surprises to keep you on your toes.
This isn’t your average safari. It’s an invitation to go beyond your comfort zone, connect deeply with nature and your new crew, and create the wildest story of your life. Come ready to embrace it all and you’ll walk away with something unforgettable.
