You're looking at an adventure that is the same as our typical trips except for that all guests are going to be over the age of 40. We just all want to be on the same level, maybe a little less intensity with the morning workouts, or the drinks, but rest assured this isn't your grandma's adventure to the zoo either. It's all about balance.
GETTING THERE
Arrive anytime before 12pm July 21, because once we pick you up from the airport it's go time! Regardless which flight you take we will meet at either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport NBO at noon or at our hotel Radisson Blu Hotel Arboretum at 1pm. If you arrive anytime after 2pm inform us since we'll be exploring Nairobi!
We're staying the first 2 nights in Nairobi so even if you get delayed by a day you'll be ok to join us for the safari. After that it might be a bit harder to catch up to our group.
NYC friends, we recommend taking flight KQ 3 departing JFK Saturday, July 20th at 1:45pm nonstop to NBO arriving 10:30am July 21st.
COMING HOME
We will be arriving at Nairobi after 6pm, thus recommend getting a later flight. If you need to fly out earlier, no problem, we'll have one of our transport take you back to Nairobi at earliest by 1pm.
NYC friends, we recommend taking flight KQ 2 departing NBO Saturday, July 27th at 11:35pm nonstop to JFK arriving at 6:35am July 28st.
We're staying at these incredible hotels:
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum
- Lake Naivasha SOPA Lodge
- Masa Mara SOPA Lodge
Check out the full SYB Guide HERE
We begin this adventure in Nairobi, so fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Nairobi is Kenya's capital city and is unique because, alongside its urban core, Nairobi is home to a game reserve known for breeding endangered back rhinos and home giraffes. Nearby is a world-renowned elephant orphanage!
Hell's Gate National Park lies near Lake Naivasha. Famous for its game drives, it is common to see an abundance of hippopotamus, bird species and other incredible species!
Masai Mara is a national game reserve hosting a large region of protected land along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos.
The Kenyan landscapes leave much to be explored!
This is needed to enter Kenya for everyone!
Apply Here: https://evisa.go.ke/
Our Hotel: Raddison Blu
Hotel Phone: +254 (Kenya) 709810000
Email: info.nairobi@radissonblu.com
We'll be riding in 4x4 land cruisers the whole adventure. They are 7-seaters, our drivers also double as our guides, speak English and have plenty of stories and jokes to tell on our long journeys.
If you choose this adventure, we're waking up at 4:30am, going deep into the Masai Mara, launching the balloon just before the sun rises and as we rise above the great plains so does the sun... welcome to the most magical moment of your life.
We will be visiting with permission a local Masai Mara tribe, we've paid them to do this and we make sure the proceeds go directly to the community as a whole. There is also a market they set up just for our visit where we can directly buy their handmade products.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
This is not required, but highly recommended. Yellow fever is a viral infection that occurs in Africa and South America. Most people begin to develop immunity within ten days of vaccination and 99 percent are protected within one month, and this appears to be lifelong.
Anti Malarial Medication
This is not required, but highly recommended. CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.
REPELLENT
An insect repellent will help protect you from mosquitoes that spread malaria and other diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Yellow fever. You can use an insect repellent on your skin and clothes to keep away (repel) insects. Lemon eucalyptus oil is good one.
Please see and ask your doctor about traveling to Kenya and it's remote regions.
Please do not wait until the last minute, some medicine requires to be taken one week before travel.
Also here are useful government websites:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/health
You'll want to wear light clothes for the day and warm layers for the evenings, because morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold! Remember you'll be traveling a lot too, so try to minimize to a few really solid outfits.
If you need some inspiration just google 'safari outfits' and pick up something nice so our photographer can capture your best looks for your grandmother.
Plan that you won't be doing any washing. We're heading to remote regions of Kenya. Of course a few hotels will provide washing services, but you can definitely count on additional costs if they do have this service.
After a late night, you may not want to wake up and join us for a workout, but we highly suggest it! Included in your trip, the boot camps and yoga sessions keep us energized - there is nothing better than waking up and sweating with your new friends! Our world-class trip leaders know how to start your day the best way, with a good workout to prime us for a day of adventuring.
This experience is included in trip fees.
Usually we say 'no need to whip out your phone or camera at any point throughout this trip because we have got you covered' but if you've ever wanted to try out photography this is the place of photographic dreams! Otherwise, we will have a professional photographer and videographer joining us on this trip to capture every moment. These will be the best travel photos and videos you will ever get - you're friends better be ready for a photo dump out of their wildest dreams!!
This experience is included in trip fees.
The shilling is the currency of Kenya. However, USD is widely accepted. It is common to bring a Mastercard or Visa as they are commonly accepted in Kenya.
We suggest withdrawing money before coming to Kenya, as ATMs are available, but you may be charged a withdrawal fee.
We suggest bringing $300 to $400 to use at bars and a few of our dinners, as well as a credit card, to be safe, but otherwise, we've got you covered!
We highly recommend you get travel and/or medical insurance. This is just for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
Tourist areas of Kenya, where SYB travels, is incredibly safe. However, it is important to note that the US has a travel advisory for the country, which is a blanket warning as areas of the country experience higher levels of crime. However, we will not be going to those places, so these concerns should be noted but do not apply to us.
Still, as a precautionary measure, our accommodations will have safes for us to leave our valuables. We suggest leaving all important items in the safe while exploring - but maybe keep your Yeezys and nice jewelry at home!
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