The Bush & Beach Trail: From Kilimanjaro's Shadows to the Swahili Coast
Experience two completely different sides of Kenya on one unforgettable backpacking adventure. Backpacking Kenya is a high-energy, cross-country group adventure built for travelers ready to see the very best of Kenya for less, without skipping a single epic moment. Spanning from the creative streets of Nairobi to the tropical shores of the south coast, this trip is designed to be affordable, deeply authentic, and completely unforgettable.
You’ll start by diving into Nairobi's urban energy before heading to Amboseli, where you'll track massive elephant herds in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. From there, we’ll board the iconic Madaraka Express train, cutting straight through the wilderness down to the coast to explore the vibrant history of Mombasa and wind down on the white sands of Diani Beach.
Click to view and download the trip manual for all the details
THINGS TO DO
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Meet Your Team:
Your local Kenyan team
We believe the best way to experience Kenya is through the people who call it home. Our Kenyan team will help you dive into the culture, explore the landscapes, and connect with wildlife and locals alike.
You + your future travel family
We pride ourselves on the communities we build on these trips. By fostering connection and shared experiences, we focus on turning strangers into friends and fellow adventurers who share in every moment of the journey.
The travel package includes & excludes the following
WHERE WE STAY
Our travelers will stay in twin rooms, for 2 nights while in Nairobi
Our travelers will stay in twin/triple camps, for 2 nights while in Amboseli
Our travelers will stay in shared hostel dorm beds, for 1 night while in Mombasa
Our travelers will stay in twin cabins, for 3 nights while in Diani
The application process is simple.
Before you begin, please review our [Manual] and [Terms] to familiarize yourself with the trip. When you're ready, click "Join Waitlist".
Our team will follow up with instructions on how to pay your deposit to reserve your seat, along with guidance to complete your application.
If the trip is cancelled because it didn't reach the minimum number of people before the deadline (around 1 month before the trip), you will receive a full refund minus any bank and card fees.
Note: Bank and card fees are typically around 5% of the total amount, though this may vary depending on your bank and the card used.
Important: Please hold on booking your flights until you receive the greenlight confirmation from our support team.
You can pay the full amount upfront, choose a $99 deposit followed by three installment payments, or if you’re booking well in advance, set up a custom extended payment plan.
If you choose to pay for your trip in installments, you agree to adhere to the following payment schedule:
90 Days Prior to Trip: 50% of Trip Cost Due
60 Days Prior to Trip: 75% of Trip Cost Due
30 Days Prior to Trip: 100% of Trip Cost Due
Monday (Day 1) : Jambo Nairobi!
All Day - Arrivals & Hotel Check-In
– Group introduction
– Free time to explore Nairobi
14:00 - Visit Giraffe Center
17:00 - Souvenir Shopping
19:00 - Nairobi Street Kitchen
Tuesday : Amboseli
08:00 – Breakfast
09:00 – Drive To Amboseli National Park (4 hours)
13:00 – Check-In & Lunch At The Camp
14:30 – Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive
18:00 – Back To Camp & Dinner
Wednesday : Amboseli
06:00 – Sunrise Game Drive
10:00 – Breakfast At Camp
13:00 – Lunch At The Camp
14:00 – Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive
18:00 – Back To Camp & Dinner
Thursday : Mombasa
06:00 – Breakfast At Camp
07:00 – Drive To Emali Train Station (2 hours)
09:30 – Train To Mombasa (4.5 hours)
14:00 – Mombasa
14:30 – Hostel Check-In
15:00 - Mombasa Old Town Tour
17:30 - Sunset Dhow Cruise
19:30 - Dinner (Meals Payable Directly)
Friday : Diani Beach
09:00 – Breakfast (Meals Payable Directly)
10:00 – Drive To Diani Beach ( 2 Hours)
12:00 – Check-In At Beach Cabins
13:00 – Lunch (Meals Payable Directly)
14:00 – Free Time To Explore Diani or Rest
Saturday : Diani Beach
07:30 – Breakfast
09:00 – Drive To Shimoni (1 Hour)
10:00 - Sail To Kisite Marine Park (1 hour)
11:00 - Snorkeling and Swimming
13:00 – Lunch At Wasini Island
14:30 – Sail Back To Shimoni (1 Hour)
15:30 - Drive Back To Diani Beach (1 Hour)
16:30 - Free Time To Explore Diani
19:30 - Dinner (Meals Payable Directly)
Sunday : Diani Beach
All Day - Free Time To Explore, Swim or Rest In Diani Beach
* Personal Extra/Add-on Activities can be scheduled
Monday : Journey Back o Nairobi
10:00 - Breakfast
*Free Time To Swim Or Rest In Diani Beach
13:00 - Transfer to Mombasa Train Terminus (1.5 hours)
15:00 - Train to Nairobi (5 hours)
21:00 - Hotel Check-In
Tuesday : Kwaheri Kenya!
All Day - Hotel Check-Out & Departures
The trip includes:
Seven breakfasts included during the trip
Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) while in Amboseli
Kenya’s cuisine, especially in Nairobi, reflects a rich blend of diverse cultural influences due to the country’s multicultural heritage. The culinary traditions here include a fusion of indigenous Kenyan, Arab, Indian, Portuguese, British, and Swahili flavors, creating a unique and vibrant food culture.
Throughout the trip, a selection of recommended restaurants will be available to choose from.
Medical Requirements: It's important that you visit a health practitioner and inform them about your travel plans for health-related recommendations.
Flight Booking: Please remember that booking flights is your responsibility and accommodation isn't included for arrivals before 10AM on the trip start date or for stays after 11AM on the last day of the trip. You can read more about exact dates you should book your flights, how to send them to us etc. in our Trip Manual.
Payment Processing: All payments will be collected through a payment link sent to you via Email/WhatsApp. This includes both your initial deposit and any installment or balance payments. Accepted payment methods for booking the trip are Visa, Mastercard, and other major credit cards. You will also receive all payment updates and reminders through WhatsApp to keep you informed throughout the process.
Cancellation Policy: Deposits are non-refundable for any reason whatsoever. Applicants who cancel their participation in the trip may be subject to the following charges:
For cancellations made 14 days or less prior to the commencement of the program, no amount will be refunded.
For cancellations made between 15 and 30 days prior to the commencement of the program, the applicant will be refunded for 25% of the total trip package price.
For cancellations made 31 days or more prior to the commencement of the program, the applicant will be refunded 75% of the total trip package price.
FAQs
These trips are aimed at travelers aged between 18-30. The Backpacker range offers shared hostels, authentic local experiences and more free time to explore and has been designed specifically for those aged 18-30.
Don't worry if this isn't you - our other trips are open to everyone.
Not at all! You’ll certainly have the option to explore a destination’s nightlife, but there’s absolutely no pressure to join in. In most groups, there’ll be a good mix of people who like to party and people who like to take it easy. Your Trip Manager will have this in mind, and they can suggest lots of night time activities that don’t involve drinking.
The trip starts and ends in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Kenyan Shilling (KSH)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)