I am currently living in Rwanda and my husband is going to be in Nairobi working for the next month. I will be traveling there for two weekends - the first is this coming weekend (August 28-30) and then the longer US Labor Day weekend (September 4 - 7). I can be in Nairobi by 5pm on Friday and must leave by Sunday night this coming weekend and Monday night the next weekend. These are tight timeframes to really do Kenya the right way but unfortunately, its the only time I will have while I am working Rwanda.

So, we are looking for suggestions of things to do from Nairobi. We don't mind driving up to 2 1/2 hours each way for something on land or even taking a short flight from Nairobi. Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated. If there are tour companies that you know of which will do short-break or customized tours, we'd been interested in those suggestions as well.

Thank you to you all.

There is Nairobi National Park, only 20-30 minutes from the city center. I was just there and saw lions and black rhino plus lots of other hoofed species.

Maybe Lake Nakuru or something in the Aberdare region, those should be 2.5 hour drives.

Here is a link for flights.
http://www.safarilink-kenya.com/

It would be perfect timing to fly to the Maasai Mara for the Sept 4-7 dates, which would allow 2 nights in the Mara. I don't believe you can get a flight there after 5 pm on your arrival day. You'd have to go the next morning.

I just used Eastern and Southern Safaris for about 12 hours of service in Kenya, very short and customized. And all went well. I think Waymark is another company people use for short trips, especially around Nairobi.

How about seeing the gorillas in Rwanda, if a permit is available at this late date? Maybe you've already done that.

Good luck taking advantage of the time you have to enjoy some of what Kenya has to offer.

As atravelynn mentions - plenty of options!
The Sep weekend almost requests a short flight to the Massai Mara.
Very good camps and great location for such a migration trip yould be http://www.entim-mara.com/. Close to the crossing points directly at the edge of the Mara River.
They are still offering a "special" incl. flights from/to Nairobi Wilson airport for roughly 700US$+ reserve fees. incl. 2 nights accomm, meals, game drives. It's not fancy but decent and the best value for money within the reserve.
Lake Nakuru is worthwhile to visit for the "short" weekend as well as Lake Naivasha - same vicinity. Here Loldia House is fantastic. Offers wonderful old-english style hospitality as well as drives to Lake Nakuru and boat trips on Lake Naivasha.http://www.governorscamp.com/propert...ift_valley.php

Maybe Tsavo and Amboseli are options as well. But Sep is really asking for the Migration in the Mara.

Happy Planning and safe trips!

Enjoy your safari

SV

Most flights from Nairobi are morning departures. Flights to the Mara are 10am and 3pm (on the return 11am and 4pm).

First week-end, consider drive (2/hrs) with own guide/vehicle or flight to Naivasha where there are some lovely Rift Valley Lodges for R&R, boat ride to Crescent Island for walking safari amongst tame game; any of lodges here can arrange a day-trip to Lake Nakuru (1/hr) north for game drives where you'll find flamingos, rhino, Rothschild giraffe... lovely small park. If driving, for homebound you'll set departure from here based on flight to KGL; if flying, plane departs in afternoon and then you should be transferred direct to JKIA to get back to KGL.

Of course, the Mara (Labor Day w/e), which during Sept is perfect timing of the migration - a Sat morning (10am) flight, lunch, afternoon game drive, overnight; next day game drives and overnight; depart following morning 11am or afternoon 4pm to Nairobi.

You naturally, have to verify flight schedules for return to KGL to coordinate any of your time spent in Kenya.

Would second SV's suggestion. Mara would be wonderful and feasible with regular flights out of NBI. But Naivasha/Loldia House would make for a lovely relaxing couple of days.

Thanks to you all for your excellent suggestions. Now, we'll have to huddle up and figure out what to do from this great list. I am in Rwanda for 3 months - its a bit tricky to get anywhere from here for just a weekend but I am trying my best to pack in as much as possible.

Cheers!

Malu is another lovely, small lodge near Naivasha to consider for your first weekend. It's not situated on the lake but in the hills above Naivasha on its own forest reserve. Nice fireplace cottages, very relaxing.

Julia
I am sure you do Gorilla treks while in Ruanda. Would be great to hear which comp you chose and about the duration of the walks till you reached our relatives in the forest.

SV