Nairobi is the airline hub of East Africa. With a couple of Andrew Harper-recommended hotels, it’s a convenient place to spend a day or two recovering from a long flight before setting out on safari. There are nonstops to Nairobi from New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Istanbul. On arrival, your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, either Hemingways Nairobi or Giraffe Manor, both located in the leafy suburb of Karen.

Hemingways Nairobi is a small boutique hotel with a luxury resort feel. The safari-themed suites are enormous, and the pool is a lovely place to relax and recharge. Giraffe Manor is a 12-room hotel consisting of an old manor house and a newer addition. The draw here is the population of Rothschild giraffes, which frequently join guests for breakfast, dipping their heads through the windows for a bite of food. Instagram has made the latter famous, so it’s important to reserve far in advance.

While in Nairobi, stop by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see orphaned baby elephants at feeding time and the Giraffe Centre, adjacent to Giraffe Manor, to learn about the different species of giraffes in Kenya and get a chance to feed the adorably goofy beasts.

Upscale Karen is home to some great restaurants and cafés. We highly recommend Cultiva Farms, a creative farm-to-table venue with a globally inspired menu of unexpected flavor combinations and ingredients that rarely appear on American or European menus.

Once ready, you’ll hop on a chartered bush plane toward Tsavo National Park, southeast of Nairobi. Here, at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll enjoy two full days of diverse safari experiences. Choose between the oasislike Finch Hattons, a collection of luxury tented suites situated around a hippo-filled pond and decorated with an upscale bohemian aesthetic (see link below), or Ol Donyo, a secluded property with nine cottages at the base of the Chyulu Hills.

Experience early morning and afternoon game drives to explore the park and its inhabitants, which include leopards, elephants and cheetahs. Also consider scheduling a morning hike in the Chyulu Hills Cloud Forest, where the lush greenery will make you feel like you’re worlds away from the dusty landscape of Tsavo. If you’re staying at Finch Hattons, take advantage of the spectacular open-air spa, where a skilled therapist can relieve any sore muscles from your hike.

Meals will be organized by your lodge, but you can expect fine dining and picnics in breathtaking locations. Sundowners are a particularly enjoyable tradition, either set up in the bush or back at your lodge.

Next, you’ll get on a chartered flight from your lodge to the Maasai Mara, where you’ll have your pick of some of the best safari lodges in Africa, set on private conservancies away from the crowds. Work with your travel advisor to find out which lodge is best for you. We recommend Cottar’s 1920s Camp (see link below) for its vintage glamping aesthetic; Angama Mara, with its contemporary design in a spectacular setting; Mara Plains Camp, a chic and intimate lodge with just seven tents; or Sanctuary Ololana, a family-friendly option overlooking the Mara river.

If there are any animals you haven’t seen yet, you’re likely to find them in the Maasai Mara, where it’s possible to see the Big Five in a single morning game drive. Pay attention to the other fascinating creatures too, especially wart hogs, whose funny dispositions make them seem somewhat doglike; cheetahs, majestic creatures that often can be found in pairs; and hyenas, which have a unique matriarchal pack structure. While the Big Five are the most famous animals in the park, others are equally deserving of the spotlight.

Make time between game drives to explore your lodge and experience other activities, like a photography lesson, a bush walk with a naturalist or a chance to learn about Maasai culture.

All meals will be organized by your lodge. Depending on where you’re staying, you can opt for private dining in your tent, bush picnics or casual fine dining at the lodge.

After you’ve spent three days in the Maasai Mara, you’ll board another bush plane to Laikipia, in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Our favorite lodge in the area is Sirikoi, but if you’re with a group, your best option is to book Ol Jogi, a spectacular private game reserve that can host anywhere from four to 15 people in an over-the-top villa.

You’ll have the entire 58,000 acres to yourself for tracking wildlife, learning about conservation efforts and getting up close to animals at the hide, an underground bunker situated near a watering hole. While at Ol Jogi, splash out on a private aerial tour of Mount Kenya. A helicopter will fetch you from the lodge and transport you up and over Mount Kenya, circling the jagged peak before landing for a breakfast picnic near a mountain lake.

At Ol Jogi, you’ll enjoy opulent picnics in improbable places, like atop a giant boulder or on an island in a swamp that’s accessed by a swinging rope bridge.

After a week of early morning game drives and rigorous outdoor adventures, treat yourself to a relaxing beach stay at Mnemba Island, a private island resort off of Zanzibar. To reach the island, you’ll need to fly back to Nairobi for a commercial flight to Zanzibar and a private boat transfer to the island, where you’ll stay in one of the 12 breezy cottages.

While there, you can snorkel or scuba at nearby coral reefs, arrange for a fly fishing or kayaking excursion, or simply relax on the powdery white sand beach. You can also enjoy private picnics set up on the beach in addition to casual meals at the main lodge.

Alternatively, you can add on a visit to the Seychelles via a four-hour flight from Nairobi to Victoria, the archipelago’s capital. Once there, you can transfer via seaplane, helicopter or private boat to reach North Island or Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, two of our favorite beach resorts.

Depending on your schedule, you may need to spend another night in Nairobi before your flight home. While there, you can visit art galleries and boutiques or the Karen Blixen Museum. More ideas for exploring Nairobi can be found here.