Medical Internships with Safari in Kenya

The Ultimate Itinerary for Pre-Med, Nursing, and PA Students

Imagine this: By day, you're shadowing surgeons at one of Kenya’s largest public referral hospitals, observing live births or treating tropical diseases. By weekend, you're tracking lions on safari through the Maasai Mara or snorkeling along the Indian Ocean. With the right program, you don’t have to choose between clinical learning and adventure — you can do both.

This guide is your roadmap to combining a medical internship with an unforgettable safari experience in Kenya, all while building your resume and immersing yourself in one of Africa’s most captivating cultures.

Why Kenya Is Perfect for Both Medicine and Safari

Kenya is one of the few countries where top-tier global health exposure and world-class safari experiences are both easily accessible. Through Go Elective’s medical internship programs, students from around the world train in public hospitals in Mombasa and Nairobi, while also enjoying guided weekend getaways to destinations like:

• Maasai Mara National Reserve
• Diani Beach (Indian Ocean coast)
• Tsavo East and West National Parks
• Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha

Whether you’re doing a 2-week, 4-week, or 8-week internship, your clinical + safari combo is entirely possible — and surprisingly seamless.

Step 1: Choose a Program That Balances Both

Your first step is enrolling in a structured clinical internship that integrates learning with flexibility. Go Elective’s programs offer:

Clinical rotations in surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, emergency, and internal medicine

• Placement at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital or Nairobi-area partner hospitals
• Pre-scheduled free weekends ideal for excursions
• All logistics covered: accommodation, meals, transport, and in-country support

This means you won’t spend your free time figuring out how to move around — you’ll be free to explore.

Step 2: Plan Your Safari Weekends Wisely

Depending on your base city, here’s how to make the most of your downtime:

From Mombasa:

• Diani Beach – Just 2.5 hours away, this white-sand paradise is perfect for relaxing, snorkeling, or diving
• Shimba Hills Reserve – A half-day trip for elephant and sable antelope spotting
• Tsavo East or West – Doable on a 2-day weekend trip with game drives, lions, and elephants
  
  

From Nairobi:

• Maasai Mara – Ideal for a 2–3 day trip; witness the Big Five or the Great Migration (July–October)
• Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate – Just 2 hours from Nairobi; hike, bike, and boat safari options
• Amboseli National Park – Known for elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro views

Tip: Go Elective offers curated excursion add-ons or can recommend trusted local operators.

Step 3: Structure Your Week (Scrubs & Safari Flow)

Here’s what a typical Scrubs & Safari week could look like:

Monday–Friday

• Morning ward rounds (e.g., pediatrics, A&E, or surgery)
• Afternoon clinical seminars or shadowing
• Group dinners at the intern house or cultural activities (Swahili cooking, language class)

Saturday–Sunday

• Day 1: Early morning transfer to Tsavo, Diani, or Maasai Mara
• Game drives, beach time, or cultural visits with local Maasai tribes
• Day 2: Return by evening, rest, and prep for the next hospital rotation

Step 4: Budget Accordingly

Safaris can range from budget to luxury. A typical 2-day guided safari costs:

Interns often team up to split costs, and Go Elective provides support in coordinating group travel.

Step 5: Pack for Both Worlds

Your suitcase should serve both clinic and savannah. Essentials include:

• Scrubs or business casual for hospital rotations
• Closed-toe shoes for clinical settings
• Binoculars and camera for safari days
• Neutral-colored clothing for game drives (avoid bright colors)
• Insect repellent and malaria prophylaxis
• Swimsuit and flip-flops for coastal weekends
• Reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and power bank

Go Elective sends a full pre-departure checklist to all interns, customized by location and season.

Student Voices: The Best of Both Worlds

"Shadowing in the OB ward during the week and watching giraffes at Tsavo on the weekend. It was surreal. This program gave me more than just clinical experience; it gave me perspective."
— Maya L., Pre-Med Intern, US

"We did a group trip to Maasai Mara after two weeks of rotation in Coast General Hospital. Seeing lions in the wild after treating trauma patients gave me a new appreciation for everything."
— Ayo F., Medical Student, UK

Conclusion: Why Settle When You Can Do Both?

Combining safari with clinical experience isn’t just a bonus — it’s a holistic way to experience medicine, culture, and nature. In Kenya, you don’t have to choose between professional growth and personal adventure.

Ready to live your own Scrubs & Safari story? Inquire Go Elective’s medical internships in Kenya and start planning a transformative journey that merges purpose with exploration.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Safaris Stories, Dental Internships, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 27, 2025