7 Days Kenya Safari, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli

This 7-day Kenya safari takes you through three of Kenya’s most rewarding wildlife destinations, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. The itinerary is designed for travellers who want a classic Kenya wildlife experience with Big Five game drives, rhino sightings, elephant herds, open savannah landscapes and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will begin in Nairobi, explore Lake Nakuru for rhinos and birdlife, continue to the Masai Mara for predator sightings and wide plains, then finish in Amboseli, one of the best places in East Africa to see elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Safari Highlight

• Day 1, Arrival in Nairobi and optional city tour
• Day 2, Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park and afternoon game drive
• Day 3, Morning Lake Nakuru safari and transfer to Masai Mara
• Day 4, Full day Masai Mara safari with picnic lunch
• Day 5, Drive to Amboseli National Park via Nairobi
• Day 6, Morning and afternoon Amboseli game drives with Kilimanjaro views
• Day 7, Return to Nairobi for departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Arrival in Nairobi

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi for check-in. Nairobi is Kenya’s main safari gateway and a good place to rest before starting your wildlife journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose an optional city tour to visit the Giraffe Centre or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, both popular conservation-focused attractions. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel as you prepare for the next morning’s drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Overnight in Luxury Nairobi Serena Hotel, Mid-range Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel, Budget – Nairobi Boma Hotel 

Day 2, Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive

After breakfast at your hotel in Nairobi, meet your guide and begin the drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, with a stop at a viewpoint for photos and landscape views. Continue to Lake Nakuru and arrive in time for your afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s best-known rhino sanctuaries and offers good chances of seeing both black and white rhinos. The park is also home to Rothschild giraffes, buffalo, zebras, waterbucks, baboons and, with luck, lions or leopards. The lake area attracts many bird species, including pelicans and flamingos, depending on water levels and season. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Accomodation: Luxury The Cliff Lodge or Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Midrange Lake Nakuru Lodge, Budget Punda Milia Lodge or Ziwa Bush Lodge

Day 3, Lake Nakuru Morning Safari and Transfer to Masai Mara

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, when wildlife is more active and the light is good for photography. This final drive gives you another chance to look for rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, antelopes, baboons and birdlife around the lake and woodland areas. After the morning game drive, depart for Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. The drive takes you through rural landscapes and small towns before reaching the open plains of the Mara. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short evening game drive before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accomodation: Luxury Mara Serena Lodge or Mara Intrepids Tented Camp or Neptune Rianta Luxury Camp, Mid-range Zebra Plains Lodge or Mara Sopa Lodge, Budget Miti Mingi Tented Camp or Rhino Tourist Camp

Day 4, Full Day Masai Mara Safari

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. The Masai Mara is famous for its open grasslands, predator sightings and high wildlife density. During your game drives, look out for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles. Your guide will explore different areas of the reserve depending on wildlife movement and recent sightings. The Mara is especially rewarding for big cats, with lions and cheetahs often seen across the plains. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the reserve, allowing you to spend more time in the wilderness without returning to the lodge during the day. If travelling during the migration season, you may also see large wildebeest and zebra herds moving through the reserve, although migration sightings depend on timing and wildlife movement. After the game drives, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5, Drive to Amboseli National Park via Nairobi

After an early breakfast, check out and begin the drive to Amboseli National Park, travelling via Nairobi with a lunch stop en route. This is a long travel day, but it connects two of Kenya’s most iconic safari regions, the Masai Mara and Amboseli. As you approach Amboseli, the landscape opens into dry plains, acacia woodland and wetland areas fed by underground water from Mount Kilimanjaro. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge. On clear days, you may enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, rising beyond the Amboseli plains. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge before dinner and an overnight stay. Accomodation: Luxury  Amboseli Sopa Lodge or Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli, Mid-range Ol Tukai Lodge, Kibo Safari Lodge or Kaliwa Lodge, Budget – AA Amboseli Camp, Kimana Amboseli Camp, Wild Amboseli Ndovu Cottages

Day 6, Amboseli Game Drives and Mount Kilimanjaro Views

Wake up early for a morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, one of the best places in Kenya to see large elephant herds. Morning is the best time for clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro, especially before clouds gather around the summit. The combination of elephants, open plains and Kilimanjaro in the background makes Amboseli one of the most photographed safari destinations in East Africa. During the game drive, look out for elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, gazelles and many bird species. The park’s swamps and wetlands attract wildlife throughout the year, especially during dry periods. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, head out for another game drive across the park’s plains and wetland areas. This gives you more chances to see wildlife activity as animals move again in the cooler hours. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7, Return to Nairobi for Departure

After breakfast at your lodge in Amboseli National Park, check out and begin the drive back to Nairobi. You will stop for lunch along the way, depending on your flight schedule. On arrival in Nairobi, your guide will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your 7-day Kenya classic safari.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Transport in a safari vehicle
• Professional English-speaking safari guide
• Accommodation during the safari
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Park entry fees
• Game drives mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water during game drives
• Government taxes

Exclusions

• International flights
• Kenya visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks and shopping
• Optional Nairobi city tour activities
• Tips and gratuities
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary