8 days
This 8-day safari takes you through some of Kenya’s most spectacular parks and reserves, offering a rich blend of landscapes, wildlife, and culture. Begin your journey in Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Continue to the Great Rift Valley with a stay at Lake Naivasha, where you can enjoy serene boat rides and walking safaris among giraffes and antelopes. Next, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and diverse birdlife. Conclude your adventure with three unforgettable days in the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five and, during migration season, the awe-inspiring wildebeest and zebra migration. This carefully curated safari combines breathtaking scenery with exceptional game-viewing opportunities for a complete Kenyan experience.
Activities
8 Days, 7 Nights Safari Itinerary – Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
Day 1: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park (250 km / ~4 hrs)
Your safari adventure begins with a morning pick-up in Nairobi. Drive south through scenic landscapes, with glimpses of rural Kenya, to Amboseli National Park, famed for its iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge or camp, followed by an afternoon game drive. Amboseli is best known for its large herds of elephants and breathtaking photographic opportunities against Africa’s tallest mountain.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation (choice of): AA Amboseli Lodge, Sentrim Amboseli Camp, Penety Resort, Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Day 2: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Spend the entire day exploring Amboseli with both morning and afternoon game drives. Look out for elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and a wide variety of bird species. Between drives, relax at your lodge and take in the sweeping views of the park and Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak (weather permitting).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Day 3: Amboseli – Lake Naivasha (340 km / ~6 hrs)
After breakfast, depart Amboseli and drive across the Great Rift Valley floor to Lake Naivasha. Arrive in time for lunch, then enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the lake. Optional activities include a scenic boat ride to see hippos and waterbirds, or a visit to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation (choice of): Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Naivasha Simba Resort, Lake Naivasha Country Club, Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort
Day 4: Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru National Park (70 km / ~2 hrs)
This morning, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its populations of both black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and plentiful birdlife. After lunch, enjoy a game drive along the lakeshore and surrounding bushlands, with the chance to spot lions, leopards, waterbucks, and flamingos when conditions allow.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation (choice of): Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Sarova Woodlands, Mbweha Camp, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara National Reserve (220 km / ~4.5 hrs)
After breakfast, journey across the Rift Valley to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. Arrive for lunch at your lodge or camp, then set off on your first game drive in the Mara’s sweeping savannahs. This reserve is world-famous for its exceptional density of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and during July–October, the dramatic Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation (choice of): Sarova Mara Camp, Ashnil Mara Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, PrideInn Mara Camp, AA Mara Lodge, Sentrim Mara Camp, Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Leisure Camp, Basecamp Masai Mara
Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy a full day of game drives in Kenya’s most iconic safari destination. The Mara offers some of the best opportunities in Africa to see the Big Five and other species such as giraffes, hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles along the Mara River. You may also visit a traditional Maasai village (optional, at extra cost) to learn about the culture of the Maasai people.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Day 7: Another Full Day in Masai Mara
A second full day in the Mara gives you more time to explore different parts of the reserve. Choose between morning and afternoon game drives or a full-day excursion with a packed picnic lunch, maximizing your chances of spotting rare wildlife and witnessing predator-prey interactions in the wild.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Day 8: Masai Mara – Nairobi (265 km / ~5 hrs)
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Nairobi, arriving by early afternoon. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of an unforgettable 8-day safari.
- Meals: Breakfast
This itinerary offers a balanced mix of iconic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and comfortable lodge stays, making it ideal for travelers seeking a complete Kenyan safari experience in just over a week.