This is Kenya's classic safari circuit. It covers the three most important wildlife destinations in the country, each completely different in character. Amboseli for its elephants and Kilimanjaro views. Nakuru for rhino and flamingos. The Masai Mara for everything else, including the highest lion density in Africa and, from July to October, the Great Migration.
Day-by-Day
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Drive: 4-5 hours from Nairobi
Activity: Afternoon game drive
Depart Nairobi after breakfast. Drive south toward the Tanzanian border with Kilimanjaro growing larger on the horizon. Enter Amboseli for an afternoon game drive. The park's marshes and open plains attract large elephant families, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. On clear days, Kilimanjaro dominates every photograph. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Day 2: Amboseli Full Day
Activity: Full day game drives with picnic lunch
Sunrise game drive when the light on Kilimanjaro is at its finest. Amboseli's elephant families have been studied for over 50 years. Your guide knows the matriarchs by name. The marshes attract hippo, jackal, and prolific birdlife. Afternoon drive targeting predators. Lion, cheetah, and spotted hyena all present. Optional: visit a Maasai community near the park.
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Nakuru
Drive: 6-7 hours via Nairobi bypass
Activity: Afternoon game drive at Lake Nakuru
Drive north through the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. The alkaline lake attracts hundreds of thousands of flamingos when water levels are right. The park is also one of Kenya's most important rhino sanctuaries, protecting both black and white rhino in a fenced reserve. Rothschild giraffe, lion, leopard, and waterbuck are also common. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at lodge near the park.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Drive: 5-6 hours
Activity: Afternoon game drive in the Mara
Drive west and south into the Masai Mara ecosystem. The landscape opens into the golden grasslands that define the Mara. Afternoon game drive. Even on your first afternoon, the density of wildlife is immediately apparent: lion prides, topi herds, elephants, giraffe, and buffalo. Your guide begins reading the bush and positioning you for the next two days. Dinner and overnight at your Mara camp.
Day 5: Masai Mara Full Day
Activity: Full day game drives, optional balloon safari
Early morning game drive at dawn, the best time for predator activity. The Mara holds the highest lion density in Africa. Large prides with cubs are found across the reserve. Leopard in the riverine trees. Cheetah on the open plains. If visiting July-October, the migration herds are here and river crossings are possible. Full day with picnic lunch. Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn ($450-$500 per person in Kenya).
Day 6: Masai Mara — Conservancy or Reserve
Activity: Game drives, optional walking safari
Second full day in the Mara. If staying in a conservancy (Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi), you can do a walking safari with an armed ranger, night drives, and off-road driving. If in the main reserve, focus on areas you have not yet covered. Your guide will have intelligence from other guides on special sightings. Every day in the Mara produces something different.
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Drive: 5-6 hours (or 45 min bush flight)
Activity: Optional morning game drive before departure
Optional early morning game drive, then drive or fly back to Nairobi. If driving, arrive by mid-afternoon. Transfer to JKIA for your departure flight, or extend to Diani Beach, Lamu, or connect to Tanzania/Zanzibar.
Pricing
| Level | Per Person (2 pax) | Per Person (4 pax) |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Range | $3,500 - $4,500 | $2,800 - $3,500 |
| High-End / Conservancy | $4,500 - $7,000 | $4,000 - $6,000 |
| Luxury | $7,000 - $12,000+ | $6,500 - $10,000 |
Includes: private vehicle, guide, all meals, all park/conservancy fees, all accommodation, Nairobi transfers. Excludes: international flights, visa, insurance, tips, optional balloon safari.
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