7 Day Best of Kenya – Nairobi, Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli
Price Per Person (USD)
Overview
7-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary – Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Experience
This 7-day Kenya safari itinerary offers an unforgettable wildlife experience through Kenya’s most iconic national parks and reserves. From the vast plains of the Masai Mara, home to the legendary Big Five and the seasonal Great Migration, to the bird-rich waters of Lake Nakuru and the dramatic elephant herds of Amboseli set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, this journey captures the very best of Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity.
Ideal for travelers seeking a balance of adventure, comfort, and scenic variety, this carefully planned itinerary features expertly guided game drives, luxury accommodations, and seamless ground transportation. It’s a fantastic choice for couples, families, small groups, or solo travelers looking to experience the heart of East Africa’s safari circuit in just one week.
Guests can enjoy optional experiences such as hot air balloon rides over the Mara, Maasai cultural visits, or fly-in upgrades for added convenience and style. With every day offering something new—from sunrise safaris to lakeside lunches and evening game drives—this is a safari holiday that delivers both discovery and relaxation.
Key Highlights:
- Explore Masai Mara National Reserve with high chances of spotting the Big Five
- Enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha and a lakeside lunch at Naivasha Sopa Lodge
- Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for rhinos and seasonal flamingos
- Discover Amboseli National Park, known for elephants and views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Stay at premium lodges: Sarova Mara Camp, Sarova Lion Hill, and Ol Tukai Lodge
- Optional experiences: hot air balloon safari, Maasai village tour, or fly-in upgrades
Included/Excluded
- 6 nights accommodation
- Meals – 7 x Breakfasts, 7 x Lunches, 6 x Dinners
- Airport transfers
- Game drives daily – Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli.
- Park entry and concession fees
- English speaking guide
- Private 4×4 Landrcuiser vehicle
- Lake Naivasha Boat Ride
- Guide tips and hotel gratuities
- Porterage
- Laundry
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional excursions
- Kenya and Tanzania Entry Visas
- International & Domestic Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
Tour Plan
Day 1
Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya
Welcome to Kenya!
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), you will be warmly received by our SafariHQ representative who will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal with a personalized sign.
After a brief introduction, you will be assisted with your luggage and transferred to your hotel in the city.
Accommodation: Panafric Hotel
Distance: Approximately 18 km (11 miles)
Travel Time: About 30–45 minutes by road
Meal Plan – Dinner and Breakfast
Day 2
Day 2 – Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast at Sarova Panafric Hotel, depart by road for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, traveling through the scenic Great Rift Valley and rural Maasai heartlands. The journey offers breathtaking landscapes, cultural glimpses, and optional stopovers before arriving at Sarova Mara Game Camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first thrilling game drive in the Masai Mara — a spectacular wildlife haven known for its vast open savannahs, abundant predators, and the annual Great Migration. Covering 1,510 square kilometers and forming the northern section of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara is home to the Big Five, over 450 bird species, and one of the most diverse populations of wildlife in Africa. After your game drive, return to the camp for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay amid the sounds of the wild.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Distance: Approximately 260 km (162 miles)
Travel Time: 5.5 to 6.5 hours by road
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Day 3 – Full Day in Masai Mara Game Reserve
After an early breakfast, set out for a full day of game viewing in the Masai Mara. With both morning and afternoon game drives, you’ll have excellent chances to spot a wide variety of wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and, if lucky, leopards or cheetahs. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness the Great Migration, as large herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the plains and rivers. You can return to camp for lunch and a short rest, or choose to take a packed picnic lunch and spend the full day out in the reserve. Optional activities such as a hot air balloon safari or a visit to a nearby Maasai village are available on request.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Distance: N/A (local game drives within the reserve)
Travel Time: Varies based on game drive routes
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Day 4 – Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, depart the Masai Mara and drive to Lake Naivasha, a serene freshwater lake known for its birdlife and resident hippos. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat ride to explore the lake and observe wildlife such as fish eagles, pelicans, and giraffes grazing along the shorelines. After the excursion, head to Naivasha Sopa Lodge for a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon, continue by road to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving with an en-route game drive through the park. Famous for its seasonal flocks of flamingos, rhinos, and tree-climbing lions, the park offers a rich contrast to the Mara. Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in the evening for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Distance: Approx. 310 km (Masai Mara ➝ Naivasha ➝ Nakuru)
Travel Time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours total (including stops and game drive)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Day 5 – Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, offering the chance to spot wildlife such as rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and various bird species in the cool morning hours. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before departing for Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey includes a picnic lunch en route, allowing time to enjoy the changing landscapes from the Rift Valley to southern Kenya. Arrive at Amboseli in the early afternoon and enter the park with a game drive en route to Ol Tukai Lodge, where herds of elephants, cheetahs, and other plains game are commonly sighted against the backdrop of Africa’s tallest mountain. Check in, relax, and enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge
Distance: Approx. 410 km (via Nairobi)
Travel Time: 7 to 8 hours (including stops and game drive)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Day 6 – Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations, known for its large herds of elephants and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather permitting). Morning and afternoon game drives offer excellent opportunities to spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, and a variety of birdlife around the seasonal swamps and open plains. Between drives, return to Ol Tukai Lodge to relax and enjoy lunch with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge
Distance: N/A (local game drives within the park)
Travel Time: Varies by game drive route
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Day 7 – Amboseli to Namanga Border
After breakfast at Ol Tukai Lodge, enjoy a final game drive through Amboseli National Park as you exit toward the Namanga border, the official crossing point between Kenya and Tanzania. This scenic transfer offers one last chance to spot elephants, antelope, and other wildlife against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival at Namanga, you’ll proceed through immigration and continue your journey into Tanzania (if applicable) or conclude your Kenyan safari experience.
Distance: Approx. 110 km
Travel Time: 2.5 to 3 hours (including game drive en route)
Meal Plan: Breakfast
