6-Day Masai Mara Lake Naivasha and Amboseli Safari

Your safari begins with an early departure from Nairobi in your pop-up roof safari minivan. Travel through Kenya’s Great Rift Valley landscapes and onward towards the Masai Mara National Reserve, enjoying scenic views and a stop along the way if time permits. Arrive at your mid-range lodge or tented camp around lunchtime, check in and enjoy a meal before preparing for your first wildlife adventure.

Head out for an afternoon game drive across the Mara’s expansive grasslands. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and, with luck, lions or cheetahs resting in the grass or moving through the plains. Your guide will help you interpret animal behaviour and search for promising sightings while respecting wildlife. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Meals: Lunch and dinner.

Transport: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 250–300 km and 5–7 hours, depending on the route, gate and accommodation location.

Set out early for a morning game drive, when wildlife may be active and the light is excellent for photography. Explore different areas of the reserve in search of lions, elephants, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, buffaloes and other wildlife. Your guide will use local knowledge to identify promising locations and explain the relationships between predators, prey and the Mara’s grassland ecosystem.

After breakfast, continue exploring the reserve, with a picnic lunch arranged to maximise time in the field. Your game drives may take you through open plains, riverine habitats and areas known for wildlife activity. During the Great Migration season, you may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebras, although migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed. Return to your camp in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Game drives within the Masai Mara National Reserve; distances and driving times depend on wildlife sightings and the selected route.

Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before departing the Masai Mara for Lake Naivasha. Travel through the Great Rift Valley region, passing rural settlements, farms and changing landscapes along the way. On arrival, check in at your mid-range lodge or hotel and enjoy lunch before heading out to experience the lake environment.

Depending on arrival time, weather and activity availability, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to look for hippos and observe waterbirds such as fish eagles, cormorants and pelicans. You may also arrange a guided walk in a suitable nearby wildlife area, where giraffes, zebras and antelopes may be seen. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation beside one of Kenya’s best-known freshwater lakes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha, approximately 220–280 km and 5–7 hours, depending on the reserve exit gate, route and accommodation location.

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and travel towards Amboseli National Park. This is a substantial transfer, so enjoy the changing scenery as you cross parts of the Great Rift Valley and continue towards southern Kenya. Arrive at your mid-range lodge or tented camp in the afternoon, depending on road conditions, and enjoy lunch or refreshments according to the day's schedule.

If time allows, head out for a short afternoon game drive in Amboseli. The park is renowned for its elephants, open plains and seasonal wetlands. Look for zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and other wildlife, while keeping an eye out for Mount Kilimanjaro if the skies are clear. If you arrive too late for a meaningful game drive, settle into your accommodation and begin exploring the park early the following morning.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park, approximately 300–350 km and 5–7 hours, depending on the route and accommodation location.

Begin the day with an early morning game drive, when wildlife may be active and the cooler conditions make for comfortable exploration. Search for Amboseli’s elephant herds, which are often seen crossing open plains or gathering near wetlands. Your guide will help you observe their behaviour, identify other species and explore habitats that support the park’s diverse wildlife.

Return to your lodge for breakfast and relaxation, or arrange a packed lunch for an extended game-viewing day. Continue with an afternoon drive through the park’s open grasslands and wetland areas, looking for elephants, buffaloes, zebras and birdlife. When Mount Kilimanjaro is visible, the mountain can provide an extraordinary background for wildlife photography. Return to your accommodation for dinner and your final night in the safari wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Game drives within Amboseli National Park; distances and driving times depend on wildlife sightings and the selected route.

Enjoy an early morning game drive for one final opportunity to observe Amboseli’s wildlife. The morning may offer attractive light for photography and, if conditions are clear, a last view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Return to your accommodation for breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Nairobi.

Travel through southern Kenya’s countryside, with suitable comfort stops along the way. Arrival time will depend on your lodge location, road conditions and Nairobi traffic. Your driver-guide will drop you at your hotel, residence or another agreed location in Nairobi. If you have an international flight, allow a generous buffer or consider an additional night in Nairobi to avoid a rushed connection.

Meals: Breakfast; lunch may be arranged depending on departure time and package arrangements.

Transport: Amboseli National Park to Nairobi, approximately 215–250 km and 4–5 hours, depending on the route, park gate and traffic.