Kilimanjaro’s majesty, tranquil Rift Valley waters and the raw drama of the Maasai Mara – a perfectly balanced journey through Kenya’s most iconic safari landscapes.
Overview
This six-day safari is a beautifully paced and visually diverse journey through three of Kenya’s most captivating ecosystems: Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha and the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve.
It is designed for travellers seeking a well-balanced safari experience that combines dramatic big game encounters, serene freshwater landscapes and classic savannah exploration. The journey begins in Amboseli, where vast open plains and elephant herds move beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. It then transitions into the peaceful freshwater ecosystem of Lake Naivasha, offering a refreshing contrast through boat safaris and walking encounters on Crescent Island. Finally, the itinerary culminates in the Maasai Mara, where vast golden plains host one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including an exceptional density of predators.
This safari is carefully structured to deliver variety, rhythm and immersion, ensuring each destination feels distinct while contributing to a seamless and deeply rewarding overall experience.
Trip Highlights
- Elephant encounters beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
- Scenic Rift Valley landscapes and lake ecosystem at Naivasha
- Boat safari and walking safari on Crescent Island
- Big Five and predator-rich game drives in Maasai Mara
- Expansive savannah photography opportunities
Itinerary
This six-day journey unfolds as a progressive exploration of Kenya’s most iconic environments, transitioning from dramatic open plains to serene freshwater lakes and finally into the vast predator-rich savannahs of the Maasai Mara.
Distance: Approx. 450 - 500 km
Drive Time: Approx. 8 - 9 hours
05:00 a.m. - 06:00 a.m. | Pickup from Coastal Hotel
Your safari begins before sunrise along Kenya’s coastline, where the calm of the Indian Ocean gradually fades into the anticipation of the journey ahead.
As you leave behind palm-lined beaches and coastal towns, the landscape transforms into open plains, rural settlements and wide savannah horizons that signal the start of your inland adventure.
As you approach Amboseli National Park, the iconic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro emerges above the clouds, setting a breathtaking tone for your first safari destination.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or camp and enjoy lunch overlooking Amboseli’s vast open plains. On clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro provides a spectacular natural backdrop, enhancing the sense of place and anticipation for your first game drive.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Your first game drive introduces you to Amboseli’s unique ecosystem, characterised by expansive dry plains, seasonal wetlands and scattered acacia woodland.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Large elephant herds moving in family groups
-Lions resting in the shade of bushes
-Buffalo, zebras and wildebeests grazing across open plains
-Giraffes and a rich variety of bird species around swamp areas
As the sun lowers, the golden light enhances Kilimanjaro’s silhouette, creating one of the most iconic safari scenes in Africa.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge for dinner in a peaceful setting, followed by overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1 : Budget | Amboseli Mountain View Camp | Manjaro Tented Camp | Nyati Safari Camp
Option 2 : Standard | Little Amanya Camp | Penety Amboseli Resort | Olemayian Amboseli Cottages
Option 3 : Luxury | AA Lodge | Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Amboseli | Kibo Safari Camp | Kilima Safari Camp
Option 4 : Above Luxury | Oltukai Lodge | Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner with Kilimanjaro views
-Guided nature walk around the lodge area
Day 02 : Full Day in Amboseli National Park
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy an early breakfast as Amboseli awakens, with wildlife activity increasing across the plains and wetlands in the soft morning light.
08:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Full Day Game Drive with Picnic Lunch
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli’s diverse habitats, from dusty plains to lush swamp ecosystems fed by underground springs.
The park is especially known for its excellent elephant sightings, often allowing for close and extended photographic encounters.
A picnic lunch is served within the park, ensuring uninterrupted immersion in the wilderness experience.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Elephants in large herds
-Lions and hyenas
-Buffalo, zebras and wildebeests
-Giraffes and abundant birdlife around wetlands
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and relaxation as Kilimanjaro glows in the distance at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1 : Budget | Amboseli Mountain View Camp | Manjaro Tented Camp | Nyati Safari Camp
Option 2 : Standard | Little Amanya Camp | Penety Amboseli Resort | Olemayian Amboseli Cottages
Option 3 : Luxury | AA Lodge | Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Amboseli | Kibo Safari Camp | Kilima Safari Camp
Option 4 : Above Luxury | Oltukai Lodge | Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Private photography game drive
-Bush breakfast experience in the park
Distance: Approx. 320 - 350 km
Drive Time: Approx. 6 - 7 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with final views of Mount Kilimanjaro before departing Amboseli.
08:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Scenic Journey via Nairobi into the Rift Valley
Travel north through Nairobi before descending into the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley.
The scenery shifts from dry savannah to rolling escarpments and lush greenery as you approach Lake Naivasha.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lakeside lodge and enjoy lunch in a tranquil setting surrounded by acacia trees and birdlife.
03:30 p.m. - 05:30 p.m. | Boat Safari and Crescent Island Walking Experience
Embark on a peaceful boat ride across Lake Naivasha, gliding past hippos and a rich variety of water birds including fish eagles and herons.
Continue to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari, where you can walk safely among giraffes, zebras and antelope in a serene, open environment.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Enjoy dinner at your lodge as the calm atmosphere of the lake provides a peaceful contrast to the earlier safari landscapes at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Options 1 : Budget | Hotel Chambai Safari
Options 2 : Standard | Panorama Hotel
Options 3 : Luxury | Naivasha Crescent Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Boat Safari on Lake Naivasha
-Guided Walking Safari on Crescent Island
-Cycling or Hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park
-Visit Olkaria Geothermal Spa
-Birdwatching Experience
Distance: Approx. 240 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast in the serene lakeside environment before departure.
08:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Scenic Drive to Maasai Mara
Travel through rolling countryside and Maasai lands as the landscape gradually opens into the vast plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or camp and enjoy lunch before resting briefly ahead of your first game drive.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Begin your exploration of the Maasai Mara, where wildlife density is among the highest in Africa.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Lions in large prides
-Cheetahs scanning the plains
-Elephants and buffalo
-Zebras, wildebeests and gazelles
-Hyenas and jackals
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp for dinner and overnight under the vast star-filled African sky at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard | Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private guided game drive
06:30 - 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive
Depart at sunrise when predators are most active. Witness the savannah bathed in golden light as lions return from hunts and herbivores graze peacefully.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast
Return to lodge for breakfast or enjoy a bush breakfast depending on wildlife movement.
10:00 - 13:00 | Extended Game Viewing
Explore different sectors of the reserve including river systems inhabited by hippos and crocodiles. During migration season, large herds of wildebeest and zebra may be observed.
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch
Lunch at the lodge or picnic within the reserve.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Continue exploring new territories within the reserve, maximizing your chances of spotting the Big Five. The Maasai Mara offers exceptional wildlife density year-round.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner at the lodge followed by relaxation under the African night sky at the accommodation options below.
Option 1: Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard | Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional activities (at additional cost)
-Early morning Hot Air Balloon Safari
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 270 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy your final breakfast in the Maasai Mara.
08:00 a.m. | Departure
Depart with an optional short game drive as you exit the reserve.
01:00 p.m. - 02:00 p.m. | Lunch Stop En Route
Optional stop along the journey back to Nairobi.
03:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Arrival in Nairobi
Drop-off at your hotel, residence or airport, marking the end of your safari.
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Souvenir shopping stop en route
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees for Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Maasai Mara
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- All meals as per itinerary
- Boat ride at Lake Naivasha
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Bottled mineral water during game drives
- Government taxes and levies
Excludes
- International flights
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Optional activities
- Lunch on Day 6 (unless specified)
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is ideal for first-time travellers as it combines iconic wildlife destinations with varied landscapes and experiences.
Yes, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when weather conditions are clearer.
It offers a freshwater ecosystem with boat safaris and walking experiences, providing a peaceful contrast to traditional game drives.
Elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of bird species, with excellent predator sightings in the Maasai Mara.
Yes, a full-day game drive with picnic lunch is included to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities.
Yes, although some journeys are long, they are scenic and broken up with rest stops and sightseeing points.
Absolutely, it offers diverse landscapes from mountains and lakes to open savannahs, ideal for photography.
Light neutral clothing, warm layers, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.
Yes, it can be adjusted with upgrades, private options or additional destinations upon request.
