Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, flamingo-lined lakes and the untamed theatre of the Maasai Mara – a refined journey through Kenya’s most iconic safari landscapes.
Overview
This six-day safari offers a beautifully balanced and immersive journey through three of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations – Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Designed for travellers seeking both iconic scenery and exceptional wildlife encounters, this itinerary unfolds progressively – beginning in Amboseli’s vast plains beneath the towering presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, continuing into the scenic and wildlife-rich Great Rift Valley at Lake Nakuru, and culminating in the expansive savannahs of the Maasai Mara, widely regarded as Africa’s premier safari destination.
Each destination offers a distinct character – from Amboseli’s open horizons and elephant herds, to Nakuru’s compact yet biodiverse ecosystem, and finally the Mara’s unrivalled predator density and dramatic landscapes. The journey is seamless, visually captivating and deeply rewarding from start to finish.
Trip Highlights
- Elephant encounters beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
- Scenic landscapes and rich biodiversity at Lake Nakuru
- Flamingos, rhinos and birdlife along the Rift Valley lake
- Big Five and predator-rich game drives in Maasai Mara
- Expansive savannah landscapes and iconic safari photography opportunities
Itinerary
This six-day safari unfolds as a progressive exploration of Kenya’s most iconic parks, offering a seamless blend of dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and immersive safari experiences from start to finish.
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 gentle ocean breeze and palm-lined surroundings gradually give way to the anticipation of an inland adventure.
As you journey away from the Indian Ocean, the landscape transforms steadily into open plains, rural countryside and acacia-dotted savannah, offering a captivating transition into safari territory.
As you approach Amboseli National Park, the majestic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro begins to emerge, rising above the plains and setting the tone for one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or camp and enjoy lunch with sweeping views across Amboseli’s open plains, often framed by Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Your first game drive introduces you to Amboseli’s unique ecosystem - vast dry plains interspersed with lush wetlands fed by underground springs.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Large elephant herds with impressive tusks
-Lions resting in the grasslands
-Buffalo, zebras and wildebeests
-Maasai giraffes and abundant birdlife
As the golden light of the afternoon settles across the landscape, Kilimanjaro provides a breathtaking backdrop for unforgettable wildlife encounters and photography.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge as the sun sets behind the mountain, casting dramatic colours across the sky.
Dinner is served in a relaxed setting, followed by overnight stay at your selected accommodation. 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
-Guided nature walk near the lodge
-Private sundowner experience
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy an early breakfast as the plains awaken, with wildlife already active in the cool morning air and Kilimanjaro often at its clearest.
08:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Full Day Game Drive with Picnic Lunch
Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s diverse habitats, from dry lake beds to lush swamps teeming with life.
The park’s relatively open terrain allows for excellent visibility, making it ideal for extended wildlife viewing and photography.
You may encounter large elephant families moving gracefully across the plains, predators such as lions and hyenas, and a wide variety of bird species concentrated around the wetlands.
A picnic lunch is served within the park, allowing you to remain fully immersed in the wilderness throughout the day.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and a relaxed evening, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the bush 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):
-Exclusive photographic game drive
-Private bush breakfast experience
Distance: Approx. 350 - 400 km
Drive Time: Approx. 7 - 8 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast in Amboseli with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
08:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Scenic Journey via Nairobi into the Great Rift Valley
Depart Amboseli and travel through Nairobi before descending into the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Rift Valley.
The scenery opens into expansive escarpments, rolling hills and panoramic viewpoints that provide some of Kenya’s most picturesque vistas.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy lunch overlooking the surrounding landscapes.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-White and black rhinos
-Flamingos and pelicans
-Lions and leopards
-Buffalo and Rothschild giraffes
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight in the cool, peaceful Rift Valley environment at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1 : Standard | Lake Nakuru Lodge | Flamingo Hill Camp
Option 2 : Luxury | Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | Sarova Lion Hill
Option 3 : Above Luxury | The Cliff, Nakuru,
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Guided bird watching excursion
-Nature walk within lodge grounds
Distance: Approx. 220 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Begin your day with a relaxed breakfast overlooking the Rift Valley landscapes.
08:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Scenic Drive to Maasai Mara
Depart Nakuru and journey through rolling countryside and Maasai lands as you approach the vast plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The gradual transition into open savannah signals your arrival into one of the world’s most celebrated safari destinations.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or camp and enjoy lunch before a short rest.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Begin your exploration of the Maasai Mara with an afternoon game drive across its expansive plains.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Lions in prides
-Cheetahs and leopards
-Elephants and buffalo
-Zebras, wildebeests and antelope
-Hyenas and jackals
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp for dinner and overnight under the vast 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 village cultural visit
-Private guided game drive
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy an early breakfast as the savannah comes alive with activity.
08:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Full Day Game Drive with Picnic Lunch
Spend the day traversing the Maasai Mara in search of the Big Five and the reserve’s remarkable predator population.
The open landscapes provide excellent visibility, allowing for extended wildlife viewing and photography.
A visit to the Mara River offers the chance to observe crocodiles, hippos and, during migration season, dramatic river crossings by wildebeests.
A picnic lunch is served within the reserve, ensuring uninterrupted immersion in the wilderness.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and a relaxed evening. Enjoy overnight stay 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):
-Hot air balloon safari (subject to availability. Pre-booking required.
-Maasai cultural village visit
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 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 lunch stop along the scenic journey back to Nairobi.
03:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Arrival in Nairobi
Arrival and drop-off at your hotel, residence or airport.
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 Nakuru and Maasai Mara
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- All meals as per itinerary
- 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, this itinerary is ideal for first-time travellers as it combines three of Kenya’s most iconic parks, offering a well-rounded and highly rewarding safari experience.
Mount Kilimanjaro is often visible early in the morning and late afternoon when cloud cover is minimal, providing spectacular photographic opportunities.
Expect elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelope species and a wide range of birdlife, with excellent predator sightings in the Maasai Mara.
Flamingo numbers vary depending on water levels, but the park consistently offers excellent birdlife and reliable rhino sightings.
Game drives typically last between 3 to 6 hours depending on the day, with full-day options including picnic lunches to maximise wildlife viewing.
Yes, all journeys are conducted in well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicles designed for comfort and optimal game viewing.
Absolutely. The itinerary is well-balanced and suitable for couples, families and small groups seeking a memorable safari experience.
June to October and January to March offer the best wildlife viewing conditions, although the safari is enjoyable year-round.
Light neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early mornings, comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.
Yes, the itinerary can be tailored with accommodation upgrades, additional nights or alternative transport options such as flights.
