A spectacular cross-country safari blending Kenya’s most iconic wildlife reserves with exclusive sanctuary experiences – from the legendary Maasai Mara to the elevated views of Salt Lick, before concluding along the pristine Indian Ocean coastline.
Overview
This seven-day safari is a comprehensive and immersive Kenya wildlife safari experience, designed to showcase the country’s most celebrated ecosystems while maintaining a seamless flow from inland adventure to coastal relaxation.
Beginning in Nairobi, the journey leads into the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, where vast savannahs support one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. From there, you travel through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, famed for its flamingos, rhinos and scenic lake views.
The safari continues south to Amboseli National Park, where elephants roam beneath the towering silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro. From here, you transition into the exclusive Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the iconic Salt Lick Lodge – a unique elevated lodge overlooking wildlife-rich waterholes.
The journey concludes with an exploration of the vast open plains of Tsavo East National Park before descending to the Kenyan coast.
This itinerary delivers a diverse, high-impact safari combining Big Five encounters, scenic contrasts, and unique lodge experiences, ideal for travellers seeking both variety and depth.
Trip Highlights
- Big Five safari experience in Maasai Mara
- Flamingos and rhino sanctuary at Lake Nakuru
- Elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop
- Unique elevated lodge experience at Salt Lick
- Close-range wildlife viewing at waterholes
- Red elephants and vast plains of Tsavo East
- Seamless bush-to-beach safari transition
Itinerary
This diverse seven-day safari showcases Kenya’s most iconic landscapes, starting with the expansive savannahs of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the bird-rich ecosystems of Lake Nakuru National Park. The journey continues to Amboseli National Park, famed for its elephant herds and Kilimanjaro views, before transitioning into the exclusive Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary at Salt Lick and the vast red plains of Tsavo East National Park, ending with a relaxing arrival at the Kenyan coast.
Distance: Approx. 270 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
07:00 a.m. - 08:00 a.m. | Departure from Nairobi
Your Kenya safari adventure begins with a scenic drive out of Nairobi, gradually descending into the Great Rift Valley.
A brief stop at the escarpment viewpoint reveals one of Africa’s most dramatic geological formations - vast, layered landscapes stretching into the horizon.
As you continue, the environment transitions into open savannah dotted with acacia trees and Maasai villages, offering a glimpse into traditional pastoral life and setting the tone for your safari.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or camp in or near the Maasai Mara and enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking the expansive plains.
Wildlife sightings often begin immediately, with antelope, zebras and even elephants visible nearby.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Your first game drive introduces you to the world-famous Maasai Mara ecosystem.
The sweeping plains come alive with wildlife movement, offering an immediate sense of scale and abundance.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Lions resting in prides
-Cheetahs scanning for prey
-Elephants and buffalo
-Zebras and wildebeests
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp as the sun sets across the savannah in rich hues of orange and gold.
Dinner is served in a warm and inviting atmosphere, where the distant sounds of wildlife - from lion calls to nocturnal birdlife - create a deeply immersive safari ambience.
Enjoy a peaceful overnight surrounded by the untamed beauty of the Mara as you unwind 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
Set out at sunrise when the savannah is bathed in golden light and wildlife activity is at its peak.
Predators are often on the move, offering excellent opportunities to witness natural behaviour.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast
Return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast or enjoy a bush breakfast in the reserve, depending on wildlife activity.
10:00 - 13:00 | Extended Game Viewing
Explore different regions of the reserve, including riverine habitats where hippos wallow and crocodiles bask.
During the migration season, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra may be seen moving across the plains.
13:00 - 14:00 | Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the reserve, remaining fully immersed in the safari experience.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Continue exploring new territories within the Mara, tracking wildlife across the vast open landscapes and increasing your chances of spotting the Big Five.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge as dusk settles over the savannah.
Dinner is served in a relaxed setting, offering time to reflect on the day’s remarkable wildlife encounters before settling in for the night 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
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 230 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast with Savannah Views
Enjoy a final morning in the Mara as wildlife moves through the early light.
08:00 - 01:00 | Scenic Rift Valley Journey
Depart the Mara and travel through rolling hills and rural countryside, gradually ascending into the Rift Valley highlands where the climate cools and vegetation becomes greener.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru and enjoy lunch overlooking the surrounding landscapes.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Lake Nakuru offers a compact yet highly rewarding safari experience, combining scenic beauty with abundant wildlife.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-White and black rhinos
-Flamingos and pelicans
-Lions and leopards
-Rothschild giraffes
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner is served overlooking the Rift Valley escarpment, where the peaceful surroundings create a calm and restorative overnight experience after a day of exploration. Enjoy overnight stay 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 nature walk
-Birdwatching experience
Distance: Approx. 350 - 400 km
Drive Time: Approx. 7 - 8 hours
06:30 - 07:30 | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast as the morning light reveals the beauty of the surrounding hills.
08:00 - 03:00 | Scenic Transfer via Nairobi
Journey south through Nairobi and into the expansive plains leading towards Amboseli.
The landscape gradually opens, and on clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro appears on the horizon.
01:30 - 02:30 p.m. | Lunch En Route
A well-timed stop allows you to refresh before continuing.
03:30 - 06:30 | Evening Game Drive in Amboseli
Arrive in Amboseli and immediately begin your game drive.
Elephants move gracefully across the plains, often silhouetted against the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wildlife includes:
-Large elephant herds
-Lions and hyenas
-Giraffes and zebras
-Abundant birdlife
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner is served in a tranquil setting overlooking the plains.
As night falls, the silhouette of Kilimanjaro may linger in the distance, creating a memorable and atmospheric overnight experience.
Relax and unwind at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Lion Hill Lodge | Boma Simba Lodge | Impala Safari Lodge | Tausa Tsavo Eco Lodge | Two Oceans Hotel | Afrika Lodges Voi | Tsavo Lodge-Voi | Vacani Resort
Option 2: Standard | Voi Safari Lodge | Sentrim Tsavo Lodge | Man Eaters Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Ngutuni Lodge | Voi Wildlife Lodge | Ashnil Aruba Lodge | Manyatta Camp Tsavo
Option 4 : Above Luxury | Satao Camp | Galdessa Camp Tsavo | Kiboko River Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Maasai village visit
-Guided nature walk
Distance: Approx. 250 - 300 km
Drive Time: Approx. 5 - 6 hours
06:30 - 08:30 | Morning Game Drive and Breakfast
Begin the day with a sunrise game drive across Amboseli’s wetlands, where wildlife gathers in the cool morning air.
Return to the lodge for breakfast or enjoy it in the bush.
09:30 - 02:00 | Scenic Transfer to Taita Hills
Travel towards the Taita Hills region, where the terrain gradually shifts from open plains to more elevated and greener landscapes.
02:00 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy lunch while overlooking the sanctuary’s surroundings.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore the sanctuary, which offers a more intimate safari experience with frequent wildlife sightings.
Wildlife includes:
-Elephants
-Lions
-Buffalo
-Giraffes and zebras
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight at Salt Lick Lodge
Dinner is served at the iconic Salt Lick Lodge, elevated on stilts above a waterhole.
As floodlights illuminate the area, animals gather below to drink, offering an extraordinary close-range wildlife viewing experience even after dark. This unique setting provides one of the most memorable overnight stays in Kenya.
Enjoy overnight stay at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Night game drive
-Sundowner experience
-Guided nature walk
Distance: Approx. 120 km
Drive Time: Approx. 3 - 4 hours
06:30 - 08:00 | Morning Game Drive and Breakfast
Enjoy an early game drive within the sanctuary followed by breakfast, taking in the final views of wildlife around the waterhole.
08:30 - 12:30 | Transfer to Tsavo East
Depart for Tsavo East, where the landscape opens into vast, sunlit plains.
01:00 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the savannah.
03:30 - 06:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Tsavo East’s expansive wilderness, characterised by red soil and wide horizons.
Wildlife includes:
-Red elephants
-Lions and cheetahs
-Giraffes and zebras
-Antelope species
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner is served in a relaxed setting, where the open landscape creates a sense of boundless wilderness.
The evening is calm and atmospheric, offering a peaceful conclusion to your final full day on safari. Relax at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Lion Hill Lodge | Boma Simba Lodge | Impala Safari Lodge | Tausa Tsavo Eco Lodge | Two Oceans Hotel | Afrika Lodges Voi | Tsavo Lodge-Voi | Vacani Resort
Option 2: Standard | Voi Safari Lodge | Sentrim Tsavo Lodge | Man Eaters Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Ngutuni Lodge | Voi Wildlife Lodge | Ashnil Aruba Lodge | Manyatta Camp Tsavo
Option 4 : Above Luxury | Satao Camp | Galdessa Camp Tsavo | Kiboko River Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost):
-Sundowner experience
-Guided nature walk
Distance: Approx. 200 - 250 km
Drive Time: Approx. 4 - 5 hours
06:30 - 08:00 | Early Morning Game Drive and Breakfast
Your final morning begins with a sunrise game drive, offering one last opportunity to witness the park as it awakens.
Return for breakfast, taking in the last views of the savannah.
08:30 - 01:30 | Scenic Drive to the Coast
Depart Tsavo East and journey towards the Kenyan coastline.
The environment gradually transforms from dry savannah to lush coastal vegetation, with palm trees and warm ocean air signalling your arrival.
01:30 - 02:30 p.m. | Arrival and Drop-off
Arrive at your beach hotel or residence in Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Malindi or Watamu.
The sound of the ocean replaces the calls of the wild, marking a smooth and rewarding transition from safari to seaside relaxation.
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 all parks and conservancies
- Accommodation for 6 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 7 (unless specified)
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Salt Lick Lodge offers a truly unique experience, built on stilts overlooking a waterhole where wildlife gathers throughout the day and night. Guests often observe elephants and other animals directly from the lodge, creating an immersive and memorable stay.
This itinerary combines classic national parks with a private sanctuary experience, offering both expansive wildlife viewing and intimate encounters, while ending at the coast for a complete safari-to-beach journey.
Yes, the diverse landscapes – from the Mara’s golden plains to Kilimanjaro’s backdrop and Tsavo’s red earth – provide exceptional photographic opportunities throughout the journey.
Kilimanjaro is most visible early in the morning and late afternoon in Amboseli, when cloud cover is minimal.
Extremely varied – each park offers different species and habitats, ensuring a rich and diverse safari experience.
Yes, travel is done in a well-equipped 4×4 safari vehicle with regular stops and scenic routes that make the journey enjoyable.
It is ideal for travellers seeking a comprehensive, experience-rich safari with both iconic destinations and unique lodge experiences.
Light clothing, a warm layer, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera are recommended.
Yes, accommodation levels, pacing and optional activities can all be tailored to suit individual preferences.
