Kenya in eight days
Amboseli, the Rift Valley lakes and the Mara in one loop from Nairobi.
- Length
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Where
- Amboseli, Maasai Mara
- From
- US$2,240per person, 2 sharing, Jan to Jun
- Best months
- Jul to Oct
The route most people picture when they think of a Kenya safari. Elephants under Kilimanjaro, flamingos and rhino at Lake Nakuru, then three nights in the Mara to finish.
Drives are long on the transfer days, but each stop gets at least two nights so you are never packing every morning.
- Three different landscapes in one trip
- Two nights minimum at every stop
- Three nights in the Mara at the end
The route
Nairobi
Start
↓ 4 to 5 hrs
Amboseli
2 nights
↓ 5 to 6 hrs
Lake Naivasha
2 nights
↓ 4 to 5 hrs
Maasai Mara
3 nights
↓ 5 to 6 hrs
Nairobi
End
Day by day
- 01
Nairobi to Amboseli
Drive south to Amboseli for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
- Travel
- About 4 to 5 hours
- Stay
- Lodge, Amboseli
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
- 02
Amboseli
Sunrise drive for the mountain, then a full day around the swamps and Observation Hill.
- Stay
- Lodge, Amboseli
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 03
To the Rift Valley
A long drive north-west to Lake Naivasha. Evening at the lodge.
- Travel
- About 5 to 6 hours
- Stay
- Lakeside lodge, Naivasha
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 04
Lake Nakuru
Day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park for rhino, flamingos and tree-climbing lions. Boat ride on Naivasha on the way back.
- Stay
- Lakeside lodge, Naivasha
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 05
Into the Mara
Drive to the Maasai Mara for lunch and an afternoon drive.
- Travel
- About 4 to 5 hours
- Stay
- Tented camp, Maasai Mara
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 06
Maasai Mara
Full day in the reserve with a packed lunch, heading for the river.
- Stay
- Tented camp, Maasai Mara
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 07
Maasai Mara
Morning and afternoon drives. Optional visit to a Maasai village.
- Stay
- Tented camp, Maasai Mara
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 08
Back to Nairobi
A last early drive, breakfast, and the road back.
- Travel
- About 5 to 6 hours
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch
Along the way
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Driver-guide for the whole trip
- Park and conservancy entry fees
- Accommodation as listed
- Meals as listed
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi
Not included
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Drinks at lodges and camps
- Optional activities (balloon flights, village visits)
When to go
- JJan: Good
- FFeb: Good
- MMar: Rains, quieter
- AApr: Rains, quieter
- MMay: Rains, quieter
- JJun: Good
- JJul: Best
- AAug: Best
- SSep: Best
- OOct: Best
- NNov: Rains, quieter
- DDec: Good
- Best
- Good
- Rains, quieter
July to October puts the Mara stay in migration season. Book early for those months.
Other trips
3 daysMaasai Mara
Three days in the Maasai Mara
The classic first safari. Two full days of game drives on the open plains.
From US$780 per person, 2 sharing, Jan to Jun
2 daysAmboseli
Amboseli overnight
One night under Kilimanjaro. Elephants by afternoon, the mountain at sunrise.
From US$420 per person, 2 sharing
11 daysMaasai Mara · Amboseli · Tsavo · The Coast
Safari and sea
Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo, then four nights on the beach.
From US$3,150 per person, 2 sharing, Jan to Jun
From
US$2,240