7-Day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Classic Safari

Depart Nairobi at 8:00 AM for the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. Drive through the Great Rift Valley with scenic viewpoints along the way. The Masai Mara is a vast scenic expanse measuring 1,510 square kilometers bordering Tanzania's Serengeti National Park . Arrive at your lodge/camp in time for lunch. After settling in, embark on your first afternoon game drive (4:00 PM - 6:30 PM). The Mara is one of the best places on earth to spot most of the 'Big Five' - lions, elephants, leopards and Cape buffalos are relatively common sights . Return to camp for dinner under the African stars. Overnight at Masai Mara accommodation.

Start your day early with a sunrise game drive (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) when animals are most active. Approximately 850 to 900 lions live within the Masai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies, making it one of the world's premier locations to spot this mighty beast. 

Return to camp for breakfast and mid-morning relaxation. Optional: Hot air balloon safari departing before dawn, offering aerial views of the plains with wildebeest, elephants, and predators below, ending with a champagne bush breakfast.

Afternoon game drive (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM) to explore different sections of the reserve. Search for cheetahs, visit the Mara River where crocodiles and hippos gather, and witness dramatic wildlife interactions. Evening optional: Sundowner experience on the Oloololo escarpment with traditional Maasai song and dance performance as the sun sets over the plains. Overnight at Masai Mara accommodation.

Early morning game drive (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) with packed breakfast to maximize wildlife viewing during peak hours. Game drives offer opportunities to spot diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and over 450 bird species. Mid-morning: Visit a traditional Maasai village for cultural immersion, gaining insight into the day-to-day life of the famous nomadic warrior tribe. 

Learn about their pastoral lifestyle, traditional beaded jewelry making, and witness authentic warrior jumping dances. Lunch at the camp. Afternoon game drive focusing on areas you haven't explored yet, perhaps tracking specific animals or visiting the reserve's lesser-known corners. The Mara River is a highlight where the largest Nile crocodiles in Africa reside alongside massive hippo pods. Overnight at Masai Mara accommodation.

After breakfast, depart Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru National Park (230km, approximately 4-5 hours drive). Journey through the scenic Great Rift Valley with opportunities for photos at viewpoints. Lake Nakuru is renowned for hosting thousands of flamingos, hundreds of black and white rhinos, and highly endangered Rothschild's giraffes. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. 

Afternoon game drive (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM) around the lake. The park is one of the best places to see rhinos in Kenya, with both black and white rhino populations. Visit the spectacular Makalia Waterfall and viewpoints overlooking the lake. The park's varied habitats include grassland, rocky cliffs, and acacia woodlands. Over 400 bird species call this park home. Overnight at Lake Nakuru accommodation.

After breakfast, embark on a 320km drive to Amboseli National Park (approximately 6-7 hours) . This is a long but scenic journey passing through diverse Kenyan landscapes including agricultural areas and small trading centers. Amboseli is renowned for its elephant population and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.

Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. After check-in and refreshments, enjoy an introductory game drive (4:00 PM - 6:30 PM). Proud elephant herds march among acacia trees against the backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro, while the wetlands and open grass savannah are home to lions, buffaloes, wildebeest, zebras, and waterbucks. The park's swamps provide permanent water sources, attracting large concentrations of wildlife. Overnight at Amboseli accommodation.

Wake early for a spectacular sunrise game drive (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM). On clear mornings, witness dramatic sightings of Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak at 5,895m above sea level, forming a spectacular backdrop to the park. This is the best time for photography with perfect lighting. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds, often seen crossing the plains with Kilimanjaro behind them - one of Africa's most iconic images. Return to lodge for breakfast. Mid-morning relaxation or optional visit to a Maasai community just outside the park. 

Full day of game viewing with picnic lunch in the park, exploring different ecosystems: the dried-up Lake Amboseli bed, wetlands with permanent swamps (Enkongo Narok and Olokenya), open plains, acacia woodland, and the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Wildlife includes elephants, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various antelopes. The wetlands are particularly productive for wildlife viewing as animals gather around these water sources. Observation Hill offers panoramic views over the entire park. Evening game drive. Overnight at Amboseli accommodation.

Enjoy one last view of Amboseli wetlands and the majestic Kilimanjaro in the distance during an early morning game drive. Optional: Extended early game drive (5:30 AM - 8:30 AM) for final wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. 

After breakfast, check out and begin your return journey to Nairobi (approximately 4-5 hours, 240km). Arrive in Nairobi by early afternoon, typically around 2:00-3:00 PM. Drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or direct transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for onward flights. Take with you incredible memories of Kenya's diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and warm hospitality.