Safari overview
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our 7-day ultimate Kenya safari. This carefully curated journey takes you through three of Kenya’s most iconic destinations, where untamed wilderness meets unparalleled luxury.
From the vast savannahs of Masai Mara teeming with big cats to the serene waters of Lake Naivasha and the elephant kingdom of Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop—every moment is designed to immerse you in Africa’s raw beauty and captivating wildlife.
Experience golden sunrises over endless landscapes, intimate encounters with lions and elephants, walking safaris among free-roaming wildlife, and immersive cultural experiences that bring Kenya’s rich heritage to life. This is more than a safari—it’s a transformative journey into the heart of wild Africa.
Encounter all of Africa's Big 5 - lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos across three premier wildlife destinations.
- Wake up to stunning views of Africa's highest peak rising above elephant herds in Amboseli National Park.
- Stay in carefully selected lodges offering comfort, excellent locations, and authentic safari atmosphere.
- Visit a traditional Maasai village and learn about their ancient customs, traditions, and modern conservation efforts.
- Maximum 6 guests per vehicle ensures window seats for everyone and intimate wildlife encounters.
- Experience Kenya's variety - open savannah, freshwater lake, wetlands, acacia forests, and volcanic landscapes.
Safari Itinerary
Your safari begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's crown jewel of wildlife havens. The journey takes you through the dramatic Great Rift Valley, offering breathtaking panoramic views of escarpments and valley floors.
Upon arrival at your luxury lodge nestled in the heart of the Mara, enjoy a delicious lunch before heading out for your first game drive. As the afternoon sun casts golden light across the endless plains, watch lions basking lazily under acacia trees, cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey, and massive elephant herds roaming freely across the savannah.
Highlights:
- Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara
- Spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more
- Spectacular sunset over the savannah
- Welcome briefing from your expert guide
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Premium Mara Lodge
Rise before dawn for an early morning game drive when the Mara truly comes alive. This is prime hunting time—watch lions stalking their prey through tall grass, cheetahs sprinting across open plains in explosive bursts of speed, and leopards descending from their tree perches. Witness hippos lumbering back to water after their nightly grazing, while hyenas patrol the plains for opportunities.
Return to the lodge for a hearty bush breakfast, then spend the late morning relaxing by the pool or on your private veranda, watching wildlife pass by.
After lunch, embark on a cultural journey to an authentic Maasai village. Engage with local warriors who share their ancient traditions, conservation efforts, and deep spiritual connection to this land. Witness traditional dances, learn about their nomadic lifestyle, and gain insight into how they coexist with the wildlife around them.
End the day with an optional sundowner—drinks and snacks in the bush as the sun sets over the Mara.
Highlights:
- Early morning predator tracking
- Big 5 wildlife viewing opportunities
- Authentic Maasai village cultural visit
- Traditional warrior dances and customs
- Learn about Maasai conservation efforts
- Optional hot air balloon safari at sunrise (additional $450)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Premium Mara Lodge
After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mara and journey southeast to Lake Naivasha, one of the Great Rift Valley's freshwater jewels. The scenic drive takes you through small farming communities and past volcanic landscapes.
Arrive at your lakeside resort in time for lunch, then prepare for a completely different safari experience. Board a private boat for a peaceful cruise across Lake Naivasha's calm waters. Glide past pods of hippos wallowing contentedly, witness dramatic fish eagle dives, and marvel at the incredible diversity of birdlife—over 400 species call this lake home, including pelicans, cormorants, and African jacanas.
The afternoon continues with a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, a unique sanctuary where you can walk freely among wildlife. Stroll through whistling thorn woodlands alongside grazing zebras, elegant giraffes, graceful waterbucks, and playful vervet monkeys. Without predators on the island, the animals are relaxed and approachable, offering extraordinary photo opportunities.
Highlights:
- Scenic boat safari on Lake Naivasha
- Close encounters with hippos and water birds
- Guided walking safari on Crescent Island
- Walk among zebras, giraffes, and antelopes without barriers
- Over 400 bird species
- Sunset views over the lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Lakeside Resort
Depart Lake Naivasha after breakfast and travel southeast toward the Tanzanian border to Amboseli National Park, one of Africa's most photogenic wildlife destinations. The park is famous for its massive elephant herds and the iconic backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.
The journey takes you through changing landscapes—from highland forests to open savannah and scrubland. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and your first views of Kilimanjaro's magnificent snow-capped peak towering above the African plains.
In the afternoon, embark on your first Amboseli game drive. The park's open terrain makes wildlife viewing exceptional. Watch huge elephant families crossing the dusty plains with Kilimanjaro rising behind them—one of nature's most breathtaking scenes. Amboseli is also home to lions, cheetahs, buffalo, spotted hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, and over 600 bird species.
Highlights:
- First views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Large elephant herds (some of Africa's biggest tuskers)
- Lions, buffalo, cheetahs, and hyenas
- Dramatic landscape photography opportunities
- Sunset game drive with mountain views
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Premium Lodge
Wake before dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive. Watch as the first light of day illuminates Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit in shades of pink and gold while elephants move gracefully through the morning mist. This is arguably one of the most stunning wildlife photography moments in Africa.
Spend the morning exploring the park's diverse ecosystems—from vast open plains to marshes and swamps fed by Kilimanjaro's melting snow. The wetlands are magnets for wildlife: elephants wade through shallow waters, hippos wallow contentedly, and buffalo herds come to drink. These permanent water sources make Amboseli a wildlife haven even during dry seasons.
Visit Observation Hill for panoramic views across the entire park, with Kilimanjaro dominating the horizon. From this vantage point, you can observe the intricate network of swamps and watch wildlife moving across the plains like scattered brush strokes on nature's canvas.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest during the heat of the day, then head out again for an afternoon drive focusing on predators and bird species. The evening golden hour provides more spectacular photographic opportunities.
Highlights:
- Sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro
- Elephants in the wetlands and swamps
- Observation Hill panoramic viewpoint
- Diverse bird species including flamingos
- Multiple game drives for maximum wildlife encounters
- World-class photography opportunities
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Premium Lodge
Enjoy one last morning game drive through Amboseli's diverse terrain. Your experienced guide takes you to different areas of the park, searching for species you may not have encountered yet. Watch cheetahs scanning for prey from termite mounds, zebras grazing in large herds creating natural zebra crossings, and elephants moving purposefully through acacia forests.
The acacia woodlands offer shade and shelter to numerous species—look for elephants feeding on nutritious seed pods, giraffes browsing on high branches, and various antelope species. Amboseli's birdlife is equally impressive, with opportunities to spot secretary birds, crowned cranes, and numerous raptors.
Return to the lodge for a leisurely brunch and your final afternoon in this remarkable landscape. Spend your last hours relaxing at the lodge, perhaps enjoying the swimming pool with Kilimanjaro views, or take a final short drive around the lodge grounds.
Highlights:
- Final morning game drive
- Last chance for wildlife photography
- Acacia forest exploration
- Cheetah and predator viewing
- Relaxation time at the lodge
- Farewell to Kilimanjaro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Premium Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast surrounded by the sounds of the African bush—birds calling, elephants trumpeting in the distance—it's time to bid farewell to Amboseli. Depart mid-morning for the journey back to Nairobi, carrying with you a memory card full of incredible images and a heart full of Kenya's wild spirit.
The drive back offers time to reflect on your extraordinary week: the thrill of watching lions hunt in the Mara, the serenity of Lake Naivasha's waters, the majesty of elephants against Kilimanjaro's peak, and the warmth of Maasai hospitality.
Arrive in Nairobi by afternoon. We'll drop you at your hotel for an onward flight, or at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure. Your African safari adventure concludes, but the memories will last a lifetime.
Highlights:
- Final breakfast in the bush
- Scenic drive back to Nairobi
- Drop-off at your hotel or airport
- End of safari services
Meals: Breakfast
End of Safari
Includes and Excludes
Inclusions
- Accommodation: 6 nights in premium lodges and resorts
- Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners)
- Transportation: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional Guide: Experienced, English-speaking safari guide throughout
- Park Fees: All national park entrance fees and conservation fees
- Game Drives: All game drives as per itinerary
- Boat Safari: Private boat cruise on Lake Naivasha
- Walking Safari: Guided walking tour on Crescent Island
- Cultural Visit: Maasai village visit with cultural experience
- Transfers: Airport/hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi
- Drinking Water: Complimentary bottled water during game drives
- Flying Doctor Service: Emergency evacuation insurance coverage
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Kenya
- Kenyan tourist visa (approximately $50, can be obtained online)
- Travel and medical insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff (recommended $10-15 per person per day)
- Alcoholic and premium beverages at lodges
- Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara ($450 per person)
- Optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
- Items of personal nature (laundry, telephone calls, etc.)
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Children 5 and above are welcome. We can customize activities to be family-friendly. Children under 12 receive 25% discount.
The wildebeest migration is in Masai Mara from July to October, with river crossings typically peaking August-September.
Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from endemic countries. Consult your doctor about malaria prophylaxis and other recommended vaccines. Amboseli is low-risk for malaria.
Very close! Our guides are experts at positioning vehicles for optimal viewing while respecting animal welfare. Expect elephants, lions, and other wildlife within meters of your vehicle.
While we cannot guarantee specific sightings (they’re wild animals!), this itinerary offers excellent chances to see all Big 5. Lions, elephants, and buffalo are almost certain. Leopards and rhinos are rarer but possible.
Absolutely! Single travelers can join scheduled departures or arrange private tours. Single supplement applies for solo room occupancy.
Custom-built 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for 360° viewing and photography. Maximum 6 guests per vehicle, guaranteeing window seats for everyone.
Yes! We can extend your safari, add extra destinations, upgrade accommodations, or adjust activities to match your preferences.
Tipping is customary but not mandatory. Suggested amounts: Guide $10-15 per person per day, lodge staff $5-10 per person per day.
Yes, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage loss.
60+ days before departure: Full refund minus $200 processing fee 30-59 days: 50% refund Less than 30 days: No refund Travel insurance can cover cancellation costs
