12-Day Midrange Safari: Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo
Location
Full Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by your private safari guide and driver. After a warm Kenyan greeting, enjoy a seamless transfer to Sarova Panafric Hotel, located in the heart of Nairobi. Spend the evening relaxing in the hotel’s serene ambiance or take a brief exploration of Nairobi’s vibrant atmosphere. You may choose to visit local markets or simply unwind before your safari adventure begins.
Accommodation Option: Sarova Panafric Hotel – a luxurious 5-star hotel offering elegant rooms, gourmet dining, and exceptional service.
Meals: Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant featuring a mix of international and local cuisine.
Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, depart from Nairobi for Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley, with a brief stop to take in the magnificent landscapes and stunning views of the valley. Arrive at Sarova Mara Game Camp in time for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, head out on your first game drive in the renowned Masai Mara. The park is famous for its abundant wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras. As the sun sets, return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Sarova Mara Game Camp – a luxurious camp offering spacious tents with private verandas overlooking the Mara plains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy a full day in Masai Mara after breakfast at the camp. Begin with an early morning game drive, taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures and the active wildlife. During the drive, you may witness the powerful hunting skills of a lioness or a herd of elephants in their natural habitat. Return to the camp for breakfast before heading out for a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the park’s vast savannah and searching for more wildlife, including the Big Five. Return to your camp in the evening for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Check into Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge upon arrival and enjoy a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, set out for a game drive around Lake Nakuru, famous for its large flocks of flamingos and rich birdlife. The park is also home to the endangered black and white rhinos, and you might also encounter lions, giraffes, and buffaloes. Return to the lodge in the evening for a delicious dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge – a beautiful lodge offering spacious rooms with stunning views of Lake Nakuru and the surrounding park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, continue your journey to Lake Naivasha, a tranquil freshwater lake surrounded by lush vegetation. Check into Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort and enjoy a hearty lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a boat ride on the lake, where you can get close to hippos and a wide variety of birds, including fish eagles and pelicans. For those seeking more adventure, a visit to Crescent Island offers a guided walking safari to see zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife in their natural environment. Return to the resort for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort – a peaceful resort offering comfortable rooms with views of the lake and surrounding nature.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park, famed for its large herds of elephants and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arrive at Kibo Safari Camp, a luxury camp offering a unique safari experience. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive, where you can spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, and buffaloes against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Return to the camp for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Kibo Safari Camp – a luxurious tented camp with well-appointed tents and magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Spend the entire day exploring Amboseli National Park. Start with an early morning game drive to see the stunning sight of elephants grazing with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. After breakfast, you may choose to visit a local Maasai village for a cultural experience (optional, at an additional cost). In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive to spot more wildlife, including lions, zebras, and wildebeest. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
After an early breakfast, depart for Tsavo West National Park. Upon arrival, check into Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, visit Mzima Springs, where you can observe hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing chamber. A game drive will follow, where you may spot the famous "red elephants" of Tsavo and explore the park’s rugged terrain and volcanic landscapes. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge – a luxurious lodge offering spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Full Day in Tsavo West National Park
Explore the diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes of Tsavo West National Park. Begin with an early morning game drive to catch sight of wildlife at their most active. The park is home to leopards, lions, rhinos, and elephants. After breakfast, you may visit the Chyulu Hills for stunning views or explore the Roaring Rocks for unique panoramas of the park. In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation Option: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: Tsavo West to Tsavo East National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tsavo East National Park, known for its wide-open spaces and large herds of elephants. Arrive at Ashnil Aruba Lodge and check in for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive to see the park’s stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. The famous "Man-Eaters of Tsavo" lions, buffaloes, giraffes, and various bird species are some of the highlights. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Ashnil Aruba Lodge – a luxury lodge offering comfortable rooms and stunning views of the surrounding park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 11: Full Day in Tsavo East National Park
Spend your final full day in Tsavo East National Park. Start with an early morning game drive, capturing the beauty of the park at sunrise. Tsavo East is home to large elephant herds, often seen near the Galana River. After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the Lugard Falls, where the river cascades over rapids and pools. The afternoon game drive provides more opportunities to see wildlife in this diverse park. Return to your lodge for dinner and a restful evening.
Accommodation Option: Ashnil Aruba Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 12: Tsavo East to Nairobi
On your final day, enjoy a morning game drive in Tsavo East before breakfast. Capture any last photos and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the park. After breakfast, begin your journey back to Nairobi, offering a final opportunity to appreciate Kenya’s stunning landscapes. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight or to a hotel for an extended stay. Bid farewell to Kenya after an unforgettable safari experience.
Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch on the drive back.
Inclusions:
- Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver/guide throughout the trip
- All park entrance fees and game drives as per the itinerary
- 12 days of accommodations at carefully selected lodges and camps: Sarova Panafric Hotel (Nairobi), Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (Lake Nakuru), Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort (Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort), Kibo Safari Camp (Amboseli), Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge (Tsavo West), and Ashnil Aruba Lodge (Tsavo East)
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at all lodges/camps
- Bottled water during the game drives
- Cultural experience at a Maasai village (optional)
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Game drives in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East
- Services of an experienced, professional driver-guide
- Airport transfers to and from Nairobi
Exclusions:
- International flights to and from Kenya
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (unless specified)
- Personal items such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips
- Additional activities (e.g., hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara, Maasai village visit)
- Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as phone calls and mini-bar charges
- Gratuities for guide and camp staff
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation costs
Important to Know
- Children aged between 0-2 years are free of charge.
- Children aged 3-12 years pay 50% of the adult rate when sharing the same room with adults
- Children between 3-12 years pay 75% of the adult rate when staying in their separate room from adults
- Children 13 years and above are recognized as adults
