8-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara to Amboseli Adventure
Location
Full Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to Kenya!
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly driver-guide, who will provide a warm welcome and assist with your transfer to your hotel in Nairobi. The journey to Ibis Styles Westlands, a modern budget-friendly hotel, offers a glimpse of Nairobi’s vibrant city life. After checking in, you can take some time to rest after your flight or, if time allows, explore some of Nairobi’s fascinating attractions. You may choose to visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where rescued baby elephants are nurtured before being released back into the wild, or the Giraffe Centre, where you can interact with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. For those interested in local culture and shopping, the Maasai Market offers a variety of handcrafted souvenirs, from beaded jewelry to vibrant textiles.
As the evening approaches, you can enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant or opt for an authentic Kenyan dining experience at a local restaurant such as Carnivore, famous for its roasted meats. This marks the beginning of your incredible safari adventure, allowing you to rest and prepare for the exciting days ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Masai Mara
After an early breakfast, your safari adventure truly begins as you set off towards the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes you through Kenya’s scenic countryside, passing vast tea and coffee plantations and descending into the breathtaking Great Rift Valley. A stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint offers a chance to stretch, capture stunning photos, and admire the panoramic landscape before continuing the journey.
Upon arrival in Masai Mara in the afternoon, you will check in at Enkorok Mara Camp, a comfortable budget tented camp situated on the edge of the reserve. After a short rest and a refreshing lunch, you will embark on your first game drive in Masai Mara, venturing into the golden savannahs in search of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. This initial drive provides a thrilling introduction to the vast ecosystem, where elephants, zebras, giraffes, and predators like lions and cheetahs can often be seen. As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, you will return to camp for a delicious dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara
The third day of your adventure is dedicated to exploring the magnificent Masai Mara in depth. After an early breakfast, you will set out for a full-day game drive, allowing ample time to traverse different sections of the park and maximize wildlife sightings. With a packed lunch in hand, you will journey to the Mara River, a dramatic setting where crocodiles and hippos lurk beneath the waters. This river is also the site of the Great Migration between July and October, when millions of wildebeests and zebras brave the crocodile-infested waters in search of greener pastures.
Throughout the day, your guide will take you to prime viewing areas where you may witness thrilling predator-prey interactions, observe elephants grazing in large herds, or spot a leopard resting in the acacia trees. In the afternoon, an optional visit to a Masai village offers a chance to interact with the Maasai people, learn about their age-old traditions, and witness their energetic traditional dances. After a long but exhilarating day, you will return to camp for dinner and a well-earned rest under the vast African sky.
Day 4: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to Masai Mara and embark on a journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, a scenic reserve renowned for its vast birdlife and thriving rhino population. The drive offers beautiful views of Kenya’s countryside, passing through lush farmlands and small towns.
Arriving at Lake Nakuru Lodge in the afternoon, you will enjoy a refreshing lunch before setting out for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru’s alkaline waters attract thousands of flamingos, creating a mesmerizing pink shoreline. The park is also one of Kenya’s premier sanctuaries for both black and white rhinos, providing rare and breathtaking wildlife encounters. Other highlights include tree-climbing lions, leopards, and large herds of buffalo. As the day comes to an end, you will return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on the diverse landscapes and wildlife experienced so far.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Following breakfast, you will depart for Lake Naivasha, a picturesque freshwater lake known for its rich birdlife and resident hippos. Upon arrival at Lake Naivasha Kongoni Lodge, you will have lunch and a chance to relax before heading out for a serene boat safari on the lake. This unique experience allows you to observe hippos wallowing in the water, watch fish eagles swooping down for their catch, and enjoy close-up views of various water birds.
After the boat ride, you will embark on a walking safari on Crescent Island, a small sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelope in a completely predator-free environment. The absence of large predators allows for a rare opportunity to explore nature on foot. After an eventful afternoon, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
After an early breakfast, you will depart from Lake Naivasha and begin your journey toward Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most picturesque wildlife destinations. The drive offers a scenic transition from the lush greenery of the Rift Valley to the open plains of Amboseli, passing through Nairobi before heading southeast toward the Tanzanian border. Along the way, you will spot traditional Maasai villages dotting the landscape, with warriors herding cattle against the vast savannah backdrop.
Upon arrival at Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, a budget-friendly yet comfortable tented lodge, you will check in and enjoy a well-deserved lunch. After a short rest, the adventure continues with an afternoon game drive, where you will be greeted by Amboseli’s famous elephant herds, often seen moving gracefully beneath the towering presence of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park’s swamps, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro’s glaciers, attract a variety of wildlife, including hippos, buffalos, and water birds. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas also roam these open plains, making for thrilling predator sightings.
As the sun begins to set, casting golden hues over the landscape, you will return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and an overnight stay, listening to the distant calls of the wild.
Day 7: Full-Day Safari in Amboseli
Today, you will embark on a full-day game drive in Amboseli, taking in the park’s diverse habitats and abundant wildlife. After an early breakfast, you will set out before sunrise, when the animals are most active and the morning light offers stunning photography opportunities with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Your first stop will be Observation Hill, a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the park’s sprawling plains, wetlands, and swamps. From here, you can spot large herds of elephants, wildebeests, zebras, and even elusive predators resting in the shade. Amboseli’s unique ecosystem ensures year-round wildlife sightings, making it one of Kenya’s most rewarding parks for photography and game viewing.
A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the heart of the park, allowing you to dine amidst nature. In the afternoon, you will explore Enkongo Narok Swamp, a green oasis that attracts hippos, buffalos, and a variety of bird species, including African fish eagles and herons. With luck, you may even witness a dramatic hunt as lions or cheetahs stalk their prey.
As the day winds down, you will return to the lodge for your final night in the wild, reminiscing about the incredible encounters of the past week. A farewell dinner under the African sky will mark the perfect end to your safari experience.
Day 8: Amboseli to Nairobi – Departure
On your final morning, you will have the opportunity for a short sunrise game drive, capturing the breathtaking sight of Kilimanjaro’s peak bathed in golden light. After one last chance to spot Amboseli’s incredible wildlife, you will return to the lodge for breakfast before checking out.
The return journey to Nairobi takes approximately 4-5 hours, with an optional stop at Emali town for refreshments or souvenir shopping. Upon arrival in Nairobi in the early afternoon, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight or to your preferred drop-off location in the city.
This marks the end of an unforgettable 8-day budget safari, filled with extraordinary wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural experiences—a true adventure through Kenya’s most iconic destinations.
Inclusions:
✔ Transport in a comfortable 4x4 safari van with a pop-up roof for game viewing
✔ Accommodation in budget-friendly lodges and tented camps as per the itinerary
✔ All park entry fees and government taxes
✔ Daily meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
✔ Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
✔ Unlimited game drives in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli
✔ Boat safari at Lake Naivasha and walking safari on Crescent Island
✔ Bottled drinking water during the safari
✔ Airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
Exclusions:
✖ International and domestic flights
✖ Visa fees and travel insurance
✖ Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc.)
✖ Optional activities such as Maasai village visits, hot air balloon safari, etc.
✖ Tips and gratuities for the guide and lodge staff
✖ Any items not mentioned in the inclusions section
