6-Day Kenya Big Five & Wildebeest Safari

Kick off your Kenyan adventure with an early morning departure from Nairobi, heading west through the breathtaking Great Rift Valley. Stop at scenic viewpoints to admire volcanic hills, rolling savannahs, and picturesque landscapes ideal for photography. Along the route, encounter Maasai villages and enjoy cultural insights into their traditional way of life.

Arrive in Masai Mara in the afternoon and check in at your lodge or tented camp. Begin your safari journey with a sunset game drive, when wildlife is most active — spot giraffes, zebras, and your first potential Big Five encounters.

Highlights:

• Scenic drive with panoramic views of the Rift Valley
• Arrival and check-in at lodge or tented camp
• Sunset game drive in Masai Mara

Distance & Drive Time: ~270 km | 5–6 hours

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Elangata Olerai Camp / Orng’atuny Mara King Camp / Enkorok Camp / Mara Chui Camp / Jambo Mara Safari Lodge 

Midrange

Zebra Plains Mara Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge / Mara Leisure Camp / Prideinn Mara Camp / Osero Camp / AA Mara Lodge / Sentrim Mara Lodge / Mara River Lodge / Basecamp Masai Mara / Sekenani River Camp / Azure Mara Haven Hotel / La Maison Royale Mara Camp / Olengoti Eco Safari Camp / Emayian Luxury Camp 

Upper Midrange

Sarova Mara Game Camp / Keekorok Lodge / Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Mara Simba – Tent Rooms / Mara Maisha Camp / Tipilikwani Mara Camp / Matira Camp / Loyk Mara Camp / Mara Engai Lodge / Mara River Camp / Ashnil Mara Camp / Karen Blixen Camp / Neptune Mara Rianta Luxury Camp / Fig Tree Camp-Ngamboli Tents / Mara Crossings Camp / Royal Mara Safari Lodge / Soroi Mara Bush Camp / Fairmont Mara Safari Club / Kandili Camp / Eagle View Camp / Mara Intrepids Camp / Governors Camp Masai Mara / Naserian Mara Camp 

Luxury

Sand River Mara Camp / &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Camp / Saruni Mara Camp / Olare Mara Kempinski Camp / Porini Mara Camp / Entumoto Safari Camp / Kicheche Mara Camp / Mara Bushtop Luxury Camp / Entim Mara Camp / Mara Explorer Camp / Mara Eden Safari Camp / IIkeliani Mara Camp / Mara Ngenche Safari Camp

Rise early for sunrise game drives across the Mara plains as lions roar, elephants wander, and cheetahs stalk their prey. Your experienced KPSGA-certified guide will take you to the best wildlife hotspots for Big Five sightings, zebras, giraffes, and hippos.

Optional Experiences:

• Hot-air balloon safari over the Mara (seasonal)
• Guided photography safari
• Maasai village cultural visit

Highlights:

• Morning and afternoon game drives in Masai Mara
• Optional hot-air balloon adventure
• Maasai cultural immersion
• Sunset wildlife photography opportunities

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 1

After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and head northeast to Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its flamingos, rhinos, and diverse birdlife. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the lake shores, spotting rhinos, baboons, and giraffes. Lake Nakuru’s sparkling waters and vibrant flamingo flocks provide stunning photographic moments.

Highlights:

• Scenic drive from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
• Afternoon game drive with rhino sightings
• Flamingos, birdwatching, and wildlife photography

Distance & Drive Time: ~250 km | 5–6 hours

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Midrange

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge / Sarova Woodlands / Mbweha Camp

Upper Midrange

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge / Flamingo Hill Tented Camp / Lake Elementaita Serena Camp

Luxury

Cliff Nakuru Lodge

Depart Lake Nakuru after breakfast and drive southeast to Amboseli National Park, set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, observing elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, and abundant birdlife. Capture iconic shots of elephants silhouetted by the mountain at sunset.

Highlights:

• Scenic journey to Amboseli with photographic stops
• Afternoon game drive with elephants and wildlife
• Sunset over Mount Kilimanjaro

Distance & Drive Time: ~370 km | 6–7 hours

Accommodation Options:

Budget

Amboseli Sopa Lodge / AA Amboseli Lodge

Midrange

Sentrim Amboseli Camp / Penety Resort

Upper Midrange

Oltukai lodge / Amboseli Serena lodge / Kibo Safari Camp / Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp / Kilima Safari Camp / Elerai Camp

Luxury

Tawi lodge / Tortilis Camp / Porini Amboseli camp / Oilepo Safari Lodge

Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s spectacular wildlife. With Kilimanjaro towering over the horizon, enjoy close encounters with elephants, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, ostriches, and more. Amboseli is among the best parks in Africa for elephant photography.

Optional Experiences:

• Sundowner experience
• Guided photography safari
• Maasai cultural visit

Highlights:

• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Elephant herds with Kilimanjaro as backdrop
• Golden-hour photography opportunities

Accommodation Options:

Same as Day 4 

Wake early for a sunrise game drive in Amboseli, capturing the golden light on elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro. After the drive, enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Nairobi or transferring to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.

Highlights:
• Early morning game drive in Amboseli
• Photographic opportunities with elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro
• Picnic lunch en route to Nairobi / airport transfer

Distance & Drive Time: ~240 km | 4–5 hours