Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha & Amboseli: 7-Day Group Safari

Summary

Kenya’s wild side in a week—lions, lakes and Kilimanjaro mornings

You’ll spot lions in Masai Mara, cruise Lake Naivasha among hippos, watch flamingos at Lake Nakuru, and wake up to elephants under Kilimanjaro in Amboseli—all with a local guide and group spirit. Expect simple camps, honest food, laughter around dusty tables, and moments that stick long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

• Pick up from hotel at 8:00am
• Depart Nairobi to Masai Mara
• Enjoy Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Have picnic lunch en route
• Arrive Masai Mara in afternoon
• Evening game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2 — Full day game drive in Masai Mara

• Early breakfast at camp
• Full day game drive with picnic lunch
• Visit Mara River border with Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3 — Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

• Early breakfast at camp
• Optional visit to Masai village
• Depart to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Picnic lunch en route
• Arrive Lake Nakuru in evening
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 4 — Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

• Early breakfast at hotel
• Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
• See flamingos and rhinos
• Depart to Lake Naivasha
• Late lunch at Naivasha
• Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 5 — Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Hell's Gate National Park
• See Geothermal Power Plant and Hot Springs
• Depart to Amboseli National Park
• Picnic lunch en route
• Arrive Amboseli in early evening
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 6 — Full day game drive in Amboseli

• Pre-morning game drive with Kilimanjaro views
• Full day game drive
• See elephants, giraffes, lions
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 7 — Amboseli to Nairobi

• Pre-morning game drive
• Breakfast at camp
• Depart Amboseli to Nairobi
• Picnic lunch en route
• Drop off at hotel in Nairobi

Top questions

How many days is this safari tour?

This is a 7-day group safari starting from Nairobi.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from your Nairobi hotel is included at 8:00am on day one.

Which parks are visited during this tour?

The safari covers Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha (including Hell's Gate), and Amboseli.

Are boat rides included at Lake Naivasha?

Yes, a boat ride at Lake Naivasha is included in the itinerary.

What kind of accommodation should I expect?

You’ll stay in tented camps and simple hotels—basic but comfortable.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the provider.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Yes, meals are included as described in the daily itinerary.

Will I see elephants on this safari?

You’re very likely to see large herds of elephants especially in Amboseli.

What’s included

Your week includes pickup from your Nairobi hotel each morning in an open-roofed Landcruiser with bottled drinking water always handy; all park entries are covered; there’s a boat ride on Lake Naivasha thrown in; plus simple camp or hotel stays each night with meals provided along the way before dropping you back off in Nairobi at journey’s end.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bumping along the road out of Nairobi before I’d properly woken up—my coffee sloshing in the cup holder as our driver, Joseph, pointed out the Rift Valley stretching forever under a hazy sky. There’s something about that first morning: everyone in the Landcruiser half asleep but grinning, not sure if we’re more excited or nervous about spotting lions or just sharing snacks with strangers. By afternoon we’d reached Masai Mara and honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so small watching those herds move across the grass. Our guide knew every shortcut—he’d stop suddenly and just say “Look left,” and there’d be a cheetah lounging like it owned the place.

The second day felt slower somehow, maybe because we spent hours tracing animal tracks near the Mara River. I remember the smell of sun-warmed earth and this weird quiet when we watched wildebeest hesitate at the water’s edge. It’s not all drama though—someone in our group tried to pronounce ‘Ndovu’ (elephant) and our camp cook burst out laughing. Nights at Lenchada Tented Camp were basic but warm; you hear jackals yipping while you brush your teeth outside. Not glamorous but real, you know?

Lake Nakuru was next—a blur of pink flamingos and white rhinos lumbering past acacia trees. We had lunch by the water (still picking dust out of my sandwich) before heading to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride. The hippos looked bored with us but I loved skimming past fishermen pulling up nets, waving like they saw tourists every day (maybe they do). At Hell’s Gate Park near Naivasha, cycling past steam vents felt surreal—like being on another planet for an hour or two.

Amboseli was last but maybe my favorite? Waking up early for that view of Kilimanjaro—it sounds cliché but it really does sneak up on you through the mist. Herds of elephants moving quietly below, dust rising around their feet. Our last morning game drive was quieter; nobody talked much, just windows down and wind in our faces. I still think about that silence sometimes.