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7-Day Kenya Safari: Nakuru, Naivasha, Mara and Amboseli

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Parks

Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Amboseli

Travel style

Private, mid-range

Vehicle

4×4 Land Cruiser

Best time

Jun to Oct, Jan to Feb

Overview Route Itinerary Lodges Prices What’s included Reviews FAQ

Trip overview

This seven-day safari covers Kenya’s most popular parks and lakes, offering variety in scenery and wildlife. You’ll visit Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos, Lake Naivasha for boat safaris and walking, the Masai Mara for Big Five viewing, and Amboseli for elephants with Kilimanjaro as backdrop.

The route follows a logical circuit through the Rift Valley, west to the Mara, then south through Nairobi to Amboseli before returning to the capital. Using road transport keeps costs reasonable while letting you see how the scenery changes between destinations. Drive times are manageable, typically 4-6 hours between parks.

Lake Nakuru is fenced, which has helped rhino populations recover. Naivasha offers a different experience with hippos and walking among grazers on Crescent Island. The Mara has healthy predator populations and year-round game viewing. Amboseli’s elephant research program has run since 1972, and guides often recognize individual animals.

For Australian travellers wanting comprehensive coverage of Kenya’s highlights at mid-range pricing, this itinerary delivers good value.

Accommodations:

Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Lake Naivasha: Sawela Lodge
Masai Mara: Mara Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
Amboseli: Kibo Safari Camp (2 nights)

Your route

Lake Nakuru 1 night · Lake Naivasha 1 night · Masai Mara 2 nights · Amboseli 2 nights. Starts and ends in Nairobi.

Long drive days? Ask about flying between parks instead. It can save most of a day.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

Drive Time: 3-4 hours · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, usually around 7:30-8:00 AM. Drive northwest through Nairobi’s outskirts, then climb the escarpment with views over the Rift Valley floor. Stop at the viewpoint for photos before descending into the valley.

Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge around midday. The lodge sits on a hill inside the park with views over the lake. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive around the lake.

Lake Nakuru is compact at 188 square kilometres. The park is fenced, which has helped both black and white rhino populations recover. Good chances of seeing both species. Flamingo numbers vary with the lake’s alkalinity. Leopards are present and sightings happen regularly. Also look for Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, buffalo, and lions.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

Drive Time: 1.5 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru before breakfast, best time for predators. Return to lodge, check out, then short drive to Lake Naivasha arriving late morning.

Sawela Lodge sits on the lake shore with gardens running down to the water. After check-in and lunch, afternoon boat safari on the lake. Naivasha is freshwater, different from alkaline soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Large hippo populations, fish eagles, cormorants, pelicans along the shore.

The boat takes you close to hippos and around papyrus edges where birds concentrate. Later, visit to Crescent Island for a walking safari among zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and antelope. No predators on the island, so you walk freely with a guide.

Dinner and overnight at Sawela Lodge.

Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

Drive Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early breakfast, then drive to the Masai Mara. Route goes through Narok town, then rougher roads approaching the reserve. Scenery changes from farmland to open Maasai grazing areas.

Arrive at Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The lodge sits on a hillside at the eastern edge of the reserve. After lunch and rest, late afternoon game drive into the Mara.

Wildlife density is immediately noticeable. Lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, various antelope within the first couple of hours. Your guide knows the area and will position you for viewing and photos. The Mara’s resident populations stay year-round, providing consistent game viewing regardless of season.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 4: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day exploring the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Early start around 6:30 AM when animals are most active. Lions in large prides are almost guaranteed. Leopards require patience but sightings are regular near riverine areas. Cheetahs hunt on open plains. Buffalo in massive herds, rhinos less common but present.

If visiting July to October, the wildebeest migration dominates. Over a million animals from the Serengeti create dramatic river crossings. Timing is unpredictable but guides maintain radio contact. Outside migration season, resident wildlife provides excellent viewing.

Optional Maasai village visit or hot air balloon safari (approximately AUD $650 per person, booked in advance).

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 5: Masai Mara to Amboseli National Park

Drive Time: 9-10 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early breakfast and check out. Long drive to Amboseli, passing through Nairobi and continuing southeast toward the Tanzanian border. Scenery becomes drier and more rugged as you approach Amboseli.

Arrive at Kibo Safari Camp in the early evening. The camp sits just outside the park with views of Mount Kilimanjaro when clear. Lunch is on the way in Nairobi. Settle in before dinner; your first Amboseli game drive is at dawn the next morning.

Amboseli is compact at 392 square kilometres but wildlife concentrates around swamps fed by underground springs from Kilimanjaro. Large elephant herds are what most people come for. You’ll also see buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and various antelope. Lions present but harder to locate than in the Mara.

Dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp.

Day 6: Full Day in Amboseli National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning and afternoon game drives with midday break at camp. Start around 6:30 AM when Kilimanjaro is usually clear. Focus on the swamps where elephants feed and drink. The research project here has tracked families since 1972, so guides often recognize individual animals.

Observation Hill offers panoramic views across the basin and good bird watching. Easy 15-minute walk to the top. Pelicans, Egyptian geese, herons, and egrets are common around wetlands. Cheetahs hunt on the dry lake bed when present.

Between drives, relax at camp with views of Kilimanjaro. The mountain shows best early morning and late afternoon before clouds form around the summit.

Dinner and overnight at Kibo Safari Camp.

Day 7: Amboseli to Nairobi, Departure

Drive Time: 4-5 hours · Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Final early morning game drive before breakfast. Last chance for elephant viewing and Kilimanjaro photos at dawn. Return to camp for breakfast and check out.

Drive back to Nairobi, arriving mid to late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport depending on your plans. Evening flights to Australia via Dubai, Doha, or Bangkok work well with this timing.

If your international flight departs very late at night, time for shopping at the Maasai Market. Day rooms near the airport can be arranged if needed between safari and flight departure.

Where you'll stay

Sawela Lodge in Naivasha — Sawela Lodge, Lake Naivasha

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge — Mara Sopa Lodge, Masai Mara

Kibo Safari Camp in Amboseli — Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli

“Or similar” means we may swap a lodge of the same standard if one is full on your dates. We always tell you before you book.

Prices for 2026 and 2027

Season	2 people	3	4	5	6
Jan to Jun	AUD $3,700	AUD $3,350	AUD $3,050	AUD $2,800	AUD $2,650
Jul to Dec	AUD $4,100	AUD $3,700	AUD $3,450	AUD $3,150	AUD $3,000

Prices are per person sharing in Australian dollars. Single supplements and child rates on request.

What's included

Included

Park entry fees for all parks
Accommodation (6 nights)
All meals from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 7
Game drives per itinerary
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
Crescent Island walking safari
Professional driver-guide
Road transfers in 4x4 safari vehicle
Bottled water during game drives
Government taxes

Not included

International flights
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation)
Travel insurance
Tips for guides and camp staff (AUD $20-30 per person per day)
Spirits and premium wines (house wine and beer are included at most lodges)
Personal expenses
Optional activities: Hot air balloon safari (AUD $650 per person), Maasai village visit
Single supplement

Deposit: 30% to confirm your lodges
Balance: due 60 days before travel
Cancellation: full refund if you cancel more than 60 days before travel. Full cancellation policy

Reviews from our guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cameron M 
 
 
 
 Verified A Couple in December 2025 - 5 Stars
We booked with Stanley and Majestic Safari for the 6-day luxury tour through Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. The trip completely exceeded our expectations, even despite it not being ‘peak season’ we were able to tick off Africa’s Big 5 on the very first game drive. This was in no small part down to our guide, Bonnie, who was an essential part of tracking these animals - you have to request him if booking through Majestic. Each accommodation also exceeded our expectations in terms of location, comfort, quality and service of the staff. Being a first time safari for us, we weren’t sure what to expect - but selecting the luxury option was well worth it. All aspects of travel and organisation was seamless. Once booked, there was next to nothing for us to think about as we were in experienced hands - and we were glad to have partnered with Majestic as there was significantly more organisation required in the background than we originally realised. Stanley also went above and beyond the itinerary, picking us up from the airport late at night despite the tour not starting until a few days later and ensuring we had some food to take into the hotel. This was after providing us with in-depth packing lists and general guidance on exploring Nairobi. I couldn’t recommend Majestic enough and hope to arrange another trip with Stanley in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal66646927528 
 
 
 
 Verified A Beautiful Safari with an Excellent Guide – Just Check the Route First
Majestic Kenyan Safaris gave us a wonderful Kenya experience, and our guide was genuinely lovely. He was calm, kind, and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, parks, and local environment, which made the safari both engaging and meaningful. One thing worth noting for future travellers is the itinerary structure. Over the six-day safari, the route involved long drives in a zig-zag pattern rather than a simple circular loop. This meant more transit time on some days. This was not the fault of the company or the guide, as the itinerary was clearly outlined, but something we wish we had paid closer attention to when booking. Overall, Majestic Kenyan Safaris were professional, warm, and well organised. With careful attention to route planning beforehand, they offer a truly memorable safari experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Anouchka905 
 
 
 
 Verified The most Unforgettable Safari
Stanley Gichuki crafted the journey of dreams Thanks to our incredible guide, Bonie whose fearless spirit turned every mile into magic. He welcomed us in Samburu National Park and led us off the beaten path with a deep, soulful knowledge of the land, its stories, its rhythms, its wild heart. Samburu was our favorite in terms of landscape. We stood in awe in Samburu as reticulated giraffes swept across the horizon, watched Grevy’s zebras stride with quiet elegance, and felt the earth tremble beneath African elephants. We held our breath as a cheetah emerged from the tall grass, and we followed Kamau Boniethrough wet, treacherous tracks to where lions rule their hidden kingdom. Our journey continued into Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary of hope, where we encountered the gentle wisdom of chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall, Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and witnessed the immense beauty of both white and black rhinos, alongside more elephants, more lions… and countless unforgettable moments. Our journey ended in the Maasai Mara . Our last drive was unforgettabel as we watched a cheetah devouring a thompson gazelle, leaving the rest of the kill to a fight between two jackals and a flock of vultures. We had a brief encounter with a leopard walking down a river and watched more lions enjoying their buffalo lunch. Truly memorable experiences. Kenya, you are once in a lifetime. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   goort g 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari with Majestick Kenya
We just returned from a 9 days safari, and we enjoyed it very much. Everything was arranged very well, our driver/guide Bonnie was outstanding. The tour company did everything to be helpfull in picking up from the airport, taking us with their jeep to all the place we visited, and we had very nice game drives. We went to Samburu, Oj Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. The lodges were great, good value for money and we were upgraded in 2 places. Thank you Majestick, and al your staff. We highly recommend you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sam G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Safari Experience!
Just got back from an amazing 7-day safari with Majestic Kenya Safaris! Our guide Samuel was fantastic - incredible wildlife knowledge and spotted animals from miles away. We saw the Big Five, including a pride of lions with cubs in the Maasai Mara. Everything was perfectly organized from airport transfers to accommodations. The mix of lodges and tented camps was great, and falling asleep to African bush sounds was magical. Vehicle was comfortable for the longer drives between parks. One activity got cancelled due to weather, but they quickly arranged something even better. Would definitely recommend to anyone planning a Kenya safari - unforgettable experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tejl Kercova 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Safari experience!
Majestic Kenya Safaris in Nairobi exceeded all my expectations! From the moment we booked, their team was incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring every detail was taken care of. The safari itself was breathtaking—our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the best spots for wildlife viewing. We saw the Big Five up close, along with stunning landscapes that felt like something out of a dream. The accommodations were luxurious yet blended seamlessly with nature. What stood out most was their genuine passion for conservation and community support. I highly recommend Majestic Kenya Safaris for an unforgettable, world-class experience in Kenya!