Duration
6 NIGHTSBest For
First-time East Africa visitors and wildlife-first travelers.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Lodge or tented camp (full-board)Safari Overview
Four parks, one epic Kenya circuit
This route covers Amboseli's free-ranging elephants, Lake Naivasha's hippos and birdlife, Lake Nakuru's rare rhinos and flamingo colonies, and the Masai Mara's abundant wildlife including the annual wildebeest migration.
You also experience Hell's Gate National Park — one of the few parks where you can walk or cycle alongside wildlife — and a boat ride to Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha, making this the most varied short Kenya circuit available.
Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with dedicated guide from Nairobi
Safari Snapshot
A comprehensive Kenya circuit through Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara — four iconic parks with Big Five drives, flamingo shores, and Kilimanjaro backdrops.
Safari Style
Classic Game Drives
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
7-9 Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Kenya
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Nairobi to Masai Mara
Nairobi to Masai Mara Game Reserve
Pick up at 07:30 and drive through the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Lunch at your lodge or camp, then depart for an afternoon game drive. The Mara is home to the Big Five and vast herds of Masai giraffe, buffalo, eland, impala, zebra, and gazelles.
- Rift Valley viewpoint drive (approx. 5 hrs)
- Afternoon game drive in the Mara
Day 2 · Masai Mara National Reserve
Full Day Masai Mara Game Reserve
Full day viewing great predators and exploring the park's high concentration of wildlife. Enormous herds of grazing animals roam the plains, while elusive cheetahs and leopards hide amidst acacia boughs. Optional visit to a Maasai village to witness singing, dancing, and sacred rituals.
- Full-day predator and plains game drives
- Optional Maasai village cultural visit
Day 3 · Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
Early morning game drive, then return for breakfast and depart for Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch, an exciting game drive until 18:30. The park is home to stunning flocks of lesser and greater flamingos, over 400 bird species, white and black rhinos, and the rare Rothschild's giraffe.
- Dawn Mara game drive
- Lake Nakuru flamingo and rhino sightings
Day 4 · Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Early breakfast and journey to Lake Naivasha with an en-route game drive in Lake Nakuru. Arrive at your lodge for lunch, then spend the afternoon on Crescent Island — a 15-minute boat ride to an animal sanctuary hosting zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and hippos. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- En-route Nakuru game drive
- Crescent Island boat ride and walking safari
Day 5 · Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli via Hell's Gate
After breakfast, visit Hell's Gate National Park — one of the few parks where you can walk or cycle among wildlife, with a geothermal power station and impressive scenery. Return for lunch, then depart for Amboseli National Park, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Hell's Gate walking or cycling safari
- Scenic drive to Amboseli (approx. 6 hrs)
Day 6 · Amboseli National Park
Full Day Amboseli National Park
Rise early for good views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up, then set off for an extensive game drive. Amboseli is excellent for seeing wildebeest, giraffes, baboons, and large elephant herds. Optional visit to a Maasai village after breakfast to experience the proud nomadic tribe's singing and dancing rituals.
- Kilimanjaro dawn views
- Elephant herds and predator sightings
- Optional Maasai village visit
Day 7 · Amboseli to Nairobi
Amboseli to Nairobi
Wake up at 06:00 for an early morning game drive until 08:30, then depart by road to Nairobi. Drop off at the airport or your place of accommodation.
- Dawn Amboseli game drive
- Return transfer to Nairobi
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Nairobi
Morning pick-up and drive through the Rift Valley to the Mara.
- 2
Day 1-3
Masai Mara National Reserve
Big Five country and annual wildebeest migration corridor.
- 3
Day 3-4
Lake Nakuru National Park
Rhino sanctuary, flamingo-lined shores, and Rothschild's giraffe habitat.
- 4
Day 4-5
Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island
Hippo populations, boat safari, and walking wildlife sanctuary.
- 5
Day 5
Hell's Gate National Park
Walk or cycle among wildlife with geothermal scenery.
- 6
Day 5-7
Amboseli National Park
Elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrops.
What's Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
- Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the last day in Nairobi
- Park entry fees
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Drinking water on all days
- Bath towels
- Professional guide
- All activities, unless indicated as optional
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
- Taxes and VAT
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver
- Government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees
Exclusions
- Hot-air balloon ride
- Maasai village visit
- Boat ride
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
How many parks does this safari cover?
This route visits four major parks — Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha (with Crescent Island), and Amboseli — plus Hell's Gate National Park for a walking or cycling safari experience.
Is the Crescent Island boat ride included?
The boat ride to Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha is part of the Day 4 itinerary and is included in the tour price.
Will I see Mount Kilimanjaro?
Amboseli offers some of the best views of Kilimanjaro in Kenya. Early morning game drives on Day 6 give you the clearest views before clouds build up over the summit.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Masai Mara Lion Prides: Territories, Coalitions, and Conservation
From Marsh and Rekero to Black Rock, Sand River, Topi, Sopa, Salas, Survey, and Rongai, this in-depth guide breaks down where each pride operates, who controls them, and how coalition turnover, habitat shifts, and migration timing influence lion life across the Mara ecosystem.
Read Guide
Wildlife in the Masai Mara: Beyond the Big Five
The Mara is famous for predators, but the full ecosystem covers Coke's hartebeest and common eland, Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer, dwarf and slender mongoose, honey badger, pangolin, jackals, hyenas, baboons, and more than 450 bird species — a depth that rewards travellers who slow down beyond the Big Five.
Read Guide
Where to Stay in the Masai Mara: Camps, Lodges, and Conservancy Picks
With more than 100 properties across the reserve and surrounding conservancies, choosing where to stay defines your safari pace, vehicle density, and the depth of your wildlife encounters. This guide walks through how we shortlist camps by zone, season, and traveller profile.
Read GuidePlan Your Kenya Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
Hear what our clients have to say
Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
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