7-Day Best of Kenya Safari – Nakuru, Mara, Naivasha & Amboseli

The safari begins with the road journey from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru. The park game drive introduces the grassland, acacia woodland and accessible lakeshore habitats, with time to look for rhinos, giraffes and the waterbirds encountered around the lake. The guide stops for wildlife observation and photographs along the circuit. This first day establishes the Nakuru stage of the route before the programme continues to the Maasai Mara, Naivasha and Amboseli.

The safari leaves Lake Nakuru and travels by road towards the Maasai Mara. The arrival-day game drive introduces the Mara’s grassland and woodland habitats, with the guide following reserve tracks to look for the wildlife active on the circuit. Stops allow time for observation and photographs as animals are encountered. This is the first of two Mara nights, with a full day of morning and afternoon game drives scheduled before the route continues towards Lake Naivasha.

Morning and afternoon game drives provide a full day in the Maasai Mara. The morning circuit explores the grasslands and riverine habitats, with time to look for predators, grazing herds and the smaller animals and birds encountered along the way. The later drive continues through the reserve’s open plains, allowing time to follow wildlife behaviour and changing activity through the day. The guide’s stops focus on observation and photography rather than a promised checklist of sightings.

The safari leaves the Maasai Mara and continues by road to Lake Naivasha, moving from savannah game viewing to the Rift Valley lake landscape. Arrival begins the two-night lake stay, with time to settle into the lakeside setting. The boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk are scheduled on the dedicated lake day that follows. This arrival stage positions the party at Naivasha before the next day’s water-based and walking experiences and the later road journey to Amboseli.

The day is devoted to Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island. The included boat ride follows the lake’s papyrus-fringed water and open-water bird habitats, with wildlife observed from the boat at the distance directed by the operator. The guided Crescent Island walk explores the sanctuary’s grassland and resident wildlife on foot. The guide leads the walk and identifies the animals and birds encountered along the way. The programme combines water-based observation with a contrasting walking experience during the two-night Naivasha stay.

The safari leaves Lake Naivasha for Amboseli, moving from the Rift Valley lake landscape to the plains beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. The arrival game drive introduces the park’s open country and wetland margins, with the guide stopping to observe wildlife encountered along the park roads. This is the single Amboseli overnight in the programme. The next morning completes the Amboseli stage with the scheduled final game drive before the road return to Nairobi.

The final Amboseli game drive provides another opportunity to explore the park’s plains and wetland edges in the morning. The guide stops for wildlife observation and photographs as animals are encountered, completing the Amboseli stage of the safari. The party then leaves the park area for the road journey back to Nairobi. The drive returns the safari from the southern plains to the capital, where the stage finishes at the agreed Nairobi point.