A 6-day road safari connecting three of Kenya's premier wildlife reserves: Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. The circular route minimises driving distances to allow for more time on game drives and to see a diverse range of habitats.
Highlights of this Tour
✓Iconic Kilimanjaro backdrop in Amboseli
✓Reliable rhino sightings in Nakuru
✓High predator concentration in Masai Mara
✓Mid-range lodges and tented camps
✓Safari minivan with pop-up roof
Itinerary and Where to Stay
Day 1: Arrive in Amboseli National Park
Your adventure begins with a 07:00 departure from Nairobi, travelling south towards the Tanzanian border. The journey offers the first glimpses of Mount Kilimanjaro's majestic silhouette, the iconic backdrop to your destination. Upon arrival at Amboseli National Park, you will check into your lodge and enjoy a welcome lunch. This afternoon, you'll embark on your inaugural game drive. As the sun begins to dip, we venture out across the plains, seeking out the park’s famed, large-tusked elephant herds moving gracefully against the breathtaking panorama of Africa's highest peak.
An early start offers the best chance to see Mount Kilimanjaro's snow-dusted peak before the clouds gather. After breakfast, we depart for a full-day exploration of Amboseli's diverse habitats. The morning is spent traversing the dusty plains in search of lions, cheetahs, and vast elephant families. After returning to the lodge for lunch, our afternoon adventure takes us to Observation Hill. From this unique vantage point, you can admire panoramic vistas of the swamps below, listening for the distinctive grunts of submerged hippos and spotting a dazzling array of water birds that thrive in this life-giving oasis.
After an early breakfast, we depart Amboseli and begin our scenic journey towards the Great Rift Valley. The drive takes us north, pausing for lunch in Nairobi before we descend the impressive eastern escarpment into the valley floor. We aim to arrive at the shimmering shores of Lake Nakuru in the late afternoon. Your introduction to this beautiful park is a game drive en route to your lodge as the sun begins to set. Keep a keen eye out for the park's most famous residents, the endangered black and white rhinos, grazing peacefully in the soft, golden light.
We begin with a final, early morning game drive through Lake Nakuru, offering one last opportunity to photograph its elegant Rothschild's giraffes and protected black and white rhinos. After returning for breakfast, our journey continues south-west towards Kenya's most celebrated wildlife sanctuary, the Masai Mara. Arriving at your camp for a late lunch, you'll have time to settle in before embarking on an exciting evening game drive. As dusk settles over the plains, we go in search of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, hoping to catch the beginning of their nocturnal hunts in the fading light.
With a full day to explore, we immerse ourselves completely in the wild rhythms of the Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, we depart with a packed picnic lunch to maximise our wildlife viewing time. We will traverse the vast, rolling grasslands, tracking the reserve's famous big cat populations of lion, leopard, and cheetah. We'll enjoy our lunch at a picturesque location by the Mara River, watching for its resident hippos and crocodiles. The afternoon offers more game viewing and an optional visit to a local Maasai village to experience their vibrant, traditional culture firsthand.
Savour one final safari experience with an early morning game drive across the dew-kissed Mara plains. This is a perfect chance for last-minute photography and to bid a quiet farewell to this incredible wilderness. Following a final breakfast at the camp, we begin our return journey to Nairobi, travelling through the Maasai heartlands and Narok town. We anticipate arriving in the city in the late afternoon, where your driver will transfer you directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or your Nairobi hotel, concluding your unforgettable safari adventure in Kenya.
Meals included on day 6
Breakfast, Lunch
What's Included
Accommodation in mid-range safari lodges/tented camps
Classic Kenyan road safaris follow circuits planned for logistical efficiency and ecological diversity. This 6-day itinerary connects three of the country's most distinct wildlife reserves. The route maximises time on game drives and minimises backtracking.
Route and Driving Times
The route follows a well-established circuit with sensible driving times between parks. An initial drive south to Amboseli provides the iconic Kilimanjaro backdrop. The journey to Lake Nakuru is the longest transfer day, breaking up the considerable distance between Amboseli and the Masai Mara. This stop offers a contrasting Rift Valley ecosystem before the final leg of the journey. The return to Nairobi from the Mara completes the circuit.
Nairobi to Amboseli National Park: Approx. 4-5 hours
Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park: Approx. 6-7 hours
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve: Approx. 5-6 hours
Masai Mara to Nairobi: Approx. 5-6 hours
Note: Drive times are estimates and can be affected by road and traffic conditions.
Wildlife and Park Highlights
This tour visits three different habitats, which provides opportunities to see a wide range of species. Each park is known for its specific wildlife.
Known for large matriarchal elephant herds, often seen against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park also has extensive plains game, including zebra, wildebeest, and Grant's gazelle.
A key sanctuary for rhinos, with frequent sightings of both black and white species. It is also an important habitat for the Rothschild's giraffe, waterbuck, and Cape buffalo. Flamingo numbers on the alkaline lake vary with water levels.
The Mara has one of Africa's highest concentrations of large predators, including lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. The reserve is the main stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration, which typically occurs from July to October. All of the 'Big Five' are present, though rhinos are more consistently seen in Lake Nakuru.
Accommodation and Transport
This tour uses mid-range safari lodges and permanent tented camps. This type of accommodation is selected for its balance of comfort, location, and value. All properties have en-suite bathrooms and restaurant dining. They are located inside or directly next to the parks to reduce travel time to game drives.
Transport is by a purpose-built safari minivan with a pop-up roof, giving every passenger excellent visibility for game viewing and photography. An upgrade to a 4x4 Land Cruiser is available on request and is recommended for better performance on rougher terrain.
Information for UK Travellers
Visa Requirements: UK passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter Kenya. This must be applied for and approved online prior to departure.
Electrical Plugs: Kenya uses the Type G plug socket, the same 3-pin rectangular system found in the UK. No travel adaptors are required for your standard UK electronic devices.
Luggage Guidance: We recommend using soft-sided duffel bags or holdalls rather than hard-shell suitcases. Soft bags are more pliable and pack more efficiently into the vehicle's designated luggage space.
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