7 Days Exclusive Kenya Safari

7 Days Exclusive Kenya Safari | Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli

This 7 Days Exclusive Kenya Safari is built around three of Kenya’s most photographed parks: the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli connected by drives through the Great Rift Valley’s dramatic escarpment scenery. It opens with a Nairobi city tour, moves into three full days in the Masai Mara including a sunrise hot air balloon safari, and closes with Amboseli’s elephant herds set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Each destination plays a distinct role: the Masai Mara for classic Big Five game viewing and a genuine bucket-list balloon flight, Lake Nakuru for its flamingo-lined shoreline and rhino sightings, and Amboseli for the country’s most recognizable photograph of elephants walking beneath Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak.

This itinerary suits travelers who want an exclusive, comprehensive tour of Kenya’s headline parks in one week, with a private vehicle throughout and enough time at each stop to explore properly rather than passing through.

Quick Facts

Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
• Day 2: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
• Day 3: Hot air balloon safari and evening game drive
• Day 4: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Day 5: Drive to Amboseli National Park
• Day 6: Full day in Amboseli National Park
• Day 7: Drive to Nairobi and departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

On arrival, you will be picked up from the airport by your guide, who will welcome you and give you a short briefing on your safari during the drive to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a city tour of Nairobi. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Le Maison Royale Hotel, Nairobi

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and set off for the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. The drive takes in views of the Rift Valley escarpment as you cross Kenya’s scenic highlands, with a stopover in Narok town along the way.

As you continue into the reserve, watch for wildlife grazing in the savannah plains along the route. Arrive at your lodge in time to check in before dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: AA Mara Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

AA Mara Lodge

Day 3: Hot Air Balloon Safari and Evening Game Drive

Your guide will drive you to the launch site for a briefing ahead of your hot air balloon flight. Watch the sunrise as the balloons are inflated in preparation for takeoff. During the flight, you will glide over the Masai Mara’s open savannah plains, taking in the reserve’s attractions and abundant wildlife from above — a favorite experience for photographers.

After landing, continue searching for wildlife around the reserve on a further game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: AA Mara Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and continue your journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, crossing the Rift Valley escarpment with its striking scenery. An en-route game drive gives you the chance to see giraffes, rhinos, gazelles, buffaloes, antelopes, reedbucks, elands, and impalas, among others.

Lunch is served at your lodge after check-in. In the afternoon, head out for a further game drive and a visit to the flamingo-filled shores of Lake Nakuru, a strong birding spot with flocks of flamingos and other species, alongside wildlife grazing in the surrounding plains. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Zziwa Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Drive to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and continue toward Amboseli National Park, retracing the Rift Valley escarpment route back via Nairobi, where you will stop for lunch.

After lunch, continue to Amboseli with an en-route game drive, watching for the large elephant herds the park is known for, along with views of Mount Kilimanjaro along the way. Arrive at your lodge for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: AA Amboseli Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Full Day in Amboseli National Park

After breakfast at your lodge, your guide will take you into the park to search for wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, gazelles, kudu, giraffes, elands, and a range of bird species.

After lunch, head out for a further game drive and photography session, with the chance to catch a striking sunset silhouetted against Mount Kilimanjaro. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: AA Amboseli Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Amboseli National Park

Day 7: Drive to Nairobi and Departure

On your last day, enjoy breakfast before checking out of your lodge and beginning the drive back to Nairobi, where your guide will drop you at the airport or your preferred location, bringing your safari to an end.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

What’s Included

• Transportation in a 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
• Accommodation per the itinerary
• Meals as per the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Services of a knowledgeable, English-speaking driver-guide
• National park entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Excursions and activities as per the itinerary
• Hot air balloon safari
• Drinking water in the safari vehicle

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Visas and related costs
• Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, and other items of a personal nature
• Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything else not included in the itinerary