Best of Kenya Safari
Best of Kenya Safari: 8 Days Across Nakuru, the Maasai Mara and Amboseli
The best of Kenya safari brings together the country’s greatest wildlife in one trip. First, you search for rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru. Then you spend three days with lions and cheetahs in the Maasai Mara. Finally, you watch elephants walk beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli.
This 8-day Kenya safari suits first-time visitors, couples and families. In fact, it covers the three parks that most travelers dream about. Because the route is well paced, you see a lot without feeling rushed.
Best of Kenya Safari at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Parks visited | Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Amboseli |
| Start and end | Nairobi |
| Transport | 4×4 safari vehicle with a driver-guide, plus a flight from the Mara |
| Accommodation | Mid-range or luxury lodges and camps |
| Meals | Full board on safari days |
| Price | From about $2,600 per person, depending on lodge level and season |
| Best for | First-time visitors, couples and families |
Why Choose the Best of Kenya Safari?
Kenya has many wonderful parks. As a result, choosing can be hard. The best of Kenya safari solves this with a route that covers the highlights.
In addition, the trip balances different landscapes. Lake Nakuru gives you rhinos and a lake. Meanwhile, the Mara gives you big cats and wide plains, and Amboseli gives you elephants and a mountain. Therefore, every few days feel new.
Here is what makes this trip special.
- Rhinos: Lake Nakuru is one of the best places to see them.
- Big cats: the Maasai Mara is famous for lions, leopards and cheetahs.
- Elephants: Amboseli has large herds beneath Kilimanjaro.
- The migration: from about July to October, wildebeest herds fill the Mara.
Moreover, a short flight from the Mara saves a long road day. However, you can also choose to drive.
Best of Kenya Safari Route and Travel Times
First, this table shows your trip at a glance. Please note that drive and flight times are approximate, because traffic and schedules vary.
| Day | Route | Travel time | Meals | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Nairobi | Short airport transfer | Dinner | Nairobi |
| 2 | Nairobi to Lake Nakuru | 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Lake Nakuru |
| 3 | Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara | 5 to 6 hours by road | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Maasai Mara |
| 4 | Maasai Mara game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Maasai Mara |
| 5 | Maasai Mara game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Maasai Mara |
| 6 | Maasai Mara to Amboseli | About 1 hour by air, then about 4 hours by road | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Amboseli |
| 7 | Amboseli game drives | Local game drives | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Amboseli |
| 8 | Amboseli to Nairobi | About 4 hours by road | Breakfast, lunch | Departure |
Best of Kenya Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Travel time: Short airport transfer. Meals: Dinner at the hotel.
First, arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Then your driver-guide meets you and takes you to your hotel. After your flight, rest and unwind.
Later, your guide briefs you on your best of Kenya safari. You also confirm your plans and any dietary needs.
Mid-range stay: Sarova Panafric Hotel
Luxury stay: Hemingways Nairobi
Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
Travel time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After breakfast, drive north-west out of Nairobi. On the way, you stop at a viewpoint over the Great Rift Valley. The view is wide and dramatic, so keep your camera ready.
By lunchtime, you reach Lake Nakuru National Park. In the afternoon, go on a game drive around the lake. Rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes and baboons live here, and flamingos often gather on the shore.
Mid-range stay: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Luxury stay: Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Day 3: Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara
Travel time: 5 to 6 hours by road. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Start with a short early game drive at Lake Nakuru. Then begin the long drive to the Maasai Mara. The road passes farms, small towns and rolling hills.
Once you reach the Mara, you check in and have lunch. After a short rest, go on your first game drive. Meanwhile, the open plains spread out in every direction.
Mid-range stay: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Luxury stay: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Days 4 and 5: Maasai Mara Game Drives
Travel time: Local game drives. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most famous reserve. In fact, it is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffaloes. Many travelers also come for the wildebeest migration, which usually arrives between July and October.
Take two full days of game drives. Because the cats are most active at dawn and dusk, you head out early and again in the afternoon. A picnic lunch in the bush fills the middle of the day.
In the migration season, your guide may take you to the Mara River. Because crossings are never certain, patience is part of the fun.
Optional: Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, or visit a Maasai village.
Stay: Same camp as Day 3.
Day 6: Maasai Mara to Amboseli National Park
Travel time: About 1 hour by air, then about 4 hours by road. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Start with a last sunrise game drive. Then enjoy breakfast and fly to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Next, your driver-guide meets you and drives south toward Amboseli.
By late afternoon, you reach your lodge. Then you can relax and watch the light change on the plains. Meanwhile, if the sky is clear, Kilimanjaro may glow at sunset.
Mid-range stay: Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Luxury stay: Tortilis Camp
Day 7: Amboseli Game Drives
Travel time: Local game drives. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Begin with a sunrise game drive, when Kilimanjaro is often at its clearest. Elephants walk across the plains with the snowy peak behind them. In fact, this is one of Africa’s classic safari views.
After breakfast and a rest, visit Observation Hill or a Maasai village. In the afternoon, head out again, when the herds come to the swamps.
Stay: Same lodge as Day 6.
Day 8: Amboseli to Nairobi
Travel time: About 4 hours by road. Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Start with a final sunrise drive if time allows. Then enjoy breakfast and begin the drive to Nairobi. You stop for lunch on the way, and you arrive in the afternoon.
Because the drive takes about four hours, please book an evening flight. Otherwise, ask us about a night in Nairobi.
Wildlife on the Best of Kenya Safari
This route covers three very different habitats. As a result, you see a wide range of animals.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is small, but it is rich in wildlife. Expect black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes and baboons. In addition, flamingos often gather on the lake, although numbers change with water levels.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Mara is famous for big cats. It also holds large herds of zebras, topis and wildebeest. Moreover, elephants, buffaloes and hippos are common, and birdlife is rich.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is famous for its elephants. In addition, you may see zebras, wildebeest, giraffes and hippos. Birdlife is rich around the swamps, too.
Where You Will Stay on the Best of Kenya Safari
Overall, your lodge is more than a bed. After a long day, it is where you rest, eat and share stories. Here is how the two levels compare.
| Area | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | Sarova Panafric Hotel | Hemingways Nairobi |
| Lake Nakuru | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge | Flamingo Hill Tented Camp |
| Maasai Mara | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Mara Serena Safari Lodge |
| Amboseli | Amboseli Sopa Lodge | Tortilis Camp |
Mid-range lodges and camps offer comfortable rooms or tents with private bathrooms. They also serve good food and have friendly service.
Luxury lodges and camps offer spacious suites, fine dining and excellent views. Therefore, they suit honeymooners and special occasions.
Mara camps sell out early in the migration season. For this reason, book your best of Kenya safari well ahead for July to October.
Meals on Your Kenya Safari
Good food keeps you strong on a busy trip. For this reason, your lodge serves three meals a day on safari days.
- Breakfast: hot or continental, often before the morning drive.
- Lunch: a lodge lunch or a picnic in the bush.
- Dinner: a multi-course meal, often with local dishes.
Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book. Most lodges can then adapt meals with notice. Drinking water is also provided in the vehicle.
Travel Time on the Best of Kenya Safari
Overall, this trip has two long drives. However, the flight from the Mara saves a full road day. For this reason, we plan early starts on the driving days.
- Nairobi to Lake Nakuru: 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road.
- Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara: 5 to 6 hours by road.
- Maasai Mara to Nairobi: about 1 hour by air.
- Nairobi to Amboseli: about 4 hours by road.
- Amboseli to Nairobi: about 4 hours by road.
Your driver-guide stops often for photos and breaks. As a result, the drives feel like part of the safari. Small planes also have luggage limits, so pack in a soft bag.
How Much Does the Best of Kenya Safari Cost?
The best of Kenya safari costs from about $2,600 to $8,400 per person. The table shows typical prices for two travelers sharing a room. In short, your final cost is set by the choices that follow.
| Lodge level | Low season (March to May, November) | High season (June to October, Christmas) |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range | $2,600 to $3,200 per person | $3,300 to $4,200 per person |
| Luxury | $4,800 to $6,200 per person | $6,200 to $8,400 per person |
These prices usually cover lodges, meals, park and reserve fees, the 4×4 vehicle, the Mara flight and a driver-guide. Meanwhile, solo travelers pay a single supplement. However, larger groups often pay less per person, because they share vehicle costs.
- Lodge level: mid-range or luxury.
- Group size: larger groups share vehicle costs.
- Season: July to October and the Christmas period are the busiest and costliest.
- Add-ons: a balloon ride, a Maasai village visit and extra nights.
Reserve fees change from time to time. Therefore, ask us for the current rates when you request a quote.
What Is Included in the Best of Kenya Safari
Usually included
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Nairobi.
- A 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide.
- The flight from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi.
- Accommodation and meals as listed.
- Park and reserve entry fees.
- Drinking water in the vehicle.
Usually not included
- International flights.
- Visa or travel authorization fees and travel insurance.
- Tips and personal items.
- Optional activities such as balloon rides.
Inclusions depend on the package you choose. However, we confirm every detail in writing before you pay.
Best Time for the Best of Kenya Safari
Overall, you can visit Kenya all year. However, some months suit this route better.
| Month | Conditions | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Dry and warm | Great game viewing, clear Kilimanjaro views |
| March to May | Long rains | Green scenery, fewer visitors, lower rates |
| June to October | Dry season | Peak season, best game viewing, migration in the Mara |
| November to December | Short rains | Fresh landscapes, good birding, busy at year end |
The dry months are the easiest for game viewing. Because animals gather near water, sightings are easier. On the other hand, the green season has its own charm, with fewer vehicles and lower prices.
Who Is the Best of Kenya Safari For?
This best of Kenya safari works well for many travelers. For example, couples enjoy the lodges and sunset game drives. Families with older children also enjoy the variety. Finally, photographers love the big cats and the Kilimanjaro views.
It is also a strong choice for first-time visitors. Because the route covers the highlights, you see Kenya at its best. If you want more time, we can add Samburu or the coast.
What to Pack for Kenya
Good packing makes every day of your best of Kenya safari easier. First, choose light clothing in neutral colors. Next, bring a warm layer for early game drives. Also pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A camera with a zoom lens and binoculars are useful, too. Finally, use a soft bag, because small planes have luggage limits.
Visas, Health and Safety
In general, most visitors need an online travel authorization or visa to enter Kenya. Fortunately, you can usually apply before you travel. Please check the latest rules for your passport on the official immigration website. Also, make sure your passport has enough validity and blank pages.
- Check yellow fever requirements for your route.
- Ask your doctor about malaria tablets.
- Take out travel insurance that covers medical care.
- Follow your guide’s advice around wildlife.
Overall, Kenya is a welcoming country, and a best of Kenya safari is generally safe. Moreover, your guide knows the roads and the rules of each park.
Tips for Your Best of Kenya Safari
- Book early for July to October.
- Pack layers. Mornings are cool, and afternoons are warm.
- Keep luggage to a soft bag for the flight.
- Ask for early starts in Amboseli, when Kilimanjaro is clearest.
- Carry cash for tips and small purchases.
- Book an evening international flight for Day 8.
Ways to Extend Your Best of Kenya Safari
Eight days is a rich trip. However, some travelers want more. Here are popular add-ons.
- Samburu National Reserve: add dry-country wildlife in the north.
- Lake Naivasha: add a boat ride and a walk at Hell’s Gate.
- Diani Beach: relax on the Indian Ocean coast.
- Tanzania: add the Serengeti for a two-country trip.
- Uganda or Rwanda: add a gorilla trek.
Ask us about a custom plan. We can then add days at either end of your trip.
Why Book Your Best of Kenya Safari With Steady Safaris?
Steady Safaris Limited plans trips across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Our team knows Kenya well and plans every safari with care.
First, we keep groups small and plans flexible. In addition, we answer messages quickly. As a result, you get one clear price and a clear itinerary.
Want a shorter or longer trip? Explore our 6-Day Kenya Safari and our 10 Days Kenya Flying Safari. Alternatively, read our Amboseli National Park guide, or ask us to build a custom plan.
Best of Kenya Safari FAQs
How much is the best of Kenya safari?
Prices start from about $2,600 per person for mid-range and about $4,800 for luxury, with two travelers sharing. Prices rise in the peak months. Therefore, please contact us for a clear quote.
Which parks does the best of Kenya safari visit?
It visits Lake Nakuru National Park, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. It starts and ends in Nairobi.
How long are the drives on this safari?
The longest drive is Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara, at 5 to 6 hours. Meanwhile, the other drives take about 3 to 4 hours. Your driver-guide makes regular stops.
Why fly from the Mara?
The flight takes about an hour, while the road takes five to six hours. As a result, you gain most of a day for wildlife.
Will I see the wildebeest migration?
The herds usually reach the Mara between July and October. However, timing varies each year, so we plan around the season.
Can I see Kilimanjaro?
Often, yes, especially at sunrise. However, clouds can hide the summit by midday.
Are meals included on the best of Kenya safari?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on safari days. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
When is the best time to go?
June to October is the dry season and the busiest. January and February are also good. Meanwhile, the green season has fewer visitors.
Plan Your Best of Kenya Safari
Ready to see rhinos, big cats and elephants beneath Kilimanjaro? Contact Steady Safaris today. Then tell us your dates and group size. We will send a clear quote within a day.
