Everything about this journey
Move between the trip overview, day-by-day plan and what is or is not included in your safari price.
About this journey
Travel style
- Private Safari
- Road Safari
Transport and guiding
Private 4x4 road safari plus Lake Naivasha boat.
Your safari itinerary
A clear daily flow so you know how the journey unfolds from departure to the final experience.
Nairobi to Masai Mara – afternoon game drive
Masai Mara National Reserve
Travel early from Nairobi to the Mara and begin a late-afternoon game drive after lunch. Search for lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and cheetah across the open plains.
Your detailed programme begins with a guide briefing covering the day's route, expected travel time, activity conditions and any park or conservation-area procedures. Keep cameras, binoculars, sun protection and a light layer accessible rather than packed away, because useful sightings or scenic stops can begin before the main destination is reached.
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya's richest big-game landscapes, with open grassland, drainage lines, riverine woodland and rolling plains supporting lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and large herds of grazers. From roughly the middle of the year into the northern dry season, parts of the wider ecosystem may also hold migrating wildebeest and zebra, but herd positions and river crossings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. A productive Mara day is deliberately flexible: the guide may stay longer with significant behaviour, move between habitats, or adjust the route when fresh predator activity is reported.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Full-day Masai Mara safari
Masai Mara National Reserve
Dedicate the day to the Mara, exploring a wider sector and spending time at high-quality sightings. During migration season, the guide follows the herds and river activity; outside migration, the focus remains on resident wildlife and predator territories.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya's richest big-game landscapes, with open grassland, drainage lines, riverine woodland and rolling plains supporting lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and large herds of grazers. From roughly the middle of the year into the northern dry season, parts of the wider ecosystem may also hold migrating wildebeest and zebra, but herd positions and river crossings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. A productive Mara day is deliberately flexible: the guide may stay longer with significant behaviour, move between habitats, or adjust the route when fresh predator activity is reported.
A full day gives the guide freedom to work with wildlife and conditions rather than a fixed return deadline. Expect an early start, a slower midday period or picnic arrangement where appropriate, and renewed activity later in the afternoon. Time can be spent at a rewarding sighting instead of leaving simply to keep a timetable. Routes are varied to avoid repeating the same habitat and to increase the range of landscapes, species and photographic opportunities seen during the day.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha – Rift Valley change of pace
Lake Naivasha
Leave the Mara after an early breakfast and travel to Naivasha. In the afternoon, take a boat ride for hippo viewing from a safe distance and birdwatching along the lake edge. Relax after the longer transfer and prepare for the southern leg.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Lake Naivasha introduces a freshwater ecosystem into the safari circuit. Boat outings typically focus on hippos viewed at a respectful distance, African fish eagles, kingfishers, cormorants and other waterbirds, with exact routing determined by wind, water level and local boat guidance. The wider Naivasha area also links naturally with Hell's Gate and the Rift Valley. It is a useful change of pace between long game-drive days because the experience is slower, quieter and viewed from water level rather than through a safari vehicle.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli – afternoon elephants
Amboseli National Park
Travel south to Amboseli, arriving for lunch or early afternoon. Enter the park for a long game drive through wetlands and open plains, looking for elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and predators. Use the late light for possible Kilimanjaro views.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Amboseli is famous for its elephants, open plains and permanent wetland systems fed by underground water from the Kilimanjaro catchment. The combination of dry ground and green marshes creates strong wildlife concentrations and excellent birding. Clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro are weather-dependent, often best in the cooler early morning or late afternoon, so the guide uses the light rather than promising a mountain view at a fixed hour. Lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena and numerous antelope may be encountered, but the park's elephant behaviour and landscape are usually the defining experience.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Amboseli sunrise safari and return to Nairobi
Amboseli National Park
Start before sunrise for the best mountain and wildlife light. Search the marshes and plains for elephants and predators, then exit after breakfast and drive back to Nairobi with lunch en route.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Amboseli is famous for its elephants, open plains and permanent wetland systems fed by underground water from the Kilimanjaro catchment. The combination of dry ground and green marshes creates strong wildlife concentrations and excellent birding. Clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro are weather-dependent, often best in the cooler early morning or late afternoon, so the guide uses the light rather than promising a mountain view at a fixed hour. Lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena and numerous antelope may be encountered, but the park's elephant behaviour and landscape are usually the defining experience.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
What your package covers
These items are included in the quoted safari price unless your written quotation states otherwise.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Transport in the vehicle type specified for the package, with game-viewing roof where applicable.
- All scheduled game drives, guided visits and activities stated in the itinerary.
- Applicable national park, national reserve or conservancy entry fees for the included programme.
- Accommodation during multi-day safari nights in the selected comfort category; specific properties are confirmed at quotation stage and are not fixed in this package description.
- Meals stated in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water while travelling in the safari vehicle.
- Pick-up and drop-off at the stated Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, Malindi or Watamu meeting point where applicable.
- Government taxes and service charges applicable to the included services at the time of quotation.
What to budget for separately
These items are normally outside the package price unless specifically added to your written quotation.
- International flights and any domestic flights not expressly stated as included.
- Kenya visa or electronic travel authorisation costs where applicable.
- Travel, medical, evacuation and cancellation insurance.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, porters and other service staff.
- Alcoholic drinks, premium beverages and personal purchases.
- Laundry, telephone charges, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
- Optional activities such as hot-air balloon safaris, night drives, spa treatments or additional community visits unless specifically stated as included.
- Pre-safari and post-safari accommodation or transfers not stated in the itinerary.
- Any new or increased statutory park, reserve, conservancy, marine or government charges introduced after a quotation has been confirmed, unless otherwise stated in the booking terms.
