KENYA // THE CLASSIC ROUTE
7 Days Kenya Classic Safari
Amboseli’s elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, the Rift Valley lakes of Naivasha and Nakuru and the Masai Mara. The route most first visitors should take.
7 Days / 6 Nights
DURATION
$1,350
FROM, PER PERSON
Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, Mara
DESTINATIONS
2 to 6
GROUP SIZE
ABOUT THIS SAFARI
About This 7 Day Kenya Classic Safari
This Kenya classic safari takes in the four parks that define a first trip to Kenya. You start with two nights in Amboseli National Park beneath Kilimanjaro, cross the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru National Park and finish with two nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Each stop has its own highlight. Amboseli is famous for its big elephant herds and mountain views, Naivasha for a boat trip among the hippo, Nakuru for black and white rhino and the Mara for lion, cheetah and leopard, plus the wildebeest migration from July to October. Between them you have an excellent chance of seeing the Big Five.
You travel in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with your own driver guide, with full board, park fees and the Lake Naivasha boat trip included. Planning your first trip? Read the best safari in Kenya for first timers.
AT A GLANCE
Trip Summary
| Detail | This safari |
|---|---|
| Price from | USD 1,350 per person |
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Safari style | Wildlife |
| Countries | Kenya |
| Parks visited | Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara |
| Starts | Nairobi |
| Ends | Nairobi |
| Group size | Private departure. Typically 2 to 6 guests per vehicle |
| Best time to go | All year, Jul to Oct for the migration |
| Difficulty | Easy |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Your Route, Day By Day
| Day | Route | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Amboseli | Lodge, Amboseli | L, D |
| 2 | Full Day in Amboseli | Lodge, Amboseli | B, L, D |
| 3 | Amboseli to Lake Naivasha | Lodge, Lake Naivasha | B, L, D |
| 4 | Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru | Lodge, Lake Nakuru | B, L, D |
| 5 | Lake Nakuru to the Masai Mara | Tented camp, Masai Mara | B, L, D |
| 6 | Full Day in the Masai Mara | Tented camp, Masai Mara | B, L, D |
| 7 | Masai Mara to Nairobi | Departure | B |
B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner. Accommodation is shown by type and area. We confirm the exact camp or lodge in writing with your quote.
DAY BY DAY
The Full Itinerary
Your driver guide collects you from your Nairobi hotel at 7am. You leave on the Mombasa road and turn south at Emali towards Amboseli National Park, about four to five hours, arriving at your lodge for lunch.
Your evening game drive heads to the swamps, where elephant families drink and bathe as Kilimanjaro appears above the cloud.
Activities: Drive to Amboseli, evening game drive to the swamps
Meals: Lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Amboseli
A full day in Amboseli with a picnic lunch. An early drive gives you the best chance of a clear Kilimanjaro, then your guide follows the herds and looks for lion, cheetah and hyena.
You climb Observation Hill for a wide view over the swamps, with hippo and water birds below.
Activities: Full day game drive with picnic lunch, Observation Hill walk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Amboseli
After breakfast you drive back towards Nairobi and down into the Rift Valley, stopping at the viewpoint over the valley floor, about six hours to Lake Naivasha.
In the afternoon a boat trip on the lake takes you close to hippo pods, fish eagles and pelicans.
Activities: Drive to Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley viewpoint, afternoon boat trip
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Naivasha
A short drive of about one and a half hours brings you to Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch.
Your afternoon game drive looks for black and white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo and lion, with pelican and, in some seasons, flamingo on the lake. You finish at Baboon Cliff for the view.
Activities: Drive to Lake Nakuru, afternoon game drive, Baboon Cliff
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Nakuru
After breakfast you drive through Narok to the Masai Mara National Reserve, about five hours, arriving at your camp for lunch.
Your evening game drive heads out as lion prides wake and cheetah hunt on the open plains.
Activities: Drive to the Masai Mara, evening game drive
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Tented camp, Masai Mara
A full day in the Mara with a picnic lunch, including the Mara River where hippo and crocodile gather. From July to October the wildebeest migration fills the plains.
A balloon flight at sunrise and a Maasai village visit can be added at an extra cost.
Activities: Full day game drive with picnic lunch, Mara River, optional balloon flight and Maasai village visit
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight: Tented camp, Masai Mara
After breakfast you leave the Mara and climb the Rift Valley escarpment back to Nairobi, about five to six hours.
Your driver guide drops you at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the afternoon.
Activities: Drive back to Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Departure
THE ROUTE
Where This Safari Takes You
Nairobi → Amboseli → Lake Naivasha → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara → Nairobi. Roughly 1,100 km of driving in total.
How To Get There
This safari starts and ends in Nairobi. Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and we collect you from your hotel at 7am on day 1, or from the airport by arrangement.
All travel is by road in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser. Nairobi to Amboseli takes four to five hours, Amboseli to Lake Naivasha about six hours, Naivasha to Nakuru about one and a half hours, Nakuru to the Mara about five hours and the Mara back to Nairobi five to six hours. The total is roughly 1,100 km.
To save the last drive, you can fly from a Mara airstrip to Wilson Airport in about 45 minutes. Ask us to add it to your free quote.
WHAT IS COVERED
Included and Not Included
Included
- All park and reserve entrance fees
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Full board accommodation as specified
- Lake Naivasha boat trip
- Bottled drinking water throughout
- Airport or hotel transfers
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Balloon flight and Maasai village visit
- Tips and gratuities
GOOD TO KNOW
Kenya Classic Safari FAQs
Yes. It covers Amboseli, the Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara, which together show the best of Kenya’s wildlife and scenery in one week.
Elephant and buffalo are easy to see, Lake Nakuru gives you a very good chance of rhino, and the Mara is the best place for lion and leopard. Most guests see all five.
Amboseli to Lake Naivasha is the longest day at about six hours, with a stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint. The other legs are one and a half to five hours.
It works all year. June to October is dry, with the migration in the Mara from July, and January to March is quieter with good views of Kilimanjaro.
This safari starts from $1,350 per person. The price depends on the season, the lodges and your group size. See how much a Kenya safari costs or request a free quote.
Yes. It runs as a private trip, so you can travel alone. Read our guide to a solo safari in Kenya.
NO OBLIGATION
Enquire About This Safari
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability and a firm price within 24 hours.
MORE IDEAS
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TAILOR MADE SAFARI
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