6-Day Kenya Highlights Safari - Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli

After an early pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi, the drive west passes a viewpoint over the Great Rift Valley before continuing through Narok toward the Maasai Mara. You arrive in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive.

Distance: Approximately 270 km, 5 to 6 hours driving

Activity: Scenic drive via the Great Rift Valley, afternoon game drive

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

A full day of game drives covers the Mara's acacia-studded grassland and rolling hills, with a packed lunch out on the plains and a strong chance of Big Five sightings alongside the reserve's huge resident herds of zebra and wildebeest.

Distance: Full-day game drive with packed lunch

Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara (second night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a final early-morning game drive, the route continues to Lake Nakuru National Park, with views of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha along the way. An afternoon game drive on arrival covers the lakeshore and surrounding woodland.

Distance: Road transfer from the Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

Activity: Final Mara game drive, travel day, afternoon game drive on arrival

Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Nakuru National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A morning game drive covers Lake Nakuru's rhino sanctuary before the long transfer south to Amboseli National Reserve, skirting Nairobi en route. This is the longest single travel day of the itinerary, with arrival timed for a late-afternoon or evening check-in.

Distance: Approximately 430 km, 7 to 8 hours driving via the Nairobi bypass

Activity: Morning game drive in Nakuru, then full-day transfer to Amboseli

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Amboseli National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A full day of game drives covers Amboseli's swamps and open plains, with elephant herds gathering at close range against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear mornings, alongside buffalo, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest.

Distance: Game drives within Amboseli National Reserve

Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Amboseli National Reserve (second night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A final morning game drive, timed for the best chance of clear Kilimanjaro views, is followed by the drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon to bring the safari to a close.

Distance: Morning game drive, then approximately 240 km, 4 to 5 hours driving back to Nairobi

Activity: Final game drive, then return drive to Nairobi

Accommodation: N/A, end of safari

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Extend your trip

Want to add Tsavo and a beach extension? See our 8-Day Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo and Mombasa Beach Safari. Want our full grand circuit covering the north too? See our 10-Day Grand Kenya Safari.