Safari Overview
This 11 days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Kenya Coast safari combines some of Kenya's best wildlife with a few days by the Indian Ocean. You start in Nairobi, spend two nights in the Maasai Mara, continue through Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, then head to Amboseli for two nights before travelling by road and SGR from Emali to Mombasa. The final part of the trip is spent relaxing in Mombasa and Diani.
The Maasai Mara is the main wildlife highlight of the trip. You get two nights in the reserve with an afternoon game drive on arrival and a full day of game viewing. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest are all possible, and between July and October you may also see the Great Migration.
Lake Nakuru gives you a different safari experience, with good chances of seeing rhino, buffalo, giraffe and lion around the lake and woodland. From there you continue to Lake Naivasha, where the pace slows down with a boat ride on the lake and a chance to see hippos and birdlife.
Amboseli National Park is the final safari park, famous for its large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. After two nights here, you travel by road to Emali and board the SGR train to Mombasa. The last three nights are on the coast — one night in Mombasa and two nights in Diani — giving you time to enjoy the beaches, warm water and a slower end to the trip.
Best Time to Visit
January to March is an excellent time for this trip. The weather is generally dry, wildlife is easier to spot and the coast is warm and sunny.
July to October is the best time if the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara is a priority. The safari parks are also good during this period, while the coast remains a good place to relax after the game drives.
April to June is the long rainy season. Some safari roads can be muddy, but the parks are greener, there are fewer visitors and prices are often lower.
Animals You Can Expect to See
Maasai Mara
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Leopard
- ✓ Cheetah
- ✓ Elephant
- ✓ Buffalo
- ✓ Hippo
- ✓ Wildebeest
- ✓ Zebra
Nakuru & Naivasha
- ✓ White Rhino
- ✓ Black Rhino
- ✓ Giraffe
- ✓ Buffalo
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Hippo
- ✓ Flamingos
- ✓ Water birds
Amboseli
- ✓ Elephant herds
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Cheetah
- ✓ Giraffe
- ✓ Zebra
- ✓ Wildebeest
- ✓ 400+ bird species
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Nairobi
Your driver meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Nairobi. This is your arrival and rest day, giving you time to settle in before the safari starts. In the evening your guide will go through the safari plan with you and make sure everything is ready for the next morning.
If you arrive early enough, optional visits to the Giraffe Centre or Nairobi National Park can be arranged. These are charged separately.
Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Depart Nairobi early morning and drive through the Great Rift Valley towards the Maasai Mara. The drive takes around 5 to 6 hours and passes through Narok before you reach the reserve. You arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a short rest.
In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive. The Mara is one of the best places in Kenya to see lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and buffalo, and your guide will follow the latest wildlife sightings to give you the best chance of seeing animals.
Full Day Game Drive — Maasai Mara
Spend the full day exploring the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Start early when the predators are most active and cover different parts of the reserve looking for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and other wildlife.
With a packed lunch, you can stay out for most of the day instead of returning to the lodge. If you travel between July and October, your guide will also keep an eye on areas where the wildebeest are moving. The day ends with an afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Start with an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara (optional) before breakfast and check-out. You then drive towards Lake Nakuru, passing back through Narok and the Great Rift Valley. After lunch and check-in, head into Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Lake Nakuru is especially known for its rhino population. You can also see buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lion and many water birds around the lake. The landscape is very different from the Mara, with the lake surrounded by woodland and rocky hills.
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a final morning game drive around Lake Nakuru (optional) before breakfast and check-out. You then drive a short distance to Lake Naivasha, one of the Rift Valley's freshwater lakes, arriving around lunchtime.
In the afternoon, take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and the many birds that live around the lake. Depending on conditions and timing, a visit to Crescent Island can also be arranged for a guided walking experience among giraffe, zebra and other wildlife. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening.
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, leave Lake Naivasha and drive south towards Amboseli National Park. The journey takes around 4 to 5 hours depending on stops and road conditions. You pass through small towns and open countryside as you make your way towards the park.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and, if time allows, head out for an afternoon game drive. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Full Day Game Drive — Amboseli National Park
Start early with a sunrise game drive when the light is best and Kilimanjaro is often clearer. Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to photograph elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Spend the day exploring the park's open plains, swamps and woodland areas. Alongside elephants, you can see lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and many bird species. After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge.
Amboseli to Emali — SGR to Mombasa
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Amboseli (optional) before breakfast and check-out. You then travel by road to Emali SGR station, where you board the train to Mombasa. This breaks up the long journey to the coast and gives you a more comfortable way to travel.
On arrival in Mombasa, your driver meets you at the station and transfers you to your hotel. The evening is free to rest after the journey or take a short walk around the area. Optional activities such as a city tour or a visit to the local markets can be arranged.
Mombasa to Diani Beach
After breakfast, leave Mombasa and travel south towards Diani Beach. The transfer takes around 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic and the Likoni crossing. Check in at your Diani hotel and settle into the slower pace of the coast.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the beach, swim in the warm Indian Ocean or simply relax at the hotel. Optional activities such as a dhow trip, snorkelling or a visit to Wasini Island can be arranged if you would like to add more to your beach stay.
Full Day in Diani Beach
Enjoy a full day at the coast with no long transfers. Spend the morning on the beach, swim in the ocean or relax by the pool. Diani is known for its white sand, clear water and relaxed atmosphere, making it a good place to slow down after the safari.
If you want to stay active, optional activities include snorkelling, diving, a dhow cruise, kite surfing or a visit to nearby Wasini Island. You can also simply enjoy the hotel and beach at your own pace.
Diani Beach — Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast at the beach before check-out. Your driver transfers you to Ukunda Airport or Mombasa's Moi International Airport depending on your onward flight. If you have a late departure, you can spend a little more time at the beach before leaving.
If you would like to extend your stay in Diani, we can also arrange extra nights at the beach.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Airport pickup and final airport drop-off
- 1 night hotel in Nairobi (bed & breakfast)
- 9 nights mid-range hotel and lodge accommodation
- Full board meals during the safari
- Bed & breakfast on the coast
- All game drives in private 4×4 Land Cruiser
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli park fees
- SGR ticket from Emali to Mombasa
- Road transfers between all destinations
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Certified expert safari guide
- Bottled water throughout the safari
- 24/7 support from Wild Safaris & Travel
Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA / visa fees
- Travel & medical insurance
- Optional Nairobi, Naivasha and coast activities
- Alcoholic & premium beverages
- Gratuities for guide & lodge staff
- Optional extra nights in Diani
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
This itinerary is 11 days and 10 nights. You spend 1 night in Nairobi, 2 nights in the Maasai Mara, 1 night in Nakuru, 1 night in Naivasha, 2 nights in Amboseli, 1 night in Mombasa and 2 nights in Diani.
In the Maasai Mara you can see lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo, wildebeest and zebra. In Lake Nakuru you have good chances of seeing white and black rhino, giraffe, buffalo and lion. Amboseli is especially known for elephants, with lion, cheetah, giraffe and zebra also possible.
Yes. It gives first-time visitors a good mix of wildlife, scenery and beach time without needing a separate beach trip. You get the Mara, Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli and the Kenya Coast in one route.
Yes. The itinerary includes the road transfer from Amboseli to Emali SGR station, the SGR journey to Mombasa and the transfer from Mombasa station to your hotel.
Yes. Amboseli sits at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and early mornings usually give you the best chance of clear views. Photographing elephants with the mountain behind them is one of the highlights of the park.
January to March and July to October are excellent times. July to October is especially good if you want to see the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. The coast is warm throughout the year, although the rainy months can bring more showers.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applied for online at etakenya.go.ke before travel. We guide all clients through this after booking.