Safari Overview
This 7 Days Maasai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha & Amboseli Kenya Budget Safari starts and ends in Nairobi and combines four of Kenya's best safari destinations. You will spend 2 nights in the Maasai Mara, 1 night in Lake Nakuru, 1 night in Naivasha and 2 nights in Amboseli, giving you enough time to enjoy game drives without rushing through each destination.
The safari starts with the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you have two nights and a full day of game drives. The Mara is one of Kenya's best places for wildlife viewing and is home to lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and many other animals. An optional hot air balloon ride can also be arranged early in the morning for travellers who want to see the Mara from above.
From the Mara, continue to Lake Nakuru for a night before travelling to Lake Naivasha. Lake Nakuru is known for its rhino population, flamingos and other wildlife, while Naivasha offers a different experience with the freshwater lake, hippos and birdlife. An optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha can be arranged depending on time and weather.
The final part of the safari takes you to Amboseli National Park, where you spend two nights. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have an afternoon game drive on arrival and a full day to explore the park before returning to Nairobi on the final day.
This is a budget safari, so the focus is on wildlife and the overall experience rather than luxury facilities. Accommodation is provided in comfortable budget camps or lodges, with safari transport by van or 4×4 vehicle depending on the final group arrangement. A professional safari guide accompanies you throughout the trip.
Best Time to Visit
July to October is one of the best periods for this Kenya safari. The weather is generally dry, wildlife viewing is good and the Maasai Mara can also have the annual wildebeest migration during this period. Amboseli can also offer excellent wildlife viewing when conditions are dry.
January to March is another good time to travel. The weather is usually dry and wildlife is easier to spot in many areas. The grass is also shorter in some parks, which can help with game viewing.
April to June is the long rainy season. The parks and reserves become green and beautiful, wildlife is still present and prices can be lower. Some roads can become muddy after heavy rain.
November to December brings shorter rains. The landscape is greener, birdlife is good and it can be a quieter time to visit.
Animals You Can Expect to See
Big Five
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Leopard
- ✓ Elephant
- ✓ Buffalo
- ✓ Rhino
Kenya Wildlife
- ✓ Cheetah
- ✓ Giraffe
- ✓ Zebra
- ✓ Wildebeest
- ✓ Hippo
- ✓ Antelope & gazelle
Birdlife
- ✓ Flamingos
- ✓ Pelicans
- ✓ Secretary bird
- ✓ Kori bustard
- ✓ Eagles
- ✓ Many smaller birds
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive towards the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and your accommodation location. Along the way, you pass through the Great Rift Valley and can stop briefly for a viewpoint and photos.
Continue towards the Mara and arrive around lunchtime. After checking in and having lunch, take some time to rest before heading out for your first afternoon game drive. The open grasslands are home to large numbers of wildlife, so keep an eye out for elephant, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo and lion.
Continue the game drive into the late afternoon before returning to your budget camp or lodge for dinner and an evening around the camp.
Full Day Game Drive — Maasai Mara
Wake up early for breakfast before setting out for a full day game drive in the Maasai Mara. The early morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because animals are active before the heat of the day. Your guide will follow the roads and tracks where recent wildlife sightings have been reported.
If you would like to take a hot air balloon ride, this can be arranged early in the morning before continuing with the day's safari. The balloon ride is optional and comes at an extra cost.
The morning game drive gives you a chance to look for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and giraffe. The Mara is also known for its large herds of wildebeest and zebra, especially during the migration season. Your guide will explain the animals and help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply driving from one sighting to another.
Around midday, stop for a picnic lunch inside the reserve at a designated safe area. This means you can spend more time in the Mara instead of driving back to the camp for lunch. After lunch, continue with the afternoon game drive and explore a different part of the reserve.
During the afternoon, keep looking for predators such as lion and cheetah, as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelope. Your guide may also take you towards the Mara River area when conditions and wildlife activity make it worthwhile. Continue the game drive until late afternoon before returning to your camp or lodge for dinner and rest.
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before your final morning game drive in the Maasai Mara (optional). This is another good opportunity to look for wildlife before leaving the reserve. Your guide will check areas where animals are active and you may see predators, elephants, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest.
Return to the camp for lunch and check out before beginning the journey towards Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive takes several hours depending on road conditions and stops along the way.
Arrive in the Lake Nakuru area later in the day and check in at your budget camp or lodge. If time allows, you can enjoy a short evening game drive or simply relax at the accommodation after the journey.
Lake Nakuru is well known for its rhino population, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and many bird species. The lake can also attract large numbers of flamingos depending on the water conditions and food available.
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Start the day with an early game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park (optional). The cooler morning hours are a good time to look for rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and other wildlife around the park. Your guide will also look out for birds around the lake and forest areas.
After the game drive, return for breakfast and check out. Continue towards Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. The drive is relatively short compared with some of the other transfers on this safari.
Arrive in Naivasha and check in at your accommodation. Depending on the time and weather, you can relax at the lodge or arrange an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The boat ride offers a chance to see hippos in the water and different bird species around the lake.
Spend the evening relaxing around the accommodation and enjoy dinner before the next day's journey to Amboseli.
Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, leave Lake Naivasha and begin the drive towards Amboseli National Park. This is one of the longer travel days of the safari, so there will be time to relax and enjoy the changing scenery as you travel across Kenya.
Continue towards Amboseli and arrive later in the afternoon. After checking in and having some time to settle in, head out for an evening game drive if time and park conditions allow.
Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and its views towards Mount Kilimanjaro. As you explore the park, keep an eye out for elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, buffalo and other wildlife. The late afternoon light can also make the scenery especially beautiful.
Return to your budget camp or lodge for dinner and relax ahead of a full day in Amboseli.
Full Day Game Drive — Amboseli National Park
Wake up early for breakfast before setting out for a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park. Early morning is one of the best times to explore the park, especially when the weather is clear and Mount Kilimanjaro may be visible in the distance.
Amboseli is particularly famous for its large elephant herds. Your guide will take you through different areas of the park looking for elephant, lion, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and other wildlife. The open plains make it easier to watch animals from the safari vehicle.
Around midday, stop for a picnic lunch at a designated safe area or return to the accommodation depending on the day's plan. After lunch, continue with the afternoon game drive and explore more of Amboseli.
The afternoon is a good time to photograph elephants and the open landscapes, especially when Kilimanjaro is visible. Continue the game drive until late afternoon before returning to the camp or lodge for dinner.
Morning Game Drive, Amboseli to Nairobi & Departure
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before your final morning game drive in Amboseli (optional). This is your last chance to look for wildlife in the park and enjoy the scenery around the Amboseli plains. If the weather is clear, you may also get another good view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Return to the camp for lunch and check out before beginning the drive back to Nairobi. The journey normally takes several hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
If your flight is later in the evening, we can arrange one or more optional Nairobi activities after arriving in the city. The exact activities depend on your arrival time, flight schedule and traffic.
Optional Nairobi Experiences Before Your Flight
If your flight is later in the evening, we can arrange one or more optional Nairobi activities before taking you to the airport. Choose from the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum or lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. The exact activities depend on your flight time and the day's traffic.
- ✓ City Tour — explore Nairobi's highlights
- ✓ Giraffe Centre — see and feed Rothschild's giraffes
- ✓ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — visit the elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre
- ✓ Karen Blixen Museum — visit the former home of the author of Out of Africa
- ✓ Carnivore Restaurant — enjoy lunch before heading to the airport
After your chosen Nairobi activity or lunch, continue to the airport for your departure flight. We recommend allowing enough time for traffic and airport check-in, especially for international flights.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Nairobi pickup and final drop-off
- 2 nights budget camp or lodge accommodation in Maasai Mara
- 1 night budget camp or lodge accommodation in Lake Nakuru
- 1 night budget camp or lodge accommodation in Lake Naivasha
- 2 nights budget camp or lodge accommodation in Amboseli
- All meals — full board during the safari
- All scheduled game drives in Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli
- Safari transport by safari van or 4×4 vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Park and reserve fees for the included safari activities
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Picnic lunch during scheduled full-day game drives
- 24/7 support from Wild Safaris & Travel
Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA / visa fees
- Travel & medical insurance
- Maasai Mara hot air balloon ride
- Lake Naivasha boat ride, unless specifically included
- Maasai village visit, if requested
- Optional Nairobi activities after Amboseli
- Alcoholic & premium beverages
- Gratuities for guide & lodge staff
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
The safari includes Nairobi pickup and drop-off, 6 nights of budget accommodation, full board meals, scheduled game drives, safari transport, a professional English-speaking guide, park and reserve fees, bottled drinking water and 24/7 support from Wild Safaris & Travel.
The safari covers 2 nights in Maasai Mara, 1 night in Lake Nakuru, 1 night in Lake Naivasha and 2 nights in Amboseli. This gives you time to enjoy each destination without trying to cover everything in just a few days.
You can look for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and many antelope species. Amboseli is especially well known for its elephant herds, while Lake Nakuru is known for rhinos and birdlife. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Yes. A Maasai Mara hot air balloon ride can be arranged as an optional extra, usually early in the morning on Day 2. It is not included in the standard budget safari price.
Yes. An optional Lake Naivasha boat ride can be arranged depending on the day's schedule and weather. It is a good way to see hippos and some of the birdlife around the lake. The boat ride is not included in the standard package unless agreed when booking.
The safari uses comfortable budget camps or lodges in the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli areas. Accommodation is simple, clean and suitable for travellers who want to keep the overall safari cost down while still having a comfortable place to stay.
Yes. If your flight is later in the evening, we can arrange optional Nairobi activities after you return from Amboseli. Options include the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, a Nairobi city tour or lunch at Carnivore Restaurant, depending on your flight time.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applied for online before travel. We guide all clients through the process after booking.