8-Day Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, and Tsavo “Safari Experience” Itinerary
8-Day Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, and Tsavo “Safari Experience” Itinerary
This 8-day safari offers an incredible journey through Kenya’s most iconic wildlife parks, showcasing the diversity of its landscapes, wildlife, and culture. From the rolling plains of the Masai Mara to the flamingo-covered shores of Lake Nakuru, the towering Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, and the rugged wilderness of Tsavo, this itinerary promises a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrival in Nairobi
Nairobi to Masai Mara Game Reserve
Full Day in Masai Mara
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park
Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West to Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East to the Kenya Coast
Extend Your Journey
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
- Accommodation: Eka Hotel or Similar (B&B).
- Optional Activities: Visit the Nairobi National Museum or the nearby Giraffe Centre (at additional cost).
Nairobi to Masai Mara Game Reserve
Morning Departure to Masai Mara
After breakfast, drive through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, passing the extinct volcanoes of Mt. Longonot and Suswa. Enter the homelands of the Maasai people, known for their vibrant culture and deep connection to the land.
Lunch and Afternoon Game Drive
Arrive at the Masai Mara in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in this wildlife-rich reserve. Spot elephants, zebras, lions, and cheetahs against the vast savannah backdrop.
Dinner and Overnight: Mara Leisure Camp or Similar (FB).
Full Day in Masai Mara
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Spend the day exploring the Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Search for the “Big Five” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard) and, if visiting during the migration season (July–October), witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration.
Picnic Lunch in the Bush
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Mara, enhancing your safari experience.
Dinner and Overnight: Mara Leisure Camp or Similar (FB).
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park
Morning Drive to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its flamingos, pelicans, and diverse wildlife, including rhinos and leopards.
Lunch and Afternoon Game Drive
Arrive at Sopa Nakuru Lodge for lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Explore the park’s alkaline lake, acacia woodlands, and rocky cliffs, where you might spot baboons, giraffes, and rare Rothschild’s giraffes.
Dinner and Overnight: Sopa Nakuru Lodge or Similar (FB).
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park
Morning Game Drive and Departure
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru before breakfast. Afterward, drive to Nairobi for a quick lunch.
Afternoon Transfer to Amboseli
Head to Amboseli National Park, arriving in time to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Dinner and Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge or Similar (FB).
Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
Morning Game Drive and Breakfast
Start your day with a sunrise game drive in Amboseli. Witness herds of elephants and other wildlife as the first light illuminates Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak.
Drive to Tsavo West National Park
After breakfast, travel to Tsavo West, passing the Shetani Lava Flows and stopping at Mzima Springs, where you can view hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat.
Lunch and Afternoon Game Drive
Enjoy lunch at Kilaguni Serena Lodge before exploring the Rhino Sanctuary during an afternoon game drive.
Dinner and Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Lodge or Similar (FB).
Tsavo West to Tsavo East National Park
Morning Departure to Tsavo East
After an early breakfast, enjoy a game drive en route to Tsavo East National Park, Kenya’s largest park, known for its vast plains and red-dusted elephants.
Lunch and Afternoon Game Drive
Have lunch in Tsavo East before continuing with an afternoon game drive en route to Doa Doa Camp. Spot lions, cheetahs, and buffalo in the park’s iconic landscapes.
Dinner and Overnight: Doa Doa Safari Camp (FB).
Tsavo East to the Kenya Coast
Morning Guided Nature Walk
Start the day with a guided nature walk, offering an intimate connection with the wilderness and insights into the local ecosystem.
Breakfast and Relaxation at Doa Doa Camp
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relax, soaking in the tranquility of your surroundings.
Lunch and Departure for the Coast
After lunch, drive to your beach hotel on Kenya’s coast, arriving in the late afternoon. Transition from the wilderness to the white sands and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, concluding your incredible safari adventure.
Optional Add-Ons and Upgrades:
1. Hot Air Balloon Safari (Masai Mara): Soar above the savannah at sunrise and enjoy a champagne breakfast.
2. Private Safari Vehicle: Upgrade to a private vehicle for a tailored experience.
3. Cultural Visits: Meet local Maasai communities to learn about their traditions and way of life.
4. Luxury Lodge Upgrades: Opt for premium accommodations for added comfort and exclusivity.
5. Beach Extension: Extend your stay with a few days at a coastal resort in Diani, Malindi, or Watamu.
Tour Highlights:
• Masai Mara: Big Five, Great Migration (seasonal), and stunning savannahs.
• Lake Nakuru: Flamingos, rhinos, and birdlife along the alkaline lake.
• Amboseli: Mount Kilimanjaro views and iconic elephant herds.
• Tsavo West and East: Unique volcanic features, red elephants, and vast wilderness.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation in selected lodges or camps (FB).
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners.
- Professional driver-guide and transport in a safari vehicle.
- Game drives in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East.
- Guided nature walk in Tsavo East.
- All park entry fees.
Exclusions:
- Drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
- Arrival and departure taxes or fees.
- Kenya visa.
- Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari or cultural visits).
Your Journey
Climate Charts
Your Accommodations
Hotels hand selected by A&K for an unmatched experience.
Hemingways Nairobi
Exclusive boutique, all-suite hotel, located near Nairobi National Park.
Tawi Lodge
Thirteen cottages, each with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro, on a private reserve.
Sanctuary Swala
Twelve elegant pavilions near a waterhole, with panoramic vistas.
Gibb's Farm
Travel + Leisure World’s Best boutique inn featuring modern amenities.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Amazing lodge set deep within Serengeti National Park.
Sanctuary Olonana
Superb luxury safari lodge with 14 spacious suites with king-size beds.
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2023 WINNER
Sanctuary Olonana voted one of the best resorts in the world
View Image GalleryPrices are in USD, including internal air, per person, double occupancy
Victoria Falls Pre-Tour Extension
Experience epic Victoria Falls from both sides, and stay in a luxurious tree house beside the Zambezi River in Zambia.
4 days from $4,645 per person
Single Supplement from $895 per person
Internal Air Included (Economy Class, $1,950 value)
Johannesburg/Livingstone/Nairobi
Jun-Aug; Priced from $4,945 | Single Supplement $1,195
Oct; Priced from $4,645 | Single Supplement $895
Available to add to select departure dates.
See Dates & Prices for details
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa, and transfer to your hotel.
Arrive in Livingstone, Zambia. Continue to your luxury tree house beside the Zambezi River. Then, enjoy lunch. For two days, take advantage of the activities on offer, such as game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Walk on both sides of Victoria Falls — in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Meet the residents of a local village supported by A&K Philanthropy.
Fly to Entebbe. Enjoy use of a dayroom until your flight departs.
Uganda Post-Tour Extension
Encounter endangered mountain gorillas up close during your trek into lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
4 days from $5,545 per person
Single Supplement from $1,095 per person
Internal Air Included (Economy Class, $1,250 value)
Nairobi/Entebbe/Bwindi/Entebbe
Jun, Oct 16-31; Priced from $5,545 | Single Supplement $1,095
Jul-Oct 15; Priced from $6,245 | Single Supplement $1,195
Gorilla permits (valued at $800) are included in the journey price, paid at time of deposit and non-refundable.
Available to add to select departure dates.
See Dates & Prices for details
Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, and transfer to your tranquil hotel.
Fly to your tented campsite in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Visit a nursing school supported by A&K Philanthropy. The next day, set out for an up-close encounter with endangered mountain gorillas.
Fly to Entebbe. Enjoy use of a dayroom until your flight departs.
Add a Night in Nairobi Before Your Journey Begins
2 days from $1,095 per person
Single Supplement from $375 per person
Price includes $100 per adult for increases in Kenya park fees.
Arrive in Nairobi, where you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and escorted to your hotel.
Meet your guide and depart on an excursion to view remarkable African species in two special settings. Visit the Giraffe Center, where you may hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from a platform that brings you to eye level with these majestic giants, who gently snatch food with their long blue tongues. At the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, watch young elephants at play with attentive keepers, who explain the process of reintroducing the elephants into the wild. Continue to the Oloolua Forest, once a hiding place for the Mau Mau Freedom Fighters during the war for independence but today a tranquil respite from the city. Here you enjoy an A&K-exclusive forest folklore stories experience, listening to tales handed down from one generation to the next, followed by lunch. Afterwards, relive a small part of Kenya’s colorful history at the Karen Blixen Museum located in her former home, Mbogani House, made famous by the film Out of Africa. Continue to the innovative Ocean Sole workshop to see how recycled flip-flops are transformed into incredible works of art. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure and begin The Great Migration Safari in Style.
Explore Dubai: Stopover Package
3 days from $2,495 per person
Single Supplement from $1,695 per person
Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to spend two nights in Dubai before or after your journey.
Taj Dubai from $2,495 | Single Supplement from $1,695
Atlantis The Royal from $2,995 | Single Supplement from $2,395
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai from $3,395 | Single Supplement from $2,495
International air not included.
Fly to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and check in to your luxury hotel. Discover the best of this dazzling city, viewing its remarkable architecture; visiting the Spice Market and the colorful shops at Deira Gold Souk; and ascending the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. On the last day, continue on to your journey or board your flight home.
Your Journey
Climate Charts
Your Accommodations
Hotels hand selected by A&K for an unmatched experience.
Hemingways Nairobi
Exclusive boutique, all-suite hotel, located near Nairobi National Park.
Tawi Lodge
Thirteen cottages, each with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro, on a private reserve.
Sanctuary Swala
Twelve elegant pavilions near a waterhole, with panoramic vistas.
Gibb's Farm
Travel + Leisure World’s Best boutique inn featuring modern amenities.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Amazing lodge set deep within Serengeti National Park.
Sanctuary Olonana
Superb luxury safari lodge with 14 spacious suites with king-size beds.
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2023 WINNER
Sanctuary Olonana voted one of the best resorts in the world
View Image GalleryPreparing for Your Journey
Review A&K's quick travel tips to ensure you are prepared for your journey.
Download PDFEssential Information
Download important information about your destination(s), including passport and visa requirements; vaccinations; baggage restrictions; a packing list; and tipping guidelines.
Download PDFPassports & Visas
See passport requirements and A&K's recommendations for obtaining necessary visas.
Learn MoreCDC Information
Familiarize yourself with health and vaccination requirements for your destination, at the Centers for Disease Control’s website.
Visit CDCYour Journey
Climate Charts
Complimentary Safari Duffel
Guests on this journey receive a custom-crafted A&K safari duffel. Learn more
Travel Privately with A&K | This itinerary is available as a private journey, Private Great Migration Safari.