Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, Taita and Tsavo
- How long
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Starting from
- Nairobi, ending in Watamu or at Mombasa airport
- Parks
- Masai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Taita Hills · Tsavo East
The complete version. It puts together the wildlife of the Masai Mara, the lake at Nakuru, Kilimanjaro standing over Amboseli, the hills and forest of the Taita Hills, and the sheer scale of Tsavo East — and then drops you at the Indian Ocean.
6 nights, 5 parks, and none of them visited at a run: there is a full day inside the Mara, an afternoon drive in every park, and a morning drive on the way out of each one.
Day 1
Nairobi to the Masai Mara
The drive west, into camp for lunch, and the first game drive of the trip from 16:00 until sunset.
- 06:00
Out of Nairobi
Departure at around 06:00 for the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the best-known pieces of wildlife country in Kenya.
The name comes from the Maasai, who live across this region, and from the Mara River, one of the main watercourses in the reserve.
- 12:00
Camp, lunch and a pause
We reach the lodge or camp at about midday for lunch, and the afternoon is yours until 16:00.
- 16:00
First game drive
Out for the first drive of the safari, through until the sun goes.
The Mara is known for how much wildlife is concentrated in it, and for the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebra and other grazers move between the Serengeti and the Mara. The timing shifts every year but generally falls between July and October.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back to the lodge or camp for dinner and the night.
Day 2
A full day in the Mara
The whole day inside the reserve with a packed lunch, working across different areas of it.
- 06:00
Breakfast and a packed lunch
Breakfast at around 06:00, then out with a packed lunch for a full day given over to the safari.
- Morning
Across the reserve
The day is spent inside the Mara, working through different areas of it and trying to see as much as possible of what lives there, on its own terms.
The reserve holds the Big Five — lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard — as well as hippo in the Mara and Talek rivers, Maasai giraffe, zebra, gazelle and a great many antelope.
- Midday
Lunch in a safe spot
Lunch is eaten somewhere safe with a view, with a short break in the shade before the afternoon drive.
- Afternoon
Out until sunset
Through the afternoon there is a real chance of lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, gazelle and hippo, and with some luck leopard and rhino.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back after the sun goes for dinner and the night.
Day 3
The Mara to Lake Nakuru
The crossing to Nakuru with a game drive on the way in, and an afternoon drive from 16:00.
- 06:00
Breakfast and away
Breakfast at 06:00 and out of the Masai Mara, heading for Lake Nakuru National Park.
Nakuru is a Maasai word meaning dust, or dusty place. The park was established in 1961, is built around the lake it is named after, and is known for how much lives in it.
- Morning
A game drive into the park
We game drive along the way and inside the park before carrying on to the lodge.
Lake Nakuru is best known for its flamingos, although the numbers vary with the state of the lake and with what there is to eat.
- Midday
Lodge and lunch
Rooms are allocated on arrival, lunch is served, and the afternoon is free until 16:00.
- 16:00
Afternoon game drive
Out again at around 16:00, through to sunset.
- Evening
Dinner at the lodge
Back for dinner and the night.
Day 4
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
A drive towards the gate, the run south, and an afternoon under the mountain.
- 06:00
A drive towards the gate
Breakfast at 06:00, then a morning game drive working towards the park exit, and on towards Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli is famous the world over for its big elephant herds and for the views of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
- Along the way
Stops for photographs
There is time for photographic stops on the drive, and game to look at along the road.
- 12:30
Camp and a buffet lunch
Arrival at the camp or lodge at about 12:30, into the rooms, then a buffet lunch.
The afternoon is for the pool or for lying down in the room.
- 15:45
Afternoon game drive
Out at around 15:45, through to sunset.
- Evening
Dinner, and Maasai dancing
Back to camp for dinner and the night.
After dinner there is often a Maasai cultural performance, where the property puts one on.
Day 5
Amboseli to the Taita Hills
Across to the hills, into the lodge before midday, and an afternoon drive through the sanctuary.
- 06:00
Breakfast and away
Breakfast at 06:00, then out of Amboseli towards the Taita Hills — a striking piece of hill country near Tsavo, and a rich one.
The Taita Hills look like nowhere else on the trip: mountains, forest and plains in the same view, with a lot of wildlife in among them.
- 11:30
Into the lodge
Arrival between about 11:30 and 12:00. Into the rooms, then a buffet lunch, then the pool or the room for the afternoon.
- 15:45
Afternoon game drive
Out at around 15:45 to explore the reserve — elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, antelope, and with some luck leopard and other predators.
- 20:00
A night drive, if you want one
There is the option of a night game drive with a ranger. It carries a supplement and is not included in the safari price.
Day 6
The Taita Hills and Tsavo East
A last drive in the hills, on into Tsavo East by mid-morning, and a full afternoon drive.
- 06:00
A last drive in the hills
Breakfast at 06:00 and out for a final morning game drive in the Taita Hills.
- 10:00
Into Tsavo East
At the end of it we carry on to Tsavo East National Park, one of the largest and most important protected areas in Kenya.
We are at the park at about 10:00, in through the gate, and the first game drive of the day runs until roughly midday. Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, gazelles, baboons and much else.
- 12:00
Lodge, lunch and a pause
On to the lodge for lunch, to drop the bags, and to stop until about 15:30.
- 16:00
Afternoon game drive
The jeep and your guide are waiting at the lodge entrance at 16:00, and the drive runs through to sunset.
The afternoon is often the most interesting part of the day to be out: many animals become more active, and the hunting starts.
- Evening
Dinner at the lodge
Back after sunset for dinner and the last night inland.
Day 7
Tsavo East to Watamu or Mombasa
A last drive along the Galana, then out of the park and down to the coast or the airport.
- 06:30
Breakfast, then out at 07:00
Breakfast at 06:30 and away at 07:00 for the last game drive inside Tsavo East.
- Morning
Along the Galana
We carry on through the park looking for whatever the week has not turned up yet. With some luck there are hippos and crocodiles along the watercourses, including the Galana River.
- Midday
Out of the park
At the end of the drive we leave the park and carry on to your final destination.
If you have brought clothing with you, or bought local food along the way, we can stop briefly to share it with the communities we pass through.
The transfer is arranged so that you get back in time for lunch at your hotel where that is possible.
The times in this itinerary are indicative. Roads, traffic, weather, what the animals are doing and the practicalities of running a safari all move them. The shape of the day holds; the clock bends around it.
Where you sleep
Subject to availability, and confirmed when you book.
Masai Mara
- Sentrim Mara
- Fig Tree Camp
Lake Nakuru
- Lake Nakuru Lodge
Amboseli
- Sentrim Amboseli Camp
Taita Hills
- A lodge or camp selected on availability
Tsavo East
- Sentrim Tsavo Camp
- Manyatta Luxury Camp
- Voi Safari Lodge
- Voi Wildlife Lodge
What the price covers
- All transfers in a 4x4 safari vehicle fitted out for photography, with an opening roof
- Entrance to every park and reserve on the itinerary
- All-inclusive accommodation throughout, drinks with meals excluded
- Bottled mineral water throughout every game drive
- A licensed, registered local guide working in Italian — ask us for English
- A professional local driver qualified for game driving
- Comprehensive safari insurance, including a replacement vehicle and rescue assistance
What it does not
- Drinks with meals
- Breakfast on the morning you leave, where the property does not serve it
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Entrance to a Maasai village
- Any night game drive
- Anything not written down under what the price covers
Worth putting in the bag
- Light summer clothing
- A hat or cap
- Something warm for the evening and the early starts
- Tropical insect repellent
- High-protection sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimwear
- A power adapter
- Binoculars
- A camera or a phone you like taking photographs with
And an adventurous spirit, obviously.
Ask about this trip
Quoted per person and it moves with the season, the camps and the size of your group. We recommend flying into Nairobi and out of Mombasa, or finishing with a stay on the beach at Watamu — tell us which and we will build around it.