Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli and Tsavo East
- How long
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Starting from
- Nairobi, ending in Watamu or at Mombasa airport
- Parks
- Masai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Tsavo East
The route that takes in the 4 parks most people have actually heard of, in the order that makes geographic sense, and ends at the Indian Ocean rather than back where it started.
2 nights in the Masai Mara so there is a full day inside the reserve, then Lake Nakuru, then Amboseli under Kilimanjaro, then Tsavo East on the way down to the coast.
Day 1
Nairobi to the Masai Mara
West out of Nairobi in the dark, into camp around midday, and the first game drive from 16:00.
- 06:00
Out of Nairobi
Departure at around 06:00 for the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa.
The Mara takes its name from the Maasai, who live across the region, and from the Mara River that runs through the reserve.
- 12:00
Camp, lunch and a pause
We reach the lodge or camp at about midday for lunch, and there is time to do nothing until 16:00.
During the Great Migration — generally between July and October, though it moves with the rains — you may see enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra coming up from the Serengeti.
- 16:00
First game drive
Out into the reserve in the afternoon, through to sunset.
The Mara 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 long list of antelope.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back to the lodge or camp after dark for dinner and the night.
Day 2
A full day in the Mara
Out at 06:00 with a lunch box, across several parts of the reserve, back after sunset.
- 06:00
Breakfast and a lunch box
Breakfast at around 06:00, then a packed lunch and a whole day given over to the Mara.
- Morning
Across the reserve
We work through several different areas of the Mara rather than circling one, which is the point of having the day.
- Midday
Lunch in the field
Lunch is eaten out on the drive, in a safe spot with a view and preferably some shade, with a proper break before we go back out.
- Afternoon
Out until the light goes
The drive carries on through the afternoon until sunset.
- Evening
Dinner at camp
Back after dark for dinner and the night.
Day 3
The Mara to Lake Nakuru
North-east to the lake, a game drive on the way in, and an afternoon drive from 16:00.
- 06:00
Breakfast and away
Breakfast at 06:00, then we leave the Masai Mara for Lake Nakuru National Park.
Nakuru is a Maasai word meaning dust, or dusty place. The park was established in 1961, covers about 188 square kilometres, and is built around the lake it is named after.
- Morning
A game drive into the park
We game drive through the morning as we make our way in towards the lodge.
The lake is best known for its flamingos, though how many are there varies a great deal with the water level and with what there is to eat. The park is rich in birdlife generally, and in game.
- Midday
Lodge and lunch
Rooms are allocated on arrival and lunch is served, then a pause.
- 16:00
Afternoon game drive
Out again at around 16:00, through to sunset.
- Evening
Dinner at the lodge
Back to the lodge for dinner and the night.
Day 4
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
A morning drive out of the park, the long crossing south, and an afternoon under Kilimanjaro.
- 06:00
A drive towards the gate
Breakfast at 06:00, then a game drive that works towards the park exit before we turn south for Amboseli National Park.
- 12:30
Camp at the foot of the mountain
Arrival at the tented camp at about 12:30. Settle into the room, then meet in the restaurant for a buffet lunch.
The afternoon is for the pool or for lying down.
- 15:45
Afternoon game drive
Out at around 15:45 to explore the park — elephants, giraffe, zebra, lion and the rest of what lives there.
Amboseli is famous for its big elephant herds and for the view of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, standing behind them.
- Evening
Dinner, and Maasai dancing
Back to camp for dinner and the night.
After dinner there is often a Maasai cultural performance, with traditional music and dancing, where the property puts one on.
Day 5
Amboseli to Tsavo East
South-east to Tsavo, in by mid-morning, and a full afternoon drive after the middle of the day.
- 06:00
Breakfast and away
Breakfast at 06:00 and off towards Tsavo East National Park, one of the largest and most striking protected areas in Kenya.
Inside it there are baboons, elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, leopards and a great deal else.
- 10:00
Into the park
We reach the park at about 10:00 and start the first game drive straight away, running until roughly midday.
- 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 at the lodge entrance at 16:00, and the drive runs to sunset.
The afternoon is the best of the day for watching animals: they are at their most active, and with some luck you see them hunt.
- Evening
Dinner at the lodge
Back after sunset for dinner and the last night inland.
Day 6
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 of the safari, looking for whatever the trip has not turned up yet.
- Morning
Along the Galana
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 towards your final destination.
If you have brought clothing, food or anything else you would like to pass on, we can stop along the way to give it to the people and children of the communities we go through.
The transfer is arranged so that you get in 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 Camp
- Fig Tree Camp
Lake Nakuru
- Lake Nakuru Lodge
Amboseli
- Sentrim Amboseli Camp
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
- 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 — tell us your flights and we will build around them.