7 Day Kenya Safari: Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara

Ready for your next Safari? Quickly book your 7 Day Kenya Safari with our experienced local guides and travel from the elephant plains of Amboseli to the Big Cat country of the Masai Mara — all in one unforgettable week. Get Started →

A 7 Day Kenya Safari is the sweet spot for travellers who want to see the very best of Kenya without rushing. In a single week you’ll stand beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, watch flamingos and rhino at Lake Nakuru, cruise the hippo-filled waters of Lake Naivasha, and spend two full days chasing lions across the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. This guide walks you through the full itinerary, the wildlife, the best time to travel, and exactly how to book.

Why Choose a 7 Day Kenya Safari Package?

A week is long enough to cover Kenya’s four signature ecosystems, yet short enough to fit a normal holiday. Here’s why this 7 Day Kenya Safari package is our most popular classic route:

• Four parks, four landscapes — savannah, soda lake, freshwater lake and open Mara plains
• The Big Five — realistic chances of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino
• Mount Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli on a clear morning
• Three nights in the Masai Mara — the single best place in Kenya to see big cats
• Comfortable pacing — no single drive is too long, with time to relax at each camp

Who this safari is best for

First-time visitors to Kenya, couples, families and small groups who want a complete “greatest hits” experience. Prefer something shorter? See our 3 Day Masai Mara Safari Package. Want more time and luxury? Explore the 10 Day Luxury Kenya Safari.

Discover the Magic: Your 4 Parks

Amboseli National Park

Famous for huge, relaxed elephant herds and postcard views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is one of Africa’s most photographed parks. Read our full Amboseli National Park Travel Guide for everything the park offers.

Lake Nakuru National Park

A jewel of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is a rhino sanctuary (both black and white rhino) ringed by forests, cliffs and — when conditions are right — shimmering flocks of flamingos.

Lake Naivasha

A freshwater lake alive with hippos and over 400 bird species. Enjoy a boat ride and an optional walking safari at nearby Crescent Island, where you stroll among giraffe and zebra on foot.

Masai Mara National Reserve

The grand finale. The Mara delivers Kenya’s densest predator population and, between July and October, the spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings.

7 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi → Amboseli National Park

Depart Nairobi after breakfast for the 4–5 hour drive to Amboseli. Enjoy lunch at your lodge, then an afternoon game drive in search of elephant herds against the Kilimanjaro backdrop. Overnight in Amboseli.

Day 2: Full Day in Amboseli

Sunrise and afternoon game drives with the best chance of clear Kilimanjaro views early in the day. Visit Observation Hill and the park’s swamps, alive with elephant, hippo and birdlife. Overnight in Amboseli.

Day 3: Amboseli → Lake Naivasha

Travel across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. Afternoon boat safari among hippos and fish eagles, with an optional walk on Crescent Island. Overnight at Lake Naivasha.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara

Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru for rhino and flamingos, then continue to the Masai Mara, arriving for an evening game drive. Overnight in the Masai Mara.

Day 5: Full Day in the Masai Mara

A full day exploring the Mara’s plains and the Mara River. Search for lion, cheetah and leopard, with an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn. Overnight in the Masai Mara.

Day 6: Masai Mara + Maasai Culture

Another full day of big-cat viewing, plus an optional visit to a Maasai village to learn about traditional life. Overnight in the Masai Mara.

Day 7: Masai Mara → Nairobi

A final morning game drive, then the scenic drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon with a camera full of memories.

Getting Around: Road or Fly-In?

This 7 day Kenya safari is designed as a road trip in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, driven by your guide. Travelling by road lets you see rural Kenya, stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and keep the same guide for the whole week, which makes a real difference: by day five, your guide knows exactly what you want to see.

The longest drives are Nairobi to Amboseli and the return from the Mara, each taking several hours. If you would rather save time at the end of the trip, we can replace the final drive with a scheduled light-aircraft flight from a Mara airstrip to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, taking about 45 minutes. Note that light aircraft have soft-bag luggage limits, usually around 15 kg per person.

A Typical Day on Safari

Most days follow the rhythm of the animals. You rise early with tea or coffee and head out at first light, when predators are most active and the light is soft. After a morning drive, you return for a late breakfast or enjoy a picnic in the bush. The hot middle of the day is for resting at your lodge, swimming or reading. In the late afternoon, you head out again until sunset. Evenings mean dinner, stories around the fire and an early night.

On full days in the Masai Mara, many guests choose a full-day game drive with a packed lunch. This lets you follow the action without returning to camp and is the best way to reach the Mara River, where crossings happen in migration season.

Wildlife Highlights of Your 7 Day Kenya Safari

The Big Five

This route gives you a genuine shot at all of the Big Five:

• Elephant — Amboseli’s relaxed herds
• Rhino — Lake Nakuru’s sanctuary
• Lion, leopard & buffalo — the Masai Mara

You’ll also likely see cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, flamingo and hundreds of bird species across the four parks.

Beyond the Big Five

Keep your eyes open for the smaller and stranger animals too: Rothschild’s giraffe at Lake Nakuru, hyena clans and bat-eared foxes in the Mara, and colourful birds such as lilac-breasted rollers and superb starlings everywhere. Leopards are shy and never guaranteed, so a sighting is always a highlight.

Best Time to Book a 7 Day Kenya Safari

July to October — Migration Season

The Masai Mara hosts the Great Migration river crossings. This is peak season with the best big-cat action — book early. See our Kenya weather & safari season guide.

December to March — Warm & Dry

Excellent all-round wildlife viewing, clear Kilimanjaro views in Amboseli, and fewer crowds than the migration peak.

April, May & November — Green Season

Lush landscapes, newborn animals, superb birding and the best value rates. Occasional afternoon rain.

Accommodation Options

Every lodge and camp on this safari can be tailored to your budget:

• Budget — clean tented camps with en-suite bathrooms
• Mid-range — comfortable safari lodges with pools and à la carte dining
• Luxury — premium tented camps with private verandas, such as those featured in our Luxury Kenya Safari Lodges Guide

What Affects the Price of Your Safari

Because every 7 day Kenya safari is tailor-made, the price depends on a few clear factors. The biggest is your choice of accommodation, followed by the season, since July to October and the Christmas period carry peak rates. Group size matters too: the cost of the private vehicle and guide is shared, so a family of four pays less per person than a couple.

Park entry fees are another fixed cost. Amboseli and Lake Nakuru are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, while the Masai Mara is run by Narok County, and both set their own daily fees. Our quotes always show what is included, typically the vehicle and guide, accommodation, meals on safari, park fees and drinking water, so there are no surprises.

Ways to Customise This Itinerary

The route above is a proven classic, but it is easy to adjust. Popular changes include:

• More Mara time: skip Lake Naivasha and add a fourth night in the Masai Mara during migration season.
• A beach finish: fly from the Mara or Nairobi to Diani for a few days on the coast.
• Northern Kenya: swap Amboseli for Samburu to see Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
• Extra comfort: upgrade to conservancy camps that offer night drives and guided walks.

If you want your own vehicle and complete flexibility, a private Kenya safari is the best fit. For high-end camps throughout, see our luxury Kenya safari options, or browse every Kenya safari from Nairobi we run.

Essential Travel Tips

What to Pack

• Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
• A warm layer for chilly morning game drives
• Hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
• Binoculars and a good camera with zoom lens
• Insect repellent and any personal medication
• Comfortable closed walking shoes

Good to know: most travellers need a Kenya eTA before arrival, and a yellow-fever certificate may be required depending on your route. Our team guides you through this when you book.

Entry Requirements and Health

Apply for your electronic travel authorisation on the official Kenya eTA website well before you fly, and check the latest entry and safety guidance from the UK foreign travel advice for Kenya or your own government. Speak to a travel clinic about malaria prevention and vaccinations at least six weeks before departure, and make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation.

Safari Etiquette in the Parks

A few simple habits make every game drive better for you and the wildlife. Keep your voice low at sightings, stay seated and inside the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise, and never feed or call to animals. Drones are not allowed in national parks and reserves without special permission. Wear muted colours rather than bright white or black, and ask before photographing local people, including during the Maasai village visit.

Tipping is customary but always at your discretion. Most guests give their driver-guide a tip at the end of the trip, and lodges usually have a communal staff box. We share up-to-date guidance with your pre-departure information so you can plan in advance.

Why a 7 Day Kenya Safari Should Be on Your Bucket List

In one carefully paced week you experience the elephants of Amboseli, the rhinos of Nakuru, the hippos of Naivasha and the big cats of the Masai Mara — Kenya’s four greatest wildlife stages in a single trip. It’s the most complete way to see the country on a one-week holiday.

FAQs — 7 Day Kenya Safari

Is 7 days enough for a Kenya safari? Yes — seven days is ideal for covering Amboseli, the Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara at a comfortable pace, with three nights in the Mara for the best big-cat viewing.

How much does a 7 day Kenya safari cost? Cost depends on season, accommodation level and group size. Because every safari is tailor-made, we’ll prepare a custom quote — contact us for your best price.

Will I see the Big Five? This route gives a realistic chance of all Big Five: elephant (Amboseli), rhino (Nakuru) and lion, leopard and buffalo (Masai Mara).

Is this safari good for families? Absolutely. The pacing suits families, and our guides are wonderful with children. We can adjust drive times and activities for younger travellers.

Can I add the hot air balloon safari? Yes — a dawn hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara is a popular add-on on Day 5.

When should I book? For July–October (migration season) we recommend booking 3–6 months ahead, as the best camps fill quickly.

Is the 7 day Kenya safari private or shared? We run this route as a private safari, so you have your own vehicle and guide and can set the pace. That means no waiting for strangers and the freedom to stay longer at a good sighting. Group sizes depend on your party, and larger families can use two vehicles.

Can I end the safari at the beach instead of Nairobi? Yes. Many guests fly from a Masai Mara airstrip to the coast, or from Nairobi to Diani or Mombasa, for a few days of rest after the safari. We arrange the flights, transfers and beach hotel as part of one booking.

Ready to Explore?

Your 7 Day Kenya Safari awaits. View the full package and book today → or browse all our Kenya safari packages. Questions? Call us on +254 799 160 081 or message us on WhatsApp.