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

An 8 day Kenya safari through Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara is the classic Kenya route at its most relaxed, with time for Kilimanjaro views, the Rift Valley lakes and three full nights among the big cats of the Mara.

Ready for your next safari? Our 8 Day Kenya Safari gives you that extra day where it matters most, with more time in the Masai Mara and across the Rift Valley, for the most rewarding classic Kenya journey. Get Started →

The 8 Day Kenya Safari builds on our popular 7 Day Kenya Safari with an extra night, giving you deeper exploration of each park and the best possible chance of seeing the Big Five and the Great Migration. This guide covers the day-by-day route, wildlife highlights, the best time to go, costs, accommodation and practical tips.

Why Choose an 8 Day Kenya Safari?

• Four iconic parks at an unhurried pace.
• Three nights in the Masai Mara for maximum big-cat and migration time.
• The Big Five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.
• Mount Kilimanjaro views in Amboseli.
• A boat safari and walking safari at Lake Naivasha, for a change of pace from game drives.

Eight days is long enough to see four very different areas without spending every day on the road. Most transfers are half-day drives, broken up with game drives and photo stops, and you still have time to relax at camp. For many first-time visitors, this is the ideal balance between variety and rest.

Discover the Parks

Amboseli National Park is famous for its large, relaxed elephant herds and its views of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. See our Amboseli guide.

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, known for hippos, fish eagles and boat safaris. On Crescent Island you can walk among giraffes, zebras and antelope, as there are no large predators.

Lake Nakuru is a fenced national park and one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, with both black and white rhinos, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes and flocks of water birds.

The Masai Mara is Kenya’s most famous reserve, home to lions, cheetahs and leopards and the stage for the Great Migration. Compare shorter trips on our Masai Mara safari packages page.

8 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary

Here is the route at a glance, followed by more detail on each day.

• Day 1: Nairobi → Amboseli; afternoon game drive.
• Day 2: Full day in Amboseli with Kilimanjaro views.
• Day 3: Amboseli → Lake Naivasha; boat safari.
• Day 4: Lake Naivasha → Lake Nakuru; afternoon game drive.
• Day 5: Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara; evening game drive.
• Days 6–7: Masai Mara: big cats, balloon safari and Maasai culture.
• Day 8: Masai Mara → Nairobi.

Days 1–2: Amboseli

Leave Nairobi in the morning for the four to five hour drive south to Amboseli, arriving for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The next day is spent entirely in the park, starting at sunrise when Kilimanjaro is most often clear. Explore the swamps where elephants bathe and feed, and climb Observation Hill for views across the plains.

Day 3: Lake Naivasha

Drive north-west into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. In the afternoon, take a boat out among hippos and fish eagles, and walk on Crescent Island among grazing animals. Lakeside lodges here are peaceful, with lawns that sometimes attract hippos after dark.

Day 4: Lake Nakuru

A short drive brings you to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon game drives focus on rhinos, which are often seen in the open grassland and acacia woodland, as well as lions, buffalo and large numbers of water birds. Viewpoints such as Baboon Cliff give wide views over the lake.

Days 5–7: Masai Mara

Continue west to the Masai Mara, arriving in time for an evening drive. The next two days are dedicated to the reserve: early morning and afternoon game drives, or a full day out with a picnic lunch. In migration season your guide may head to the Mara River in the hope of a crossing. Optional extras include a dawn hot air balloon flight and a visit to a Maasai village.

Day 8: Return to Nairobi

Enjoy a final early game drive, then drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon, or take a short flight from a Mara airstrip.

Wildlife Highlights: The Big Five

With three nights in the Mara and a visit to the Lake Nakuru rhino sanctuary, your chances of seeing all of the Big Five, plus cheetah and the migration river crossings between July and October, are excellent.

Where to look for each animal

• Elephant: Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to watch elephant families up close.
• Rhino: Lake Nakuru gives the most reliable sightings on this route.
• Lion and cheetah: the open plains of the Mara.
• Leopard: trees along the Mara’s rivers and rocky areas.
• Buffalo: common in Amboseli’s swamps, Lake Nakuru and the Mara.

Best Time to Book an 8 Day Kenya Safari

• July–October: the migration is in the Mara, with peak game viewing and the highest prices.
• December–March: warm, dry weather, clear Kilimanjaro views and newborn animals.
• April, May and November: green-season value, lush scenery and fewer vehicles.

See the weather guide for a month-by-month picture. The Magical Kenya tourism board also has useful background on each region.

How Much Does an 8 Day Kenya Safari Cost?

Each trip is priced to your dates, group size and choice of accommodation. The main factors are:

• Accommodation level: budget tented camps, mid-range lodges or luxury camps.
• Season: July to October and the Christmas holidays cost the most.
• Group size: sharing the private vehicle and guide lowers the cost per person.
• Park fees: set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Narok County, and included in our quotes.
• Extras: balloon flights, a flight back from the Mara, or a beach extension.

Contact us for a custom quote that lists exactly what is included.

What Is Included?

Our standard 8 day Kenya safari quote includes the private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a professional driver-guide, accommodation, park entrance fees, game drives, the boat ride on Lake Naivasha, the Crescent Island walk and drinking water during drives. International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses are not included.

Meals depend on the accommodation you choose, but most safari camps and lodges include full board, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the Mara, many camps also offer packed breakfasts and picnic lunches so that you can stay out on longer game drives. If you have any dietary requirements, tell us when you book and we will pass them on to every camp.

Tipping on an 8 day Kenya safari

Tips are not compulsory but are appreciated by guides and camp staff. Many camps have a communal tip box for the team, and guests usually tip their guide separately at the end of the trip. We are happy to give guidance on typical amounts when you book, so you can budget for it in advance.

Accommodation

You can choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation at every stop. Many guests mix levels, for example a simple camp in Amboseli and a special tented camp in the Mara. See our Luxury Lodges Guide and our luxury Kenya safari page. Staying in a Mara conservancy adds walking safaris and night drives, which are not permitted in the main reserve.

Private Safari and Getting Around

Our standard 8 day Kenya safari is a private guided trip in a pop-up-roof 4×4 Land Cruiser. Everyone gets a window seat, and the roof lifts so you can stand for photos. A private vehicle lets you set your own pace, start early and stay longer at sightings. Read how a private Kenya safari works, or browse more routes on our Kenya safari from Nairobi page.

The longest drive is between Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara, which takes most of a morning. If you would like to save time at the end of the trip, a scheduled flight from the Mara to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport takes under an hour.

Travel Tips

Pack neutral clothing, a warm layer for early drives, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, a camera and insect repellent. Nights at Lake Naivasha and in the Mara can be cool, so bring a fleece. Soft bags are easier to pack into a safari vehicle and are required if you fly on light aircraft.

Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online through the official eTA Kenya portal. Check the latest advice for your nationality, for example on the UK government’s Kenya travel advice page, and visit a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria prevention.

Making the most of an 8 day Kenya safari

• Go out at dawn. Predators are most active early, and the light is best for photography.
• Use the Naivasha day to rest before the excitement of the Mara.
• Ask your guide questions; their knowledge of animal behaviour transforms a game drive.
• Add a beach finish at Diani if you have a few more days.

Who Is an 8 Day Kenya Safari For?

An 8 day Kenya safari suits first-time visitors who want to see the country’s best-known parks without rushing, couples who value time to relax, and families who need shorter driving days. Photographers appreciate the extra time in the Mara, where patience often brings the best moments. If you have less time, our 6 day Kenya safari focuses on Amboseli and the Mara; if you have more, the 10 day luxury Kenya safari adds Samburu and Solio.

FAQs: 8 Day Kenya Safari

Why choose 8 days over 7?

The extra night gives you a full third night in the Masai Mara and a calmer pace through the Rift Valley. More time in the Mara greatly improves your chances of seeing leopards, cheetah hunts and, in season, a river crossing, while shorter transfer days leave more time to relax.

How much does an 8 day Kenya safari cost?

The price depends on your travel dates, group size and accommodation level, so every trip is quoted individually. Park fees, the vehicle and guide, and accommodation are the main costs. Contact us for a custom quote with a clear list of inclusions.

Will I see the Big Five?

Realistically, yes. Elephants are almost certain in Amboseli, rhinos are seen regularly at Lake Nakuru, and lions and buffalo are common in the Mara. Leopards are the most elusive, but three nights in the Mara give you a good chance of finding one with an experienced guide.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes. The pacing suits families well, with mostly half-day transfers and a relaxed day at Lake Naivasha. A private vehicle means you can stop whenever children need a break, and many camps offer family tents and swimming pools.

Can I add a balloon safari or beach extension?

Yes, both are easy to add. A dawn balloon flight over the Mara can be booked for Day 6 or Day 7, and a beach extension to Diani works well at the end of the trip, with a short flight from the Mara or from Nairobi to the coast.

When should I book?

Book three to six months ahead for July to October and the Christmas holidays, as the best camps fill up early. For the rest of the year, two to three months is usually enough, although booking earlier gives you a wider choice of accommodation.

Ready to Explore?

View the 8 Day package & book → or browse all Kenya safari packages. Call +254 799 160 081 or message us on WhatsApp to start planning your 8 day Kenya safari.