Kenya Classic Group Safari – Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara (7 Days)

An Amboseli and Masai Mara safari is the classic Kenya itinerary for a first visit. You start beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, famous for its elephants, break the journey at Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley and finish with three nights in the Masai Mara. It works for couples, families and groups, travelling in private pop-up roof 4x4s with a window seat for every guest, and the price starts from USD 1,650 per adult sharing.

Why Choose an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari?

Amboseli and the Masai Mara are two of Kenya’s best-known wildlife areas, and they could hardly be more different. Amboseli is a compact park of open plains and swamps with Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind the elephant herds. The Mara is a vast ecosystem of rolling grassland with the highest concentration of predators in the country. Seeing both in a single week gives you a rounded introduction to Kenya.

The stop at Lake Naivasha breaks the long journey between the two and adds a boat ride among hippos and fish eagles. The route is simple, the pace is steady and the price is accessible, which is why this safari is one of our most popular.

• Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro: a classic Amboseli view.
• Lake Naivasha: a boat ride in the Great Rift Valley.
• Three nights in the Masai Mara: enough time for full-day game drives.
• Private 4x4s: a window seat for every guest.
• Group pricing: per-person prices fall as the group grows.

Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari Route at a Glance

• Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli
• Day 2: Amboseli
• Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha
• Day 4: Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara
• Days 5 to 6: Masai Mara
• Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi

The tour covers six nights: two in Amboseli, one at Lake Naivasha and three in the Masai Mara. Amboseli to Naivasha is about 5 to 6 hours by road and Naivasha to the Mara about 4 to 5 hours, with stops. You can replace road transfers with flights at extra cost.

Day-by-Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari Itinerary

Days 1 to 3: Amboseli and Lake Naivasha

Day 1, Nairobi to Amboseli. Drive south to Amboseli, arriving for lunch. An afternoon game drive takes you among elephant herds, hippos and buffalo. Read more on our Amboseli safari page.

Day 2, a full day in Amboseli. A sunrise game drive gives the best Kilimanjaro views, followed by a visit to Observation Hill and an afternoon drive along the swamps. Mornings are usually clearest, so the sunrise drive is the one to keep.

Day 3, Amboseli to Lake Naivasha. Drive to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. In the afternoon, take a boat ride among hippos and fish eagles.

Days 4 to 7: The Masai Mara

Day 4, Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara. Drive to the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Our Masai Mara safari page explains the reserve.

Day 5, a full day in the Mara. A full-day game drive with a picnic lunch, looking for lions, cheetahs, leopards and, in season, the Great Migration.

Day 6, game drives and optional extras. Morning and afternoon game drives, with an optional balloon flight or Maasai village visit.

Day 7, Masai Mara to Nairobi. An early game drive, then return to Nairobi by road, or by flight at extra cost.

Wildlife on an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari

Each stop on this route has its own wildlife. Here is what to look for in each.

Amboseli: elephants and swamps

Amboseli is famous for its elephants, which are relaxed and often come close to vehicles. The swamps attract hippos, buffalo and a wide variety of birds, and Observation Hill gives a wide view over the park. On a clear morning, Mount Kilimanjaro dominates the horizon.

Lake Naivasha: hippos and fish eagles

A boat ride on Lake Naivasha brings you close to hippos and fish eagles, with many other waterbirds along the shore. It is a gentle afternoon after a long drive.

The Masai Mara: big cats and the migration

The Mara has Kenya’s highest concentration of predators. Lions are common, cheetahs hunt on the open plains and leopards hide in riverside trees. Between about July and October, wildebeest and zebra arrive during the Great Migration. Seven days is enough to see the Big Five without rushing.

Is 7 Days Enough for an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari?

Yes, for most first-time visitors. Seven days gives you two nights in Amboseli, one at Lake Naivasha and three in the Masai Mara, which is enough to see the Big Five without rushing. The two big drives, Amboseli to Naivasha and Naivasha to the Mara, are the longest parts of the trip, and they are broken up with stops. If you prefer less driving, you can replace road transfers with flights at extra cost.

If you have more time, you can add nights in each park or extend the route. For help choosing, read our guide to Kenya safaris from Nairobi.

Accommodation and Pace

We use comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps as standard, on a full-board basis while on safari, and luxury upgrades are available in each park. Game drives are timed for the cooler hours, with a break at midday. Travel days include stops, and there are two nights in Amboseli and three in the Mara so that you can settle in. Browse our Kenya lodges and camps to see the style of accommodation we use.

Best Time for an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari

The safari works all year. June to October and January to February are best, with the Great Migration in the Mara from about July to October.

• January to March: hot, dry weather with good game viewing and clear mountain views.
• April to May: the long rains. Landscapes are green, prices are lower and some roads are muddy.
• June to October: the dry season and the best overall time, with the Great Migration in the Mara.
• November to December: short rains, lush scenery and busy festive weeks.

How Much Does an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari Cost?

This Amboseli and Masai Mara safari starts from USD 1,650 per adult sharing. The final price depends on the season, the level of accommodation and your group size. Larger groups share vehicles and guides, so the cost per person falls. For a wider budgeting guide, see how much an African safari costs.

What Is Included and Not Included

• Private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a window seat for every guest
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide (German, Italian or French on request)
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• Meals as listed, full board while on safari
• All park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
• Airport and hotel transfers
• Bottled drinking water in the vehicle

Not included: international flights, the Kenya eTA (from USD 30 per person, depending on the application type) and Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance (about USD 44 plus small fees per traveller), travel insurance, tips and gratuities, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities not listed as included.

An Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari for Groups

This route works well for groups of 6 to 30 people, travelling in several vehicles. Groups benefit from lower per-person prices, a shared itinerary and the chance to celebrate together in the bush. Each vehicle has its own driver-guide, and every guest gets a window seat. If your group is smaller or you prefer a fully tailored route, our private Kenya safari options and family safari packages are worth a look.

Photography on an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari

Amboseli’s elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them are among the most photographed scenes in Africa. A wide lens captures the whole landscape, while a lens of 200 to 400 mm suits close-ups of elephants, lions and cheetahs. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light, and the mountain is clearest at sunrise. Your driver-guide will position the vehicle for the sun and the background, and the pop-up roof gives you a steady platform.

What to Pack for an Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari

• Lightweight neutral clothing in khaki, olive or beige, plus a warm layer for early mornings in the Mara.
• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
• Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards.
• Closed, comfortable shoes and a dust scarf for dry days.
• Insect repellent and any malaria prevention recommended by your doctor.
• A soft-sided bag, because space in the vehicle is limited.

Food and Dietary Notes

Vegetarian and Jain meals can be requested in advance at every lodge on this route, from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara, and we confirm with each one what it can prepare before you pay. Lodges and tented camps in Kenya are used to vegetarian guests, but menus in the parks are simpler than in a city hotel, so we never promise a specific menu. When you book, send each traveller’s needs in plain words: eggs and dairy or not, Jain rules such as no onion, garlic or root vegetables, vegan or gluten-free needs, and allergies listed separately. For groups, a single list with names and needs works best, and we share it with every lodge in writing before you arrive. Our guide to a vegetarian safari in Kenya has more detail on camp meals and snacks to pack.

Visas, Entry and Health

Most visitors need an approved Kenya eTA before arrival; apply only on the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. Since October 2026 the eTA includes Kenya’s mandatory Kenyan Government travel health insurance (about USD 44 plus small fees per traveller, valid 90 days), and your own travel insurance does not replace it; see our Kenya mandatory travel insurance guide. Malaria is present in much of Kenya, so speak to your doctor about prevention, and keep your own travel insurance for wider cover. Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling, US dollars are accepted at many lodges and tips are not included in the price. Kenya uses the three-pin UK-style plug at 240 volts. Before you book, we talk you through your route and current travel conditions. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari FAQs

Is 7 days enough for an Amboseli and Masai Mara safari?

Yes. Seven days gives you two nights in Amboseli, one at Lake Naivasha and three in the Masai Mara, which is enough to see the Big Five without rushing.

How long are the drives between parks?

Amboseli to Naivasha is about 5 to 6 hours and Naivasha to the Mara about 4 to 5 hours, with stops. You can replace drives with flights at extra cost.

Can we do this safari as a group?

Yes. It works well for groups of 6 to 30, travelling in several vehicles. Per-person prices fall as the group grows.

What is the best time for this safari?

June to October and January to February are best, with the Great Migration in the Mara from about July to October.

What accommodation do you use?

We use comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps as standard. Luxury upgrades are available in each park. Compare more routes on our Kenya safari packages page.

Book Your Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari

Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email, and we will reply with a written, itemised quote and a suggested route. A deposit secures your lodges and vehicle, and we send final documents and packing advice before you travel.

Travelling from abroad? See our packages for travellers from India, Malaysia, the USA, the UK and Australia.