7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari: Big Five, Maasai Mara & Amboseli
Kenya is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations, offering extraordinary wildlife encounters, sweeping savannahs, dramatic mountain scenery, and rich cultural traditions. This 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari takes you through some of the country’s most remarkable landscapes, from the legendary plains of Maasai Mara National Reserve to the elephant-rich wilderness of Amboseli National Park and the scenic beauty of Lake Naivasha.
During this unforgettable journey, you will search for lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos, enjoy thrilling game drives across the African savannah, and discover the diverse birdlife and aquatic wildlife of the Great Rift Valley. If your visit coincides with the seasonal migration, you may also witness large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Kenya is an excellent destination for first-time safari travellers, couples, families, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts. With experienced guides, comfortable safari lodges, and well-planned travel between destinations, this itinerary combines classic game viewing with scenic excursions and opportunities to experience local culture.
Whether you are planning a luxury holiday or a mid-range wildlife adventure, this 7 Days Kenya Safari Package offers an exciting introduction to East Africa’s natural treasures.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Day 2: Full-day game drive in Maasai Mara
- Day 3: Morning game drive and transfer to Lake Naivasha
- Day 4: Lake Naivasha boat ride and transfer to Amboseli National Park
- Day 5: Full-day wildlife safari in Amboseli
- Day 6: Early morning game drive and transfer to Nairobi
- Day 7: Nairobi city excursion and departure
Detailed 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Your Kenya wildlife safari begins when you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Your driver-guide will welcome you, introduce you to the safari arrangements, and begin the journey towards the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The drive takes approximately five to six hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and your chosen accommodation. As you leave Nairobi, the scenery gradually changes from urban surroundings to agricultural landscapes, rolling hills, and the spectacular Great Rift Valley. You may stop at a suitable viewpoint to appreciate the panoramic scenery before continuing towards the reserve.
Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara region, check in at your lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch, depending on your arrival time. If you arrive early enough and your package allows, you may take an afternoon game drive to begin exploring the wildlife-rich plains.
The Maasai Mara is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife and its exceptional populations of big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species are also regularly encountered.
In the evening, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay as you prepare for a full day of wildlife exploration.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara area.
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations.
The reserve’s expansive grasslands provide excellent opportunities to observe predators and their prey in their natural environment. With your experienced safari guide, explore different sections of the reserve in search of lions resting in the shade, cheetahs scanning the plains, leopards hidden among trees, and elephants moving through the grasslands.
The Maasai Mara is also an important habitat for buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, jackals, hippos, crocodiles, and many species of antelope. Your guide will help you identify the animals and explain their behaviour, feeding patterns, and role in the ecosystem.
Depending on your travel dates, you may have the opportunity to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. This seasonal movement brings enormous herds of wildebeest and zebras into the wider Mara ecosystem, generally around July to October, although timing and animal movements vary each year. River crossings can occur during this period, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area during the day’s exploration, allowing you to spend more time searching for wildlife without returning to the lodge.
Later in the afternoon, continue your game drive before returning to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
For travellers seeking an authentic Maasai Mara safari experience, this day offers some of the best opportunities to appreciate Kenya’s extraordinary wildlife diversity.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara area.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Lake Naivasha
Wake up early for a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, when the cooler temperatures and soft morning light create excellent conditions for wildlife viewing and photography.
This is another opportunity to search for animals you may have missed the previous day. Depending on your sightings, your guide may explore open plains, riverine vegetation, or areas known for particular wildlife species.
After breakfast, leave the Maasai Mara and travel towards Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. The journey generally takes around four to six hours, depending on your starting point, road conditions, and stops along the way.
As you travel, enjoy changing views of the Kenyan countryside, including agricultural land, escarpments, and the dramatic Rift Valley landscape.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake known for its birdlife, scenic shoreline, and surrounding acacia woodlands. It supports a variety of waterbirds and is associated with wildlife such as hippos and other animals that frequent the lakeside habitats.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch or some time to relax. If time permits, you may explore the lodge surroundings or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake.
Dinner and overnight stay near Lake Naivasha.
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Naivasha.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha Boat Ride and Transfer to Amboseli National Park
Begin the morning with breakfast before enjoying a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, subject to availability and local conditions.
The boat ride offers a wonderful opportunity to observe hippos in the water and discover the lake’s diverse birdlife. African fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and other waterbirds may be seen along the shoreline and around the lake.
The surrounding landscape, with its acacia trees and distant hills, also creates beautiful opportunities for photography. A boat excursion provides a refreshing contrast to the game drives on the open plains of the Maasai Mara.
After the activity, begin the journey towards Amboseli National Park. Allow approximately five to seven hours or more, depending on the route, traffic, and stops.
Located in southern Kenya near the Tanzanian border, Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. The park’s open plains, seasonal wetlands, and swamps provide important habitats for a wide range of wildlife.
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or evening, depending on travel conditions. Settle in, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the next day’s exploration.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near or within Amboseli National Park.
Day 5: Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Amboseli National Park
Today is dedicated to exploring Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most rewarding destinations for elephant viewing and landscape photography.
Rise early for a game drive, when wildlife is often active and the atmosphere is cool. On clear mornings, Mount Kilimanjaro may appear above the plains, creating one of East Africa’s most iconic safari backdrops.
Amboseli is particularly renowned for its large elephant herds. Observe these impressive animals as they move across the plains, gather around water sources, and feed among the vegetation. With patience and a knowledgeable guide, you may also encounter buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hyenas, and several antelope species.
Lions and other predators inhabit the wider ecosystem, although sightings vary. The park’s wetlands and swamps attract many birds and provide a vital water supply for wildlife during drier periods.
Return to your lodge for lunch and a short rest, or enjoy a picnic lunch if your schedule includes a full-day game drive.
In the afternoon, continue exploring the park, visiting different habitats and looking for further wildlife encounters. Your guide will help you understand the importance of Amboseli’s wetlands, open grasslands, and elephant conservation efforts.
As the day draws to a close, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
This day is a highlight for anyone interested in an Amboseli National Park safari, particularly travellers hoping to photograph elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near or within Amboseli National Park.
Day 6: Early Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Nairobi
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Amboseli before breakfast, giving you a final opportunity to observe elephants and other wildlife in the park.
The morning light can be especially beautiful for photography, and the changing visibility of Mount Kilimanjaro may provide memorable views. Depending on the day’s conditions, your guide may take you through open plains or near wetland habitats where animals gather.
After breakfast, depart Amboseli and drive back towards Nairobi. The journey usually takes approximately four to six hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and your destination within the city.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, check in at your hotel and enjoy some time to relax. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore a local restaurant, visit a craft market, or simply rest after several days of wildlife activities.
Nairobi offers an interesting contrast to the national parks, combining modern city life with access to some distinctive conservation and cultural attractions.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Nairobi.
Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi.
Day 7: Nairobi Excursion and Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in Nairobi before your departure.
Depending on your flight schedule and the activities included in your package, you may visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant conservation programme, subject to its current visitor arrangements, or explore the Giraffe Centre. Nairobi National Park is another option for travellers with enough time, offering opportunities to see wildlife against a city skyline.
You may also visit a local craft market to purchase souvenirs and discover Kenyan handicrafts, artwork, and locally made products.
Please note that optional visits should be arranged in advance where required and scheduled carefully around your international flight.
At the appropriate time, your driver will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey.
Your seven-day Kenya adventure concludes with wonderful memories of the Maasai Mara’s wildlife-rich plains, Lake Naivasha’s scenic waters, and Amboseli’s magnificent elephants.
End of safari.
Inclusions
The following services can be included in your 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari package, subject to your final booking confirmation:
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Nairobi.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide.
- Six nights of accommodation, based on the agreed lodge or tented camp category.
- Meals as specified in the final itinerary.
- Applicable entrance fees for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha activities, and Amboseli National Park.
- Game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
- Game drives in Amboseli National Park.
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha.
- Bottled drinking water during the safari.
- Applicable government taxes and service charges.
Exclusions
The following items are generally excluded unless otherwise agreed:
- International flights to and from Kenya.
- Kenya visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) charges, where applicable.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic beverages and additional soft drinks.
- Tips for the driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Optional activities not specified in the itinerary.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Any extra services arising from flight changes, delays, or itinerary extensions.
Best Time for a 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari
Kenya is a year-round safari destination, but the best time to visit depends on your wildlife interests and preferred travel conditions.
The drier periods, particularly from June to October, are popular for game viewing in the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Wildlife can be easier to spot in some areas as vegetation becomes less dense and animals gather around reliable water sources.
The Great Wildebeest Migration typically reaches the Maasai Mara ecosystem around July to October, although exact timing varies with rainfall and grazing conditions. Travellers hoping to witness migration activity should plan flexibly and understand that specific river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
January and February can also offer rewarding wildlife viewing in many parts of Kenya. The wetter seasons bring greener landscapes and excellent birdwatching, although some roads may become muddy and travel times can increase.
Booking accommodation and park activities in advance is recommended, especially during school holidays and peak migration season.
What to Pack for Your Kenya Safari
To make the most of your wildlife adventure, consider packing the following essentials:
- Lightweight, neutral-coloured safari clothing.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- A light jacket for cool early mornings.
- A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing.
- A camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
- A reusable water bottle.
- Personal medication and basic toiletries.
- A small daypack for game drives and excursions.
Book Your 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari
Discover the magic of Kenya on a safari that combines legendary wildlife destinations, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable encounters with nature. From tracking lions and elephants in the Maasai Mara to watching hippos on Lake Naivasha and photographing Amboseli’s famous elephant herds, this journey offers an exceptional introduction to Kenya’s natural heritage.
Our 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari Package can be customised to suit your preferred travel dates, accommodation standards, group size, and budget. Whether you are planning a private safari for two, a family holiday, or an adventure with friends, we can help you design a memorable journey.
Contact our safari team today to plan your 7 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari and request a personalised quotation.