By Amboseli.ke – Kenya’s Two Icons, One Conservation-First Journey
Combine Kenya’s greatest savanna spectacle with its most iconic elephant landscape on our 5-Day Masai Mara & Amboseli Safari by Road. This carefully paced itinerary links the Masai Mara National Reserve—famous for big cats and vast plains—with Amboseli National Park, celebrated for large elephant herds, Kilimanjaro backdrops, and permanent wetlands.
Traveling by road lets you see Kenya unfold—from the Rift Valley escarpments to Maasai rangelands and volcanic plains—while enjoying multiple game drives in both parks in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an expert guide. As a conservation-first platform, Amboseli.ke prioritizes partners that support community conservancies, corridor protection, and sustainable operations—so your safari contributes to keeping landscapes connected and resilient.
Quick Facts
- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Amboseli → Nairobi
- Transport: 4×4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van with pop-up roof (private or small group)
- Departure Point: Nairobi (hotel or airport pickup)
- Safari Style: Road safari + multiple guided game drives in both parks
- Best For: First-time visitors, photographers, families, and travelers seeking big wildlife + iconic scenery
- Key Landscapes: Mara savannas & riverine forests; Amboseli plains, swamps & Kilimanjaro foothills
Why Combine Masai Mara & Amboseli?
- 🦁 Masai Mara: Premier destination for big cats, dense plains game, and classic East African savanna scenes.
- 🐘 Amboseli: World-class elephant viewing, open landscapes, and Mount Kilimanjaro as Africa’s most famous backdrop.
- 🧭 Conservation Depth: Both parks are sustained by community lands and corridors—your journey reflects how protected cores + surrounding landscapes work together.
- 📸 Visual Variety: From Mara’s rolling grasslands and rivers to Amboseli’s wetlands and volcanic plains—two ecosystems, two photographic styles.
Safari Highlights
- 🚙 Scenic road journey through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai country
- 🦁 Big cat tracking in the Masai Mara
- 🐘 Close encounters with elephant families in Amboseli
- 🏔️ Mount Kilimanjaro views on clear mornings/evenings
- 💧 River and swamp ecosystems (Mara River; Amboseli wetlands)
- 🦩 Excellent birding in both destinations
- 🌅 Sunrise & sunset game drives for golden-hour photography
- 🏕️ Handpicked camps & lodges across budget, comfort, and luxury tiers
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara (Scenic Drive + Afternoon Game Drive)
Depart Nairobi early, driving via the Great Rift Valley with viewpoint stops before descending into the Mara ecosystem. Arrive around midday, check in, and have lunch at your lodge or camp.
Head out for an afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara. Expect plains game (zebra, wildebeest, gazelle), with strong chances of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara (camp/lodge by category)
Day 2: Full Day in the Masai Mara (Plains, Rivers & Predators)
Spend the day exploring prime Mara sectors. Track big cats, visit riverine areas (hippos, crocodiles), and cover open plains where grazers attract predators. Optional picnic lunch in the bush (where permitted).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara
Day 3: Masai Mara → Amboseli (Transit + Evening at Leisure)
After breakfast, begin your journey south toward Amboseli via Narok and Kajiado. Arrive in the late afternoon, check in, and enjoy the changing light on Kilimanjaro (weather permitting). Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short evening activity or relax at camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli ecosystem
Day 4: Full Day in Amboseli (Swamps, Plains & Kilimanjaro Views)
Start early for a sunrise game drive—prime time for elephants and clear mountain views. Explore swamp systems (hippos, buffalo, birds) and open plains for grazers and predators. Return for brunch/rest, then head out again in the afternoon.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli
Day 5: Amboseli → Nairobi (Morning Game Drive + Return)
Enjoy a final early-morning game drive, then return for breakfast and drive back to Nairobi, arriving mid–late afternoon for hotel/airport drop-off.
- Meals: Breakfast
What You’ll See
- Masai Mara: Lions, cheetahs, leopards (luck-dependent), hyenas; vast herds of zebra and wildebeest; giraffe, buffalo; rich birdlife.
- Amboseli: Large elephant families and tuskers; hippos in swamps; giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo; lions and cheetahs; flamingos, pelicans, crowned cranes; Kilimanjaro on clear days.
Best Time to Go
- Dry Seasons (Jan–Feb & Jun–Oct): Best wildlife concentration; best Kilimanjaro visibility; peak demand in the Mara (and during migration months).
- Green Seasons (Mar–May & Nov): Lusher landscapes, fewer crowds, excellent birding; wildlife still reliable—especially in Amboseli’s wetlands.
Expert tip: Prioritize early-morning drives in Amboseli for the clearest Kilimanjaro views; book the Mara early in peak months.
Accommodation Options (By Category & Destination)
We’ll recommend specific properties based on dates, availability, and budget. Below are typical, well-regarded options that align with conservation, location, and value.
🛏️ Budget / Value (Great for Cost-Conscious Travelers)
Masai Mara (Budget):
- Mara Manyatta Camp / Enchoro Wildlife Camp – Simple, good access to game areas, reliable for short stays.
- Mara Sopa Lodge (value tier) – Large property, consistent standards, easy logistics.
Amboseli (Budget):
- Nyati Safari Camp / Manjaro Tented Camp – Close to Kimana Gate; excellent for maximizing game-drive time.
- Kili Springs Camp / Amboseli Eco Camp – Calm settings, strong value, community-oriented operations.
Why choose budget: You spend most time on game drives; accommodation is comfortable and practical, keeping costs down while supporting local jobs.
🌿 Comfort / Mid-Range (Best Balance of Comfort + Location)
Masai Mara (Mid-Range):
- Mara Serena Safari Lodge – Elevated views, strong guiding access, classic location.
- Basecamp Mara / Zebra Plains Mara – Quality tented camps with conservation ties and good wildlife access.
Amboseli (Mid-Range):
- Ol Tukai Lodge (inside the park) – Superb access to swamps and elephants.
- Tortilis Camp – Excellent sustainability credentials and community partnerships on the ecosystem edge.
Why choose mid-range: Better locations, stronger comfort, and superior downtime—the best value-to-experience ratio for most travelers.
✨ Luxury / Boutique (Top-Tier Comfort + Conservation Impact)
Masai Mara (Luxury):
- Mara Plains Camp / Olare Mara Kempinski – Low-density conservancy settings, exceptional guiding.
- Sand River Mara – Boutique style, prime riverine habitat, classic safari elegance.
Amboseli (Luxury):
- Tawi Lodge (Tawi Conservancy) – Private conservancy, strong corridor & community model.
- Elerai / Satao Elerai – Boutique, scenic settings with outstanding Kilimanjaro views and low-impact operations.
Why choose luxury: Privacy, space, flexible schedules, and deeper conservation engagement—ideal for photographers, couples, and special trips.
How This Safari Supports Conservation
Amboseli.ke partners prioritize:
- Community conservancies & land leases that keep corridors open (especially around Amboseli and the Mara)
- Local employment and skills transfer
- Low-impact operations (water, waste, energy)
- Education about elephants, predators, wetlands, and connectivity
- Alignment with long-term science and stewardship (e.g., AERP/ATE context in Amboseli)
Your journey helps ensure protected cores + surrounding community lands remain viable for wildlife.
What’s Included
- 🚗 Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle (private or small group)
- 🧭 Professional driver-guide
- 🏕️ 4 nights’ accommodation (2 Mara + 2 Amboseli)
- 🍽️ All meals as per itinerary
- 🎟️ Park/reserve entry fees (Masai Mara & Amboseli)
- 🐾 Game drives as per program
- 💧 Drinking water on safari
- 🏨 Nairobi hotel/airport transfers
What’s Not Included
- ✈️ International flights & visas
- 🩺 Travel/medical insurance
- 🍷 Drinks & personal expenses
- 🛍️ Tips & souvenirs
- ➕ Optional experiences (e.g., Maasai village visits, balloon safari in the Mara—where available)
What to Pack (Quick Guide)
- Light, neutral clothing + warm layer for early mornings
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Camera, spare batteries/cards, binoculars
- Comfortable closed shoes; light rain jacket (green seasons)
- Personal medications & travel documents
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
- First-time Kenya visitors wanting two iconic parks
- Photographers seeking big cats + elephants + landscapes
- Families and small groups wanting variety without rushing
- Travelers who value responsible tourism and real conservation impact
- Anyone with 5–6 days who wants a high-yield, classic Kenya safari
Final Expert Note
This 5-day Masai Mara & Amboseli safari works because it pairs predator-rich plains with elephant-dominated wetlands—two complementary ecosystems—while keeping travel times realistic and experiences unhurried. You’ll return with a complete picture of Kenya’s wildlife and the landscapes that sustain it.
Book Your 5-Day Masai Mara & Amboseli Safari
This itinerary is one of the most balanced ways to experience Kenya’s safari highlights—combining big cats, elephants, Kilimanjaro views, rivers, wetlands, and conservation-focused travel in a single journey.
👉 Contact Amboseli.ke for availability, lodge/camp recommendations by budget tier, and a tailored quote for your travel dates and preferences.