Experience Kenya’s most diverse classic circuit on our 6-Day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate & Amboseli Safari—a carefully paced road journey that begins in the predator-rich plains of the Masai Mara, transitions through the Rift Valley lakes and volcanic scenery of Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, and finishes in Amboseli National Park, famed for elephants, wetlands, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Traveling by road lets you see Kenya unfold—from escarpments and lake basins to Maasai rangelands and open savanna—while enjoying multiple game drives and active nature experiences. As a conservation-first platform, Amboseli.ke prioritizes partners that support community conservancies, corridor protection, and low-impact operations, ensuring your safari contributes to keeping landscapes connected and resilient.
Quick Facts
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha / Hell’s Gate → 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 + active nature experiences at Naivasha/Hell’s Gate
- Best For: First-time visitors, photographers, families, and travelers seeking big wildlife + scenic variety
- Key Landscapes: Mara savannas & rivers; Rift Valley lakes & volcanic gorges; Amboseli plains, swamps & Kilimanjaro foothills
Why Combine These Three Destinations?
- 🦁 Masai Mara: East Africa’s premier big cat and plains game destination with classic savanna scenery.
- 🦛 Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate: A refreshing change of pace—boat safaris, walking/cycling among wildlife, dramatic gorges, and geothermal landscapes.
- 🐘 Amboseli: World-class elephant viewing, open vistas, and Mount Kilimanjaro as Africa’s most iconic backdrop.
- 🧭 Conservation Depth: Each stop shows a different conservation model—protected cores, community lands, corridors, and multi-use landscapes—working together.
- 📸 Visual Variety: Plains, lakes, cliffs, volcanoes, wetlands, and mountain views—three ecosystems, one cohesive story.
Safari Highlights
- 🚙 Scenic road journey through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai country
- 🦁 Big cat tracking in the Masai Mara
- 🚤 Boat safari on Lake Naivasha (hippos, birds)
- 🚴 / 🚶 Walking or cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park among zebra and giraffe
- 🐘 Close encounters with elephant families in Amboseli
- 🏔️ Mount Kilimanjaro views on clear mornings/evenings
- 💧 River, lake, and swamp ecosystems across the route
- 🌅 Sunrise & sunset game drives for golden-hour photography
- 🏕️ Handpicked camps & lodges across budget, comfort, and luxury tiers
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara (Rift Valley Drive + Afternoon Game Drive)
Depart Nairobi early, descending the Great Rift Valley with scenic viewpoint stops. Continue through Narok to the Masai Mara ecosystem. Arrive around midday, check in, and have lunch.
Head out for an afternoon game drive across the plains. Look for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large herds of zebra and wildebeest.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara (by accommodation category)
Day 2: Full Day in the Masai Mara (Plains, Rivers & Predators)
Spend the day exploring prime Mara sectors. Visit riverine areas (hippos, crocodiles), cover open plains where grazers attract predators, and track big cats with your guide. Optional picnic lunch in the bush (where permitted).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara
Day 3: Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha (Transit + Lakeside Afternoon)
After breakfast, drive toward the Rift Valley floor and Lake Naivasha. Arrive in time for lunch at your lakeside lodge or camp.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha—excellent for hippos and waterbirds (fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants). Optional visit to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among giraffe and zebra (time permitting).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lake Naivasha area
Day 4: Hell’s Gate National Park → Amboseli (Active Morning + Scenic Drive)
Start with a visit to Hell’s Gate National Park, one of the few parks in Kenya where you can walk or cycle among wildlife. Explore gorges, cliffs, and geothermal features, and see zebra, giraffe, and antelope on foot or by bike.
After lunch, drive south through Kajiado County toward Amboseli National Park. Arrive in the late afternoon, check in, and enjoy the changing light on Kilimanjaro (weather permitting).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli ecosystem
Day 5: Full Day in Amboseli (Swamps, Plains & Kilimanjaro Views)
Begin with a sunrise game drive—prime time for elephants and the clearest chance of seeing Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped summit. Explore swamp systems (hippos, buffalo, birds) and open plains for grazers and predators.
Return for brunch/rest, then head out again in the afternoon to cover different sectors. Expect large elephant families, plus chances of lions and cheetahs.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli
Day 6: 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.
- Lake Naivasha / Hell’s Gate: Hippos, abundant waterbirds; walking/cycling among zebra, giraffe, gazelle; dramatic gorges and volcanic scenery.
- Amboseli: Large elephant families and tuskers; hippos in swamps; giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo; lions and cheetahs; flamingos, pelicans, crowned cranes; Mount 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.
- Green Seasons (Mar–May & Nov): Lusher landscapes, fewer crowds, excellent birding; wildlife still reliable—especially in Amboseli’s wetlands and around Naivasha.
Expert tip: Book the Mara early in peak months; prioritize early-morning drives in Amboseli for the clearest Kilimanjaro views.
Accommodation Options (By Category & Destination)
We’ll recommend specific properties based on dates, availability, and budget. Below are well-regarded examples that align with conservation, location, and value.
🛏️ Budget / Value
Masai Mara (Budget):
- Mara Manyatta Camp / Enchoro Wildlife Camp – Simple, reliable, good access to game areas.
- Mara Sopa Lodge (value tier) – Consistent standards, easy logistics.
Lake Naivasha (Budget):
- Fisherman’s Camp / Naivasha Kongoni Lodge (value rooms) – Lakeside feel, good base for boat trips and Hell’s Gate.
- Naivasha Peppercorn (value options) – Practical, convenient for park access.
Amboseli (Budget):
- Nyati Safari Camp / Manjaro Tented Camp – Close to Kimana Gate; maximize game-drive time.
- Kili Springs Camp / Amboseli Eco Camp – Calm settings, community-oriented, strong value.
Why choose budget: You spend most time in the field; accommodation is comfortable and practical, keeping costs down while supporting local jobs.
🌿 Comfort / Mid-Range (Best Balance)
Masai Mara (Mid-Range):
- Mara Serena Safari Lodge – Elevated views, classic location, strong guiding access.
- Basecamp Mara / Zebra Plains Mara – Quality tented camps with conservation ties.
Lake Naivasha (Mid-Range):
- Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge – Spacious grounds, good for relaxation between activities.
- Enashipai Resort & Spa (mid-range rooms) – Comfortable base with easy access to lake and Hell’s Gate.
Amboseli (Mid-Range):
- Ol Tukai Lodge (inside the park) – Superb access to swamps and elephants.
- Tortilis Camp – Excellent sustainability credentials and community partnerships.
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.
Lake Naivasha (Luxury):
- Chui Lodge – Boutique, intimate, strong conservation and community ethos.
- Loldia House – Historic charm, private ranch setting, excellent birding and lake access.
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 (Mara and Amboseli ecosystems)
- Local employment and skills transfer
- Low-impact operations (water, waste, energy)
- Education about elephants, predators, wetlands, and connectivity
- Alignment with long-term stewardship (e.g., elephant research 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
- 🏕️ 5 nights’ accommodation (2 Mara + 1 Naivasha + 2 Amboseli)
- 🍽️ All meals as per itinerary
- 🎟️ Park/reserve entry fees (Masai Mara, Hell’s Gate, Amboseli)
- 🚤 Lake Naivasha boat safari
- 🐾 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., 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 (for Hell’s Gate walking/cycling)
- Light rain jacket (green seasons) + personal medications
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
- First-time Kenya visitors wanting three contrasting highlights
- Photographers seeking big cats, elephants, lakes, and landscapes
- Families and small groups wanting variety without rushing
- Travelers who value responsible tourism and conservation impact
- Anyone with 6 days who wants a well-rounded, classic Kenya circuit
Final Expert Note
This 6-day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate & Amboseli safari works because it blends high-intensity wildlife viewing with active, scenic interludes and finishes in one of Africa’s greatest elephant landscapes. You’ll experience plains, lakes, volcanoes, wetlands, and mountains—and the conservation systems that keep them connected.
Book Your 6-Day Kenya Highlights Safari
This itinerary is one of the best ways to see Kenya’s diversity in under a week—combining big cats, elephants, Rift Valley lakes, walking safaris, and Kilimanjaro views into one seamless, conservation-focused journey.
👉 Contact Amboseli.ke for availability, lodge/camp recommendations by budget tier, and a tailored quote for your travel dates and preferences.