By Amboseli.ke – Kenya’s Greatest Wildlife Circuit, Built Around Conservation
Experience Kenya’s most complete classic safari circuit on our 7-Day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Safari—a carefully paced road journey that begins in the predator-rich plains of the Masai Mara, flows through the Rift Valley lakes and volcanic landscapes of Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, adds the rhino sanctuary of Lake Nakuru National Park, 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: 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha / Hell’s Gate → Lake Nakuru → 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 + boat, walking/cycling experiences
- Best For: First-time visitors, photographers, families, and travelers seeking big wildlife + scenic variety
- Key Landscapes: Mara savannas & rivers; Rift Valley lakes & volcanoes; Nakuru’s soda lake & forests; Amboseli plains, swamps & Kilimanjaro foothills
Why Combine These Four Destinations?
- 🦁 Masai Mara: Kenya’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, geothermal features.
- 🦏 Lake Nakuru National Park: A flagship rhino sanctuary, plus Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, and prolific birdlife.
- 🐘 Amboseli: World-class elephant viewing, open vistas, and Mount Kilimanjaro as Africa’s most iconic backdrop.
- 🧭 Conservation Depth: You experience four conservation models—community conservancies, multi-use landscapes, fenced rhino sanctuary management, and corridor-dependent elephant ecosystems.
- 📸 Visual Variety: Plains, lakes, cliffs, forests, wetlands, and mountain views—four ecosystems, one cohesive journey.
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 and waterbirds)
- 🚶 / 🚴 Walking or cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park
- 🦏 Rhino tracking in Lake Nakuru National Park
- 🐘 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, descend the Great Rift Valley with viewpoint stops, and continue to the Masai Mara. Arrive around midday, check in, and enjoy lunch.
Head out for an afternoon game drive. Look for lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large herds of zebra and wildebeest.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara
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 for big cats, and track wildlife with your guide. Optional picnic lunch (where permitted).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Masai Mara
Day 3: Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha (Transit + Lakeside Activities)
After breakfast, drive to Lake Naivasha on the Rift Valley floor. After lunch, enjoy a boat safari to see hippos and waterbirds. Optional Crescent Island walking safari among giraffe and zebra.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lake Naivasha area
Day 4: Hell’s Gate → Lake Nakuru (Active Morning + Transfer)
Start with Hell’s Gate National Park—walk or cycle among zebra and giraffe, explore gorges and geothermal features. After lunch, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park and check in near the park.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Lake Nakuru area
Day 5: Lake Nakuru → Amboseli (Rhinos + Scenic Drive)
Enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, famous for black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, and rich birdlife. Then drive south through the Rift Valley and Kajiado toward Amboseli. Arrive late afternoon and settle in.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli ecosystem
Day 6: Full Day in Amboseli (Swamps, Plains & Kilimanjaro Views)
Start with a sunrise game drive—best time for elephants and Kilimanjaro views. Explore swamps, open plains, and observation points. Return for rest, then head out again in the afternoon.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Amboseli
Day 7: Amboseli → Nairobi (Morning Game Drive + Return)
Enjoy a final early-morning game drive, then return for breakfast and drive back to Nairobi for hotel/airport drop-off.
- Meals: Breakfast
What You’ll See
- Masai Mara: Lions, cheetahs (leopards luck-dependent), hyenas; zebra, wildebeest, buffalo; rich birdlife.
- Naivasha/Hell’s Gate: Hippos, abundant waterbirds; walking/cycling among zebra and giraffe; dramatic volcanic scenery.
- Lake Nakuru: Black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, baboons, and prolific birdlife.
- Amboseli: Large elephant families and tuskers; hippos in swamps; giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo; lions and cheetahs; 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 and Amboseli.
- Green Seasons (Mar–May & Nov): Lusher landscapes, fewer crowds, excellent birding; wildlife still reliable—especially around lakes and Amboseli’s wetlands.
Expert tip: Book early for the Mara in peak months; prioritize early-morning drives in Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views.
Accommodation Options (By Category & Destination)
We recommend specific properties based on dates, availability, and budget. Below are well-regarded examples aligned with conservation, location, and value.
🛏️ Budget / Value
Masai Mara:
- Mara Manyatta Camp / Enchoro Wildlife Camp – Simple, reliable, good access to game areas.
- Mara Sopa Lodge (value tier) – Consistent standards, easy logistics.
Lake Naivasha:
- Fisherman’s Camp / Peppercorn (value rooms) – Practical lakeside bases for boat trips and Hell’s Gate.
Lake Nakuru:
- Hotel Citymax / Ziwa Bush Lodge (value options) – Convenient for park access, clean and comfortable.
Amboseli:
- Nyati Safari Camp / Manjaro Tented Camp – Close to Kimana Gate; maximize game-drive time.
- Kili Springs Camp / Amboseli Eco Camp – Calm, community-oriented, strong value.
🌿 Comfort / Mid-Range (Best Balance)
Masai Mara:
- Mara Serena Safari Lodge – Elevated views, classic location, strong guiding access.
- Basecamp Mara / Zebra Plains Mara – Quality tented camps with conservation ties.
Lake Naivasha:
- Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge – Spacious grounds, good relaxation stop.
- Enashipai Resort & Spa (mid-range rooms) – Comfortable base near Hell’s Gate.
Lake Nakuru:
- Flamingo Hill Tented Camp / Sarova Lion Hill Lodge – Great locations and reliable standards.
Amboseli:
- Ol Tukai Lodge (inside the park) – Superb access to swamps and elephants.
- Tortilis Camp – Strong sustainability credentials and community partnerships.
✨ Luxury / Boutique (Top-Tier Comfort + Conservation Impact)
Masai Mara:
- Mara Plains Camp / Olare Mara Kempinski – Low-density conservancy settings, exceptional guiding.
- Sand River Mara – Boutique elegance in prime riverine habitat.
Lake Naivasha:
- Chui Lodge – Intimate, conservation-focused, excellent birding.
- Loldia House – Historic charm on a private ranch with lake access.
Lake Nakuru:
- The Cliff Nakuru – Dramatic escarpment setting overlooking the park.
- Mbweha Camp (upper-tier tents) – Boutique style in a private conservancy area.
Amboseli:
- Tawi Lodge (Tawi Conservancy) – Private conservancy, strong corridor & community model.
- Elerai / Satao Elerai – Boutique, scenic settings with outstanding Kilimanjaro views and low-impact operations.
How This Safari Supports Conservation
Amboseli.ke partners prioritize:
- Community conservancies & land leases (Mara & Amboseli ecosystems)
- Rhino protection and park management (Lake Nakuru)
- Low-impact tourism around Rift Valley lakes
- Local employment and skills transfer
- Education about connectivity, wetlands, and flagship species
Your journey helps ensure protected cores + surrounding community lands remain viable for wildlife.
What’s Included
- 🚗 Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- 🧭 Professional driver-guide
- 🏕️ 6 nights’ accommodation (2 Mara + 1 Naivasha + 1 Nakuru + 2 Amboseli)
- 🍽️ All meals as per itinerary
- 🎟️ Park/reserve entry fees (Masai Mara, Hell’s Gate, Lake Nakuru, 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)
What to Pack (Quick Guide)
- Light, neutral clothing + warm layer for early mornings
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Camera, spare batteries/cards, binoculars
- Comfortable walking shoes (Hell’s Gate)
- Light rain jacket (green seasons) + personal medications
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
- Travelers wanting Kenya’s most complete classic circuit
- Photographers seeking big cats, rhinos, elephants, lakes, and mountains
- Families and small groups wanting variety without rushing
- Visitors who value responsible tourism and conservation impact
- Anyone with 7 days who wants a deep, diverse safari experience
Final Expert Note
This 7-day Masai Mara, Naivasha/Hell’s Gate, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli safari works because it layers predators, primates and birds, rhinos, and elephants across four ecosystems—and shows how different conservation models keep Kenya’s wildlife connected and thriving.
Book Your 7-Day Kenya Grand Circuit Safari
This itinerary is one of the best ways to experience Kenya’s full safari diversity in a single week—combining big cats, rhinos, elephants, Rift Valley lakes, walking safaris, and Kilimanjaro views into one seamless, conservation-focused journey.