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Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Volcanoes National Park
Tour Highlights
What makes this trip special
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your trip, day by day
Arrival in Nairobi & Safari Preparation
Your Kenyan safari adventure begins upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. You will be met by your dedicated English-speaking driver-guide holding a personalized sign and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi's prestigious Karen or Lang'ata district — the lush green suburbs bordering Nairobi National Park, often referred to as the "World's Only Wildlife Capital." As you drive through the city, your guide will provide an orientation covering Nairobi's landmarks, the history of Kenya's safari tourism, and what makes this East African nation the ultimate wildlife destination. After settling into your hotel — surrounded by indigenous gardens and offering views of the Ngong Hills — your guide will conduct a comprehensive safari briefing covering the 7-day itinerary in detail, wildlife behaviour patterns, photography techniques for different lighting conditions, and cultural etiquette when interacting with local communities. This is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions, ensure all camera equipment is functioning properly with charged batteries and sufficient memory cards, and receive a safari welcome pack that includes a wildlife checklist, detailed park maps, and emergency contact information for the entire journey. Morning: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Clear customs and immigration. Your driver-guide will be waiting at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. Transfer to your Nairobi hotel (approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic). Afternoon: Check in to your hotel and take time to rest and refresh after your flight. Enjoy lunch at the hotel or explore the hotel grounds. Optional visit to the nearby Nairobi National Park or the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (feeding time at 11 AM or 5 PM) for those arriving early. Evening: Your guide returns for a comprehensive safari briefing. Review the 7-day itinerary, learn about the wildlife you will encounter, and get photography tips for game drives. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Early rest recommended as an early start awaits tomorrow. Overnight in Nairobi.
Amboseli National Park - Elephants & Kilimanjaro
After an early breakfast at 6:00 AM, we depart Nairobi and drive southeast toward Amboseli National Park — Kenya's second most popular national park and home to Africa's highest concentration of elephants with over 1,600 individuals. The journey takes approximately 4 hours through the rolling plains of Maasai country, with frequent stops at scenic viewpoints where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 metres, gradually emerges on the horizon in all its snow-capped glory. Your guide will share fascinating insights about Maasai culture, the park's unique ecosystem fed by underground streams from Kilimanjaro's melting glaciers, and Amboseli's critical role in elephant conservation. Upon arrival at your lodge with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro, you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch before embarking on your first afternoon game drive from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The park's varied habitats — from dried lake beds and open savannah to acacia woodlands and permanent swamps fed by Kilimanjaro's underground water system — support an incredible diversity of wildlife. Your guide will navigate to the best game-viewing areas including Observation Hill, which offers panoramic 360-degree views of the entire park with Kilimanjaro as the majestic backdrop, and the Enkongo Narok and Ol Tukai swamps where elephant families bathe and feed alongside hippos and abundant waterbirds. Morning: Early breakfast at the hotel (6:00 AM). Check out and depart Nairobi for Amboseli National Park (approximately 4 hours drive). The drive passes through Maasai villages with views of Mount Kilimanjaro appearing on the horizon. Arrive at your lodge by midday. Afternoon: Check in and enjoy lunch at the lodge. After a short rest, depart for an afternoon game drive (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM) through Amboseli's swamps, woodlands, and open plains. Search for the park's famous large-tusked elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Observation Hill offers panoramic views of the entire park with Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Evening: Return to the lodge as the sun sets behind Kilimanjaro. Enjoy sundowners at the lodge terrace with the mountain glowing in alpenglow. Dinner at the lodge followed by stargazing — Amboseli's dark skies offer spectacular views of the Southern Cross and Milky Way. Overnight in Amboseli.
Full Day Amboseli - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
Today is dedicated to fully exploring Amboseli National Park with both a sunrise and afternoon game drive — a full day of wildlife immersion that reveals the park's extraordinary diversity. The early morning game drive departs at 6:00 AM when the golden light of dawn casts a warm glow across the savannah and predator activity is at its peak. Lions returning from their night hunt, hyenas at their dens, and cheetahs surveying the plains from termite mounds are all best observed during these first hours of daylight when the temperatures are cool and wildlife is most active. The park's famous swamps — fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro's melting glaciers — attract an incredible concentration of wildlife year-round, making Amboseli one of Kenya's most reliable parks for exceptional game viewing regardless of season, unlike many parks that fluctuate dramatically between wet and dry periods. After returning to your lodge for a full breakfast around 9:30 AM, you can relax by the swimming pool while enjoying uninterrupted views of Kilimanjaro. The afternoon game drive from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM explores the eastern and southern sectors of the park, including the dried lake bed where the views of Kilimanjaro are most dramatic during sunset. As the afternoon light shifts, the mountain's snow cap glows pink and orange — an iconic African moment that has captivated photographers and travellers for generations. Your guide will also take you to areas where cheetahs hunt on the open plains and where the park's famous large-tusked "super tuskers" — elephants with tusks weighing over 45 kilograms each — are frequently sighted. Morning: Pre-breakfast game drive departs at 6:00 AM. This is the best time for predator sightings as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are still active after the night. Drive through the Enkongo Narok and Ol Tukai swamps where elephant families bathe and feed. Watch for the distinctive pink of flamingos at Lake Amboseli. Return to the lodge for a full breakfast around 9:30 AM. Afternoon: Relax at the lodge during the heat of the day. Enjoy the swimming pool and views of Kilimanjaro. Lunch at 12:30 PM. Afternoon game drive departs at 3:30 PM exploring the eastern and southern areas of the park. Visit the dried lake bed for spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. Look for cheetahs on the open plains and hippos in the permanent swamps. Evening: Sunset game drive continues until nightfall. Watch the sky turn orange, pink, and purple behind the silhouette of Kilimanjaro — a photographer's dream. Return to the lodge for dinner. Optional night drive in the surrounding conservation area to spot nocturnal wildlife. Overnight in Amboseli.
Amboseli to Lake Naivasha - Hippos & Crescent Island
After a final morning game drive in Amboseli from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM — your last chance to capture any species you may have missed — we check out and depart north toward the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment. The drive takes approximately 4 hours and the descent into the Rift Valley is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in Africa, with volcanic cliffs dropping hundreds of metres to the valley floor below and the shimmering waters of Lake Naivasha appearing in the distance. Your guide will stop at the escarpment viewpoint for photographs and provide a geological briefing on how the Rift Valley was formed over 25 million years ago and continues to expand at a rate of several millimetres per year. Arriving at Lake Naivasha — the highest freshwater lake in the Rift Valley at 1,884 metres above sea level — you will check into your lakeside lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the water. In the afternoon at 2:30 PM, you embark on a boat safari that takes you through the lake's papyrus-lined channels where pods of hippos surface just metres from your boat. The birdlife is extraordinary — watch for African fish eagles swooping to catch fish with their distinctive cry, pied kingfishers hovering before diving, and cormorants drying their wings on dead tree branches. A highlight of the afternoon is the guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where you can walk among zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, waterbucks, and over 200 bird species in complete safety with no predators present — one of only a few places in Kenya where this unique walking experience is possible. Morning: Early breakfast and check out. Morning game drive en route out of Amboseli (6:30 AM - 9:00 AM) for any sightings you may have missed. Depart for Lake Naivasha (approximately 4 hours). The drive takes you through the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment with stop at the scenic viewpoint for photos. Arrive at Lake Naivasha by midday. Afternoon: Check in to your lodge overlooking the lake. Lunch at the lodge. At 2:30 PM, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Naivasha. Glide past pods of hippos (keep a safe distance!), watch for the African fish eagle's distinctive call, and spot cormorants, herons, and kingfishers. Disembark at Crescent Island for a guided walking safari — walk among zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and waterbucks in complete safety as no predators inhabit the island. Evening: Return from the boat safari as the sun sets over the lake. Dinner at the lodge. Enjoy an evening on the lodge terrace listening to the grunts of hippos grazing on the hotel lawns at night — an authentic African wilderness experience. Overnight at Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru - Flamingos & Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast at Lake Naivasha with an optional early morning nature walk along the shoreline from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM to observe hippos returning from their night grazing on the hotel lawns, we check out and drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive is a short and scenic 1.5 hours through the Rift Valley floor with views of Mount Longonot — a dormant volcano with a perfect crater — and Lake Elementaita visible in the distance. Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO Ramsar site and Kenya's premier rhino sanctuary, protects the lake and its surrounding habitats of acacia woodlands, euphorbia forests, and grassy plains. Lake Nakuru is world-famous for its thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that line the shoreline, creating a spectacular pink carpet that seems to stretch to infinity against the blue-green waters. The park is also one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinoceros — the park was established specifically as a rhino sanctuary in the 1980s and now hosts a thriving population. After lunch at your lodge overlooking the lake, the afternoon game drive from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM takes you along the lakeshore where flamingos feed on algae, through the euphorbia forest where leopards are frequently spotted resting on branches, and to Baboon Cliff — a spectacular viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding Rift Valley escarpments, perfect for sunset photography. Morning: Breakfast at Lake Naivasha. Optional early morning nature walk along the lake shore (6:30 AM - 7:30 AM) to see hippos returning from their night grazing. Check out and depart for Lake Nakuru (approximately 1.5 hours). The drive passes through the Rift Valley with views of Mount Longonot and Lake Elementaita. Afternoon: Arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park. Lunch at your lodge overlooking the lake. Afternoon game drive (3:00 PM - 6:30 PM) exploring the lakeshore, acacia woodlands, and grasslands. The lake's edge is often lined with thousands of flamingos — a spectacular pink carpet stretching as far as the eye can see. Search for black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, lions, and leopards in the Euphorbia forest. Visit the baboon cliff viewpoint for panoramic lake views. Evening: Continue game viewing as the golden hour light transforms the landscape. Watch for rhinos coming to drink at the lake shore. Return to the lodge for dinner. Night drives are sometimes available in the sanctuary for spotting nocturnal animals. Overnight at Lake Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara - The Great Migration & Big Five
Today we journey to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve — Kenya's most celebrated wildlife reserve and the stage for the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The drive takes approximately 5 hours from Lake Nakuru, crossing the Loita Plains and passing through traditional Maasai territory where warriors in brilliant red shuka blankets herd their cattle across vast open landscapes — a timeless scene that has remained unchanged for centuries. Your guide will share stories about Maasai traditions, the significance of the migration, and the complex predator-prey relationships that make the Mara one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on Earth. Arriving at your Mara camp or lodge by midday, you will enjoy lunch before embarking on your first afternoon game drive from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The Masai Mara, covering 1,510 square kilometres of open grasslands and riverine woodland, has the highest concentration of predators in Africa — including the iconic lion prides of the Mara that have been featured in countless documentaries, elusive leopards draped in riverine fig trees, cheetahs surveying the plains from termite mounds, and spotted hyenas in large clans. The resident herbivore populations of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle, topi, and impala number in the hundreds of thousands. During the migration season from July to October, the Mara River becomes the stage for dramatic crocodile-ambushed crossings as over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra make their perilous journey from the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. Even outside migration season, the Mara offers exceptional year-round game viewing with resident lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, and giraffe populations that rival any park in Africa. Morning: Early breakfast and check out from Lake Nakuru. Depart for the Masai Mara (approximately 5 hours drive). The journey crosses the Loita Plains and passes through Maasai territory. Stop at the scenic viewpoint overlooking the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment — the western border of the Masai Mara. Arrive at your Mara camp or lodge by midday. Afternoon: Check in and enjoy lunch at your camp. After a short rest, depart for an afternoon game drive (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM) in the Masai Mara. The Mara's open grasslands offer exceptional visibility for wildlife viewing. Search for the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. During migration season (July-October), witness the spectacular river crossings where thousands of wildebeest and zebra brave the crocodile-infested Mara River. Evening: Sundowners on the savannah as the sun sets over the vast Mara plains — an iconic African experience. Night game drive returns to camp spotlighting nocturnal animals. Enjoy a bush dinner under the stars or dinner at the camp. Listen to the sounds of the African night — hyenas calling, lions roaring in the distance. Overnight in the Masai Mara.
Masai Mara Full Day Safari & Departure
Our final full day begins with a spectacular sunrise game drive departing at 6:00 AM — the absolute best time for predator sightings as lions are most active in the cool morning air with the golden sun casting long shadows across the savannah. We explore different sectors of the Mara based on wildlife movement patterns reported overnight, tracking lion prides, cheetah hunting grounds, and leopard territories along the Talek and Mara rivers. Your guide will use radio communication with other guides and tracking expertise to maximise sightings of any species you may still be hoping to photograph. After a memorable bush breakfast set up in the wilderness — freshly brewed Kenyan coffee, hot tea, and breakfast served on a tablecloth with the vast Mara stretching before you — we enjoy one final game drive before beginning the approximately 5-hour journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes you through the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment with final photography stops at the scenic viewpoints overlooking the vast valley floor. Arriving in Nairobi in the late afternoon between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, you will be transferred directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight. We recommend booking international flights departing after 7:00 PM to allow ample time. As you board your flight, you carry with you the golden light of the African savannah, the sight of Kilimanjaro at sunrise, the thrill of watching a lion hunt, and the sounds of the African wilderness — memories that will last a lifetime. Morning: Pre-breakfast game drive at 6:00 AM. This is prime time for predator sightings — watch lions on the hunt, cheetahs surveying the plains, and hyenas returning to their dens. Drive to the Mara River to see hippos and crocodiles. Enjoy a bush breakfast in the savannah surrounded by wildlife. Continue game viewing until mid-morning. Afternoon: Return to camp for checkout. Lunch at the camp. Depart for Nairobi (approximately 5 hours). The drive crosses the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment with final photo stops at the scenic viewpoints. Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon. Optional stop at a curio market for last-minute souvenirs. Evening: Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight. We recommend booking flights departing after 7:00 PM to allow ample time for the drive. End of tour — you depart Kenya with a lifetime of wildlife memories and the golden light of the African savannah etched in your heart.
What's Included & Excluded
Know exactly what your package covers
Included
- All national park entrance fees
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full board accommodation at camps/lodges
- Game drives per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide and camp/lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities (hot air balloon, cultural visits) unless stated
- Personal expenses
Best Time to Travel
Wildlife viewing is good year-round. The dry season (June-October) concentrates animals around water sources for easier sightings, and the Great Migration's river crossings peak July-October. Calving season in the southern Serengeti runs December-March.
Tented camps and lodges
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at camps/lodges
What to Pack
Suggested gear for this trip
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