Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Hell’s Gate Safari

Day 1

Nairobi to Amboseli – First Safari Adventure

Leave Nairobi in the morning and drive toward Amboseli National Park, famous for its views of Mount Kilimanjaro. After settling in and enjoying lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive. Spot herds of elephants, grazing zebras, and possibly lions and cheetahs against the stunning backdrop of Africa’s tallest mountain. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Scenic countryside views
• Local farms and open savannah
• Elephants, zebras, and wildebeests
• Mount Kilimanjaro in the background

Day 2

Full Day Game Drive in Amboseli

Rise early and set out into Amboseli when the animals are most active. The cool morning hours are perfect for spotting lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and herds of antelope moving across the plains. The swamps shimmer in the morning light, attracting elephants and buffaloes looking to drink and cool off.

After a few hours exploring, return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and some relaxation. Take in the peaceful surroundings, maybe spotting a few animals right from your accommodation. Amboseli’s flat, open landscapes make it one of the best places in Africa for easy and rewarding game viewing.

In the afternoon, head out for another drive into a different part of the park. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos hidden in the marshes and graceful giraffes nibbling at the treetops. As the sun begins to set, Amboseli glows under the soft light, creating a picture-perfect ending to your day.

• Large elephant herds near swamps
• Lions resting under acacia trees
• Giraffes, buffaloes, and hyenas
• Panoramic views from Observation Hill

Day 3

Amboseli to Lake Nakuru – Journey Through the Highlands

After breakfast, say goodbye to Amboseli and begin your scenic drive toward Lake Nakuru. The journey takes you through ever-changing landscapes, from open plains to fertile highlands where tea and coffee farms stretch across rolling hills. Watch the everyday life of Kenyan towns pass by as you travel.

Arrive in Nakuru in time for lunch and settle into your cozy lodge. After a short break, head into Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon safari. The first thing you’ll notice is the beautiful sight of flamingos lining the lake’s shore, turning the water a shade of pink.

As you drive further inside the park, search for white rhinos grazing in open spaces, leopards lurking in acacia trees, and herds of zebras and impalas roaming freely. Nakuru’s mix of forest, grassland, and wetlands means there’s always something exciting around every corner.

• Great Rift Valley landscapes
• Flamingos covering Lake Nakuru
• White and black rhinos grazing
• Leopards hiding in the forest edges

Day 4

Full Day in Lake Nakuru – Birds and Big Game

Spend the whole day exploring the beauty of Lake Nakuru National Park. Begin with a morning drive along the lake’s edge, where thousands of pink flamingos create a breathtaking view.

Later, venture deeper into the park to look for white and black rhinos, as well as the rare Rothschild giraffe. The park’s forests and acacia woodlands hide many other animals too, like waterbucks, baboons, and warthogs. It’s a day filled with birdwatching, big game spotting, and peaceful landscapes.

• Birdwatching with pelicans and cormorants
• Rothschild’s giraffes and waterbucks
• Buffalo herds near the lake shores
• Colorful acacia woodlands full of wildlife

Day 5

Lake Nakuru to Hell’s Gate – Adventure on Foot

Enjoy breakfast and then make your way to Hell’s Gate National Park, a place full of dramatic scenery and endless opportunities for adventure. Unlike other parks, Hell’s Gate allows walking and cycling safaris, so you can get closer to nature in a way that’s thrilling and refreshing.

Walk or bike through towering red cliffs, narrow gorges, and wide open fields dotted with zebras, giraffes, and warthogs. It’s a special feeling to be out in the open without fences or vehicles, moving at your own pace under the bright African sky.

For those seeking more adrenaline, optional activities like rock climbing or hiking deep into the gorge add even more excitement. Whether you choose a leisurely walk or a more active adventure, Hell’s Gate offers a completely different way to experience Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes.

• Walking among zebras and antelopes
• Giraffes in the open plains
• Deep gorges and towering cliffs
• Natural hot springs and volcanic rocks

Day 6

Hell’s Gate to Masai Mara – The Great Savannah

After breakfast, leave Hell’s Gate and begin your drive toward the world-famous Masai Mara. The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley and into the rolling hills that lead to the vast savannahs.

Reach Masai Mara around lunchtime, check into your camp, and relax a bit. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive across the golden plains. You’ll likely see herds of wildebeest, zebras, and maybe even your first glimpse of lions or cheetahs hunting in the tall grass.

• Rolling hills and endless grasslands
• Lions and cheetahs stalking prey
• Wildebeest and zebra herds moving together
• Open savannah with scattered acacia trees

Day 7

Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

An early start takes you deep into the Masai Mara’s endless plains, where wildlife roams freely across the open land. Watch as prides of lions laze under shady trees, elephants march across the savannah, and cheetahs scan the horizon for their next hunt. Morning light makes for stunning photographs, so keep your camera ready.

Stop for a picnic lunch under an acacia tree or by a riverbank, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wild. Out here, you might spot massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and even elusive leopards hidden among the bushes. Every moment feels like stepping into a nature documentary.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration of different areas of the park, maybe catching glimpses of crocodiles basking by the river or hippos wallowing in the mud. As the sun dips low over the Mara, the landscape turns golden, offering one last magical safari scene before you return to camp.

• Big Five sightings: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard
• Massive wildebeest herds
• Ostriches, warthogs, and hyenas
• Scenic river crossings and vast plains

Day 8

Masai Mara to Nairobi – Journey Home

After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and say goodbye to the Mara. If time allows, enjoy a short morning game drive on your way out of the park for any final wildlife sightings.

Begin the journey back to Nairobi, passing beautiful rural scenery along the way. Reach the city by afternoon, marking the end of your amazing 8-day safari adventure across Kenya’s best parks.

• Morning savannah landscapes
• Final wildlife views along the Mara edges
• Scenic countryside before reaching Nairobi