6-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Mara Safari

The 6-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Mara safari starts from $2,239 per person sharing. The net cost is the final amount you pay after your accommodation level, travel dates, and group size are confirmed. The price covers private 4×4 safari transport with an experienced driver-guide, game drives, park and reserve entrance fees, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, visas or travel authorisations, travel insurance, tips, drinks, souvenirs, and optional activities such as the hot air balloon ride and Maasai cultural visit are not included. Travelling solo adds a single supplement, and peak-season dates cost more, so your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to you.

Yes. The 6-day itinerary is a starting point, and we can adjust it to suit your plans. You can upgrade or change your lodge or camp, add extra nights in Amboseli or the Mara, combine it with other Kenyan destinations such as Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, or the coast, or choose a flight to the Mara instead of a long road transfer. We can also arrange private departures, family-friendly schedules, and special occasions such as honeymoons. Tell us your dates, interests, and budget, and we will prepare a tailored quotation.

You can travel as a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group, as the safari runs as a private tour in your own vehicle. Each 4×4 safari vehicle seats up to five guests with a guaranteed window seat, which keeps game viewing and photography comfortable. Larger groups travel in several vehicles, each with its own driver-guide, so everyone enjoys the same experience. Please share your group size when you enquire so we can confirm the right vehicles and rooms.

As a guide, Nairobi to Amboseli takes about four to five hours, and the journey from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha is a longer day of roughly five to six hours, as the route passes back through Nairobi. Lake Naivasha to the Maasai Mara takes about five to six hours, and the return from the Mara to Nairobi takes a similar time. Part of the road into the Mara is rough, so the final stretch is bumpy, and your driver-guide makes comfort stops along the way. If you prefer to save time, we can arrange scheduled flights between some of these areas, and your driver-guide times each leg around your arrival and departure flights.

No operator can guarantee this, because the animals are wild and free to roam. The Maasai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, while Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds and open views of other wildlife. Rhinos are the hardest of the five to find, as only a small number live in the Mara and they stay hidden in thick bush. Leopards are also elusive, and Amboseli is not a reliable place to see either of them. Our driver-guides work closely with other guides to track animals, and time spent across several parks gives you a varied and rewarding safari.

The wildebeest and zebra herds are usually in the Maasai Mara from July to October, with dramatic Mara River crossings often seen between August and September. Exact timing changes every year with the rains and the movement of the herds, so no date can be promised. The Mara is rewarding at other times as well, because resident wildlife and big cats remain on view all year round. Migration season is also peak season, so book your lodges several months ahead, especially since this itinerary uses several of them.

Kilimanjaro is often clearest at sunrise and in the early morning, before clouds build up during the day. The drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, usually offer the best chance of clear views, though the mountain can hide behind cloud at any time of year. Your driver-guide plans early game drives so you can watch elephants against the mountain in the best light, but visibility cannot be promised.

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake with lush shores, which gives you a relaxing break between the drier landscapes of Amboseli and the Mara. Popular activities include boat rides to see hippos and birdlife, walking or cycling safaris on nearby Crescent Island or in Hell’s Gate National Park, and simply relaxing at your lodge. Some of these are optional extras, so tell us which you prefer and we will plan the timing and include any fees in your quotation.

Yes, both are optional extras and neither is included in the starting price. The hot air balloon ride takes place at sunrise in the Maasai Mara, floats over the plains, and usually ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. It needs to be booked in advance because spaces are limited. The Maasai cultural visit lets you meet community members, see traditional dances, and learn about village life, and it usually fits into a free afternoon in the Mara or Amboseli area. Let us know which you would like and we will add them to your quotation.

You stay in a lodge or tented camp in or near each destination: Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, and the Maasai Mara. Options range from comfortable mid-range camps to luxury lodges with private verandas and views over the plains or the lake. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking, and we may suggest comparable alternatives if your first choice is full. Your final quotation lists the confirmed lodges before you pay, so you always know where you will sleep.

Follow your driver-guide’s instructions at all times. Stay seated in the vehicle, keep your voice low, and never get out of the vehicle unless your guide says it is safe. Do not feed or touch any animal, and do not litter. Vehicles must stay on designated tracks, and your guide keeps a respectful distance so the animals are not disturbed. Please also do not use drones, as they are restricted in Kenya’s parks and reserves.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Most visitors need to apply online for a Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before departure, while some nationalities are exempt. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months, and ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations, malaria prevention, and any yellow fever certificate requirements for your route. We can guide you through the process.

Pack lightweight clothing in neutral colours such as beige, khaki, or olive, along with a warm layer for cool early mornings and evenings, particularly at Naivasha and in the Mara. Amboseli can be dusty, so bring a scarf or buff and protect your camera. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a camera with spare batteries. Use a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase, since space in the vehicle is limited. Kenya has banned single-use plastic bags, so do not pack them in your luggage, as officials may confiscate them at the airport.

Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip and leave a shared tip for lodge or camp staff at each stop. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Kenyan shillings are useful for small purchases such as souvenirs and tips, and mobile money is widely used locally.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check lodge and vehicle availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions, and total cost. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we confirm your lodge and transport reservations. Booking several months ahead is wise, especially for the migration season from July to October and for holiday periods.