7-Day Kenya Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Kenya tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineKenya travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary, incl. Masai Mara and Amboseli

  A wildlife-rich 7-day Kenya safari spans 5 major destinations: Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli. Four distinct camps provide full-board accommodation across 800km of natural terrain.

  

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  • Day 1

    Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

    Your safari begins with a 7:00 AM pickup in Nairobi. First stop is the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for some stunning morning photos. Next up is Hell's Gate National Park where you can actually walk among the wildlife. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip as you'll be walking on uneven ground. Later you can take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha ($30) to see hippos and crocodiles up close. A recent visitor shared: "Lake Naivasha was a peaceful getaway with its placid lake and pelican flocks - the boat rides offered amazing wildlife viewing."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Masai Mara National Reserve

    The drive to the famous Masai Mara takes 5-6 hours through Maasai territory with a lunch break in Narok town. Animals are most active early morning and late afternoon so plan your game drives for these times. You'll see plenty of wildlife year-round even outside migration season (July-September) with over 450 species calling the reserve home. Stop at the hippo pools for a picnic lunch but keep your distance. For something special try a hot air balloon safari ($450) at sunrise.

    
  • Day 4

    Lake Nakuru National Park

    Start early for the drive to Lake Nakuru known for its flamingos and rhino sanctuary. You'll pass Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha on the way. Visit during early morning or late afternoon to see the flamingos at their most active along the shore. Bring binoculars as the bird watching here is excellent.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Amboseli National Park

    Time your arrival in Amboseli for afternoon wildlife viewing. The park is famous for its elephant herds and views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Get up early for your best chance to see the mountain before clouds move in. The swamps are perfect for watching elephants. As one visitor noted: "Each game drive brings us closer to nature through the migration of elephants, watching them bathe in the swamps was unforgettable."

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Nairobi

    Take one last morning game drive in Amboseli before the 4-5 hour drive back to Nairobi. Leave early to avoid city traffic in the afternoon. If you're flying out book an evening flight since arrival time in Nairobi can vary based on road conditions.

    

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• 7 Days in Kenya Safari, incl. Samburu and Masai Mara

  7-day luxury safari visiting 5 major destinations: Samburu National Reserve, Thomson Falls, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara. Includes 6 nights at 4-star Sopa Lodges, daily game drives, and opportunities to spot over 450 animal species.

  

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  • Day 1

    Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

    Leave Nairobi early for the 5-6 hour drive north to Samburu. You'll travel through beautiful central highlands. If you get car sick, bring motion sickness tablets. The roads can get rough. Plan to arrive for lunch so you can join the afternoon game drive when it's cooler. A recent visitor said, "The evening game drive was incredible—we saw so many reticulated giraffes at sunset near the Ewaso Nyiro River."

    
  • Day 2

    Full Day in Samburu

    Get up before sunrise to catch predators on the hunt. Samburu is known for its northern species like Grevy's zebra and beisa oryx. Bring warm clothes for the chilly morning and lighter layers for hot afternoons. Most animals gather at the riverbanks to drink. Late afternoon is perfect for watching elephants cross the river.

    
  • Day 3

    Samburu to Lake Nakuru

    The 6-hour drive south to Lake Nakuru includes a worthwhile stop at Thomson Falls in Nyahururu. Take 30 minutes to see the falls but watch your step. The viewing paths can be slippery. Spend your afternoon at Lake Nakuru watching thousands of flamingos. Numbers change with the seasons. This park is also one of the few places to spot both black and white rhinos.

    
  • Day 4

    Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

    Start early for the 5-6 hour drive to Masai Mara. Road quality varies a lot, especially near the reserve. Keep your camera ready when you enter the park. The wildlife viewing starts right away. As one visitor put it: "Within our first hour in the Mara, we saw three different lion prides. The concentration of wildlife here is unbelievable."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Masai Mara Explorer

    You have two full days to explore the Mara's diverse landscapes. Start your game drives around 6:30 AM for the best predator sightings. Visiting between July and October? Get to the Mara River by 8 AM to watch wildebeest crossings before other vehicles arrive. When animals are resting in the afternoon, you can visit a Maasai village for about $20.

    
  • Day 7

    Masai Mara to Nairobi

    Take one last morning game drive. The early light makes for beautiful photos. The drive back to Nairobi takes 5-6 hours, so book evening flights. Consider motion sickness medication for the bumpy road out of the Mara.

    

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• 7 Days in Kenya Safari, incl. Maasai Mara and Amboseli

  Four wildlife-rich areas unfold over 1050km in this weeklong safari. Spot the Big Five in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru Park, Lake Elementaita, and Amboseli with expert guides leading game drives.

  

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  • Day 1

    Nairobi Arrival & Acclimatization

    Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer to your Nairobi hotel. If you land after midnight, book a pre-night since most hotels don't allow check-in before 2 PM. You can spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring central Nairobi. The Wilson Airport area offers several restaurants with good local food. Remember to pack light with soft-sided bags under 15kg since safari vehicles have space limitations.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Maasai Mara National Reserve

    Take a 5-hour drive from Nairobi to Maasai Mara through the Great Rift Valley. One traveler shared: "Watching the sunrise over the savanna while spotting our first giraffes was worth the early wake-up." The best times to spot wildlife are between 6:30-9:30 AM and 4-6:30 PM. Stay near Sekenani Gate for quick access to the park. On Day 3, visit a traditional Maasai village. Bring small bills if you want to buy crafts or take photos.

    
  • Day 4

    Lake Nakuru & Lake Elementaita

    Drive four hours north through Kenya's farmland. Lake Nakuru is a prime spot for flamingos and rhinos. Visit in the afternoon when the lighting is ideal for photos. Keep in mind that lake levels change with seasons, affecting how close flamingos come to shore. Lake Elementaita is perfect for bird watching with over 400 species. Bring binoculars and a long camera lens for wildlife photos.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Amboseli National Park

    Take a 5-hour drive south through Nairobi. Amboseli offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Take photos early before clouds hide the peak. You'll often see large elephant herds walking with the mountain as backdrop. The swamps and Observation Hill are excellent for wildlife viewing. Game drives start at 6:30 AM. Bring warm clothes since mornings can be surprisingly cool.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Nairobi

    The return drive to Nairobi takes about three and a half hours. Schedule flights after 4 PM to allow enough time for transfer. Watch for zebras and gazelles on the open plains during your drive. Plan extra time for morning traffic into Nairobi if you have a flight to catch.

    

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