8 Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara from Nairobi
This 8-day adventurous Kenya road safari takes you to the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve, which hosts one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – the Great Wildebeest Migration. It also includes 3 other wildlife areas in Kenya: Tsavo West National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Beginning in either Nairobi or Mombasa, the tour travels by road to Tsavo West National Park, located in Southeast Kenya. Tsavo East and Tsavo West combine to form one of the largest game reserves in the world, at about 22700 km².
Tsavo National Park is famous for the man-eating lions of Tsavo, which preyed on railway workers in colonial times. Home to Africa’s Big Five – buffalo, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and the notorious lions- and giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, hyenas, and plenty of antelopes.
After 2 nights in Tsavo West, we take a 3-hour drive to Amboseli National Park. This scenic park is known as one of the best places to get up close to big herds of elephants, making for amazing photos with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Amboseli Park hosts a variety of large mammals and birds. The species list includes lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, and cheetah, and bird watchers will be happy with a list that tops 300 species.
After 2 nights in Amboseli National Park, we travel north, back to Nairobi, where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we travel to the Great Rift Valley, passing through beautiful scenery on the way to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru hosts over 400 different bird species, including many water birds. Bird species include the Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, and Long-crested Eagle.
Lake Nakuru National Park is also known as an important wildlife sanctuary for some of Africa’s endangered species, especially black and white rhinos, and Rothschild’s giraffes. The game reserve is also home to lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons, which we keep an eye out for on our game drive.
After 1 night in Lake Nakuru, we get back on the road and head to our next game-viewing destination in Kenya, the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Wherever you go in the vast Masai Mara, you will see plenty of wildlife, including Masai giraffes, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyenas, topi, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and hippos, all in great numbers.
The ultimate action here is, without doubt, the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August, when millions of these grass-eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.
Hot-air balloon trips are an outstanding way to see the savannah plains teeming with wildlife. After 2 nights in the Masai Mara, we head back to the chaotic city of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, arriving at about 1500 hours.
8-Day-Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru Masai Mara Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo West National Park
0730 Hours– 0800 Hours: Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
0800 Hours – 1330 Hours: Drive southeast along the Mombasa Highway, entering Tsavo West National Park
1330 Hours – 1530 Hours: Check into your safari lodge (e.g., Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge) and enjoy lunch
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive. Visit the dramatic Shetani Lava Flow and look for Tsavo’s famous “red” elephants
190 Hours onwards: Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge
Day 2: Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park
0600 Hours – 0830 Hours: Early-morning game drive to catch predators at dawn, followed by a visit to Mzima Springs to view hippos through the underwater glass tank.
0830 Hours – 0930 Hours: Return to the lodge for a full breakfast and check-out
0930 Hours – 1300 Hours: Drive across the scenic Chyulu Hills and through Maasai country to Amboseli National Park
1300 Hours – 1530 Hours: Check-in and lunch at your camp (e.g., Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge)
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive targeting massive elephant herds grazing against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 3: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
0600 Hours – 0830 Hours: Dawn game drive (the absolute best time for cloud-free views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak)
0830 Hours – 1000 Hours: Mid-morning breakfast back at the camp
1030 Hours – 1300 Hours: Mid-day game drive visiting Observation Hill to survey the swamp ecosystems packed with hippos and waterbirds
1300 Hours – 1530 Hours: Lunch at the lodge followed by leisure/pool time
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive in search of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas
Day 4: Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park
0600 Hours – 0700 Hours: Quick breakfast and check-out
0700 Hours – 1300 Hours: Drive north towards Nairobi, ascending the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with a brief stop at the panoramic viewpoint
1300 Hours – 1400 Hours: Stopover for a quick lunch in Nairobi or Naivasha
1400 Hours – 1600 Hours: Continue the drive into Lake Nakuru National Park
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Sunset game drive along the lake margins to view endangered black and white rhinos and Rothschild’s giraffes
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
0630 Hours– 08:00 Hours: Breakfast at your Nakuru hotel and check-out
0800 Hours – 13:30 Hours: Travel south through Narok town, driving deep into the Great Rift Valley lowlands to reach the Masai Mara National Reserve
1330 Hours – 1430 Hours: Arrive, check in, and enjoy lunch at your luxury tented camp
1630 Hours – 1830 Hours: First introductory game drive across the iconic, rolling savannah
Days 6 & 7: Comprehensive Exploration of the Masai Mara
0600 Hours – 0700 Hours: Early wake-up call with hot coffee/tea0700 Hours – 1530 PM: Full-day game-tracking safari with packed picnic lunches. Head to the Mara River to view crocodile and hippo populations (and the Great Migration if traveling between July and October)
1530 Hours – 1700 Hours: Optional visit to a traditional, local Maasai Village to experience their culture (Alternative Option for Day 7 Dawn): A sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Mara plains, ending with a champagne bush breakfast
Day 8: Masai Mara back to Nairobi
0600 Hours – 0800 Hours: Final early-morning “sunrise” game drive to look for leopards and lions on their early hunts
0830 Hours – 0930 Hours: Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast and pack your bags
0930 Hours – 0330 Hours: Check out and drive back to Nairobi, stopping for lunch along the way
0400Hours: Arrival in Nairobi; drop-off at your city hotel or directly at JKIA for your international departure flight
8 Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara itinerary route
| Day | Route & Destination | Drive Time | Highlights & Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Tsavo West | 4–5 hours | Enter Tsavo West via the Mtito Andei Gate. Enjoy afternoon game drives to explore the Shetani Lava Flow and Mzima Springs (for underwater hippo viewing). |
| 2 | Tsavo West to Amboseli | 3–4 hours | Morning game drive out of Tsavo, entering Amboseli by midday. Settle into the lodge, then enjoy afternoon photography framing the Great Tuskers against Mt. Kilimanjaro. |
| 3 | Amboseli National Park | Local | Full day in the park. Early morning starts offer the clearest views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak, followed by drives through Observation Hill and the marshlands. |
| 4 | Amboseli to Lake Nakuru | 6–7 hours | Descend the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Enjoy an afternoon arrival at Lake Nakuru with game drives focusing on the Rhino Sanctuary and viewing vast flocks of flamingos. |
| 5 | Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara | 5–6 hours | Depart the Rift Valley lakes and head into the sweeping savannahs of the Masai Mara. Arrive for a late afternoon, big-cat-focused game drive. |
| 6 | Masai Mara National Reserve | Local | Full day exploring the open plains. High concentration of predators (lions, cheetahs, leopards). Mara River crossings can be viewed seasonally (July–Oct). |
| 7 | Masai Mara National Reserve | Local | Second full day of wildlife tracking, birdwatching, or an optional early-morning hot-air balloon safari over the reserve. |
| 8 | Masai Mara to Nairobi | 5–6 hours | Morning game drive, then depart the reserve and traverse the scenic Rift Valley back to Nairobi for departure or hotel drop-off. |
Safari Itinerary in Summary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
Day 2: Tsavo West – Drive to Amboseli National Park
Day 3: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Day 4: Amboseli – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Days 6 & 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
Safari Itinerary in Detail
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
Your safari begins between 0730 Hours and 0800 Hours with a pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Leaving the city behind, we drive southeast along the Mombasa Highway into the rugged wilderness of Tsavo West National Park, arriving in time to check into your lodge and enjoy lunch.
At about 22,700 km², the combined Tsavo East and West form one of the largest game reserves in the world—historically famous for the man-eating lions that preyed on railway workers in the early 1900s. After lunch, you will set off on your first afternoon game drive. The focus today is visiting the dramatic Shetani Lava Flow and tracking Tsavo’s famous “red” elephants, which get their unique color from dust-bathing in the region’s iron-rich volcanic soil.
Overnight Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Ngulia Lodge, or Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Tsavo West – Drive to Amboseli National Park
We start before dawn at 0600 Hours with an early-morning game drive to catch predators on the move, culminating in a visit to Mzima Springs. These natural springs produce 350 million liters of crystal-clear fresh water daily. Here, an underwater glass viewing chamber provides a window into the aquatic antics of hippos and crocodiles.
After returning to the lodge for a full breakfast and check-out, we depart at 0930 Hours. The journey to Amboseli takes you across the scenic Chyulu Hills and deep into Maasai country. You will arrive at your Amboseli camp for lunch and a brief rest. At 1530 Hours, head out for an evening game drive to seek out the park’s massive elephant herds, famously framed against the iconic, snow-capped backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Today is dedicated entirely to Amboseli, structured to give you the best wildlife photography opportunities. We begin at 0600 Hours with a dawn game drive—the absolute best time of day to catch a cloud-free view of Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak before the heat of the day builds.
After a mid-morning breakfast back at the camp at 0830 Hours, you will head out again at 1030 Hours to visit Observation Hill. This vantage point allows you to survey the park’s lush swamp ecosystems, which are fed by Kilimanjaro’s melting snows and are packed with hippos, buffalo, and diverse waterbirds like pelicans and kingfishers. Following a late lunch and some poolside leisure time at the lodge, your final evening game drive at 1530 Hours will focus on tracking Amboseli’s resident predators: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Overnight Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Amboseli – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Following a quick breakfast and check-out, we depart Amboseli at 0700 Hours, traveling north toward Nairobi. As we ascend the Great Rift Valley, we will make a brief stop at a panoramic viewpoint to take in the dramatic escarpment scenery.
After a quick stopover for lunch in either Nairobi or Naivasha, we continue into Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving by 1600 Hours. You will immediately embark on a sunset game drive along the lake’s margins. This park is a critical sanctuary and offers an excellent chance to spot endangered black and white rhinos, as well as the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, alongside the vibrant birdlife the lake is known for.
Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at your Nakuru hotel before checking out. At 0800 Hours, we travel south through the bustling Maasai agricultural town of Narok, driving deep into the Great Rift Valley lowlands until we reach the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve.
You will arrive at your luxury tented camp in time to check in and enjoy a hot lunch. At 1630 Hours, you will head out for your introductory game drive across the iconic, rolling savannah. As an extension of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara is world-renowned for its high concentration of the Big Five and breathtaking landscapes.
Overnight Accommodation: Fairmont Mara Safari Club or andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Days 6 & 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
The next two days are spent fully immersing yourself in one of the greatest wildlife habitats on earth. Each morning begins with an early wake-up call and hot coffee before setting out on full-day game-tracking safaris equipped with packed picnic lunches.
Your guides will take you to the Mara River to observe massive crocodile and hippo populations (and, if traveling between July and October, to witness the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings). The plains are packed with Masai giraffe, topi, eland, and thousands of gazelles, constantly shadowed by lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Optional Activities: Between 1530 Hours and 1700 Hours, you can visit a traditional Maasai Village to experience their timeless culture and way of life. Alternatively, on Day 7, you can launch before sunrise for a Hot Air Balloon Safari drifting over the Mara plains, concluding with a champagne bush breakfast.
Overnight Accommodation: Fairmont Mara Safari Club or andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 8: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi
Your final day begins with an early-morning sunrise game drive from 0600 Hours to 0800 Hours, the perfect window to spot leopards and lions returning from their night hunts. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast and to pack your bags.
By 0930 Hours, you will check out and begin the drive back to Nairobi, stopping for lunch along the way. You will arrive back in the capital around 1600 Hours, with a direct drop-off at your city hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your onward international flight.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
8 Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices
8-Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Include
✓ Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open-top
✓ Multi-lingual Professional Safari Driver Guide
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Finest accommodations in Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
✓ Round trip transport from Nairobi to Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
|
Dates From |
Dates To | Price Per Person |
Children Aged 2 to 12 Years |
|
1st January 2026 |
31st December 2026 | Request for rates |
Request for rates |
Notes
This 8-day Kenya road safari could also start in Nairobi & end in Mombasa. (Nairobi – Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru – Amboseli – Tsavo – Mombasa)
8-Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara Prices Exclude
✗ International Airfare
✗ Accommodation in Nairobi
✗ Cost of obtaining passport and visas
✗ Gratuity for your professional driver-guide
✗ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✗ Christmas, New Year, and Easter Supplement
✗ Optional Hot Air Ballooning, Nature walks, etc
✗ Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Membership in Flying Doctors Society – Emergency air rescue
✗ Personal expenses such as travel insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls; beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary
Booking & Reservations 8 Day Kenya Safari Tsavo West Amboseli Nakuru & Masai Mara Contact
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