Are you planning your first Kenya Safari and you have less than a week?
This 5 day Kenyan safari might be the best fit for you, why? Because this is the classic Kenya safari compacted into one safari package.
Starting with Amboseli the home of the african giants, through Nakuru and finally the legendary Masai Mara National Park.
Below is the day by day breakdown of the itinerary with an more deeper look at the activites you will be immersed in In this excitiing Kenya safari adventure.
Last updated September 2026.
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Our warm and proffessional Kenya safari driver guide will pick you up frorm the airport or your Nairobi hotel to begin your scenic drive to Amboseli National Park.
The drive from Nairobi to Amboseli takes about 4 hours so depending on your arrival time you will be aiming at arriving in time for lunch in readiness for an evening game drive at Amboseli National Parka
Amboseli is famous for two things:
1. The best close-up elephant viewing in Africa, with herds that have been studied and named for decades.
2. Majestic views of Kilimanjaro rising across the border.
you will then return back to your lodge Dinner and overnight stay at your nature inspired lodge as you hear the sounds of the wild.
Day 2: Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park
A final morning game drive in Amboseli comes first, then a long scenic drive north to Lake Nakuru via the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with views down into the valley floor along the way. It’s the longest driving day of the trip, so we’ve broken down exactly what to expect below. You arrive in time for an afternoon game drive around the lake, looking for rhino (both black and white species live here), flamingos when water and algae conditions are right, and the tree-climbing lions Nakuru is known for. Dinner and overnight near the park.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
Depart after breakfast for the Masai Mara, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the reserve. Dinner and overnight at a luxury tented camp inside the Mara itself, rather than outside its boundary, which means shorter drives to wildlife and the chance of hearing lions at night from camp.
Day 4: Full Day in the Masai Mara
A full day of game drives across the Mara’s open plains, structured around a dawn drive when predators are most active, a relaxed midday break back at camp through the heat of the day, and a dusk drive as the light softens. Expect sundowner drinks out on the savannah before dinner. Between roughly July and October you may also catch part of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River.
Day 5: Return to Nairobi
A final morning game drive and breakfast at camp, then the drive back to Nairobi. Your guide drops you at your Nairobi hotel, the airport, or any city-centre location.
How Long Is the Drive From Amboseli to Nakuru, Honestly?
This is the one leg of the trip worth knowing about before you book. Amboseli sits south of Nairobi near the Tanzanian border, while Lake Nakuru is north of Nairobi in the Rift Valley, so Day 2 effectively means driving most of the way back across the region you covered on Day 1, then continuing on. It’s roughly 380km and around 6.5 to 7.5 hours of driving, depending on road conditions and stops. We break it into a morning game drive plus the long transfer, so you’re not simply sitting in a vehicle all day, but it is the itinerary’s biggest single travel day and we’d rather you know that going in than be surprised by it.
| Leg | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi → Amboseli | ~240 km | 4 hrs |
| Amboseli → Lake Nakuru | ~380 km | 6.5–7.5 hrs |
| Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara | ~265 km | 5–6 hrs |
| Masai Mara → Nairobi | ~270 km | 5–6 hrs |
If the Amboseli-to-Nakuru transfer is more than you’d like on a 5-day trip, it’s worth asking us about routing this same trio over 6 or 7 days instead, or swapping Amboseli for Lake Naivasha, which sits directly between Nairobi and Nakuru and cuts the driving dramatically — see our 5-day Naivasha, Nakuru & Mara itinerary for that version.
What’s Included
- Private 4×4 safari jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- All park entrance fees (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara)
- Accommodation as per itinerary (4 nights)
- All meals (full board) at camps/lodges
- Drinking water during game drives
- Airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off
- PMK 24/7 support throughout
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Kenya visa/eTA fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Hot air balloon safaris (optional add-on)
- Alcoholic beverages
Best Time to Go
Amboseli’s Kilimanjaro views are clearest in the drier months (roughly June to October and January to February), when there’s less cloud cover around the mountain. The Masai Mara portion of this trip is at its best from July to October, when the wildebeest migration is often in the reserve. Lake Nakuru’s rhino and lion sightings hold up well year-round. For a full month-by-month breakdown of the Mara specifically, see our best time to visit the Masai Mara guide. Pack layers for cold mornings in the Mara and hot, dusty afternoons in Amboseli — our what to wear on a Kenya safari guide covers it in full.
Are you ready to plan and book your Kenya tour?
This safari runs on private dates built around your travel plans, with accommodation ranging from comfortable tented camps to fully luxury lodges depending on what you choose. See full pricing and get a quote on the 5-Day Luxury Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Amboseli to Lake Nakuru?
About 380km, roughly 6.5 to 7.5 hours, since the two parks sit on opposite sides of Nairobi. We split it with a morning game drive in Amboseli first, but it’s the longest single travel day on this itinerary.
Will I see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli?
Often, but not guaranteed. Kilimanjaro is in neighbouring Tanzania and frequently wrapped in cloud, especially in the afternoon. Early morning tends to offer the clearest views, and the drier months (June to October, January to February) generally give better odds.
Is this itinerary fully private?
Yes. You travel in your own private 4×4 with pop-up roof and a dedicated guide, and you don’t share the vehicle with other travellers at any point.
What’s the difference between this and the Naivasha, Nakuru & Mara 5-day safari?
This itinerary swaps Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate for Amboseli National Park, trading a shorter, easier route for Kilimanjaro views and Amboseli’s elephant herds. The trade-off is a longer Day 2 transfer, since Amboseli and Nakuru sit on opposite sides of Nairobi rather than along the same route.
How many game drives are included in the Masai Mara?
An afternoon drive on arrival (Day 3) plus a full day of dawn-to-dusk game driving on Day 4, including a midday break at camp and sundowners in the evening.
What accommodation is used on this safari?
Accommodation ranges from comfortable tented camps to fully luxury lodges depending on what you select, with a luxury tented camp inside the Masai Mara reserve itself on Days 3 and 4.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya for this safari?
Most nationalities need an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) applied for online before you travel. See our Kenya visa requirements guide for the current process.
Can this itinerary be customised or extended?
Yes — this route can be extended to 6 or 7 days to ease the Amboseli-to-Nakuru drive, or adjusted with different accommodation and add-ons like a hot air balloon safari. Get in touch with your dates and preferences for a tailored quote.
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