Last updated September 2026.
PMK’s 7-day Kenya safari is our most-booked full itinerary, and it’s built to cover four different ecosystems without feeling rushed: Amboseli’s elephant herds under Kilimanjaro, a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, a walking safari at Hell’s Gate, and two full parks worth of Big Five country at Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. It starts from $1,850 per person (based on 2 travelers sharing), fully private, with everything but flights and personal extras included. Below is the realistic day-by-day route, honest drive times, and what makes this particular combination different from a Mara-only trip.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Early morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, then a private 4×4 drive south of about 240km (3 to 4 hours) to Amboseli National Park. On a clear day you’ll have Mount Kilimanjaro rising over the plains for most of the approach. You’ll go straight into an afternoon game drive among Amboseli’s famous free-roaming elephant herds before dinner and overnight at your lodge near the park.
Day 2: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
A full day of game drives across Amboseli’s swamps, dried lake bed, and open savannah beneath Kilimanjaro. This is prime elephant country, alongside buffalo, giraffe, and one of Kenya’s best concentrations of birdlife. Sundowner drinks with mountain views before dinner and a second night at your lodge.
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha
This is the longest travel day of the trip. Lake Naivasha sits roughly 320km from Amboseli, and because the route effectively cuts back past Nairobi, it takes around 6 hours of driving. A morning game drive in Amboseli first makes the day earn its keep, and you’ll arrive at Naivasha with enough daylight for an afternoon boat safari on the lake, looking out for hippos, giant fish eagles, and a wealth of waterbirds from the water rather than a vehicle. Dinner and overnight at a lakeside hotel.
Day 4: Hell’s Gate National Park & Lake Nakuru
A change of pace: Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks in Kenya where you can walk or cycle among the wildlife, beneath the dramatic cliffs of Ol Njorowa Gorge. After a morning there, it’s a short, easy drive (around 75km, under 2 hours) to Lake Nakuru National Park for an evening game drive around the rhino sanctuary and flamingo-lined shores. Dinner and overnight near the park.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
After one more morning game drive at Lake Nakuru, you’ll set off for the Masai Mara: around 240km, but 5 to 6 hours because part of the route is unpaved. You’ll arrive with time for an afternoon game drive across the Mara’s open plains before dinner and your first night at a tented camp inside the reserve.
Day 6: Full Day Game Drives in the Masai Mara
A full day exploring the world-famous Masai Mara: dawn and dusk game drives in your private 4×4, a relaxed midday break at camp, and sundowner drinks over the plains. Watch for lion, leopard, elephant, and, seasonally (roughly July through October), the Great Migration crossing the Mara River.
Day 7: Return to Nairobi
A final sunrise game drive and breakfast at camp, then the drive back to Nairobi. Your guide will drop you at your Nairobi hotel, the airport, or a city-centre location, depending on your onward plans. We’d love to see your photos and hear how it went — and we hope to welcome you back for your next African adventure.
How Much Driving Is Actually Involved?
Four parks in seven days means real travel time. Here’s the honest breakdown:
| Day | Route | Distance | Drive time | Also happening that day |
| 1 | Nairobi → Amboseli | ~240 km | 3–4 hrs | Afternoon game drive among Amboseli’s elephant herds |
| 2 | Within Amboseli | — | — | Full day of game drives |
| 3 | Amboseli → Lake Naivasha | ~320 km | ~6 hrs | Morning drive in Amboseli, afternoon boat safari at Naivasha |
| 4 | Naivasha → Lake Nakuru | ~75 km | <2 hrs | Morning walking/cycling safari at Hell’s Gate, evening drive at Nakuru |
| 5 | Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara | ~240 km | 5–6 hrs | Morning drive at Nakuru, afternoon drive in the Mara |
| 6 | Within the Masai Mara | — | — | Full day of Big Five game drives |
| 7 | Masai Mara → Nairobi | ~270 km | 5–6 hrs | Sunrise game drive, then the return journey |
Day 3 is the one to know about going in: it’s a long day in the vehicle, but it’s also what makes it possible to fit Amboseli, Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Nakuru, and the Mara into a single trip.
What Makes This Route Different from a Mara-Only Safari
Most short Kenya safaris (our own 4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru itinerary included) stick to one or two parks. This 7-day route adds two experiences you won’t get on a pure game-drive trip: a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, where you’re on the water rather than behind a windscreen, and a walking or cycling safari at Hell’s Gate, one of the only parks in Kenya where you’re allowed out of the vehicle among the wildlife. If you’ve already done a Mara-focused trip, or want more variety than repeated game drives, this is the itinerary built for that. For a closer look at how Amboseli and the Mara compare as destinations, see our Masai Mara vs Amboseli guide.
What’s Included in This 7-Day Package
- Private 4×4 safari jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- All park entrance fees
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- All meals (full board) at camps and lodges
- Drinking water during game drives
- Airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off
- PMK 24/7 support throughout
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA / visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Hot air balloon safaris (optional add-on)
- Alcoholic beverages
Best Time of Year for This Itinerary
This route works year-round since it isn’t built around a single seasonal event, but if you want a chance at the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River on Day 6, aim for July through October. For the full month-by-month picture, see our guide to the best time to visit the Masai Mara.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 7-day Kenya safari cost?
This itinerary starts from $1,850 per person, based on 2 travelers sharing. It includes a private 4×4 vehicle and guide, all park fees, full-board accommodation, and airport transfers; it excludes flights, eTA/visa fees, insurance, tips, and personal expenses.
Is 7 days enough to see Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, and the Masai Mara?
Yes, but it’s a full itinerary with one genuinely long travel day (Amboseli to Naivasha, around 6 hours). You get one full day inside Amboseli and one full day inside the Mara, plus a boat safari, a walking safari, and an evening game drive at the other two stops.
What is the longest drive on this itinerary?
Day 3, from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha, at around 320km and 6 hours. The route effectively cuts back past Nairobi, which is why it takes longer than the distance alone would suggest.
Can I walk among wildlife on this safari?
Yes, at Hell’s Gate National Park on Day 4, one of the few parks in Kenya where walking and cycling safaris are allowed because there are no resident lions.
Will I see the wildebeest migration on this trip?
Possibly, if you travel between roughly July and October, when migration herds are typically crossing the Mara River. Outside that window, the Mara still delivers strong resident wildlife, just not the river crossings specifically.
Do I need a visa or eTA to visit Kenya for this safari?
Yes. Kenya requires travelers to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arrival. See our Kenya visa and eTA guide for the current application steps.
Is this a private safari, or will I share a vehicle with strangers?
It’s fully private for the entire 7 days. Your vehicle, guide, and pace are yours alone.
Ready to Book?
This itinerary runs on request, with the exact route and accommodation tailored to your dates and group size. Get a free, no-commitment quote for the 7-Day Kenya Safari, or WhatsApp us at +254 769 157 229 to talk it through directly.
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