7 Day Magical Kenya Safari
7 days · Kenya · Nairobi to Nairobi
Tour overview
This journey takes you through some of Kenya's most iconic safari destinations, covering Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.
If you are coming to Kenya once and want the parks people have heard of, this is the route. Every lodge is a comfortable property we use regularly, and the long transfer between Amboseli and Naivasha is broken up with scenery rather than being a dead day.
- Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli
- Boat ride and Crescent Island walk
- Rhinos at Lake Nakuru
- Two nights in the Masai Mara
Day by day
You will be picked up from the airport or your hotel in Nairobi in the morning for the drive to Amboseli National Park, around four to five hours, with optional stops along the way for washrooms, stretching your legs or a quick snack. Arrive at Ol Tukai Lodge in the early afternoon, check in, enjoy a relaxed lunch and take some time to rest. Later in the afternoon, head out for an afternoon-to-evening game drive, searching for Amboseli's famous elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Return to Ol Tukai Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge
- 2nOl Tukai Lodge
- 1nNaivasha Sopa Lodge
- 1nLake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
- 2nZebra Plains Mara Camp
Where the route goes
Pins mark each park in driving order. Distances are rough; your driver-guide sets the pace on the day.
Parks on this route
Amboseli National Park
Famous for its large elephant herds and sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli offers close-up wildlife encounters and some of Kenya's most photographed scenery.
Destination guide
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake fringed with acacia forest. Ideal for a relaxed boat ride to spot hippos and water birds, and for a gentle walking safari on Crescent Island.
Destination guide
Lake Nakuru National Park
Famous for its flamingo population and rich birdlife, the park is also a sanctuary for black and white rhinos, as well as Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo and lions, with the Great Rift Valley escarpments as a backdrop.
Destination guide
Masai Mara National Reserve
Renowned worldwide, the Mara is home to the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras and other plains game move across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. Big cats, elephants and giraffes are seen year round.
Destination guideWhat's included
What's included
- Complimentary airport transfers to and from the airport
- Accommodation as per the itinerary, or similar
- Meals on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- National park and game reserve entrance fees
- Unlimited drinking water on safari
- Unlimited game drives
- Transport in a safari vehicle as per the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal items and travel insurance
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and Maasai village visits
Good to know
Can the Magical Kenya be customised?
Yes. Add nights, swap a park, upgrade a lodge or combine it with another route. Tell us what you want and we quote for that.
What lodges are used?
The itinerary names the properties we normally use: Ol Tukai Lodge, Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Zebra Plains Mara Camp. Where a lodge is full we book a similar one and tell you before you confirm.
When is the best time for a Kenya safari?
June to October is the dry season and the migration is in the Masai Mara, which makes it the most popular window. January and February are also dry, clear and good for game viewing with fewer vehicles. The long rains in April and May are the quietest and cheapest months, and the parks are green.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before you fly. For the cross-border routes into Tanzania you will also need a Tanzanian visa, which most nationalities can get on arrival at the Isebania border or online in advance. We send a checklist with your booking confirmation.
Can you change the itinerary?
Yes. Every route on this site is a starting point. Swap a park, add nights, change lodges or combine two routes: tell us what you want and we quote for that.
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Ready for the Magical Kenya?
Send your dates and a rough idea of what you want to see. We come back with a day-by-day route and a quote, usually within one working day.