8 Days Ultimate Kenya Safari

Overview

This 8-day Ultimate Kenya Safari is the best way to explore Kenya’s wildlife and amazing bird life at Lake Nakuru and Naivasha. This safari is ideal for photography and filming, as you will have the opportunity to shoot amazing scenes and photographs of the major wildlife species Kenya has to offer. You will also have the opportunity to see all of the Big 5 animals and other wildlife. This 8-day Ultimate Kenya Safari will take you to Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, and Masai Mara, where you can experience excellent game viewing, bird watching, and optional village visits. This is an all-inclusive trip that begins and ends in Nairobi.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Nairobi and Transfer to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast at your hotel or the airport in Nairobi, drive to Amboseli National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds, the Big Five, and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Arrive in the afternoon, check in at your lodge, enjoy a hot lunch, and relax. In the late afternoon, embark on a game drive to explore the park and search for wildlife, concluding with a sundowner.

Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 2: Game Drives in Amboseli National Park

Spend a full day in Amboseli National Park, with two game drives. Travel through the vast, often dry lakebed and swampy areas, where you’ll encounter wildlife like cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, gazelles, and large elephant herds, all with the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll also have the chance to visit a Masai Village to learn about the local culture and way of life.

Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with an en-route game drive. Stop briefly in Nairobi for lunch. Lake Nakuru is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including leopards, lions, buffalos, hippos, waterbucks, and warthogs. The park is also famous for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and both white and black rhinos, which are heavily protected here. Arrive in the afternoon for a late game drive.

Accommodation: Flamingo Hill Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Drive to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast at the lodge, depart for Lake Naivasha, arriving in time for check-in and lunch. Spend some time relaxing before heading out for an afternoon boat ride to Crescent Island Game Park. This incredible park, located on Lake Naivasha, offers a unique opportunity to walk among wildlife, including wildebeests, waterbucks, zebras, and gazelles, with giraffes and hippos also roaming freely.

The island’s open landscape allows you to closely observe these animals in their natural habitat. Keen-eyed visitors may spot pythons among the grass. From the island’s hilltop, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, including Mount Longonot, Hell’s Gate, the Mau Escarpment, and Eburu Hills. As the sun sets, enjoy the golden hour before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Crater Lake Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast and a short briefing by your driver guide, drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, known for the great wildebeest migration and abundant wildlife. The Mara is considered one of Africa’s richest wildlife viewing areas, offering chances to see the Big Five and a vast array of other species.

Arrive in time for lunch at your camp and spend the afternoon on safari, exploring the reserve’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. End the day back at your lodge in time for cocktails by the campfire and dinner.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Your two days in Masai Mara will be dedicated to exploring one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife destinations. The Mara is famous for its large populations of lions, elephants, and a variety of other predators, such as leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. Along the Mara River, you can spot huge pods of hippos and Nile crocodiles. The park also boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including giraffes, gazelles, zebras, buffalo, and over 550 species of birds. Spend the day on safari, capturing the incredible scenery and wildlife encounters that make this reserve legendary.

Day 7: Game Viewing and Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride in Masai Mara

Start the day with an early morning game drive, then take the opportunity to soar above the Mara in a hot air balloon (at an extra cost). This unforgettable experience offers an aerial view of the abundant game below and ends with a champagne breakfast in the wild. If the balloon ride isn’t for you, consider visiting a Masai village to learn about the indigenous culture and way of life (at an extra cost). The Maasai people are famous for their traditions, vibrant culture, and dance. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening after a day of adventure.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Masai Mara and begin your journey back to Nairobi. On the way, drive through the Great Rift Valley, passing Mount Longonot, Lake Elementeita, and Lake Naivasha. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as giraffes and gazelles as you approach Nairobi. Arrive in the early afternoon and enjoy some last-minute shopping in the city. Lunch is at your own arrangements, and afterward, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight back home, marking the end of your unforgettable 8 Days Ultimate Kenya Safari.