7 Days Best Safari in Kenya – Discover the Big 5 & the Cats Adventure detailed itinerary

• Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner.

Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport Nairobi, You will be met and welcomed by our airport representative, followed by a short briefing about the trip just to double confirm the itinerary. We will then hit the road to Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks.

The two parks form the largest National park in the world and cover a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area.

Tsavo East is the largest of the two lies to the east of the Nairobi to Mombasa road, equidistant between the two, and offers a vast and untapped arena of arid bush which is washed by azure and emerald meandering of Galana River.

Guarded by the limitless lava reaches of Yatta plateau and patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds.

We will be arriving at the lodge in good time for early lunch after an introductory game in this park. Afternoon at leisure, the late afternoon 4.30 p.m game viewing / exploring the park in places such as elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, kudu, zebra and hartebeest.

-          Main Destination: Tsavo East National Park

-          Accommodation: Ashnil Aruba {https://www.ashnilhotels.com/aruba/} - Mid-range tented camp located inside Tsavo East NP

-          Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)

-          Drinking water, (Other drinks not included)

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

When in Tsavo East, we rise with the birds, that is, before the sun. Our early morning game drive will afford us exquisite views of the park emerging in the dawning light.

Breakfast follows at our lodge or tented camp and then we are off again on another game drive to discover buffalo, impala, eland, and some of the park’s 500 species of birds.

Soon it is time to journey to Tsavo West. The short drive there will give us more opportunities to spot wildlife.

The look and feel of this park are different – more color, more foliage, and some very green surprises like Mzima Springs.

The crystal waters feeding this haven and the palm-shrouded banks impart the feeling of a lush oasis. We will look for hippo, crocodile, exotic fish, and migratory birdlife.

The park also is home to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, protecting at least 80 of these endangered animals. We will drive through and perhaps spot some of the magnificent rhinos.

-          Main Destination: Tsavo West National Park

-          Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge {https://www.serenahotels.com/kilaguni} - Luxury lodge located inside Tsavo West NP

-          Meals & Drinks: All meals included

-          Drinking water, (Other drinks not included)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Early pre-breakfast game drive, exit for morning game drive listening to the birdsong sticking out your eyes for the first stirrings of the game as it emerges from the night, ready to explore.

The park’s Mzima Springs is a lovely surprise of greenery, palm trees, and an unending flow of crystalline water.

Mzima means “life” in Swahili and this lush spot is life giving for the hippos, crocodiles, and exotic fish that inhabit this special place. Other animals include; Elephant, zebras, and other wildlife that naturally flock to this Eden.

We will later exit and drive to Amboseli National Park. We will follow the towering guide of Mt. Kilimanjaro to set our course. This smaller park lies at the foot of Africa’s tallest peak and together they create amazing vistas and perfect photos.

We will arrive at the park by mid-morning ready for lunch and then set out for a game drive. Amboseli is famous for its herds of elephants marching proudly before a backdrop of the iconic mountain.

-          Main Destination: Amboseli National Park

-          Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge { https://www.serenahotels.com/amboseli} – Luxury Lodge located inside the Amboseli National NP

-          Meals & Drinks: All meals included

-          Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Our early wake-up may again give us spectacular views of the mountain. Either way, it will afford us a beautiful morning game drive as we exit the park, on the way to Lake Nakuru.

This will be an extended but beautiful drive, passing through Nairobi and the central highlands of Kenya.

You will see Maasai herders, small farms, and homesteads along the way. As we enter the area of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, we will take breaks to enjoy the drama of the sheer walls of this natural wonder.

We will also pass and take in views of several Rift Valley lakes – Naivasha and Elementaita.

However, Lake Nakuru Park is our destination and we will arrive in time for a late afternoon drive along the lake to see birdlife and a short game drive as well.

-          Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park

-          Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sarova Lion Hill {https://www.sarovahotels.com/lionhill-nakuru/} - Budget hotel located just outside Lake Nakuru NP

-          Meals & Drinks: All meals included

-          Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

We will be up early to squeeze in every bit of viewing time at the park. At the lake, we will be looking for flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and kingfishers.

This wonderful park also features a rhino sanctuary where we will find these fascinating and rare creatures. Time permitting, we will see if we can spot lions, leopards, and the reserve’s baboons and monkeys.

Nevertheless, we have a date with the world-famous Masa Mara Reserve and so it is time to hit the road in our 4 x 4. We should arrive at the Mara in the late afternoon, in time for a game drive.

You will enjoy your first sight of this attractive park with its deep savannahs, showing off their distinctive acacia trees. The landscape is rich and varied here – be ready to see all sorts of wildlife.

-          Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve

-          Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge {https://www.serenahotels.com/mara} - Mid-range tented camp bordering Masai Mara NR without fences

-          Meals & Drinks: All meals included

-          Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

There is nothing more exciting than catching the dawn over the plains of the Masai Mara. The early morning light brings out the gold of the savannah and the first stirrings of the park’s hungry inhabitants. The park is famous for its great density of wildlife – plenty of lions here.

During the months of the Great Migration (July – October) prepare to see the largest movement of animals on the planet – tens of thousands of zebra and wildebeest cross the Mara River following ancient cycles of survival.

We’ll enjoy our lunch down at the river where we’ll spot hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat.

Optional activities – visit the local Maasai people to learn about their culture and perhaps pick up some souvenirs.

A dawn hot air balloon ride over the park is a once-in-a-lifetime event. There’s nothing quite like watching the land and the wildlife come alive as you float above it all, taking in the immense horizon.

-          Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve

-          Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge { https://www.serenahotels.com/mara} - Mid-range tented camp bordering Masai Mara NR without fences

-          Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

-          Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

It is our last safari day so let us make the most of it with an early game drive to view those lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, wildebeests, and zebras. Once you have seen the Masaai Mara, you have seen Africa.

We will breakfast and enjoy one last game drive in our 4 x 4 as we exit the park, heading back to Nairobi.

-          Main Destination: No major destination visited

-          Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

-          Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

-          Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour

-          Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

-          You will be dropped off at the airport