The 5-Day Mid-Range Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Safari Adventure
Embark on an unforgettable 5-Day Mid-Range Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Safari Adventure across Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This immersive experience blends thrilling game drives, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters. Witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara, marvel at Lake Nakuru’s flamingos and rhinos, and stand before the majestic elephants of Amboseli against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. With expert guides, intimate group sizes, and mid-range comfort, this safari offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Trip Highlights
- Explore three legendary parks: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal) in Masai Mara
- Spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo
- Capture breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli
- Enjoy game drives in custom 4x4 safari vehicles with guaranteed window seats
- Experience a cultural visit to a Maasai village (optional)
- Float over the savanna on a hot-air balloon safari (optional)
- Stay in comfortable mid-range lodges with all meals included
- Small group size for personalized guide interaction and viewing comfort
- Covered by Flying Doctors (AMREF) emergency evacuation insurance
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), the warmth of Kenya welcomes you. Our friendly airport representative will greet you, ensuring a seamless transfer to your chosen Nairobi hotel. Take this evening to relax and anticipate the extraordinary adventure that awaits.
Masai Mara Wildlife Safaris: Journey into the Great Rift Valley
The golden glow of dawn ushers in the start of your adventure! At 7:30 a.m., your personal African Habitat Kenya Safaris driver/guide, a true Wildlife Master and cultural expert, will collect you from your hotel. More than just a driver, they are your dedicated host, sharing the secrets of the savanna and the fascinating world of the animals you're about to meet.
Journey through Kenya's vibrant rural landscapes, witnessing the dramatic transition as you descend into the legendary Great Rift Valley. Feel the ancient earth beneath you as you traverse Masai country, anticipating the wonders of the Masai Mara National Reserve – truly Africa's finest wildlife haven. Arrive at Jambo Mara Lodge, perfectly situated at the heart of the park, allowing you to settle in before your exhilarating afternoon game drive. Witness the first glimpse of abundant wildlife – perhaps a lone giraffe silhouetted against the setting sun or a herd of zebras grazing peacefully.
- Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Jambo Mara Lodge – A Superb Mid-Range Lodge, Perfectly Located
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner (Inclusive of bottled drinking water)
Witnessing the Great Migration: Unforgettable Masai Mara Encounters
Today is dedicated to deep immersion in the Masai Mara wildlife safaris. This vast reserve is a theatre of life, supporting an astonishing concentration of wildlife. Your expert guide will lead you to prime viewing spots, where you'll witness the intricate dance between predators and grazers on the sprawling savanna, punctuated by iconic acacia trees.
If your adventure aligns with the Great Wildebeest Migration (July – October), prepare for an unparalleled spectacle. Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra thunder across the plains, a primal force of nature. We'll strategically position ourselves near the mighty Mara River, a focal point where massive crocodiles lie in wait and hippos bellow their ancient songs. Beyond the migration, we'll track the "Big Five" – lion, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, and rhino – along with graceful gazelles and countless other species that call this paradise home.
Enhance Your Safari (Optional Excursions):
- Hot-Air Balloon Safari (+$500 pp): Imagine ascending with the sunrise, drifting silently above the savanna, witnessing the vastness of the Mara and the endless procession of the migration from a breathtaking aerial perspective. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Masai Village Visit (+$15 pp): Gain an intimate understanding of the vibrant Masai culture. Engage with local villagers, learn about their ancient traditions, witness their captivating dances, and admire their intricate handicrafts in an authentic community setting. This is a unique opportunity for genuine cultural connection.
- Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Jambo Mara Lodge – Your Comfortable Haven in the Wild
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Inclusive of bottled drinking water)
Lake Nakuru Wildlife: Rhinos, Giraffes & Avian Spectacles
After a final, invigorating breakfast, we bid farewell to the Mara, embarking on a scenic drive towards Lake Nakuru. Enjoy comfortable stops along the way to stretch your legs and soak in the ever-changing Kenyan landscapes.
Lake Nakuru National Park, though famed for its flamingos (whose numbers vary with natural factors), remains a jewel in Kenya's crown. Here, towering rocky escarpments meet dense acacia forests, cascading waterfalls, and rolling wooded hills. While flamingo numbers fluctuate, a rich tapestry of other birdlife thrives – pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, ostriches, storks, herons, and eagles create a vibrant, bustling spectacle.
Beyond the avian wonders, Lake Nakuru is a vital sanctuary for endangered species. Your game drive will bring you face-to-face with the magnificent Rothschild's Giraffe gracefully nibbling amongst the treetops and a significant population of both black and white rhinos – a truly humbling sight. Spend your evening enveloped in the tranquility of Lake Nakuru Lodge, nestled right within the park, ready for an early morning exploration.
- Main Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
- Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge – Located Inside the Park for Prime Access
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Inclusive of bottled drinking water)
Amboseli Elephant Encounters: Kilimanjaro's Majestic Backdrop
Begin your day with a captivating early morning game drive as you exit Lake Nakuru, capturing the park's serene beauty in the soft morning light. Our journey then leads us south, towards the iconic Amboseli National Park. This scenic drive offers more breathtaking views of the Rift Valley's imposing escarpments, with opportunities for photo stops.
Arriving at Amboseli in the afternoon, we settle into Amboseli Sopa Lodge, strategically located at the park's edge. Your afternoon game drive here is nothing short of magical. Amboseli is renowned as the "Land of Giants" for its colossal herds of large-tusked elephants. Witness these gentle giants marching gracefully across the plains, often returning from their watering holes. Weather permitting, the clouds will part to reveal the awe-inspiring, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, creating an unparalleled photographic backdrop.
- Main Destination: Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge – Mid-Range Lodge at Amboseli's Edge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Dinner not included) & Drinking Water
Your final morning in the wilderness begins with an early game drive in Amboseli. This is often the best time to spot predators on the hunt – keep your eyes peeled for leopard, cheetah, and even elusive wild dogs. Alongside the magnificent elephants, you'll encounter zebra, buffalo, giraffe, lion, and a plethora of smaller fascinating creatures. With over 600 bird species, especially around the swamps and lakes, Amboseli is a true photographer's paradise.
Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before we begin our scenic drive back to Nairobi, enjoying lunch en route. Arrive in Nairobi in good time for your scheduled international flight, carrying with you a heart full of cherished memories and the undeniable spirit of Africa.
- Main Destination: Nairobi
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included) & Drinking Water
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Your final morning in the wilderness begins with an early game drive in Amboseli. This is often the best time to spot predators on the hunt – keep your eyes peeled for leopard, cheetah, and even elusive wild dogs. Alongside the magnificent elephants, you'll encounter zebra, buffalo, giraffe, lion, and a plethora of smaller fascinating creatures. With over 600 bird species, especially around the swamps and lakes, Amboseli is a true photographer's paradise.
- Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before we begin our scenic drive back to Nairobi, enjoying lunch en route. Arrive in Nairobi in good time for your scheduled international flight, carrying with you a heart full of cherished memories and the undeniable spirit of Africa.
- • Main Destination: Nairobi
- • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included) & Drinking Water
Cost Excludes
- • Domestic and international airfares and departure taxes.
- • Personal communication charges (telephone, faxes, email).
- • Tips and gratuities for your driver/guide and lodge staff.
- • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (beyond bottled water).
- • Laundry services.
- • Between-meal snacks, parks, attractions, and events not explicitly included in your itinerary.
- • Optional excursions (Hot-air balloon safari, Masai village visit).
