9-day itinerary
Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha – Amboseli – Tsavo West – Tsavo East – 9 Day Kenya classic safari
From Nairobi / to Nairobi – Kenya, in a pop up top safari minivan (a pop up top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep is available as an upgrade at extra cost)
(can terminate at Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Malindi beach resorts)
Kenya classic safari on a 9 day tour of Masai Mara, Lakes Nakuru, Lake Naivasha,Amboseli Tsavo West Tsavo East national parks.
Tour departs Nairobi and visits exciting category A Kenya national parks and game reserves on a progressive safari with option of a Kenya beach drop off
On the Kenya classic tour -we shall visit the tree studded plains of the great Masai Mara game reserve, Lake Nakuru national park with its famous bird population and Rhino sanctuary, Amboseli at the floor of Mount Kilimanjaro, the scenic hilly terrain of the Tsavo west and the red soil plains of Tsavo East.
There shall also be a stop at Lake Naivasha, where we take a boat ride to view hippos, exotic birds and small game.
This shall be followed by a guided walking safari at the Crescent Island.
The 9 days safari is a diverse representation of entire Kenya with great game viewing drives, scenic sights, relaxation and cultural encounters.
Tour is offered with a choice of economy, standard or luxury safari lodges or tented camps accommodation depending on your budget / style.
Tour transport is in a private pop up top safari minivan for comfort, easy navigation and elevated viewing (a pop up top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep is available as an upgrade at extra cost)
Good to know
- Tour can be customized to suit your specific preferences
- You can suggest omitting some national parks and adding days on others
- Tour can proceed to the Kenya coast with drop off at your favorite beach resort (In this case we shall change safari vehicle after Tsavo East)
- Tour shall start in reverse if not terminating at the Kenya beach
- Tour can detour to Lake Bogoria for Flamingo viewing on request (extra cost, price on request)
- If you choose to stay at Sarova salt lick lodge-game viewing drives shall be at Taita hills sanctuary next to Tsavo west
- Driving times on safari are estimate and may vary depending on state of the road and traffic.
- Safari can include local flights to cut on driving time if required (extra price)
- For Kenya coast beach drop off, we may use the standard gauge train for Mombasa drop off thus reducing on driving time, avoid the notorious traffic jam and for your better all round scenery and maybe wildlife views from elevated train.
- If you choose to stay at The Pelican Lodge, Sarova Woodlands or Sentrim Elementaita, note that there shall be no re-entry at Lake Nakuru National Park on the following day.
Tour highlights
- 2 nights / days at the Masai Mara game reserve - unlimited game viewing drives
- Tree studded typical savannah terrain and a multitude of Wild animal species and colourful Masai tribesmen at the Masai Mara
- 1 day at Lake Nakuru national park
- Hundreds of bird species including few flamingoes, pelicans and others
- Rhino sanctuary at the Lake Nakuru national park
- The Great Rift valley escarpment - Awesome scenery
- 1 day at lake Naivasha-boat ride and visit to Hell's gate
- A guided walking safari at the Crescent Island.
- Guided walking safari at the Crescent Island
- Large Elephant herds and other animal species at the amboseli
- The snow-capped peaks (weather permitting) of the highest mountain in Africa - The Mount Kilimanjaro
- 1 day at Tsavo West National Park
- Scenic hills and valleys, awesome scenery, the Mzima springs, birds and animals.
- 1 day Tsavo East National Park - game viewing drives
- Optional Masai or Samburu village visits (arrange with your driver guide) = $ 25 per person
- Optional hot air balloon excursion at the Masai Mara =$ 450 per person (enquire with us)
Day by day
The Itinerary
- Day1
Nairobi – Masai Mara game reserve
0730hrs:You shall be collected from your Nairobi hotel or Nairobi airport (Nairobi airport pick up depends on your arrival flight time)
Proceed to the Masai Mara game reserve -Kenya’s and Africa’s finest wildlife reserve
The drive to the Mara is via Kenya rural settings that contrast dramatically as you progress towards the Great rift valley escarpment.
Most of the drive shall be at the floor of the great rift valley and through Masai country.
During the afternoon, explore the Masai Mara on your first game viewing drive of safari.
Overnight at your Masai Mara safari lodge or tented camp.
- Day2
Masai Mara game reserve – full day
Today shall be a game viewing extravaganza!
Masai Mara Game reserve remains the most exciting wildlife eco-system in the Natural world.
The reserve hosts the highest and most varied concentration of wild animals than any other wildlife park in the region.
The scenic appeal of the tree studded savannah plains, the moderate climate and diversity of wild game species makes it a one stop shop for game viewing activities.
We shall traverse the Masai Mara reserve on a full day of unlimited game viewing encountering the big five and more of the lesser game.
Picnic lunch shall be by the Mara river as we watch hippos & crocodiles or maybe the great migration (July – October)
Other options at the Masai Mara
Optional Masai or Samburu village visits (arrange with your driver guide) = $ 25 per person
Optional hot air balloon excursion at the Masai Mara =$ 450 per person (enquire with us)
Overnight shall be at your Masai Mara safari lodge / tented camp
- Day3
Masai Mara to lake Nakuru
A short morning game viewing drive may be scheduled for the early morning.
Later depart Masai Mara for the lake Nakuru national park.
There shall be stops at scenic places along the route
Afternoon bird and game viewing drives around the Lake Nakuru-with an opportunity to visit the rhino sanctuary.
Overnight at your lake Nakuru safari lodge / tented camp.
What you may see at Lake Nakuru national parkFlamingo (Greater and Lesser), White Rhino, Black Rhino, Waterbucks, unique vegetation about 550 species waterfalls: Makalia.
- Day4
Lake Nakuru National Park – Lake Naivasha
Bird watching and game viewing drives at Lake Nakuru.
We head to the nearby Lake Naivasha on a relaxed drive.
Early afternoon shall be spent enjoying a boat ride where we spot hippos, birdlife and small game in idyllic settings.
We shall further enjoy a guided walking safari at the Crescent Island.
Optional visit to Hell’s gate national park where we hire bicycles and ride or trek as you watch small game.
Overnight at your Lake Naivasha resort
What you may do at Lake NaivashaBoat ride, bicycle tour, Hell’s gate national park tour
- Day5
Lake Naivasha – Amboseli
A long and easy drive to the Amboseli national park.
There shall be stops to view the great rift valley escarpment along the highway as you proceed towards Nairobi
A short game viewing drive with possible views of the Mount Kilimanjaro peaks at Amboseli -Weather permitting
Overnight at your Amboseli national park safari lodge or tented camp.
what you may see at the Amboseli national parkElephant Cheetah, Wild dog, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-dik, Lesser Kudu and nocturnal porcupine etc
- Day6
Amboseli National Park
Early pre-breakfast game viewing drive at the Amboseli national park.
Weather permitting the clouds will shear off, leaving you mesmerized by the majesty of the Mount Kilimanjaro and its gleaming snow-capped peaks.
Today shall be spent exploring the Amboseli National Park on unlimited game viewing drives.
Overnight shall be at your safari lodge/ tented camp.
- Day7
Amboseli – Tsavo west
Short morning game viewing drive is scheduled at the Amboseli this morning.
The park is open and relatively small.
Game viewing drives are concentrated and wildlife easy to spot.
The Mount Kilimanjaro mountain mass provides wonderful back ground for photographic moments.
Later the safari tour proceeds to Tsavo West National Park.
Tsavo West is hilly and with scenic terrain for wonderful game viewing backgrounds.
Overnight shall be at your Tsavo west safari lodge or tented camp.
What you may do / see at Tsavo West National ParkLeopard, Rhino, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephants, Giraffe, Lesser Kudu, Mzima springs hippo and exotic fish watching, volcanoes, lava flows.
- Day8
Tsavo West – Tsavo East National Park
Game viewing drives at the Tsavo West with a stop at the Mzima springs.
Later proceed to Tsavo East National Park with game spotting and scenery viewing en – route.
Game viewing drives at the open savanna plains of the Tsavo East.
Overnight shall be at your Tsavo east safari lodge or tented camp.
What you may see at Tsavo East National ParkVast herds of dust-red elephant, Black Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, pods of hippo, Waterbucks, Lesser kudu, Gerenuk and Hirola.
- Day9
Tsavo East National Park- Nairobi or proceed to Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Malindi…
Your last day on safari!
Early morning game viewing drives at the Tsavo East National Park.
Later return to Nairobi.
Safari ends between 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Drop off at Nairobi airport or Nairobi hotel
You can also proceed to the Kenya coast beach resorts of Mombasa, Watamu, Diani, Bamburi etc.
What you could see and do on a 9 Day Kenya Classic Safari
- Elephants
- Zebra
- Buffalo
- Warthogs
- Antelopes
- Oryx
- Reticulated Giraffe
- Grevy’s Zebra
- Somali Ostrich
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Flamingos
- Pelicans
- White Rhino
- Black Rhino
- Baboon Cliff
- Up to 56 mammal species
- Unique Vegetation
- Bird Watching
- Photography
- Trekking
- Game Viewing
- Mzima Springs
- Hippo and exotic fish watching
- Hell’s Gate National Park Tour
- Bicycle Tour
Where you stay
Accommodation
Safari accommodation options for each location
Amboseli National Park
- Economy
- AA Lodge/camp
Lake Nakuru National Park
- Economy
- Lake Nakuru Lodge
Lake Naivasha
- Standard
- Elsamere Lodge, Naivasha Crescent Camp.
- Economy
- Naivasha kongoni Camp.
Tsavo East National Park
- Luxury
- Satao Camp.
- Standard
- Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Sentrim Tsavo Camp
- Economy
- Voi Safari Lodge, Voi Wildlife Lodge
Tsavo West National Park
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Tour price includes
- Nairobi airport-hotel pick up / drop off transfers
- Transport in a customized pop up top safari minivan.
- Services of an experienced English/other language speaking driver/ guide.
- Stay in economy, standard or luxury safari lodge / tented camps.
- Game viewing drives
- Park entrance fees.
- All meals on safari.
- Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle.
- Boat ride at Lake Naivasha
- Guided walking safari at Crescent Island
- Government taxes and local levies
Not included in the tour price
- All bottled drinks, items and services of a personal nature and tips & gratuities.
Day-by-day safaris
More itineraries you may like
Family friendly8 daysDiscover Kenya Safari
Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Lake Nakuru · Maasai MaraNairobi or Mombasa → Nairobi
Explorer8 daysKenya Explorer Safari
Samburu · Lake Naivasha · Lake Nakuru · Maasai MaraNairobi → Nairobi
4 regions7 daysSamburu, Aberdares & Maasai Mara Safari
Samburu · Aberdares · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Maasai MaraNairobi → Nairobi
Popular route7 daysAmboseli, Lakes & Maasai Mara Safari
Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Lake Nakuru · Maasai MaraNairobi or Mombasa → NairobiPlan your Kenya Classic Safari
Tell us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level. We will send a free, personalised quote for this itinerary within 24 hours.
Accreditations & booking security
Follow the safari
See Kenya Through Our Lens
Wildlife moments, lodge tours and trip stories from our guides and guests.