5-day itinerary
5 Days, 4 National Parks Safari Masai Mara – Lake Naivasha / Crescent Island / Hell’s Gate – Amboseli Tour
Game Viewing Drives at Masai Mara & Amboseli, Boat Ride at Lake Naivasha, Walking Safari on Crescent Island & Bicycle Ride & hiking at Hell’s Gate
From Nairobi / to Mombasa & Kenya Coast beach resorts
The 5-day tour leaves from Nairobi and explores the Masai Mara game reserve where we marvel at the undulating plains and scenery as we hunt for the Big five on game viewing drives.
Tour proceeds to the rift valley Lake Naivasha with a boat ride to explore the freshwater lake and view hippos, small game & abundant bird life.
We shall also enjoy a guided walking safari at the Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha.
Tour visits the Hell’s Gate National Park where we hire bicycles for a ride and hike with sightings of Zebra, Giraffe and other plain game.
Tour culminates at the Amboseli national park with game viewing drives to spot wildlife and maybe if weather permits, views of the Mount Kilimanjaro snow-capped peaks.
The 5 day safari tour proceeds to end at the Kenya beach where you may enjoy sea activities and water sports or simply relax.
Safari accommodation is in a selection of economy, standard or luxury safari lodges or tented camps (depending on your style / budget).
Tour transport and game viewing drives are by pop up top safari minivan.
Customized pop up top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser jeep vehicles can be provided at an extra cost
Good to know
- Safari is also suitable for young families.
- Safari is flexible and can accommodate modifications including extensions
- Safari can be modified to include local flights to cut on driving time if required at extra price
- Safari is private per booking in own tour vehicle and your dedicated driver / guide – no group sharing in tour
- Driving times in Kenya are estimates and may vary due to narrow highways, state of roads and traffic.
- Safari package includes Airport-hotel transfer on arrival plus beach resort / hotel drop off at finish.
- You may experience high pitch souvenir sales from local tribes people at entry gates to Amboseli & Masai Mara game parks and other stops.
- You may indicate your preference for specific lodges/ tented camps suggested on our list below.
- Safari starts at 5.00AM with pick up from your Nairobi hotel, Nairobi residence or Nairobi airport if arriving Kenya by early morning flight.
- Safari finish at your Kenya beach resort between 4.30-6.00PM depending on its location from Mombasa train station.
- Prices depend on the number of travellers: tell us your group size and we will send you a quote.
Tour highlights
- 2 days and nights at Masai Mara Game Reserve - Unlimited game viewing drives - Tree studded typical savannah terrain and a multitude of Wild animal species - Colorful Masai tribesmen
- 1 day and night at Lake Naivasha (fresh water) rift valley lake - Guided walking safari at the Crescent Island - Boat ride at Lake Naivasha including views of hippo, exotic birds and small game - The Hell’s gate national park visit with bicycle ride & hiking -The great rift valley escarpment
- Optional Masai village visit at Amboseli (arrange with your driver guide) = $ 25 per person
- 1 day and night at Amboseli national park - Game viewing drives - Views of Mount Kilimanjaro (highest mountain in Africa) - weather permitting - Observation hill with 360 degree views of the Amboseli national park
- Visiting the Hell's gate national park near the lake (price on request). - Optional
- Hot air balloon ride option (enquire / book with us) = $ 450 per person - Optional
Day by day
The Itinerary
- Day1
Nairobi – Masai Mara
0500hrs: pick up from your Nairobi hotel / Nairobi airport / Nairobi residence.
Start the safari journey to the Masai Mara Game reserve, Kenya’s finest wildlife haven.
The dawn drive stops at Narok town where you enjoy your breakfast.Arrive Masai Mara at approximately 1030hrs.
Proceed for a full day of game viewing drives with picnic lunch.
Elephant, lion, giraffe, cheetah, warthog, hyena, buffalo, zebra many more shall be seen
Lunch by the Mara river as you watch Hippos & Crocodiles (and maybe wildebeest during the migration in July – September)
Overnight at your Masai Mara safari lodge or tented camp.
- Day2
Full Day – Masai Mara
Today shall be a game viewing extravaganza!
The Mara as is popularly known remains the most exciting wildlife eco-system in the world.
Masai Mara reserve hosts the highest and varied concentration of wild animals than any other park in the region and beyond.
The scenic appeal of this tree studded savannah plains, its moderate climate and diversity of wild game species makes it a one stop shop for game viewing activities.
We shall traverse the reserve on a full day of unlimited game viewing encountering the big five and more of the lesser game.
You shall visit the Mara river where we may watch hippos & crocodiles or maybe the great migration (July -October)
Optional Masai village visit at masai mara (arrange with your driver guide) = $ 25 per person
Overnight shall be at your Masai Mara safari lodge / tented camp.
- Day3
Masai Mara – Lake Naivasha
A short morning game viewing drive may be scheduled as you exit Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Proceed to the Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake at the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
Afternoon boat ride at the Lake Naivasha where you view hippos, small game and exotic birdlife within the serenity of this freshwater rift valley lake.
Later proceed for a 1 hour guided walking safari at the Crescent Island.
We shall then visit the Hell’s Gate National Park.
The Hell’s Gate national park is one of Kenya’s smaller parks, which can be explored on foot.
A bicycle ride and hike amid gracefully grazing gazelles, larger antelopes, Zebras and Giraffe is a delightful experience.
Overnight at your Lake Naivasha safari lodge / tented camp.
- Day4
Lake Naivasha – Amboseli
Early departure from the Lake Naivasha.
Tour proceeds to the Amboseli National Park.
The park is open and relatively small.
Game viewing drives are concentrated and wildlife easy to spot.
The Mount Kilimanjaro mountain mass looms in the background as you game view.
Afternoon shall be spent on game viewing drives in search of elephant, cheetah, lion and other many plains game.
The Mount Kilimanjaro peaks (when/if they appear) shall provide the most natural background for wildlife photography.
Overnight at your Amboseli safari lodge or tented camp.
- Day5
Amboseli – Emali train station (Approx. 100 km – 1 Hour) –Train to Mombasa- Kenya Coast
Your last day of safari!
Short morning game viewing drive is scheduled at the Amboseli this morning -time permitting.
Later proceed to Emali train station (Approx.100km-1.5 hours from Amboseli) where you shall board the standard gauge Nairobi-Mombasa Train (Madaraka Express).
Approximately 9:15am arrive at the train station.
09:51am: Depart for Mombasa on the Madaraka Express Train with elevated country views and via Tsavo West & Tsavo East national parks.
14:18pm:Arrive Mombasa train station where you shall be met by your transfer vehicle and driver.
Transfer to your beach hotel in Mombasa, Diani, Tiwi, Kilifi, Watamu or Malindi.
In case seats are not available on train due to demand-we may use road transfer to your beach resort.
What you could see/do at Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha / Crescent Island / Hell's Gate - Amboseli Tour
- Buffalo
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Lion
- Crocodile
- Mongoose
- Hyrax
- Dik-dik
- Prolific Birdlife (up to 600 species)
- Herds of dust-red Elephant
- Rhino
- Gerenuk
- Leopard
Where you stay
Accommodation
Safari accommodation options for each location
Masai Mara Game Reserve
- Luxury
- Mara Sarova Game Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Ashnil Mara Camp, Keekorok Lodge, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Mpata Safari Club, Loyk Mara Camp, Mara Engai camp, Mara River Camp, Mara Simba Lodge, Ilkeliani Camp, Kandili Camp, Base Camp Explorer, Olkeri Camp, Fig Tree, Emayian Luxury Camp, Zebra Plains Mara
Lake Naivasha
- Standard
- Elsamere Lodge, Naivasha Crescent Camp
- Economy
- Naivasha Kongoni Camp
Amboseli National Park
- Standard
- Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Kibo Safari Camp
- Economy
- AA Lodge/camp, Sentrim Amboseli Camp
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.
- Pick up at Madaraka Express Train Station & drop off at your Malindi, Watamu, Diani, Mombasa, Kilifi beach hotel.
- 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
3 national parks5 daysTsavo & Amboseli Safari to Nairobi
Tsavo East · Tsavo West · AmboseliMombasa → Nairobi
Mara to the coast5 daysMaasai Mara & Amboseli to the Coast
Maasai Mara · AmboseliNairobi → Mombasa
Coast to Mara6 daysTsavo, Amboseli, Nakuru & Mara to Nairobi
Tsavo East · Amboseli · Lake Nakuru · Maasai MaraMombasa → Nairobi
3 national parks4 daysTsavo & Amboseli Safari to Nairobi
Tsavo East · Tsavo West · AmboseliMombasa → NairobiPlan your Mara, Naivasha & Amboseli to the Coast
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.



