8-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli Adventure

Karibu Kenya! Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where your Pita Safaris driver-guide will greet you with a warm smile and a cheerful karibu sana. Transfer to Sarova Panafric Hotel, a comfortable midrange lodge in Nairobi’s vibrant center. Settle into your ensuite room with soft beds, hot water, and relaxing amenities. Depending on arrival time, explore Nairobi’s top attractions: hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, or join a guided Kenyan cultural and food tour.

Evening Highlight: Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring local and continental flavors, perfect to start your Kenya safari adventure from Nairobi.

Travel Tip: Early arrival? Ask your guide about Nairobi’s hidden gems or local markets for authentic souvenirs.

Distance: ~15 km | Drive Time: ~30 minutes

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley, enjoying rolling hills and farmland. Arrive at Mara Sopa Lodge, perched on the edge of Masai Mara National Reserve, home to abundant wildlife. Check in to your lodge with an ensuite bathroom and verandah overlooking the golden savannah.

This afternoon, embark on your first Masai Mara game drive, searching for the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras.

Safari Tip: Late afternoon is ideal for photographing wildlife against golden savannah light.
- Experience a classic Big Five safari in Kenya with Pita Safaris.

Distance: ~280 km | Drive Time: ~5–6 hours

Rise early for a full-day safari in the Masai Mara, a wildlife paradise of golden plains and riverine forests. Your expert guide tailors the game drive to maximize sightings of lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. Between July–October, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, as millions cross the Mara River. Enjoy a picnic lunch under an acacia tree amid the sounds of Africa’s wild.

Optional Experiences: Hot air balloon safari at sunrise for panoramic views, or Maasai village visit for cultural immersion.
- Safari Moment: Watch cheetahs sprint across the plains or lions laze under acacia trees at sunset.
- Small-group safari experience in Masai Mara ensures personal attention and unforgettable encounters.

Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for pink flamingo lagoons and endangered rhinos. Check in at Lake Nakuru Lodge, set within the park with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding woodlands. Afternoon guided game drive includes rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, leopards, and abundant birdlife.

Travel Tip: Bring binoculars—late afternoon offers vibrant flamingo flocks perfect for photography.
- Discover Kenya’s rhino sanctuary and birdwatcher’s paradise at Lake Nakuru.

Distance: ~250 km | Drive Time: ~5 hours

Drive to Lake Naivasha, a tranquil freshwater lake fringed by hills and wildlife. Check in at Muthu Lake Naivasha Country Club, a midrange retreat with lush gardens and pool. Optional afternoon activities include a boat safari to see hippos, African fish eagles, and kingfishers, or a walking safari on Crescent Island, a predator-free sanctuary.

- Relax and enjoy a peaceful lakeside retreat with wildlife encounters at Lake Naivasha.

Distance: ~70 km | Drive Time: ~2 hours

Travel south to Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Check in at Kilima Safari Camp, a midrange tented camp with ensuite bathrooms and private verandahs overlooking the plains. Afternoon game drive includes elephants, zebras, buffalo, and gazelles. Amboseli wetlands host hundreds of bird species, perfect for photographers.

Evening Highlight: Watch elephants roam beneath the golden glow of Kilimanjaro.
- Experience Amboseli’s majestic wildlife and iconic landscapes.

Distance: ~300 km | Drive Time: ~5–6 hours

Start early with a sunrise game drive, capturing Amboseli’s elephants bathed in golden light. Explore varied landscapes from dusty plains to swamps fed by underground springs. Spot lions, cheetahs, hyenas, pelicans, and martial eagles. Climb Observation Hill for panoramic views before returning to camp.

Travel Tip: Amboseli’s wide-open plains are perfect for wildlife photography.
- Track elephants and photograph Africa’s iconic scenery with Pita Safaris.

Enjoy a short morning game drive to see elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background. After breakfast, check out and enjoy a picnic lunch en route to Nairobi. Upon arrival at JKIA Airport, your guide assists with departure or optional overnight at Sarova Panafric Hotel.

Safari Reflection: From the Big Five in Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru’s flamingos and Amboseli’s elephants, experience the best of Kenya small-group midrange safaris.
- Inspired to return or bring friends? Contact Pita Safaris to plan your next East Africa adventure.

Distance: ~240 km | Drive Time: ~5 hours