Explore three distinct Kenyan ecosystems over five days on a round-trip overland safari from Nairobi: the savannah plains of the Masai Mara, the freshwater shores and gorges of Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, and the elephant marshes of Amboseli National Park beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
This 5-day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli safari links Kenya's south-western savannah, the floor of the Great Rift Valley and the southern plains at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in one round trip that starts and ends in Nairobi. Instead of spending all five days in one place, you track big cats on open grassland, spend time beside a freshwater Rift Valley lake and watch elephant herds feed in the Amboseli marshes.
The journey begins at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, administered by Narok County Government and bordering Tanzania's Serengeti (see the Greater Mara Ecosystem Management Plan). Its grasslands and the Mara and Talek river valleys support lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, hippos, Nile crocodiles, giraffes and plains antelopes.
From the Mara the route turns north-east into the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha and the neighbouring Hell's Gate National Park. Gazetted in 1984 and covering 68 square kilometres, Hell's Gate has water-carved gorges, obsidian caves, the volcanic plug of Fischer's Tower and geothermal steam vents. According to the Magical Kenya directory, visitors can walk or cycle past zebras, elands, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and klipspringers.
The final leg heads south past Nairobi to Amboseli National Park, gazetted in 1974 and recognised as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. From Nairobi it is 204 kilometres to Iremito Gate via Emali or 220 kilometres to Meshanani Gate via Namanga. The name comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust" (KWS Amboseli guide). The park's dried lake bed, sulphur-spring wetlands, open savannah, acacia woodland and thorn bush support elephant herds, lions, cheetahs, wildebeest and more than 400 bird species. Observation Hill gives a high view over the swamps and plains.
Day 1 takes you from Nairobi across the Rift Valley to the Masai Mara for an afternoon game drive. Day 2 is a full day of game drives across the plains and riverbanks with a picnic lunch. On day 3 you drive north-east to Lake Naivasha for an afternoon at the lake or in Hell's Gate. On day 4 you travel south past Nairobi to Amboseli for a late-afternoon game drive beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. Day 5 starts with a morning drive and a stop at Observation Hill before the return to Nairobi.
All three areas are open year-round from 06:00 to 18:00. According to Magical Kenya's Great Migration guide, the Mara River crossings into the Masai Mara take place between July and October, and its Amboseli page points to clearer skies for views of Kilimanjaro in January and February and from June to October. Conservation fees for Amboseli and Hell's Gate are published by KWS (KWS fee schedule), and Masai Mara entry fees by Narok County (county fee schedule), with a low season from January to June and a high season from July to December.
The trip is rated easy and suits families, couples and photographers. KWS rules ban single-use plastics, set a 40 km/h speed limit, forbid off-road driving and feeding animals, and ask for a 20-metre distance from wildlife. Bring neutral clothing, sun protection, insect repellent and binoculars. According to the Kenya eTA portal, non-exempt travellers must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation before departure; East African Community citizens are exempt (eTA general information).
Geographic Profile
Daily walking times range from 4 to 7 hours across distinct biomes (rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and arctic summit scree). Elevation gains are strategically calculated to give your body adequate time to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells naturally.
Transparency
Day by day
5Days Itinerary
Day by day • Detailed daily breakdown
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive across the Great Rift Valley and through Narok County to reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch. In the afternoon, head out on your first savannah game drive before the 18:00 gate closing to look for lions, elephants, Cape buffaloes, giraffes and plains antelopes.
Spend a full day on game drives across the open grasslands and riverine bush of the Masai Mara with a picnic lunch. Visit the Mara and Talek rivers to see hippos and Nile crocodiles, look for leopards and cheetahs and, between July and October, for migrating wildebeest and zebra along the river crossings.
Leave the Masai Mara after breakfast and travel north-east back into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. Spend the afternoon at the freshwater lake, known for hippos and waterbirds, or at nearby Hell's Gate National Park, where cliffs, Fischer's Tower and open grassland support zebras, elands, giraffes and gazelles.
After breakfast, drive south past Nairobi to Amboseli National Park, entering by Iremito Gate via Emali (204 km from Nairobi) or Meshanani Gate via Namanga (220 km from Nairobi). Enjoy an afternoon game drive across the spring-fed marshes and dusty plains to see elephant herds, lions, zebras and waterbirds.
Set out at 06:00 for an early game drive in Amboseli, when cloud around Mount Kilimanjaro is often clearest, with a visit to Observation Hill for views across the wetlands and the Lake Amboseli basin. After lunch, leave the park and drive back to Nairobi, where the safari ends.
On trekking itineraries, we provide four-season expedition mountain tents with thick high-density foam sleeping pads, private chemical toilet tents, and a spacious all-weather mess tent with dining tables and back-supported chairs. On safari days, lodging matches your chosen comfort tier (hand-picked eco-lodges or luxury tented safari camps with en-suite bathrooms and solar hot water).
Preparation
This trip requires good cardiovascular fitness and leg endurance. Prior mountaineering experience is not mandatory, but you should be capable of walking 5 to 7 hours per day with a 6–8 kg daypack. We recommend 8 to 12 weeks of training before departure: stair climbing, trail hiking with a loaded backpack, and aerobic workouts (jogging, swimming, cycling).
Clear value
Indicative Base Fare
From $1,500 per person
Private Treks: Start any day of the year you choose. No penalty for solo or duo parties.
Open Group Treks: Scheduled weekly departures during the dry seasons (June–October & December–March).
Solo Climbers: Join an existing open departure or book a dedicated private expedition.
Our Standard
Gear Checklist
Clothing Layers:
Footwear & Gear:
Travelled with us? Share your feedback
Answers
The Masai Mara is rolling savannah and riverine forest in south-western Kenya, known for big cats and the July-to-October Mara River crossings. Amboseli lies in southern Kenya directly beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. Gazetted in 1974 and recognised as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve, it combines a dry lake bed with permanent marshes fed by underground springs, which support large elephant herds and more than 400 bird species.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley and a popular stop for boat trips to see hippos and waterbirds. Next to it, the KWS-managed Hell's Gate National Park covers 68 square kilometres of cliffs, gorges, obsidian caves and geothermal vents, and is a park where visitors can walk or cycle. Boat rides and park entry on day 3 are options unless they are written into your booking, so confirm with our team.
Two authorities run the areas on this itinerary. The Narok County Government manages the Masai Mara and sets daily entry fees that differ between the January-to-June low season and the July-to-December high season; children aged eight and under enter free. The Kenya Wildlife Service manages Amboseli and Hell's Gate and sets conservation fees by residency status. The current figures are published on the official fee schedules.
According to the Kenya eTA portal, every non-exempt foreign traveller, including infants and children, must apply online and hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling to Kenya. Applicants need a valid passport, a passport-style photo, contact details, their travel itinerary and accommodation confirmation. Citizens of East African Community partner states are exempt. Rules can change, so check the official portal before you travel.
Northern Tanzania Parks
Experience the ultimate Tanzania safari adventure through Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara. This 4-day safari itinerary combines breathtaking wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable game drives across some of Africa’s most iconic national parks.
From $1,480 per person
Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit
Explore Tanzania on the 5 Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire in a private open-roof 4x4 safari cruiser with Haradali.
From $1,850 per person
Common questions
Most of our packages include accommodation, meals, park fees, private 4x4 safari transport, professional guides, airport or hotel transfers, and activities mentioned in the itinerary. Specific inclusions may vary depending on the tour.
Tanzania can be visited year-round, but the best time for safaris is usually during the dry season from June to October. Zanzibar is also beautiful during this period, while Kilimanjaro climbs are ideal from January to March and June to October.
Yes! We specialize in personalized experiences and can tailor your safari, Zanzibar holiday, or Kilimanjaro trek based on your travel style, budget, and preferences.
We offer a variety of accommodations including budget camps, mid-range lodges, luxury safari lodges, beachfront resorts, and mountain camps during Kilimanjaro treks.
We offer both private and group safari options. Private safaris provide a more personalized experience, while group safaris are a great option for travelers looking for a more affordable adventure.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is physically challenging but achievable for most people with proper preparation and determination. Choosing the right route and itinerary greatly improves acclimatization and summit success.
Plan with confidence
Keep reading
Tanzania is a year-round safari destination. The best time depends on what you want to see and how much you value quiet roads, lush landscapes and good weather.
2 min read
View details
Northern Tanzania has four parks that are often visited together. Each is different, so knowing what each does best helps you plan a trip you will enjoy.
2 min read
View details
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Africa to see a wide range of wildlife in a small area. Here is what to expect and how to make the most of a day in the crater.
2 min read
View details