This 5-day Masai Mara and Amboseli safari combines two of Kenya's most iconic wildlife destinations in one private safari. Travel from Nairobi in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a professional safari guide and explore the elephant-rich plains of Amboseli before continuing to the wildlife-filled Masai Mara.
Amboseli National Park is famous for its large elephant herds, open plains and views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. The Masai Mara is one of Kenya's best destinations for big cats, including lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience both parks in five days without joining a shared group tour. It starts and ends in Nairobi and can be tailored around your travel dates, accommodation preference and budget.
The safari includes 4 nights of accommodation, game drives in both parks, private 4x4 Land Cruiser transport, a professional guide, meals as specified and Nairobi hotel or airport transfers.
The Route
Nairobi → Amboseli National Park → Masai Mara National Reserve → Nairobi
A five-day itinerary is relatively compact because Amboseli and the Masai Mara are separated by a long road transfer. The benefit is that you get two very different safari experiences: Kilimanjaro and elephants in Amboseli, followed by big-cat and plains wildlife viewing in the Mara. If you'd rather keep it to one park, see our 3-Day Masai Mara Safari instead.
Activities & Transportation
- Activities: game drives in Amboseli and the Masai Mara
- Vehicle: private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
- Route: Nairobi – Amboseli – Masai Mara – Nairobi
- Hotel and airport pickup/drop-off included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
Your safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport in the morning. Travel south towards Amboseli National Park, passing through the Kenyan countryside and Maasai communities along the way. On arrival, check in and have lunch at your lodge or tented camp.
In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive. Amboseli is particularly known for its elephants, but the park also supports lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and numerous bird species. On clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro provides the famous backdrop to the Amboseli plains. Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Full-Day Amboseli Safari
After an early breakfast, begin a full-day game drive in Amboseli. The morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing, particularly when animals are active before the heat of the day. Explore the park's open plains, swamps and wildlife areas while your guide looks for elephants and other species.
You may encounter large elephant families, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, hippo and a variety of antelope. Lions and cheetahs are also present, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax before another afternoon game-viewing session. If weather conditions are favourable, this is also a good opportunity for photographs with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Dinner and overnight at your Amboseli accommodation.
Amboseli – Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey towards the Masai Mara. This is the longest road-transfer day of the safari, as the two destinations are on opposite sides of Nairobi. The drive takes you through changing landscapes and rural communities before continuing towards Kenya's southwestern savannahs.
Arrive in the Masai Mara later in the day, depending on road and traffic conditions. After check-in and lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive if time allows. The Mara is famous for its large concentrations of predators and plains game — look out for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife. Return to camp or lodge for dinner and overnight.
Full-Day Masai Mara Safari
Spend the entire day exploring the Masai Mara with your private safari guide. After an early breakfast, depart with a packed lunch for extended game viewing across the reserve.
The Mara is one of Kenya's strongest destinations for spotting lions, cheetahs and other predators. The Mara and Talek rivers also attract hippos and crocodiles, while the surrounding grasslands support large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and antelope.
From around July to October, the Masai Mara forms part of the annual Great Migration route as wildebeest and other herbivores move through the ecosystem. Wildlife remains present throughout the year, so a safari outside the migration season can still provide excellent game viewing.
Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner and your final night in the Mara.
Masai Mara – Nairobi
Wake up early for your final game drive in the Masai Mara. The early morning offers another opportunity to look for predators and other wildlife before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Nairobi. Depending on your onward travel plans, you can be dropped off at your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport. For international flights, we recommend allowing sufficient time between your safari arrival and flight departure because road travel times can vary.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
This is a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep. The price depends mainly on the number of travellers, travel season, accommodation category and exact lodges selected.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonJanuary–June and November–mid December
- High SeasonJune and selected busy travel periods
- Peak SeasonJuly–October and Christmas/New Year periods
Indicative Private Safari Rates Per Person
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | From $1,550 | From $1,250 | From $1,100 |
| High Season | From $1,850 | From $1,450 | From $1,300 |
| Peak Season | From $2,250 | From $1,750 | From $1,550 |
These rates are guides rather than fixed published fares. Accommodation and park charges can change, and we can quote different accommodation levels around your budget.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop-off
- 4 nights accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified in the itinerary
- Game drives in Amboseli National Park
- Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
- Drinking water during game drives
- All applicable park entry fees according to the final quotation
- Transport and fuel throughout the safari
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and other premium drinks
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Maasai village visits
- Hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
- Accommodation before or after the safari unless requested
- Anything not specifically listed under inclusions
Getting There
The safari starts in Nairobi, with pickup from your hotel, residence or airport. The first section to Amboseli is by road in your private 4x4 Land Cruiser. After exploring Amboseli, you continue by road to the Masai Mara.
Because Amboseli and the Masai Mara are geographically far apart, Day 3 is primarily a transfer day — one of the main considerations when choosing a five-day itinerary.
Route Map
By Safari Land Cruiser
A private 4x4 Land Cruiser is used for the safari. It provides better ground clearance and is well suited to game-drive conditions and long-distance safari travel.
There is no shared group departure. Your vehicle is dedicated to your travelling party.
Get Free Quote ›
