9 Days Big Five Safari

You will be picked up early in the morning by a driver guide from your hotel in Nairobi after breakfast and driven to Tsavo West National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch and, after a short rest, head out for an afternoon game drive. Tsavo West is the most visited section of Tsavo National Park and offers various attractions in addition to its wildlife. One of the highlights is the Mzima Springs, where over 227 million liters of cool, crystal-clear water flow daily through porous volcanic rock. This water is believed to originate from the Chyulu Hills via an underground river. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

After breakfast, you will set out on a full-day game drive with a packed lunch. Among the attractions are the rolling rocks, named for the winds that rush through them, and the scenic poachers’ lookout point. You will also visit the volcanic Chaimu Crater, which is less than 200 years old and made of black lava rock; it is climbable for those interested. In the southwestern part of the park lies Lake Jipe, which straddles the Kenya-Tanzania border. The area is also a good place to spot the klipspringer, a small antelope known in Swahili as Mbuzi Mawe, or mountain goat.

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Amboseli National Park. Upon arrival, you will check in to your accommodation and spend the rest of the day at leisure. The park is located south of Nairobi and consists primarily of a dry, ancient lake bed and fragile grasslands interspersed with patches of acacia woodland. The southern area features several small rocky volcanic hills and swamps such as Ol Kenya, Oltakal, and Enkongo Narok. The vegetation is lush, featuring yellow-backed acacias and Phoenix palms. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Kibo Safari Lodge.

You will rise early to get a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds cover the summit. A packed lunch will be provided. After breakfast, you have the option to visit a Maasai village at an additional cost. The visit offers a glimpse into the daily life, rituals, singing, and dancing of the Maasai people. This cultural experience provides insight into their home life and social structure, even as their traditional ways evolve. Amboseli is considered one of the best places in Africa to observe elephants at close range, especially as they feed and bathe in the swamps. Dinner and overnight stay will again be at Kibo Safari Lodge.

After breakfast, you will depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, which is renowned for its large flocks of flamingos and alkaline waters. The lake is recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world. In addition to flamingos, the park is a sanctuary for more than 40 black rhinos and over 60 white rhinos. You will arrive in time for lunch and proceed with an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Following an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Lake Naivasha, the highest and among the most beautiful of the Rift Valley lakes at an altitude of 1,910 meters. The lake contains fresh water and is fringed by dense papyrus, once used by ancient Egyptians to make paper. Kingfishers nest in the papyrus, while herons hide in it in search of food. Lake Naivasha is a popular bird-watching destination with over 400 species recorded and is a favorite weekend getaway for residents of Nairobi. Along the lakeshore, local vineyards grow grapes for Kenya’s emerging wine industry. You will also visit Hell’s Gate National Park, where you have the option to cycle among wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, and gazelles or go for a hike through the gorges for an extra fee. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

After breakfast, you will set off for the Masai Mara. The reserve is one of the last remaining regions where wildlife roams freely in numbers similar to those found across Africa centuries ago. Located at the northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara hosts the spectacular seasonal migration of thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and the predators that follow them. You will arrive in time for lunch and head out for an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at Ashnil Camp.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a full-day game drive with a packed lunch. The reserve is famous for its black-maned lions and abundant wildlife, and it is one of the few places where spotting the Big Five in a single game drive is possible. Many cheetahs in the area are so accustomed to safari vehicles that they sometimes seek shade beneath them or even climb on top for a better view of prey. Over 500 bird species have also been recorded in the area. Optional activities include visiting a local Maasai village or taking a hot air balloon ride, both at an additional cost. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.

You will depart Masai Mara after an early breakfast and drive to Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant. After the meal, your driver guide will drop you at your city hotel or at the airport for your departure.