8-Day Kenya Mid-range Safari: The best national parks
Big cats in the Masai Mara, rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru, Rift Valley scenery at Naivasha and elephants beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, planned with trusted local guides.
The very best of Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes, with mid-range comfort.
This 8-day safari adventure is designed to showcase the very best of Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes, with a carefully curated selection of mid-range accommodations that offer comfort, authenticity, and a close connection to nature. Starting and ending in Nairobi, the journey takes you deep into the heart of the country’s most iconic parks and reserves.
You’ll spend your first three nights in the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, a region renowned for its incredible big cat sightings and the awe-inspiring Great Migration (seasonal). From there, you’ll stop at Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its rhinos and birdlife, followed by a night in the peaceful surrounds of Lake Naivasha. The final leg takes you to Amboseli National Park, where vast herds of elephants roam beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. This itinerary blends thrilling game drives with beautiful scenery and relaxed evenings in some of Kenya’s most thoughtfully chosen lodges and camps.
Top Tour Features
- Mid-Range Comfort
- Enjoy a balance of comfort and authenticity with carefully selected mid-range lodges and tented camps throughout the journey.
- Private Safari Experience
- This is a fully private tour—just for you and your travel companions. No shared vehicles or group schedules.
- Flexible Start Dates
- The tour can begin on any day of the week, depending on lodge availability—ideal for fitting into your travel plans.
- Customizable Itinerary
- Personalize your safari by requesting small changes to the route, accommodations, or pace of the tour.
- Family-Friendly
- Designed to be safe and enjoyable for travelers of all ages, including young children.
Day by day, from Nairobi and back again.
Your route and accommodation overview. Lodges shown are sample choices and may vary with availability.
- StartNairobi (Day 1)
- Day 1–3Masai Mara National ReserveZebra Plains Mara Camp – Mid-range tented camp inside Masai Mara National ReserveDay 1: Lunch & Dinner · Days 2–3: All Meals Included
- Day 4Lake Nakuru National ParkLake Nakuru Lodge – Mid-range lodge inside Lake Nakuru National ParkAll Meals Included
- Day 5Lake NaivashaGreat Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort – Mid-range hotel near Lake NaivashaAll Meals Included
- Day 6–7Amboseli National ParkKibo Safari Camp – Mid-range tented camp just outside Amboseli National ParkDay 6: All Meals Included · Day 7: Meals at Own Expense
- EndNairobi City (Day 8)End of Tour – No AccommodationBreakfast Included
- Day 1
Journey to Masai Mara National Reserve
⌂AccommodationZebra Plains Mara CampMid-range tented camp inside Masai Mara National ReserveLunch & Dinner IncludedDay details
Your adventure begins early in the morning as you set off from Nairobi toward one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations—the Masai Mara. The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley, offering scenic views and cultural glimpses along the way. Upon arrival at Zebra Plains Mara Camp, you’ll settle in and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch, followed by some time to rest and take in the surroundings.
In the late afternoon, you’ll head out for your first game drive, exploring the vast savannahs where lions, cheetahs, and elephants roam freely. As the sun dips below the horizon, the golden light paints the plains, creating the perfect backdrop for your wildlife encounters. Dinner is served back at the camp, where you’ll spend your first night under canvas, immersed in the sounds of the bush.
- Days 2–3 · Highlight
Exploring the Wildlife of Masai Mara
⌂AccommodationZebra Plains Mara CampMid-range tented camp inside Masai Mara National ReserveAll Meals IncludedDay details
Spend the next two days delving deeper into the Masai Mara ecosystem, renowned for its thriving populations of the Big Five. Whether you choose morning and afternoon drives or a full-day safari with a picnic lunch on the plains, your guide will help you track the movements of predators and herds. The reserve’s rolling landscapes are home to thousands of zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and the elusive black rhino.
Beyond the iconic mammals, the Masai Mara is a birder’s paradise, boasting more than 500 species including vultures, bustards, and sunbirds. Cheetahs are often spotted lazing in the tall grass or even hopping atop vehicles for better views of prey. Each drive offers new surprises, and your stay at Zebra Plains ensures you return to comfort after days filled with extraordinary sightings.
- Day 4
From the Mara to Lake Nakuru
⌂AccommodationLake Nakuru LodgeMid-range lodge inside Lake Nakuru National ParkAll Meals Included
Day details
After breakfast, you’ll leave the Mara behind and drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its lake fringed with flamingos and its rhino conservation efforts. On arrival, check in to Lake Nakuru Lodge, nestled within the park’s boundaries, and enjoy lunch with sweeping views of the Rift Valley landscape.
In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through this lush, acacia-dotted reserve. Keep your camera ready—this park is a sanctuary for endangered black and white rhinos and is also home to tree-climbing lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, and herds of buffalo. As dusk falls, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening and dinner overlooking the lake.
- Day 5
Lake Naivasha and a Change of Pace
⌂AccommodationGreat Rift Valley Lodge & Golf ResortMid-range hotel near Lake NaivashaAll Meals IncludedDay details
This morning, you’ll head out toward Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Rift Valley lakes and known for its tranquil beauty. Upon arrival, settle into the Great Rift Valley Lodge, perched above the lake with panoramic views. Optional activities include a boat safari to see hippos and waterbirds or a walking safari on Crescent Island where zebras and giraffes roam freely.
Lake Naivasha is a peaceful contrast to the big-game safaris, offering time to slow down and enjoy nature at a gentler pace. Its papyrus-lined shores are alive with birdlife, and the surrounding area is known for its vineyards and flower farms. In the evening, return to the lodge for a quiet dinner and restful night.
- Day 6
Southward to Amboseli National Park
⌂AccommodationKibo Safari CampMid-range tented camp just outside Amboseli National ParkAll Meals IncludedDay details
Depart Naivasha early and journey southward toward Amboseli, where Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, rises above the plains. Arriving in time for lunch, you’ll check in at Kibo Safari Camp, a comfortable tented lodge near the park entrance.
In the afternoon, venture into the park for your first Amboseli game drive. With its open landscapes and swampy springs, Amboseli is a haven for wildlife, especially elephants. Watching large herds of tuskers with Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak in the background is one of Africa’s most iconic safari images. After the drive, return to camp for dinner under the stars.
- Day 7
Full Day in Amboseli
⌂AccommodationKibo Safari CampMid-range tented camp just outside Amboseli National ParkMeals at Own ExpenseDay details
Start the day early to catch clear views of Kilimanjaro before the clouds roll in. Today’s full-day game drive allows you to cover more ground in search of lions, buffalo, hyenas, and countless bird species. Picnic lunch is provided so you can maximize your time in the field.
For those interested in culture, a visit to a nearby Maasai village can be arranged to learn about traditional customs, homes, and dances. In the evening, head back to Kibo Safari Camp for your final night surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
- Day 8
Return to Nairobi
⌂AccommodationEnd of TourNo AccommodationBreakfast IncludedDay details
Enjoy a final morning drive through Amboseli as you say goodbye to the plains and its magnificent wildlife. After breakfast, begin your journey back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of this unforgettable 8-day safari through some of Kenya’s most captivating landscapes.
Transparent from the start, tailored in your quote.
The final price and full list of inclusions and exclusions is confirmed by the local operator in your personalized quote, based on dates, group size and the lodges you choose.
Prices may vary depending on the lodges or camps selected. Ask for simpler accommodations if you need something more budget-friendly, or upgrade where it matters to you.
Get a Free QuoteIncluded
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless marked optional)
- All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
- Professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled optional)
- All taxes & VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the daily itinerary)
- Drinking water (provided every day)
Excluded
- International flights (to/from home)
- Extra accommodation before or after the tour
- Tips (suggested US$10 per person per day)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Possible government increases on taxes or park fees
Rates per person · From Jan 1 to Jun 30
- Solo$4,325
- 2 people$3,010
- 3 people$2,810
- 4 people$2,730
- 5 people$2,650
- 6 people$2,650
Rates per person · From Jul 1 to Dec 31
- Solo$4,865
- 2 people$3,370
- 3 people$3,170
- 4 people$3,090
- 5 people$3,010
- 6 people$3,010
Important notes about rates
- All rates are per person and do not include international flights to/from your home country.
- Prices are listed in US dollars (USD).
- Children of all ages are welcome! Kids under 12 enjoy a special discount, and little ones under 2 travel for free.
- The rates shown here are estimates only. Final pricing depends on your travel dates, the exact itinerary, and chosen accommodations. Each local agency will provide you with a personalized, definitive quote.
- Rates may vary due to seasonal demand, availability, and occasional changes in park fees or taxes.
Ready to get your customized safari quote? Submit your details now and take the first step toward your unforgettable adventure!
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