9 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Welcome to Kenya

You arrive in Nairobi, where you are welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you have time to relax and recover from your journey before beginning the main safari. Your guide provides a briefing about the itinerary, the destinations you will visit and the activities planned for the coming days. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short orientation around Nairobi or simply relax at your accommodation. You can also use the afternoon to organise your luggage, cameras and safari equipment before the journey begins. In the evening, you enjoy your first dinner in Kenya and spend a comfortable night in Nairobi.

Accommodation options in Nairobi:

• Eka Hotel
• Sarova Panafric
• Tamarind Tree Hotel

Meals: (Dinner)

Day 2: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, you depart Nairobi and travel towards the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, where you can enjoy views of the escarpment and surrounding countryside. You continue through rural communities and agricultural landscapes before reaching the Mara region. After lunch, you enter the reserve for your first game drive, depending on your arrival time and park conditions. You begin searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife across the open savannah. Your guide introduces you to the Mara ecosystem and helps you identify different species and understand their behaviour. You later proceed to your accommodation for dinner and your first night in the Maasai Mara.

Accommodation options in Maasai Mara:

• Mara Sopa Lodge
• Sarova Mara Game Camp
• Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Full-Day Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari

You begin the day with an early morning game drive across the Maasai Mara, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and increased wildlife activity. Your guide searches for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and other species while exploring the reserve’s grasslands, woodland and riverine habitats. You may also encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and a variety of antelope species. Depending on the season, you may witness large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra associated with the annual migration, although wildlife movements naturally vary. You enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before continuing your afternoon exploration. The afternoon drive provides further opportunities for wildlife photography and scenic views across the Mara plains. You return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation options in Maasai Mara:

• Mara Sopa Lodge
• Sarova Mara Game Camp
• Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you leave the Maasai Mara and travel towards Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, rural settlements and agricultural areas as you make your way towards Nakuru. After lunch, you enter Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive around the lake and surrounding habitats. You search for black and white rhinoceroses, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, lions and other wildlife found within the park. The area also offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities, with numerous species associated with the lake and surrounding vegetation. Your guide explains the ecology of the park while helping you locate wildlife and scenic viewpoints. After the afternoon game drive, you proceed to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay near Lake Nakuru.

Accommodation options in Lake Nakuru:

• Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
• Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
• Flamingo Hill Tented Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, you depart Lake Nakuru and begin the journey south towards Amboseli National Park. The drive takes you through Kenya’s changing landscapes, with opportunities to see rural communities, farms and sections of the Great Rift Valley. You enjoy lunch en route before continuing towards the Amboseli ecosystem. As you approach the park, the landscape changes to open plains, acacia woodland and wetlands, creating a distinctive safari environment. Depending on your arrival time, you begin an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife. On clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro provides an impressive backdrop to the park and creates excellent opportunities for photography. You later proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and an overnight stay in the Amboseli region.

Accommodation options in Amboseli:

• Amboseli Sopa Lodge
• Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
• Kibo Safari Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Full-Day Amboseli Wildlife Safari

You begin your day with an early morning game drive through Amboseli National Park, when the cooler conditions can provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. You explore open plains and wetland areas while searching for large elephant herds, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and various antelope species. Amboseli is particularly renowned for its elephant populations and its spectacular scenery, with Mount Kilimanjaro visible when weather conditions are favourable. You return to your accommodation for breakfast and some relaxation before heading out again after lunch. During the afternoon game drive, your guide takes you through different habitats and helps you discover additional wildlife and bird species. You have time to stop at suitable viewpoints for photography and to appreciate the expansive scenery. You return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Accommodation options in Amboseli:

• Amboseli Sopa Lodge
• Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
• Kibo Safari Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Amboseli Wildlife and Maasai Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you enjoy another game drive in Amboseli, exploring different areas of the park in search of wildlife. Your guide continues looking for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and other plains species while explaining the ecology of the Amboseli ecosystem. After the morning wildlife experience, you visit a local Maasai community for a cultural experience. You learn about traditional homes, livestock keeping, crafts, music, dance and aspects of Maasai cultural heritage. This experience provides an opportunity to understand the connection between local communities, their traditions and the surrounding wildlife environment. After lunch, you may enjoy a final afternoon game drive or a relaxed visit around the lodge, depending on your programme and park conditions. You return to your accommodation for dinner and your final overnight stay in Amboseli.

Accommodation options in Amboseli:

• Amboseli Sopa Lodge
• Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
• Kibo Safari Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Amboseli to Nairobi

After breakfast, you leave Amboseli and begin your journey back towards Nairobi. If your schedule and park regulations permit, you may enjoy a short final game drive before exiting the park, giving you one last opportunity to observe wildlife and photograph the Amboseli landscape. You then continue through the Kenyan countryside, passing rural settlements, farmland and changing scenery along the route. Lunch is taken en route before continuing towards the capital. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you check into your hotel and have time to rest after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an optional city activity or simply relax at the hotel. In the evening, you enjoy dinner and prepare your luggage for your departure the following day.

Accommodation options in Nairobi:

• Eka Hotel
• Sarova Panafric
• Tamarind Tree Hotel

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, you check out of your Nairobi hotel and prepare for your journey home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax, enjoy a final coffee or purchase souvenirs before leaving the city. Your Verdant Safaris representative transfers you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or another agreed departure point. You are advised to arrive at the airport in good time for check-in, immigration and security procedures. As you leave Kenya, you take with you memories of the magnificent Maasai Mara plains, rhino encounters around Lake Nakuru and the spectacular elephant herds and Mount Kilimanjaro views of Amboseli. Your 9 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli Safari officially ends at the airport.

Meals: (Breakfast)