The definitive Kenyan experience in one seamless journey. If you only have one chance to visit Kenya, this is the safari to choose. This 8-day “Best of Kenya” expedition takes you to the three most iconic ecosystems in East Africa. Stand in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, where massive elephant herds roam beneath the snow-capped peak. descend into the Great Rift Valley to boat past hippos on Lake Naivasha and track endangered rhinos in Lake Nakuru. Finally, immerse yourself in the world-famous Maasai Mara, the stage for the Great Migration and home to the highest density of predators in Africa.
Why This is the “Best of Kenya”
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The Big Three: It covers the three most requested destinations (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara) without feeling rushed.
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Variety of Activity: Unlike pure game-drive safaris, this itinerary breaks up the driving with a Boat Safari on Lake Naivasha and a Walking Safari at Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate, allowing you to stretch your legs among zebras and giraffes.
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Photography Optimized: We prioritize golden-hour drives in Amboseli (for mountain views) and the Mara (for predator action), ensuring you get the postcard shots you came for.
Your 8-Day Classic Circuit Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – The Safari Capital Karibu. Your journey begins in Nairobi. Depending on your arrival time, we will ease you into the Kenyan spirit with visits to the Giraffe Centre or the Karen Blixen Museum. Enjoy a relaxing evening at your hotel, preparing for the adventure ahead.
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Accommodation: (Hotel)
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Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Nairobi to Amboseli – The Giants The Roof of Africa. We depart Nairobi in our 4×4 Land Cruisers, heading south through the Athi Plains. By midday, Mount Kilimanjaro dominates the horizon as we enter Amboseli National Park. After lunch, your first game drive introduces you to the park’s famous “tuskers”—elephants with massive ivory tusks—grazing against the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain.
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Travel Time: Approx. 4 hours
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Accommodation: (Lodge/Camp)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Full Day in Amboseli – Photography Paradise Shadows and Dust. We wake up early to catch Kilimanjaro before the clouds roll in—the best time for photography. We spend the day exploring the swamps where elephants bathe and hippos hide. Keep an eye out for cheetahs on the dry lake bed and buffalos weaving through the papyrus.
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Activity: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
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Accommodation: (Lodge/Camp Name)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha – The Rift Valley Into the Great Rift. We leave the savannah and drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater jewel on the Rift Valley floor. In the afternoon, we trade the 4×4 for a boat. A Boat Safari takes you close to families of hippos and over 400 bird species. We dock at Crescent Island for a guided walking safari, where you can walk safely alongside wildebeests and giraffes (no predators here!).
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Travel Time: Approx. 5 hours
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Activity: Boat Ride & Walking Safari
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Accommodation: (Lodge)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru – The Rhino Sanctuary Pink Lakes & Prehistoric Beasts. A short drive takes us to Lake Nakuru National Park. Famous for its flamingo-lined shores, this park is also a fortress for the endangered Rhino. It is one of the few places in Kenya where you can see both Black and White Rhinos in a single game drive. The park also hosts the rare Rothschild Giraffe and tree-climbing lions.
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Travel Time: Approx. 1.5 hours
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Accommodation: (Lodge)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara – The Main Event Land of the Lion. We drive along the Rift Valley floor, passing dormant volcanoes, before ascending into the legendary Maasai Mara. We arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The grass plains here are teeming with wildlife—topis, elands, gazelles—and where there is prey, there are predators.
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Travel Time: Approx. 5 hours
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Accommodation: (Tented Camp/Lodge)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Full Day in Maasai Mara – The Great Migration The World Cup of Wildlife. Today is unscripted. We pack a picnic lunch and head deep into the reserve. If traveling between July and October, we head to the Mara River to witness the Great Migration crossings. Even in the “green season,” the Mara offers the highest density of lions in the world. We end the day with a visit to a Maasai Village to learn about the culture that defines this land.
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Activity: Unlimited Game Drives & Cultural Visit
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Accommodation: (Tented Camp/Lodge)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Picnic, Dinner
Day 8: Maasai Mara to Nairobi – Kwa Heri Homeward Bound. After a final sunrise game drive (often the most active time for leopards), we enjoy breakfast and begin the drive back to Nairobi. We stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint for one last look at the landscape before dropping you at the airport.
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Travel Time: Approx. 5-6 hours
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Meal Plan: Breakfast
