The cost of 7-Day Best of Kenya Safari

Are you planning a safari that brings together Kenya’s most iconic landscapes in one seamless trip? This 7-day journey leads you through four legendary wildlife destinations, starting beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and ending on the rolling plains of the Maasai Mara. Along the way, you will travel through tranquil Lake Naivasha and the rhino sanctuary of Lake Nakuru. Each stop presents its own scenery, animals, and activities, so no two days feel the same. Game drives, boat rides and nature walks will fill your schedule and comfortable lodges plus reliable transport will keep the trip stress-free. If you visit between July and October, you will have a high chance to catch the Great Migration across the Mara plains, a spectacle many travelers rank among nature’s greatest shows.

Pricing and planning

The season and your group size determine the price you pay. Rates cover two guests sharing mid-range rooms at each stop: Amboseli Sopa Lodge in Amboseli, Avian Court in Naivasha, Sarova Woodlands in Nakuru, and Sentrim Mara Lodge in the Maasai Mara. The package also includes transport for the full trip.

• During the low season (January to June), you pay USD 2,800 per person.
• During the peak season (July to December), the cost rises to USD 3,140 per person.
• Larger groups reduce the price per person, so traveling with friends or family helps you save money.

What’s included in the cost and what’s not

Included:

• Private road transport in a 4×4 with a pop-up roof, fuel, tolls and driver
• Six nights in mid-range lodges or camps.
• Full-board meals, with picnic lunches on long game drives.
• Bottled water on drives, a private boat ride on Lake Naivasha, and a guided Crescent Island walking safari.
• English-speaking guide, park fees, and conservation taxes.

Excluded:

• International flights, visas, and eVisa fees.
• Optional extras like hot air balloon safaris or Maasai village visits.
• Premium drinks, personal expenses, tips, and travel insurance.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

The safari will begin at 08:00 in the morning with a pickup in Nairobi. You’ll drive south across the Athi Plains toward Amboseli. After checking in at your lodge or camp, you’ll enjoy a welcoming lunch. At around 15:30, your first afternoon game drive unfolds on the park’s broad plains. You will look for Amboseli’s famous elephants as they roam beneath the snow-tipped Mount Kilimanjaro. Afterward, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Explore Amboseli National Park

On this day, you will dedicate it fully to exploring Amboseli’s varied landscapes. You will choose either an early morning drive to catch wildlife at their most active, or start with a picnic breakfast in the field to stretch your time in the park. You’ll roam dusty plains, woodlands, and swampy areas that attract hippos, buffalo and many waterfowl. A visit to the Observation Hill offers a panoramic view of the park and its seasonal lake bed. You will end the day with a sunset drive back to your lodge for dinner and a fireside evening.

Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, you will depart Amboseli and head north, looping past Nairobi and descending the Rift Valley escarpment. You’ll reach your Lake Naivasha lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a serene boat ride on the lake, watching hippos and a rich birdlife. The boat stops at Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, where you walk alongside giraffes, zebras and waterbucks in a vehicle-free environment. Return to your lodge for dinner.

Day 4: Naivasha to Nakuru

A relaxed morning will lead you to Lake Nakuru National Park by road. You will check in for lunch, then set out for an afternoon game drive along the lake’s edge. Nakuru is famed for its birds and for hosting endangered white and black rhinos. You will spot Rothschild’s giraffes and on good day a leopard resting in the shade of a fever tree. You will return to your lodge for dinner and a restful night.

Day 5: Nakuru to Maasai Mara

After an early breakfast, you will depart Nakuru and travel southwest across the Rift Valley toward Kenya’s top wildlife destination. You’ll check into your Mara lodge and have a fresh lunch. At 15:30, you will head out for your first Mara game drive on the vast savanna. You’ll search for the Big Five and a host of other plains game against a dramatic backdrop of endless plains. You will return to the lodge for dinner and an evening under the stars.

Day 6: Full day in Maasai Mara

This day is devoted to a full exploration of the Mara. You can start early with a morning drive, perhaps with a picnic breakfast to stay in the wild longer. You will look out for the famous Big Five, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. The reserve will also be home to cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and warthogs. During your game drives, you may spot large predator groups hunting across the plains or resting under trees. The Mara River will provide chances to see hippos and crocodiles, while many bird species will fill the skies. A midday picnic lunch is served under an acacia tree or by the Mara River, so you won’t have to leave the wildlife to eat. The afternoon continues with more game viewing before returning to camp for a relaxed evening.

Day 7: Mara to Nairobi

Savor one last calm morning in the bush, listening to the early wildlife chorus over a final breakfast at camp. After checking out, you will embark on the scenic drive back to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 14:30. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NJKIA) for your onward journey home.

How the safari runs smoothly

• Logistics are designed for comfort and efficiency. A private, four-wheel-drive vehicle with a pop-up roof keeps you comfortable while granting great viewing angles.
• Your guide is a certified English-speaking professional who is able to spot animals quickly, read animal behavior and share local knowledge about parks, birds and landscapes.
• Accommodation is chosen for reliability and access to wildlife. Each lodge or camp offers reliable meals, comfortable beds, and often scenic views.
• Timing is aligned with animal activity. Early morning drives take advantage of cooler temperatures when wildlife is active, while late afternoon drives capture sunset scenery.

How to Easily Book Your Safari

You can choose the method that’s most convenient. A safari consultant will respond within 12 hours or less. Options include:

• Email: info@iconicafricasafaris.com with travel details, dates and any special requests.
• WhatsApp: +256767585369 for quick responses.
• Form: A booking form below to capture your details and preferences.

A few tips to get the most from your safari

• Travel light but pack layers for morning and evening coolness, plus a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Bring a pair of binoculars and a camera with extra memory cards for plenty of wildlife moments.
• Respect park rules and local customs; follow your guide’s lead on questions about wildlife and safety.