7-Day Kenya Classic Safari

7-Day Kenya
Classic Safari

Masai Mara

Two nights among lions, cheetahs and, in season, the Great Migration.

Lake Naivasha

A boat cruise among hippos and a walk with giraffes on Crescent Island.

Amboseli

Elephant families crossing the swamps beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.

Why Choose This Safari

Kenya’s Great Classics Covered in One Week

Private From Start to Finish

Your own 4x4 vehicle and expert driver-guide, with game drives planned around your interests.

Beyond the Vehicle

A boat cruise and a walking safari at Naivasha add variety and a closer view of the bush.

Looked After Throughout

Internal flights, transfers and round-the-clock support from our team on the ground.

Itinerary

Your 7-Day Kenya Classic Safari Itinerary

Day 01 :
Arrival in Nairobi

Your guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with a warm welcome and a cool towel. On the drive into the city, catch your first glimpses of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs, with the Ngong Hills on the horizon. Spend the afternoon settling in, or visit the Giraffe Centre to hand-feed Rothschild’s giraffes. Enjoy a relaxed dinner on your first night in Africa.

Midrange: Comfortable boutique hotel in the city.

Luxury: Elegant forest-edge lodge on the outskirts of Nairobi.

Day 02 :
Into the Masai Mara

Travel to the Masai Mara by light aircraft or by road through the Great Rift Valley. Settle into your tented camp, then head out on your first game drive across the plains. Lions are often found resting in the long grass, and the late afternoon light is perfect for photographs. Return to camp for dinner by lantern light.

Midrange: Comfortable tented camp close to the reserve.

Luxury: Luxury tented camp on the river or the edge of the plains.

Day 03 :
A Full Day on the Plains

Set out at dawn, when the air is cool and the predators are most active. Spend the full day exploring, with a picnic breakfast near a hippo pool and time to watch cheetahs, elephants and grazing herds. From July to October, the Great Migration brings dramatic river crossings to the Mara River. Add an optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight. End the day with sundowners on the plains.

Midrange: Comfortable tented camp close to the reserve.

Luxury: Luxury tented camp on the river or the edge of the plains.

Day 04 :
Down to Lake Naivasha

After a morning game drive, travel to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. This freshwater lake, fringed with yellow fever trees, is well known for its fish eagles and rich birdlife. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise past pods of hippos, then join a guided walk on Crescent Island among giraffes, zebras and waterbuck.

Midrange: Relaxed lakeside hotel with garden views.

Luxury: Refined lakeside lodge in the Rift Valley.

Day 05 :
South to Amboseli

Drive south across Maasai land to Amboseli National Park, where Kilimanjaro rises above the plains on clear days. Your first game drive introduces you to Amboseli’s elephants, among the most studied in Africa, as they move in family groups across the swamps. Dinner is served outdoors with the mountain on the horizon.

Midrange: Comfortable safari lodge near the park.

Luxury: Luxury camp with Kilimanjaro views.

Day 06 :
Elephants and the Mountain

Spend the day on morning and afternoon game drives. At dawn, Kilimanjaro is often at its clearest before clouds gather later in the morning. Look for lions and cheetahs on the open plains, and watch elephant bulls wade into the green swamps to feed. An optional visit to a Maasai village offers an insight into local culture. Close the day with sundowners as the mountain glows in the evening light.

Midrange: Comfortable safari lodge near the park.

Luxury: Luxury camp with Kilimanjaro views.

Day 07 :
Last Morning and Departure

Enjoy a final game drive at first light for one more look at the elephants and the mountain. After breakfast, fly or drive back to Nairobi, where a day room is ready for you to freshen up and have a meal. Your guide then takes you to the airport for your evening flight home.

Cost

What Your Classic Safari Includes

Include

All accommodation on full board, with bed and breakfast in Nairobi
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and expert driver-guide
All park and conservancy fees
Daily game drives and the activities listed in the itinerary
Lake Naivasha boat cruise and Crescent Island walking safari
Internal flights and all ground transfers
Day room in Nairobi on your departure day
Bottled water and soft drinks on safari
24/7 on-the-ground support throughout

Exclude

Map

Your Classic Safari Route

Plan Your Trip

Book Your Safari Package

Kenya Safari

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to take the Kenya Classic Safari?

The safari runs all year. July to October brings the Great Migration to the Masai Mara, while January to March offers dry weather and clear views of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli.

Do we fly or drive between parks?

It depends on your preference and the season. The Masai Mara can be reached by light aircraft or by road, while the journeys to Naivasha and Amboseli are by road with your guide. The itinerary includes internal flights.

Is this safari private?

Yes. You have your own vehicle and driver-guide for the whole trip, so you can set the pace, stay longer at sightings and plan each day around your interests.

Is the Crescent Island walk safe?

Yes. Crescent Island has no large predators so you can walk with a guide among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and waterbuck. It suits most ages and fitness levels.

Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?

Most visitors need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) online before travelling. We recommend applying at least two weeks ahead and checking the latest requirements for your nationality.