Kenya Classic Safari
Masai Mara and the Rift Valley highlights
Your Route
Nairobi → Amboseli → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara → Nairobi
Route Details
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli
Elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Highlights
- Kilimanjaro views on clear mornings
- Large elephant families
- Wetland habitats with birdlife
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru
Rhino sanctuary and flamingo-covered alkaline lake.
Highlights
- Reliable rhino sightings
- Flamingo spectacle (seasonal)
- Compact park with easy game viewing
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Kenya's premier wildlife destination with year-round game viewing.
Highlights
- Big cat territory of the Mara
- Great Migration crossings (July-October)
- Maasai cultural interactions
A Typical Day
Sample from Amboseli National Park
5:30–6:30
Early game drive for Kilimanjaro views
7:00–12:00
Continue exploring elephant territory
12:00–15:00
Lunch at lodge, rest
15:00–18:00
Sunset game drive to the swamps
18:00–21:00
Dinner with mountain views
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
First-time visitors wanting Kenya's greatest hits, families seeking variety, and travelers choosing Kenya over Tanzania for value or preference.
Not ideal for
Those seeking solitude, repeat visitors wanting off-grid experiences, or migration-focused travelers who should consider conservancies.
Trade-offs
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Best Time to Go
Migration Season
Wildebeest crossings in the Mara
Dry Season
Good game viewing, fewer visitors than July-October
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
8 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Mid-range tier balances comfort with value. Private guiding available; camps offer quality without premium positioning.
First-time visitors wanting Kenya's greatest hits, families seeking variety, and travelers choosing Kenya over Tanzania for value or preference.
Why each segment was chosen:
Amboseli National Park
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Conservancy positioning allows off-road driving and night drives not permitted in the national reserve.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Diani Beach Extension
Add 3-5 nights on Kenya's coast
Samburu National Reserve
Add unique northern species
Cost Context
$5,000–$9,000/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking