Kenya · Group joining · Budget safari
From the Mara to the coast road
Nine days across southern Kenya: the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, then Tsavo West and Tsavo East, ending in Nairobi or Mombasa.
Price on request
The journey in brief
The experience
This is Kenya at length. Starting from Nairobi, you spend two nights in the Maasai Mara before travelling to Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate. From there you head south to Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro views.
The final days are in Tsavo, Kenya's largest protected area, with Mzima Springs in Tsavo West and the open country of Tsavo East. You can finish in Mombasa for time at the coast or return to Nairobi.
Two nights in the Maasai Mara
Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate National Park
A full day in Amboseli
Mzima Springs and Tsavo East's red elephants
The route
Nairobi
Maasai Mara
Lake Naivasha
Amboseli
Tsavo West
Tsavo East
Mombasa or Nairobi
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Tsavo West → Tsavo East → Mombasa or Nairobi
Day by day
Timings are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day around road and wildlife conditions.
Day 1 / Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Your nine-day journey across Kenya begins on the road west from Nairobi. Stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, then cross the valley floor and continue through Narok to the Maasai Mara. After a short rest at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, head out on an evening game drive, when the plains are bathed in late light and many animals become active.
Day 2 / Maasai Mara National Reserve
A full day exploring the grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which roll east from the Oloololo Escarpment across open plains broken by acacias and river courses. Your guide looks for lions, cheetahs, elephants and the herds of wildebeest, zebras and topi, adapting the route to the day's sightings. Lunch is a picnic near the hippo pools, where large groups of hippos rest in the water through the heat of the day.
Day 3 / Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha
A final early game drive in the Mara, from about 6 to 9:30am, then breakfast and the drive back up the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. This freshwater lake, ringed by papyrus and yellow-barked acacia, is a complete change of scene after the open plains, with hippos in the shallows and a rich variety of birdlife. Check in at Leisure Apex for two nights.
Day 4 / Hell's Gate National Park · Lake Naivasha
Explore Hell's Gate National Park on a nature walk or a game drive, among towering cliffs, volcanic plugs and a deep gorge cut by water. The park's open grassland is grazed by zebras, giraffes, buffalo and gazelles, and its cliffs are home to birds of prey. Afterwards, enjoy free time by Lake Naivasha, with an optional boat ride to look for hippos and fish eagles.
Day 5 / Lake Naivasha → Nairobi → Amboseli
A long day on the road takes you from Lake Naivasha back through Nairobi and south-east to Amboseli. The scenery changes as you go, from the green highlands and city suburbs to the dry, wide-open country near the Tanzanian border, where Kilimanjaro may appear on the horizon. Arrive at Nyati Safari Camp and, if time allows, head out for an evening game drive.
Day 6 / Amboseli National Park
Game drives across Amboseli National Park's swamps and plains, where elephants and hippos gather around the green marshes and zebras and wildebeest graze the open ground. Kilimanjaro's summit is visible when the weather allows, often early and late in the day, and the view across the swamps to the mountain is one of the most photographed in Kenya. It is a day to slow down and watch elephant families at close quarters.
Day 7 / Amboseli → Tsavo West National Park
A morning drive in Amboseli, then continue east to Tsavo West National Park, a rugged landscape of volcanic hills and lava flows. Visit Mzima Springs, where water from the Chyulu Hills emerges into clear pools; hippos and fish may be seen in the water, and an underwater viewing chamber gives a different perspective. Spend the night in Tsavo West.
Day 8 / Tsavo West → Tsavo East National Park
A dawn game drive in Tsavo West, then cross to Tsavo East National Park, the flatter, drier half of Kenya's largest protected area. Tsavo East is known for large numbers of elephants, often coloured rust-red by the dust they throw over themselves. In the afternoon, visit Aruba dam, a reservoir that draws wildlife to drink, especially in the dry months.
Day 9 / Tsavo East → Mombasa or Nairobi
A final morning game drive in Tsavo East before leaving the park. From here, you choose how the journey ends: continue to the coast for drop-off at a Mombasa hotel, ready for time by the Indian Ocean, or return to Nairobi for onward travel. Both routes follow the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, which runs between the two halves of Tsavo.
Where you stay
This budget safari uses the camps and hotels listed below. Where a stop says 'camp/lodge', we confirm the property with your quote.
Maasai Mara · 2 nights
The budget tented camp used for Absolute's Maasai Mara budget safaris, close to the reserve.
About Miti Mingi Eco Camp
Lake Naivasha · 2 nights
The Naivasha base for budget safaris that include Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate.
About Leisure Apex
Amboseli · 2 nights
The budget camp used for Amboseli nights, with views towards Kilimanjaro on clear days.
About Nyati Safari CampTsavo West · 1 night
Tsavo East · 1 night
Accommodation pattern: Budget · Miti Mingi Eco Camp + Leisure Apex + Nyati Safari Camp + Other stops: overnight at the camp/lodge.
This safari is priced for your exact dates. Lodge rates, park fees and availability vary through the year, so we confirm a written price once we know your dates and party size.
Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.
The details
Before you travel
Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.
A soft bag is easiest in safari vehicles. If any part of your trip includes light-aircraft flights, baggage limits apply.
Weather and wildlife movement change through the year. Tell us your dates and we will explain what to expect.
Questions travellers ask
Group-joining safaris follow the published route so everyone travels together. If you want changes, ask us about running the route privately.
Prices for this safari depend on your dates, party size and accommodation availability, so we quote for your exact trip.
We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.
No. Wildlife is free-ranging and sightings vary. Your guide will plan each day around conditions to give you the best chances.
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The next step
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.
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Price on request
