7-Days Kenya Big Five Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi—Safari Preparation

Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you are welcomed and transferred to your lodge in Nairobi. The city sits on elevated plains and serves as the gateway to Kenya’s premier safari regions.

The afternoon is reserved for rest after travel or an optional visit to a nearby conservation center. In the evening, your safari guide provides a briefing on the route ahead and seasonal wildlife expectations.

Overnight Stay: Hemingways Nairobi / Fairmont The Norfolk
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Nairobi to Ol Pejeta—Rhino Territory

After breakfast, depart north toward the Laikipia Plateau and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The drive passes through scenic highland terrain before descending into open savannah.

Ol Pejeta is one of East Africa’s leading rhino conservation areas, home to both black and white rhino populations. Afternoon game drives often deliver close sightings, as rhino densities are relatively high within the conservancy.

Lion, elephant, buffalo, and giraffe also inhabit the area, offering early Big Five opportunities.

Overnight Stay: Sweetwaters Serena Camp / Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Ol Pejeta to Maasai Mara—Predator Plains

After breakfast, transfer to the Maasai Mara by road or scheduled flight. Upon arrival, the landscape opens into expansive golden grasslands dotted with acacia trees.

Your first game drive in the Mara begins immediately. The reserve is renowned for its lion prides and regular leopard sightings along riverine woodland. Buffalo herds graze widely, and elephants move steadily across the plains.

The open terrain allows excellent wildlife visibility.

Overnight Stay: Mara Bushtops / Angama Mara
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Maasai Mara—Full Day Big Five Safari

A full day in the Mara focuses on maximizing Big Five sightings. Early morning drives target lions and leopards before they retreat from the heat.

Buffalo herds gather near river systems, while elephants move between feeding grounds. The Mara River often supports crocodiles and hippos.

Depending on the season, large migration herds of wildebeest and zebra may also be present, intensifying predator-prey interactions.

The day is structured around extended game drives with picnic lunch in the bush.

Overnight Stay: Mara Bushtops / Angama Mara
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Maasai Mara to Amboseli – Kilimanjaro Backdrop

After breakfast, transfer south toward Amboseli National Park. The drive offers changing scenery as Mount Kilimanjaro rises dramatically on the horizon.

Upon arrival, afternoon game drives focus on Amboseli’s extensive swamp systems where elephants congregate. The park is famous for large-tusked elephants frequently photographed against Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak.

Lions and buffalo are also present, while open plains allow clear visibility.

Overnight Stay: Tortilis Camp / Elewana Amboseli Serena Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Amboseli—Elephant & Predator Focus

An early morning drive increases chances of clear Mount Kilimanjaro views before cloud cover forms. Elephant herds cross open plains in classic safari scenes.

Game drives explore both dry lakebeds and permanent swamps, where hippos and birdlife gather. Lions are often located resting near woodland edges.

The combination of scenic landscapes and consistent wildlife makes Amboseli a fitting finale for your Big Five circuit.

Overnight Stay: Tortilis Camp / Elewana Amboseli Serena Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Return to Nairobi—Departure

After breakfast, transfer back to Nairobi by road or scheduled flight. Upon arrival, connect with your onward international departure.

Your 7 Days Kenya Big Five Safari concludes having covered rhino conservation in Laikipia, predator-rich plains of the Maasai Mara, and elephant-dominated landscapes of Amboseli—delivering a comprehensive Big Five experience across Kenya’s most iconic ecosystems.

Overnight Stay: Not applicable
Meal Plan: Breakfast