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Overview of Mara and Amboseli
Amboseli's big-tusked elephants under Kilimanjaro, then three days in the Maasai Mara for lion, cheetah and, from July to October, the migration.
- Length
- 7 days
- Countries
- Kenya
- Pace
- Steady
- From
- USD 3,640
Best for elephants under kilimanjaro, then the mara. Prices are per person sharing a twin or double room and are confirmed on enquiry.
Highlights
- Sunrise at Observation Hill with Kilimanjaro behind
- Elephant herds on the Amboseli swamps
- Three nights in the Maasai Mara
- Mara River crossing points, July to October
- Maasai village visit hosted by a local family
Where this one goes
5 stops over 7 days, in travel order.
Day 1
Nairobi (NBO)
Land and drive south
Days 1 to 3
Amboseli National Park
Elephant herds under Kilimanjaro
Day 3
Nairobi
One night in Karen, breaking the road
Days 4 to 7
Maasai Mara
Big cats, a balloon option and a Maasai village
Day 7
Nairobi (NBO)
Depart
When to travel
The windows below are for the countries this journey crosses. Tell us the month you are thinking of and we will say what it means for this route.
- Jul to OctBest
- Migration herds in the Mara and dry, concentrated game everywhere else.
- Jan to FebStrong
- Hot and dry. Superb cat viewing without the migration crowd.
- Mar to MayGreen
- Long rains. Lush, quiet, cheap, and some camps close.
- Nov to DecMixed
- Short rains, newborn game, good value ahead of the Christmas peak.
What you are likely to see
Listed because this route goes where these animals are, and on which day. None of it is a promise of a sighting, and anyone who gives you a percentage is guessing.
Elephant
Amboseli National Park, days 1 to 3
Among the last big tuskers in Africa
Lion
Maasai Mara, days 4 to 7
Cheetah
Maasai Mara, days 4 to 7
The Mara carries the highest predator density in East Africa
Leopard
Maasai Mara, days 4 to 7
The hardest of the Big Five to find, after rhino
Hippo and crocodile
Mara River, day 6
Wildebeest
Maasai Mara, July to October
Day by day
Day 1
Land in Nairobi, drive to Amboseli
Meet at NBO and drive about 4.5 hours south via Emali to Amboseli National Park. An arrival before midday leaves time for an afternoon game drive, with Kilimanjaro on the skyline when cloud allows.
OvernightAmboseli National Park. Lodge, full board.
Day 2
A full day in Amboseli
Be at Observation Hill for sunrise, when the mountain is usually clearest. The rest of the day follows the swamps and plains for elephant herds, buffalo, wildebeest and hippo.
OvernightAmboseli National Park. Lodge, full board.
Day 3
Amboseli to Nairobi
A last dawn drive, then 4.5 hours back to Nairobi, reaching the Karen area by mid-afternoon. A night in the city breaks the road to the Mara.
OvernightNairobi, Karen. Hotel, breakfast.
Day 4
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Drive west for 5.5 to 6 hours, with a stop at the Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint on the way. You arrive in the Mara for an afternoon game drive on the plains.
OvernightMaasai Mara. Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Day 5
A full day in the Mara
Dawn start for lion, cheetah and the plains herds, with a packed lunch in the field. From July to October we position near the Mara River crossing points for the migration.
OvernightMaasai Mara. Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Day 6
Balloon option and Maasai village
An optional dawn balloon flight over the plains with a bush breakfast, then a visit to a Maasai village hosted by a family near the reserve. The afternoon drive follows the Mara River for hippo and crocodile.
OvernightMaasai Mara. Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Day 7
Drive to Nairobi
Leave after breakfast for the 5.5 to 6 hour drive to Nairobi, arriving by mid-afternoon. Evening flights fit this day best.
Elephants under Kilimanjaro, then the Mara, over 7 days at a steady pace.
Where you stay
6 nights, in travel order. Prices are per person sharing a twin or double room.
| Nights | Where | Type | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Amboseli National Park | Lodge | Full board |
| 1 | Nairobi, Karen | Hotel | Breakfast |
| 3 | Maasai Mara | Lodge or tented camp | Full board |
Photographs from Mara and Amboseli
Included
- Park and reserve fees for Amboseli and the Maasai Mara
- Private 4x4 with pop-top roof and driver-guide
- Six nights in lodges and tented camps, sharing a twin or double room
- Full board in the parks, breakfast at the Nairobi hotel
- Maasai village visit
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers at Nairobi (NBO)
Not included
- International flights
- Visas and eTA fees
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover
- Tips for guides, rangers and lodge staff
- Drinks other than bottled water
- Optional hot-air balloon safari
Questions
- Will I see the Great Migration on this trip?
- From July to October, yes, on the northern plains of the Maasai Mara. Outside that window the Mara still holds the highest predator density in East Africa, so the cat viewing is the reason to come rather than the herds.
- Why does the route go back through Nairobi?
- Because Amboseli and the Mara sit on opposite sides of the city. Nairobi to Amboseli is about 4.5 hours and Nairobi to the Mara 5.5 to 6, so the night in Karen on day three breaks what would otherwise be a very long transfer.
- Is the balloon flight included?
- No, it is optional and priced separately. It runs at dawn on day six over the Mara plains, with breakfast on the ground afterwards, and it is the one add-on almost nobody regrets paying for.
- Will I definitely see Kilimanjaro from Amboseli?
- It depends on the cloud, which is why the itinerary gives Amboseli a full day and two drives rather than one. The mountain is on the skyline when cloud allows, and the elephants are there either way.
- How does the Maasai village visit work?
- It is hosted by a family near the reserve on day six and it is included in the price. We arrange these directly with the group, so the fee is agreed in advance and goes to the community rather than to a middleman.
Enquire about this journey
Tell us your dates and who is coming. We confirm the route, what is still open for those dates and the price per person.
Other journeys
Plan Mara and Amboseli around your dates.
Tell us when you want to travel and how many are coming, and we confirm the route and the price.
From USD 3,640 per person sharing a twin or double room. The lead-in price is confirmed on enquiry.